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Global Sustainable Futures MA

Develop the critical skills and knowledge needed to tackle global sustainability challenges. Learn how to create place-based solutions for a more sustainable future.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:


Start date(s):

  • September 2025
Virtual Open Day. Wednesday 27 November. 10.30 - 13.00 & 16.00 - 18.30 (GMT)

Overview

On our Global Sustainable Futures MA you'll develop the essential skills needed to respond to the global sustainability challenges impacting people and places.

On this programme you'll take a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing the well-being, stability and sustainability of humanity and the planet as a whole.

Explore the causes of real-world problems and critically evaluate the competing solutions needed to enable a sustainable future.

Study a diverse range of topics from war and conflict, to development and sustainability, cities and creative methods.

Engage with our subject experts and utilise their extensive international knowledge to address these challenges effectively.

Gain the critical and transferrable skills sought after by employers, allowing for a diverse range of impressive graduate career options.

Important information

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What you'll learn

On our Global Sustainable Futures MA you'll critically explore new spatial possibilities for social justice, sustainable development and empowerment of marginalised groups around the world.

You'll develop new in-depth knowledge by addressing vital questions:

  • What is meant by ‘sustainability’, and how does it apply to different spatial contexts?
  • What are ‘global issues’ and what can we do to address them locally?
  • Where are global issues located, and which are most pressing in what places?
  • Can individuals make a difference, or can global challenges only be addressed by global governance and cooperation?
  • What other kinds of worlds are possible?
  • How can we ensure that sustainable futures will benefit all, in a just society?

The diverse expertise of our academic staff allows you to tailor your degree to your interests through a range of optional modules. You’ll explore themes such as:

  • Environment and Climate
  • People and Society
  • Sustainable Cities
  • Economy and Policy
  • Politics and Security

Through engaged and innovative teaching – including fieldwork options and community projects - you'll learn in real-world settings, through engagement with civic groups, and from experts who are passionate about their research-led teaching.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

How you'll learn

Our staff

You'll join a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community at Newcastle University. Our staff are specialists in their fields, which range from the local to the global, and provide a pool of expertise in Economic Geography, Political Geography and Social Geography. 

Our interdisciplinary research themes include: 

  • Development, migration, displacement, and humanitarianism 
  • Precarity, inequality, housing and social justice
  • Conflict, militarism, and war/peace
  • Cities, economies and sustainable development
  • Identity, nationalism, and everyday geopolitics
  • Gender, race, and multiculturalism

Your development

Over the course of your degree you’ll develop a range of professional, research and practical skills highly desired by a range of employers. 

You’ll enhance your ability to communicate both orally and in writing, and gain experience in working closely with others in an intellectually stimulating environment.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Critically evaluate key arguments and themes
  • Analyse, evaluate and interpret a diverse range of primary and secondary source materials 
  • Plan, conduct and communicate your own research and work
  • Develop innovative, practical solutions to real-world challenges

You’ll also have the option to build digital and creative skills such as documentary film making, photography, podcasts and website creation.

Your future

Careers

Students on this programme receive advanced research training. This is excellent preparation for those interested in further academic study and research, as well as other careers that require excellent analytical skills.

Our graduates are prepared for a wide range of careers across the world, including:

  • government and policy
  • non-government organisations (NGOs)
  • renewable energy
  • environmental research and consultancy
  • charity and aid organisations
  • education
  • planning and urban development

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Facilities

You'll be based in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology in the Henry Daysh Building. Here you'll have access to high quality modern classrooms, comfortable study spaces, and research facilities.

Our department staff all have offices on the same floor and are on hand to support you with your assignments and academic work.

The School is centrally located on Newcastle University’s vibrant city centre campus. There is nearby access to the university’s library, the student union, and the city centre. 

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

  • matriculation
  • registration
  • tuition (or supervision)
  • library access
  • examination
  • re-examination
  • graduation

Find out more about:

Search for funding

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Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course

Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course.

How to apply


Using the application portal

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You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.


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We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

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Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

School of Geography Politics and Sociology
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 3921 
Email: geographyadmissions@newcastle.ac.uk

Online

For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.

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