Study Details: MSc 1 year full-time
We live in a time of intertwined social and environmental crises. Addressing these crises requires transformative change at all levels of society. What role can corporations and other businesses play in addressing these crises?
Meeting this challenge requires a fresh mindset and a toolkit of professional and research-inspired knowledge and skills. This specialist Masters will equip you with essential theoretical and evidential foundations and help you to develop relevant practical and professional skills from which you can build or accelerate a career in the field of corporate sustainability.
Our unique course draws on the academic expertise and professional experience of the Department of Environment and Geography and School of Business & Society, alongside industry-leading guest speakers working in the corporate sustainability sphere. You will have the opportunity to combine the study of sustainability-driven business models, techniques and tools with legal, ethical, financial, governance, accountability, marketing and organisational aspects.
You'll have the opportunity to combine the study of theories and tools from sustainability and environmental management. These include life cycle thinking, doughnut economics, circular economy and sustainable finance. You'll also use key approaches from business and management such as political economy, governance, sustainability reporting, and marketing.
You'll learn about the challenges of creating and putting sustainability plans into action for both small and large organizations. You'll talk to experts in the field and do various activities on your own or with a group to develop skills that will be useful in future jobs like environmental management, sustainability consulting, think tanks, government work, or research.
Our postgraduate teaching is informed by our research as well as top-level national and international experience in consultancy, industry and professional practice. Our management research includes areas as diverse as the circular economy, sustainability and resilience, ethical marketing, social enterprise, sustainability in supply chains, corporate governance, global business and risk management. Our environmental sustainability research focuses on understanding the causes and consequences of environmental change and developing innovative solutions to environmental challenges, ranging from climate change to biodiversity conservation. Our researchers influence policy and advise on high-profile environmental issues.
2:2 degree or equivalent in a relevant subject such as Management, Finance, Environmental Science or Geography, although students are drawn to this course from a broad range of academic and professional backgrounds. If you have relevant additional experience, such as work in environmental management, then we will also welcome your application. You'll need a good level of mathematical or statistical ability in order to follow the quantitative and financial modules: you can demonstrate this with, for example, an element of economics, accounting or finance in your degree.
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This course is suitable if you are aiming for a corporate sustainability related role in the for-profit or not-for-profit sectors. This role is central to industrial and business activities of all kinds, with many employing dedicated specialists, or teams of specialists, or allocating tasks across a range of job functions. The banking, finance and insurance sectors in particular are showing growing leadership on climate-change risks and responsible investment. As such, the range of opportunities for developing a career in this area of practice is growing.
Core modules
Introduction to Sustainable Business and Corporate Sustainability
Environmental Management in Practice
Finance and Environmental Sustainability
Research Skills and Methods
Option modules
You will study two option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Strategy and Strategic Management
Leading and Managing People in the Global Context
Contemporary Issues in Management
Management, Governance and Society
Ethical Marketing and Sustainability
International Political Economy and Business
International Business and Emerging Markets
Ethics and Sustainability Reporting
Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
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