Sustainability MSc

Our Sustainability MSc will empower you with the knowledge, skills and critical thinking tools to lead the way to a more sustainable future in business, government and society.  

You’ll develop leading-edge knowledge of the key sustainability challenges we face and the scientific and policy issues that underline them. During the course you’ll develop your ability to understand the role of complex environmental, economic, and social systems and apply your knowledge to help create a more sustainable future. Key topics include resource constraints, environmental change, climate finance, good business practice, governance and behavioural change, community engagement, resilience and adaptation.

The course is delivered in partnership with the Eden Project in Cornwall and the Global Sustainability Institute (GSI) at ARU.  This collaboration brings together sustainability expertise in theory and practise. The GSI delivers teaching by academics at a world-leading research institute, committed to developing practical solutions to complex global issues. The Eden Learning team deliver first-hand experience from a world-renowned visitor attraction and educational centre, an innovative vision built from the ground up, with sustainability at its core. You’ll explore the latest academic studies as well as practical application of the theory from a sustainable business model, with additional insight from a host of expert guest speakers.

As part of the course, you will undertake a 200-hour work placement which is a fantastic opportunity to put your growing knowledge into practice, promoting sustainable change in a real-world environment. We will help you arrange a suitable work placement, if you do not already have one, and support you in the workplace. 

Towards the end of the course, you’ll undertake your own piece of research, a Major Project on a sustainability topic of your choice. This is a great opportunity to produce a piece of work focused on an element of sustainability that you’re particularly interested in or passionate about. 

Our course is open to graduates from all disciplines and attracts students with backgrounds in the arts, science, health, finance and business. The course is also designed for students of all ages and cultural backgrounds. 

Modules

Introduction to Sustainability and Systems

Sets the scene for the rest of the course. And addresses the questions; 'What is sustainability?', 'What are its components?' and 'Why is it so important?' The importance of a systems-based approach to addressing sustainability and its epistemology will be discussed and you will examine a range of current concepts and models of sustainability (including 'circular economy', 'five capitals', 'natural step', 'one planet living' etc.) and their usefulness in increasing our resilience to environmental, social and economic change. 

System Pressures

This module will help you understand the complexities of the natural, economic and social systems and how these are linked with global risks such as climate change. The module also focuses on ways to increase resilience through specific case studies influenced by research conducted at the Global Sustainability Institute. Topics covered may include energy use, biodiversity loss, social inequality and the links between environmental resource use and the performance of global and local economies. 

Research in Sustainability

This module ‘Research in Sustainability’ aims to provide you with the necessary knowledge around the research methods applied in the field of Sustainability and to assist you in developing essential employability skills. These methods are taught through specific case studies-examples, focusing on important and timely issues around the field of sustainability such as climate change, ecosystem services, population, wellbeing and health. These case studies will be drawn in the main from the research currently been undertaken within the Global Sustainability Institute and will be therefore cutting edge. 

Governance and Behavioural Change

In this module you will learn explore the issue of behavioural change within the context of top-down and bottom-up governance approaches found on global, national and local levels of society as well as what it takes on an individual level to be a successful change agent. Main topics covered include: drivers for change, assessing the effect of top-down approaches (legislation, incentives and deregulation) in governance, exploring the effectiveness of bottom-up approaches on global, national, and local scale and developing successful communication strategies. 

Better Business

In this module you will focus on the growing business case for sustainability and examine the role of leadership, purpose, innovation, and culture to create an organisation which 'does business better'. You will examine The Eden Project itself as a social enterprise, to help you understand its characteristics, culture and ethos and you will assess the transferability of some of key principles to other organisations in Cornwall and internationally. You will also have the opportunity to develop your own plan for a social enterprise. 

Working Towards Change

This module is linked with a 200-hour work placement where you will undertake practical and supported work-based learning. Your work placement will combine your knowledge and understanding of sustainability with the practicalities and compromises of an organisation, as well as your requirements for personal learning and development. You will gain an insight into the challenges and opportunities of learning and driving change and critically analyse your own strengths and weaknesses through a programme of reflective learning and feedback. During your placement you will also be developing a range of work-based skills, recognised as vital by employers. 

Masters Project

During your final research project, you will choose an independent research topic from an area of expertise within the Global Sustainability Institute and Anglia Ruskin University (subject to availability of suitable supervision) and will conduct a significant research project in that area which may involve a literature review, data collection, analysis, and a write-up. The final piece of work should be equivalent to a maximum of 12,500 words. 

Assessment 

You’ll be assessed through reports, essays, presentations, outline plans and designs, and your dissertation. 

Our Sustainability MSc is studied 100% online.

You’ll study through Canvas, our world-class online Learning Management System (LMS), which can be accessed from your phone, pc or tablet at home or on the move. Canvas provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates, as well as enabling easy submission of your assignments.

On successful completion of your studies you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony on campus. If attending the ceremony in person is not possible then we’ll arrange to have your certificate sent to you.

When our students graduate, they take up a wide variety of careers. Some use their prior experience and return to the business or sector they were familiar with, working with their new sustainability perspective to change it from the inside. Others use the MSc as an opportunity to start a new career or as the bridge to a change in career, becoming sustainability professionals in businesses, charities, governments and education. Some of our graduates use the MSc to set up or grow their own sustainable business or as a stepping stone to PhD research. 

To help you land your dream job, our Employability Service will work with you throughout your time at ARU and after you graduate.

We offer:

• careers advice, including one-to-one online and telephone appointments with our experienced advisers
• help with your CV, job searches, applications and interview preparation
• an online portal packed with useful careers resources
• our Employability Programme, which helps you hone the skills employers say they want in graduates.

• You’ll need a First degree at 2.1 or above. Prospective students with non-standard entry qualifications are advised to discuss their personal position with the course tutor before applying. The University may require submission of appropriate documentary evidence before any application is considered. The diversity of the student group is an important part of the learning process and is a reflection of the wide scope of the subject material. 
• If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.5 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University. 
• As a distance learner, you'll also need a suitable computer with internet connection, together with sufficient IT competence to make effective use our online learning management system (LMS) with high-speed internet and email. 

Fees

The full tuition fee for this course is £7,035. 

The tuition fees you pay each year will be between £3,518 and £7,035 depending on how long you take to complete the course. You can choose to study our Sustainability MSc in either 1 or 2 years. 

Accredited Prior Learning may reduce the tuition fees. This will be confirmed once your application has been submitted. 

Funding 

Your course can be fully funded by the Postgraduate Student Loans now available (subject to eligibility). 

We offer payment by instalments, so you can spread the cost of studying with us. 

For military students: You can use your ELCs towards this course. Anglia Ruskin University is a recognised ELCAS provider (number 1007). Please contact your Learning Centre for details of ELC, eligibility and how to apply. 

For more information on how you fund your studies please see our funding page.