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In this programme, leading academics encourage students to think across different disciplines to blend scientific, socioeconomic and policy perspectives for a stronger understanding of sustainability and how it can be achieved. This wider perspective is attractive to organisations which promote sustainable development or seek to reduce humanity’s effect on the environment.
Ensuring the environmental sustainability of society is one of the major challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. How can the needs of the world’s growing population be met without threatening the ecological processes that support human wellbeing?
How can the economy and energy systems be restructured to combat climate change? What policies foster sustainability? How can the necessary changes in the behaviour of organisations and individuals be promoted? This MSc programme explores these and related, topical questions.
This programme is affiliated with the University's Global Environment & Society Academy.
This programme consists of six taught courses, studied over two semesters. Students will also undertake a research project leading to a dissertation of up to 20,000 words.
Compulsory courses typically will be:
Option courses: In consultation with the Programme Director, you will choose from a range of option courses. We particularly recommend:
Courses are offered subject to timetabling and availability and are subject to change.
Students will be equipped to:
This programme prepares students for a wide range of roles within environmental consultancy, national and local government, non-profit organisations, education or research. The choice of option courses and dissertation projects can be tailored towards your chosen career path.
Would you like to know what it’s really like to study at the School of GeoSciences?
Visit our student experience blog where you can find articles, advice, videos and ask current students your questions.
This new course offers the opportunity for a select group of students to undertake postgraduate study and research focused on specific and practical areas of environmental sustainability.
As one of this select group, you will be working on issues of particular concern to agencies, organisations or individuals who have turned to our Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) for solutions or advice.
The course is aimed at recent graduates who want to establish themselves in the environmental field, or working professionals who are looking to explore a specific issue in some depth and to do so as part of their continuing professional development.
A number of environmental undergraduate courses both in the UK and abroad continue to produce substantial numbers of graduates.
But many find when they seek employment that environmental organisations ask for evidence of experience in addressing real-life issues. This course addresses that requirement.
Our speciality areas are the conservation and management of wetlands, green infrastructure, invertebrate conservation, sustainability and recycling.
The MSc in Environmental Technology has been running for over 40 years and provides the highest standard of knowledge and skills development for environmental and sustainability specialists. Through the course students acquire a diverse range of discipline-specific problem-solving skills for tackling contemporary sustainability issues. A major emphasis of the course is on the way that environments function and on the compatible tools, alternative technologies and policies for sustainable environmental management.
Our course combines the natural and social sciences, engineering and business in a truly interdisciplinary manner, providing a foundation for graduates to demonstrate their ability to identify and resolve environmental and sustainability issues in a holistic way. This broad training is followed by an in-depth education in many specialised areas, maintaining the course's interdisciplinary nature. The specialist options in the second term are designed to cater for a variety of individual interests and career requirements.
The course provides students with different options to build on their undergraduate degree, by allowing them to specialise in an area of particular interest, convert undergraduate knowledge to a different setting, differentiate for the job market and learn specific techniques and tools for research and management.
MSc candidates learn to appreciate that successful projects depend, at least in part, on belonging to a network of experts aiming to advance personal and collective environmental goals. We emphasise a friendly and supportive learning environment.
Building on Imperial’s environmental world-class research portfolio, dedicated teaching staff coordinate the interdisciplinary nature of our course and very strong links with industry, business and regulators. We pride ourselves on the quality of the service we provide to students, science and the society, and our excellence in delivering the valuable interaction between scientific/technological training and industrial experience.
First term – Core Course
The Core Course emphasises contemporary policy debates through a number of cross-cutting themes: climate change and energy, international development, sustainability and health, and biodiversity. This is delivered through the following modules:
Second term – specialist Options
Student elect to specialise in one of nine Options in the second term. A strong case study approach is employed with emphasis on working in teams, decision-making, strong analytical skills and report writing and delivery. The nine specialist options currently offered on the course include:
Third Term – Individual Research Project
The research project term, running from April to September, aims to provide graduates with valuable research and practical experience and give them the ability to address individual sustainability and environmental problems with confidence. It provides the opportunity to undertake rigorous independent research; to apply knowledge and understanding of sustainability and environmental disciplines to practical problems; and to develop and demonstrate interdisciplinary, transferable skills with specific emphasis on project management and oral and written presentation skills.
The research project normally follows from the specialist Option and may involve any combination of desk-, laboratory- or fieldwork. It may be set up and carried out in conjunction with an outside organisation thereby providing practical experience which greatly enhances employment prospects, and may be carried out in the UK or abroad.
The programme aims to:
• Provide the highest standard of training for environmental scientists and managers, who will become leaders in their fields, whether in academia, consultancy, research, government bodies, non-governmental organisations or industry and commerce, both nationally and internationally
• Deliver an holistic understanding of the interdisciplinary complexities underlying environmental issues integrating science, technology, law, economics, policy and management, with in-depth education in the more specific areas addressed by the eight specialist options
• Attract highly motivated students, both from within the UK and from overseas
The expected learning outcomes are:
Links with Industry
The MSc in Environmental Technology has developed very strong links with employers and research organisations, and maintains strong links with our large alumni body. All Options benefit from industry and alumni teaching into the course, actively complementing the academic teaching delivered by staff members. Collaborative frameworks are in place aim to deliver outputs beneficial to both organisations and the students in our course.
This fresh, new programme for 2017 is a collaboration between the School of GeoSciences and the School of Social and Political Sciences.
The world is facing an ‘energy trilemma’; how to achieve energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability. Whilst equipping students with an active understanding of low carbon technologies, policies and markets, this new MSc programme is focused squarely on analysing the social, societal and environmental dimensions of energy transitions. You will examine how citizens are involved in and are affected by changes in energy systems.
On a more theoretical level, the programme will enable you to relate supply-side issues to geo-politics and political economy, whilst energy demand will be studied in relation to broader challenges of sustainable consumption.
On a more practical level you will explore the potential of ‘smart’ ICT to affect consumption and inform strategic choices in sustainable living at household and community level. With Scotland being a world leader in renewable electricity generation (especially wind and marine), but also being economically dependent on declining North Sea oil and gas and suffering from high levels of energy poverty, this interdisciplinary MSc. benefits from close access to a high number of insightful case studies, which will serve to examine links between global and local issues, explore international best practices and identify locally suited pathways to more sustainable energy management.
Applicants receiving an offer of admission, either unconditional or conditional, will be asked to pay a tuition fee deposit of £1,500. Please see the fees and costs section for more information.
The programme has been designed to develop transdisciplinary perspectives on the energy trilemma and integrative analytical skills (qualitative and quantitative) which are in short supply in the energy sector. The full-time programme is divided into two semesters of taught courses, followed by a field trip at Easter before the dissertation period over the summer. We are happy to accommodate different working patterns for part-time students, including a half day a week schedule for three-year part time study.
The programme consists of four core modules (20 credits each, two core courses per semester), two optional modules (20 credits, one for each semester) and a 60 credit dissertation.
Compulsory courses*
Semester 1:
Semester 2:
Students will also undertake one 20 credit course per semester. The University of Edinburgh offers an unrivalled selection of relevant optional courses for the MSc in Energy, Society and Sustainability. Bearing in mind your particular background and interests, the Programme Director will assist you in your choice from a large menu of optional courses related to six potential specialisation pathways; sustainable technologies and economics, politics, development, environmental sustainability, science and technology and public policy.
Optional courses may include*:
**Please note, courses are offered subject to timetabling and availability and are subject to change.
The programme aims for students to develop transdisciplinary skills in the assessment of the transition potential of energy systems towards greater sustainability, focussing especially on the human dimension of technological change and working and experimenting with energy users to co-produce knowledge about pathways to change.
Upon successful completion of the programme, students will have gained:
UK research councils cite a major skills gap in the energy sector, one of the biggest growth sectors within the UK economy in recent years. Demand has never been higher for sound evidence on behavioural change, public engagement with energy issues, and public support for community and commercial investments in low carbon energy generation. We train our graduates to translate complex science into effective policies and new business opportunities. We have strong links with government departments, energy relevant NGOs and key industry players who want to make use of these skills. Committed to helping you meet prospective employers and network with those active in the field, we organise careers events and encourage dissertations conducted in partnership with external organisations.
The global challenge of environmental sustainability highlights the need for holistic design and management of complex environmental and technological systems. This interdisciplinary Master's programme presents environmental issues and technologies within a systems engineering context. Graduates will understand interactions between the natural environment, people, processes and technologies to develop sustainable solutions.
Students will develop an understanding of systems engineering and environmental engineering. Environmental engineering is a multidisciplinary branch of engineering concerned with devising, implementing and managing solutions to protect and restore the environment within an overall framework of sustainable development. Systems engineering is the branch of engineering concerned with the development and management of large complex systems.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of four core modules (60 credits), a collaborative environmental systems project (30 credits), two optional modules (30 credits) and an individual environmental systems dissertation (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) is offered.
Core modules
Optional modules
Options may include the following:
Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an independent research project addressing a problem of systems research, design or analysis, which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory classes and projects. The individual and group projects in the synthesis element involve interaction with industrial partners, giving students real-life experience and contacts for the future. Assessment is through written examination, coursework, presentations, and group and individual projects.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Environmental Systems Engineering MSc
Career paths for environmental systems engineers are diverse, expanding and challenging, with the pressures of increasing population, desire for improved standards of living and the need to protect the environmental systems. There are local UK and international opportunities in all areas of industry: in government planning and regulation, with regional and municipal authorities, consultants and contracting engineers, research and development organisations, and in education and technology transfer. Example of recent career destinations include Ford, KPMG, EDF Energy, Brookfield Multiplex, and the Thames Tideway Tunnel Project.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
The discipline of environmental systems engineering is growing rapidly with international demand for multi-skilled, solutions-focussed professionals who can take an integrated approach to complex problems.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
The discipline of environmental systems engineering is growing rapidly with an international demand for multi-skilled professionals who can take an integrated approach to solving complex environmental problems (e.g. urban water systems, technologies to minimise industrial pollution). Environmental engineers work closely with a range of other environmental professionals, and the community.
Skills may be used to:
UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering is an energetic and exciting environment in which to explore environmental systems engineering. Students have the advantages of studying in a multi-faculty institution with a long tradition of excellence in teaching and research, situated at the heart of one of the world's greatest cities.
Accreditation
The progamme is accredited by the Joint Boad of Moderators, which is made up of the Institution of Civil Engineers, The Institution of Structural Engineers, the Chartered Institutions of Highways and Transportation, and the Institute of Highway Engineers.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering
60% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
Address urgent global issues, find just solutions for all communities.
The New School is at the forefront of addressing global environmental issues, thanks to Milano's Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management (EPSM) program. This program is designed to turn students' passion for environmental change and sustainability into careers with impact. Our students benefit from small, customized classes, a rigorous program of critical theory and practice, and close attention from a faculty engaged in research, scholarship, and cutting-edge professional practice. Our practice-based learning places students front and center alongside organizations working on the most pressing environmental issues of our time, from climate change and environmental justice to food systems and sustainable development.
Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management students also have access to the Tishman Environment and Design Center, a university-wide institute committed to bringing an interdisciplinary and environmental justice approach to contemporary environmental challenges. The Tishman Center's Student Scholars program provides a competitive grant that funds student-designed research and projects related to climate change, environmental, or sustainability issues. Students in the program also benefit from an array of courses and programs throughout the university, including the International Field Program, graduate courses across a variety of disciplines like economics and media studies, sustainable design at Parsons, and other Milano courses in management and policy.
While studying in New York City — a global hub for major environmental and sustainability organizations — our students tackle real-world challenges at government institutions, corporations, small, innovative start-ups, companies, and nonprofits throughout the city. The EPSM program culminates in a capstone project in which students bring their knowledge and critical perspectives to a real-world challenge. For a sample of recent capstone projects, visit the Milano School blog.
Students customize their course of study in consultation with a program advisor, focusing broadly on either environmental policy or sustainability management. The program also offers further areas of specialization, including the option for students to create their own specialization by taking elective courses from across the university. The program is flexible and convenient for working professionals as well as recent college graduates. Students can study full-time and complete the program in two years, or study part-time for three to five years. There are numerous external scholarships available to graduate students with an environmental focus.
The EPSM faculty works closely with each student to provide mentorship and guidance as they explore their professional development goals. Faculty with extensive professional experience help students learn about environmental and sustainability careers and provide connections to networks of peers and professional organizations that can lead to future opportunities. The Milano School also has specialized career services staff that advise students and graduates as they search for internships, fellowships, and employment opportunities.
Students will be prepared to work in a variety of sectors, including government, nonprofits, advocacy and social change organizations, policy and research institutes, as well as and corporate and other private sector firms. EPSM graduates hold such positions as Director of Environment and Sustainability at Information Technology Industry Council, Sustainability Project Manager for the City of Orlando, Chief Sustainability Officer for the town of North Hempstead, NY; Green Business Support Specialist at the Center for Eco Technology; and Project Manager at the Sustainable Development Solutions Center. Others have started their own businesses or consulting firms, or have gone on to pursue doctoral degrees. See where some of our alumni are working. These alumni stay connected through a robust online Alumni Network group and the program hosts an annual on-campus Alumni and Student Mixer to strengthen the connections our students have with professionals pursuing their passion in the environmental field.
Internships enable students to acquire firsthand knowledge and skills that complement their degree. Full-time students who enter the program without related work experience and those planning a career change are required to complete a noncredit professional internship (400–900 hours).
Corporate Social Responsibility, or Corporate Sustainability as leading companies are increasingly re-naming it, has never been more relevant to our organisations. By maximising positive social and environmental business impacts as well as economic ones, this strategic approach creates business opportunities, enables the business to flourish in the long term, and ensures that organisations have a positive impact in the world. The Cranfield Management and Corporate Sustainability MSc will teach you the practicalities of how businesses successfully embed sustainability into their core business purpose and strategy.
The programme equally provides a world-class practical education in the management disciplines required for all senior leadership positions. It therefore shares a number of modules and other programme activities with our Management MSc programme, which is ranked 1st in the UK and 7th in the world in The Economist Which MBA? Masters in Management (MiM) 2017 ranking.
More than just an academic institution, Cranfield School of Management’s world-class research, consulting and teaching result in practical management solutions that are transforming the world of business today. For 50 years, we have been working with leading companies across the globe, pursuing our mission to improve the practice of management.
Teaching at Cranfield is exclusively focused on postgraduate and executive levels and is designed to nurture your practical business skills and confidence, and places huge emphasis on real-world challenges. You will learn to act on evidence in order to make better management decisions. This leadership development journey explores your personality to help you understand your strengths and weaknesses.
The Cranfield Management and Corporate Sustainability MSc is a highly practical course featuring a distinctive blend of theory and application. You will gain the knowledge and skills required for a career focused on business sustainability, and working with some of our partner organisations you will put this learning into action by working on sustainability projects, finding real business solutions to complex sustainability issues.
You will gain valuable insight into sustainability in practice through a series of master classes and presentations from specialists in the field. Previous masterclass topics have included sustainability marketing, system change, environmental management systems, sustainable innovation, sustainable finance, the board-investor relationship and many more. Some are delivered by companies such as Marks & Spencer, L&G and Diageo at their head offices. Recent guest speakers have included:
You will also have the opportunity to attend corporate social responsibility/sustainability events and conferences with our faculty, including ‘Doing Good Doing Well’ in Barcelona, a two-day conference which includes prominent speakers.
Throughout the programme you will also benefit from the extensive expertise and networks available within our internationally recognised Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility. The Centre works to empower managers with the knowledge and skills to lead successful, sustainable organisations, and includes prominent members including its director Professor David Grayson who teaches on this programme. He has worked with many leading global businesses including BP, Shell, Microsoft and Diageo, as well as OECD, the European Union and the World Bank.
Cranfield is one of the early signatories to the UN Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRIME), and focuses on teaching sustainable business practice that addresses society’s social, environmental and economic goals.
The Cranfield Management and Corporate Sustainability MSc is a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) dual accreditation degree. This provides the opportunity to stand out from other management graduates by achieving the CMI’s professional management qualification alongside your Cranfield degree.
The CMI is the only chartered professional body in the UK dedicated to promoting the highest standards in management and leadership excellence. It is the only organisation awarding Chartered Manager status, and has a 100,000+ membership.
The course comprises thirteen modules, eight covering general management skills and five specialising in corporate sustainability. The ‘Sustainability in Practice’ module provides the opportunity to undertake a practical sustainable business consultancy project. The thesis is also a practical exercise, albeit informed by up-to-date theory. Previous thesis projects have involved working with company sponsors such as Heineken and easyJet. The ‘Managing Corporate Sustainability’ and ‘Creating Sustainable Organisations’ modules provide practical leadership skills in driving sustainable business, from strategic issues such as the circular economy to topics such as sustainable innovation, reporting and employee engagement. The ‘Applied Science and Technology for Environmental Sustainability’ module is taught by environmental experts from Cranfield’s School of Water, Energy and Environment, and provides the specialist skills needed to assess and manage environmental impacts from operations to the supply chain.
Individual project
The thesis will require you to undertake a major research project based on a real sustainability business issue. You will apply your management knowledge, skills and analytical abilities to real-life situations and demonstrate your ability to research issues, critically evaluate data and information, apply tools and techniques to solve management problems, and write a report concisely, informatively and persuasively.
Assessment
Taught modules (65%) are assessed by a combination of group work, written assignments, and examination. The individual thesis (35%) is written individually and submitted at the end of the course.
At Cranfield you will receive support to help you plan an effective career strategy, whether you are looking to secure your first role in corporate sustainability, or wanting to take your career to the next level. The Cranfield Career Development Service will help you to plan your personal and professional development and provide you with lifelong career management skills.
Last year's Management and Corporate Sustainability MSc graduates secured jobs with a diverse range of companies including Coca-Cola Enterprises, Heineken, USB Asset Management and SIRE Life Sciences.
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