Sustainability and Consultancy MSc

The Sustainability and Consultancy Masters offers a grounding in the broad range of sustainability topics beyond just environmental issues (from project development to corporate sustainability strategy). It will also develop the professional skills you’ll need.

Sustainability is an integrated issue across our teaching, rather than separating the environmental, economic and social elements.

Specialist modules are delivered by academic staff, practising consultants and other practitioners, giving you exposure to real-life, international case studies with a good understanding of contemporary management techniques and solutions.

This course aligns closely with the challenges of sustainability and the skills that employers say they need to tackle those challenges, with a strong emphasis on project skills.

Course highlights:

• Our course was the first qualification of its kind in the UK.
• In the first semester you can choose an optional free 2 day field course to East Yorkshire. Learn about issues affecting sustainable economic development and environmental management in a developed world context.
• A major component of this Masters is that you will manage a consultancy project, which is usually in the form of a placement with a professional organisation. This experience plays a key role in your personal and professional development.
• This is an approved Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) course and is widely recognised by employers as a real benefit for anyone in a role with environmental responsibility.

Accreditation

This is an approved Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) course:

This means once you graduate you are eligible to become an IEMA Graduate Member – GradIEMA - the first stage towards full professional chartership.

You are also eligible to take-up free student membership.

IEMA supports individuals and organisations to set, recognise and achieve global sustainability standards and practice.

Exemptions

If you complete an additional assessment during semester two and pass the degree, you automatically qualify. A step which usually requires an additional exam after a period of workplace experience.

Course content

The course is split in to 3 semesters if you study on a 12 month full-time basis. In the semester 1, you will take lectures and seminars which lay the theoretical foundation needed for you to gain an in-depth understanding of sustainability topics.

In semester 2, you will focus on you applying this knowledge through case studies and on practical professional skills development.

Throughout the year, you can also take part in personal development workshops and activities including networking with project hosts, helping you secure a successful research project for semester three.

In semester 3, the focus switches to individual work, where you will deliver a project usually carried out on a placement of around 10 weeks.

You will then present the progression you have made in your project around the end of June, and submit your final dissertation in late August.

The course runs for 24 months on a part-time basis, with each year split into 3 semesters. You will take 2 taught modules in semesters 1 and 2 each year, followed by a full-time project placement in semester 3 of your final year.

Course structure

Compulsory modules

• Standards and Tools for Business, Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility 15 credits
• Business, Environment and Sustainability 15 credits
• Sustainability Consultancy Project 60 credits
• Project Management: Developing and Managing Environmental Contracts 15 credits
• Delivering Sustainability Through Projects 15 credits
• The Regulatory and Planning Context for Sustainable Projects 15 credits
• Introduction to Sustainability 15 credits
• Issues and Cases in Corporate Social Responsibility 15 credits

Optional modules

• Introduction to Ecological Economics 15 credits
• Environmental Policy and Governance 15 credits
• Climate Change: Physical Science Basis 15 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Sustainability and Consultancy MSc Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information on typical modules, read Sustainability and Consultancy MSc Part Time in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

You will learn through a variety of methods including lectures, practical workshops, computer lab sessions, research seminars, field trips and project work.

The research-intensive environment of the School ensures that your course material is both up-to-date and research led.

You'll also learn the scientific and rational principles lying behind the practical approaches used in the world outside academia, so that your skills keep pace with changes in technology or the regulatory environment.

Facilities

The School of Earth and Environment’s £23m building gives you access to world-class research, teaching and facilities.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a variety of ways including both written and oral assignments and exams. And through individual and group work.

Career opportunities

Graduates have gone on to a wide variety of careers in sustainability:

• environmental consultancy and planning
• corporate sustainability and corporate social responsibility
• sustainability strategy
• environmental and social impact assessments and project financing
• environmental management
• carbon reduction and energy management
• stakeholder management and engagement
• policy development
• project management
• sustainability assessment.

Careers support

We offer extra support and activities to help you stand out in your chosen field and achieve your career goals. The School of Earth and Environment has a strong commitment to enhancing student employability and has its own dedicated Employability Officer. Read more about our careers and employability.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.