Global Governance and Sustainable Development MA
2025-26 Year of entry
Become a leader in shaping public policy for a better and more sustainable world. Led by experts with opportunities to apply for work placements
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Why choose Global Governance and Sustainable Development MA at Middlesex?
Sustainable development is a crucial global agenda addressing the multiple crises facing the world today. It involves the establishment of equitable social and economic relations supporting responsible use of environmental resources. Good governance is an integral component of this transformation.
This master's degree equips you with analytical skills and deepens your understanding of sustainable development in theory, policy and practice. You will develop a critical understanding of global governance issues, approaches and instruments that pertain to sustainable development, and gain skills to lead and manage change in a global environment, working for public, private and third-sector agencies.
This programme runs as a 12-month MA and a 24-month MA with Professional Experience. The 24-month MA allows you to seek a year-long paid external placement. The University partners with a specialist award-winning provider for a bespoke package of support, giving you the best possible opportunity to secure a suitable placement.
What you will gain
On this MA you will gain critical sustainability skills and knowledge, in high demand as sustainable development becomes a global priority. You will also develop governance skills, for example in policy evaluation, and equity, diversity and inclusion, which are sought after by intergovernmental agencies, governments, and private sector companies.
Quality of governance is increasingly recognised as central to sustainable development, which requires achieving transformational change and just and legitimate outcomes in major global socio-economic and environmental issues such as poverty, climate change, food security and biodiversity loss.
You will learn from renowned international experts in global governance and sustainable development, including Professor Sarah Bradshaw, an expert in development and gender, and Dr Meri Juntti, an environmental policy specialist, Dr Lisa Overton, specialising in gender, crises and disaster, and Dr Janroj Keles, an expert in migration and diaspora studies. All academics use their impressive research portfolios to inform their teaching, provide practice-based learning opportunities and collaborations with organisations working in the field of sustainable development.
Our international mix of students exposes you to a range of different cultural and national viewpoints. The programme caters to those joining directly from undergraduate study and experienced professionals wanting to develop their sustainability skills. This mix of students offers diverse insights, a genuine basis for informed classroom discussion and opportunity to build valuable networks.
3 great reasons to pick this course
About your course
You'll complete four core modules plus two optional modules over two semesters (autumn and winter), with a dissertation module in the summer semester. Depending on your entry point to the course, you'll submit a final dissertation or a work-based project report in October or January of the year following your entry.
On the 12-month version of the MA, you can choose a short placement, or a work-based project module to replace the dissertation, if you have secured a suitable placement with an external organisation.
On the 24-month MA with Professional Experience, the second year will consist of either a 9-12 month placement module or a business transformation project module.
Modules
Here is a brief overview of the modules.
This module explores how the contested concepts of Sustainable Development and Human Rights interact at international, national and local scales. Using a combination of multimedia, scholarship and current issues, it critically examines inclusion/exclusion and reflects on whether and how current policy and practice promotes the rights and ‘development’ of ‘marginalised groups’.
This interdisciplinary module co-taught by governance and environmental experts, provides you with an in-depth understanding of the central sustainability challenges faced by humanity today, and governance theories, approaches and solutions, including international agreements, legislation, policies and voluntary responses to address them.
This module provides knowledge and skills to understand, critique and apply the notion of sustainable development in the contemporary global context. You will develop a critical understanding of challenges, such as climate breakdown, food insecurity and growing inequality and explore governance approaches and instruments to address them in a fair and sustainable manner.
This module explores the social, political and economic issues related to intersectionality and to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity in policy and practice. Employing an intersectional, embodied, activist approach it explores how characteristics such as gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and disability can inform policy frameworks, monitoring and evaluation.
This module involves an independent research project on a topic relevant to your programme. It introduces research methods at postgraduate level and fosters analytical skills relevant to your research project and future career. You will choose from a range of extra-curricular methods sessions, to customise your package of research skills.
This module provides you with an opportunity to apply to work in an organisation which offers an alternative or new experience relevant to your professional career aspirations for a period of 44 working days. It develops advanced professional practitioner skills in your specific field, to enhance your career prospects.
The module aims to develop professional practice through the application of relevant academic skills and concepts from the programmes to a practical work context. This may be through an in-situ placement or as projects conducted in a ‘consultancy’ type setting, which will support a professional approach to the contemporary world of work and make a tangible contribution to an organisation. The module intends to open possibilities in the field concerned by enabling the student to acquire reflective, generic and transferrable professional capabilities.
This Continuing Professional Development course, co-taught with London Development Trust (LDT), provides the skills and knowledge to understand and critique approaches to sustainable urban development. You will explore and apply practical approaches to complex and diverse urban settings, to address challenges related to urban regeneration, social inequality, health and climate change.
This module provides a critical understanding of the historical and contemporary geopolitics of migration and the theories and approaches used to explain these processes in the 21st century. It critically reviews the complex frameworks developed to explain the economic, social and political transformation brought about by migration.
This module draws on the advanced classical and critical theories of International relations and geopolitical perspectives applied to the study of the foreign policy traditions, risk assessment strategies and practices of the key actors and cases in global politics. It is designed to encourage and enable you to specialize in study of foreign analysis or employment in fields related to governmental and non-governmental sectors including business, political risk, media, security and diplomacy.
This module focuses on the societal drivers and impacts of climate change, and how it is linked to global social inequalities. It interrogates the role of colonialism, race and hegemonic political and economic agendas in relation to climate. You will gain a critical understanding of climate migration and climate refugees and understand transformational change for an equitable, climate resilient future.
This module introduces you to the field's complexities, bridging international human rights law, criminal law, and trade law, and examines corporate liability, challenging traditional State-focused frameworks. You will explore international standards, including those from the UN, EU, OECD, and World Bank, gaining critical tools to assess the human rights impacts of global business practices.
To find out more about this course, please download the Global Governance and Sustainable Development MA specification (PDF).
Register your interest
Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.
Teaching
The course is delivered by our academics and industry partners in person. A maximum of 20% of contact time will be online. Our learning activities include lectures, visitor presentations, workshops, seminars, interactive learning such as role-play, field visits, one-to-one tutorials and group projects. You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.
You will be studying at our leafy north London campus in Hendon.
Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.
We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.
Teaching and independent learning
In a typical year, you’ll spend about 1200 hours on the taught aspects of the course.
Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and exams.
Typical weekly breakdown
A typical week looks like this:
| Learning | Contact Hours per Week |
|---|---|
| On-campus | 8 (FT), 5 (PT) |
| Independent study | 42 (FT), 15 (PT) |
Approximate number of hours on placement
Full-time students
- 30 hours per week over a maximum of 44 days over 24 weeks for a 60 credit placement
- The one-year Professional Experience will involve a minimum of 30 hours per week over a minimum of 40 weeks in the second year
Part-time students
- 15 hours week over a maximum of 22 days over 12 weeks for a 15 credit placement
- The one-year Professional Experience will involve a maximum of 15 hours per week over a maximum of 20 weeks in the second year
Learning terms
FT: Full-time
PT: Part-time
On-campus: This includes tutor-led sessions such as seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations as well as student-led sessions for work in small groups.
Independent study: This is the work you do in your own time including reading and research.
Part-time study
You can also study this course part-time over two years.
You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.
Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.
You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.
Your knowledge and understanding is assessed by a variety of assessment methods including essays, reports, reviews, individual and group presentations and a research proposal/placement report. The range of coursework submissions will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of theory and practice and their ability to sustain a coherent argument in different ways.
To help you achieve the best results, we will provide regular feedback.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is just 20 minutes from central London, giving you easy access to everything this vibrant city has to offer. Make the most of incredible professional opportunities, cultural experiences, and more affordable living, all within a supportive and close-knit campus community.
Learn moreFacilities and support
Our Sheppard Library has over 1000 study areas and 600 computer spaces
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Make the most of our free laptop loans, e-books, printing and photocopying
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We have one of London's biggest and best university campuses with everything you need in one place.
Our facilitiesStudent support
We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.
Additional needs
We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.
Wellness
Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.
Work while you study
Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.
Careers
Our university's postgraduate courses have been recognised for their ability to support your career. We are a top 10 UK University for employability (UniCompare Rankings 2025), and a top 10 UK university for industry connections and funding in Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024.
How can the Global Governance and Sustainable Development MA support your career?
This degree will enhance your knowledge and skills with respect to sustainable development, with a focus on environmental sustainability, net zero transition, equity, diversity and inclusion and human rights. You will develop a critical understanding of good governance, including governance approaches and instruments focused on different aspects of sustainable development.
Career paths
Graduates of this master's course can expect to find work in national and global NGOs as well as government departments and other public and private sector institutions delivering on social and environmental policy targets.
Some of the roles our graduates have gone on to work as include sustainability consultant, head of sustainability, researcher and policy advisor and they have found positions in organisations such as Westminster-based consultancies, national government departments and non-governmental organisations with an interest in aspects of sustainable development.
Placements
On the 12-month MA, you can take advantage of opportunities to apply for a shorter placement or a work-based project, in London or internationally at institutions such as the United Nations, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and NGOs. You can also participate in our Brief Cases at Middlesex partnership as your placement option, working on real industry briefs by The Heaven Company Ltd with feedback from industry representatives.
The 24-month MA with Professional Experience includes a mandatory 9-12 month paid placement or an alternative professional experience in the second year of study. This enables you to apply academic knowledge in real-world settings and helps develop key graduate competencies for your future career. If you are unable to secure a paid 9-12 month long opportunity, the University will arrange for an alternative professional experience on behalf of a UK employer. This may be an internal research project or consultancy challenge.
MDXworks
Our employability service, MDXworks will launch you into the world of work from the beginning of your course, with placements, projects and networking opportunities through our 1000+ links with industry and big-name employers in London and globally.
Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has been recognised with the following awards:
- The top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023
- A top 10 university for producing CEOs – Novuana, 2023.
Global network
You’ll study with students from 122 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network. And after you graduate, we'll still support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
A 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in a relevant area, particularly social sciences, social policy, development studies, geography, sociology, politics, environmental and related subjects
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.
Interviews
Entry onto this course does not require an interview.
Qualifications
We accept the equivalent of the below qualifications from a recognised overseas qualification:
We normally require a second-class honours degree 2:2 or above in marketing, communications, or a business related field.
We will also accept a professional qualification of an equivalent standard.
You are welcome to apply if you do not have a formal qualification but have extensive marketing experience. You may be required to submit a GMAT score of 550 (or above) and/or come in for an interview.
To find out more about the qualifications we accept from your country please visit the country support page. If you are unsure about the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest regional office for support.
English language
You'll need good English language skills to study with us. That's usually an IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all sections). And, if you need help, we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course.
Visas
To study with us in the UK, you will need a student route visa.
Part-time study
Changes to the Immigration Rules introduced in January 2018 now allows international applicants to apply for student route (formerly tier 4) visas for part-time postgraduate study (courses leading to a qualification at RQF level 7 or SCQF level 11 and above).
Student route visa students studying part-time are subject to certain restrictions:
- No work (paid or unpaid)
- No work placements as part of the programme
- No dependents
- No extending under Student route visa in the UK. This includes Student route visa applications to work as a Students' Union Sabbatical Officer or for the Foundation Programme for postgraduate doctors and dentists
- Not eligible for the Student route visa Doctorate Extension Scheme.
*Please note that, if the course of your choice involves work experience, unpaid work, placements or internships, we will be unable to sponsor you to study a part-time course under the student route (formerly tier 4) visa.
Apply as early as possible to make sure you get a place. You can submit your application before you receive your final qualification.
Find out how to apply for postgraduate taught courses and watch our step-by-step video.
Admissions questions? Ask us a question now via the live chat icon on the screen.
Personal statements
Make sure that you highlight your best qualities in your personal statement that are relevant to this course. Such as your ability to be forward-thinking, creative and collaborative.
Interviews
You won’t be required to attend an interview for this course.
Fees and funding
The fees below are for the 2025/26 academic year: September 2025 and January 2026 start.
UK students1
Full-time students: £11,300
Part-time students per taught credit: £75
Part-time students per dissertation credit: £37
International students2
Full-time students: £18,000
Part-time students: £120 per credit
Part-time students: £60 per dissertation credit
For the 24 months placement option, the fee is £18,000 + £3,000.
Additional costs
The following course-related costs are included in the fees:
- A free electronic textbook for every module
- All printing and copying required for your study
- Self-service laptops available for loan for a maximum of 24 hours
- Audio-visual equipment available for loan, including digital stills cameras, digital video recorders, digital audio recorders.
Postgraduate scholarships
As an undergraduate alumnus continuing postgraduate studies at Middlesex, you are eligible for an alumni award worth 20% off your fees.
For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.
Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
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"Doing the MA in Global Governance for Sustainable Development has put me in the perfect position to be an asset to organisations that operate within the public affairs and policy sector."
"As the world shifts towards becoming greener and cleaner, sustainability politics is shaping the principles of large organisations that now understand the importance of developing sustainable ways of working. My master's allowed me to apply my theoretical knowledge to a practical setting before graduating through the work-integrated learning module."
Get answers from our Unibuddy student ambassadors
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We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.