Sustainability and Environmental Management MSc

Environment’ extends beyond (non-human) nature, encompassing socio-ecological phenomena such as the climate and biodiversity crisis, access to healthy environments and water and air quality. Governance, in turn, refers to co-ordinated interventions for the common good by international and national bodies and non-governmental actors. This interdisciplinary module co-taught by governance and environmental experts, provides students with an in-depth understanding of some of the central sustainability challenges faced by humanity today, and governance approaches and solutions, including international agreements, legislative frameworks and policy and voluntary responses to address them.

This module aims to provide the students with knowledge and skills to facilitate an informed complex decision-making process in the area of sustainability.

This module provides students with an in-depth understanding of the new forms of enterprise and innovation needed to address pressing challenges around societal and environmental health and wellbeing in the 21st century.

This module aims to equip students with the practical skills and knowledge required to successfully navigate the employment and work experience application process. Through a series of interactive workshops and activities to develop transferrable skills that will support students to transition successfully into professional environments.

In Earth Science nine planetary processes (e.g. Freshwater use, atmospheric loading, biogeochemical flows, land-system change, biosphere change) have been identified as critical for maintaining the resilience of our planet. Evaluating their conditions is essential to evaluate the current and future states of our environment and to inform the selection of mitigation and adaptation measures. This module aims to introduce students to practical lab and field experience in assessing a range of variables associated with environmental and ecological monitoring. Students will learn how to design experiments to include effective sampling, data processing, visualisation and statistical analyses including primary and secondary environmental data and to effectively report scientific knowledge.

The aim of this module is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to integrate sustainability principles into real-world contexts. Through the action project, whether in-person or virtual, students will engage with diverse sustainability-focused settings, including workplaces, community projects, NGOs, research initiatives, and volunteer opportunities. The module encourages critical reflection, interdisciplinary problem-solving, and the ability to apply theoretical frameworks to practical challenges. Students can drive meaningful contributions toward environmental, social, and economic sustainability aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

This module aims to provide an opportunity for the student to develop original and independent research investigations aimed at integrating theoretical knowledge and technical expertise to investigate a research problem in the field of sustainability and environmental sciences.

Students gain knowledge and understanding through attendance in lectures, seminars; through a variety of directed and self-directed learning activities e.g. group projects, case study analysis, field visits, student presentations. Students learn cognitive skills through seminar discussions, group project work, the preparation of coursework and the dissertation.

Workshops, seminars and field visits will explore the interface between theory and practice. During these activities, students will learn self-criticism through group tutorials and individual feedback on coursework and project as well as post-session activities including reflection entries.

Data collection exercises, presentation preparations and project development will provide opportunities for peer and self-appraisal.

Electronic resources will be used to enhance student learning experiences. Students will be directed to explore a diverse range of learning materials such as e-books, reading lists and free online resources.

You'll 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 are 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.

Your knowledge and understanding is assessed by written essays and reports that focus on key principles, concepts and relating theory to practice.

Class presentations assess your ability to synthesise and make effective use of case study material. The dissertation assesses your grasp of a narrow field of inquiry and of research methodology.

Your skills are assessed by reports, presentations (group and individual), case studies analysis, e-journal, proposal writing across modules and the dissertation and VIVA.