Leadership in Climate Change and Sustainability MSc

Overview

Climate change is the defining crisis of our time and requires an agile and globally collaborative response. Now is the time for bold collective action.

On our Leadership in Climate Change and Sustainability MSc programme you will gain a deep insight into climate change's impact on the planet and on human societies and develop the professional skills needed to influence and lead on sustainable climate action.

You will explore sustainable approaches to tackle climate change and other negative human impacts on the planet.

The programme has 3 distinct themes:

1. Interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches
2. Learning through live projects with external partners
3. Development of personal agency and leadership roles

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and Newcastle University's own commitment to Net Zero and Climate Action Plan, the programme offers learners the opportunity to study global solutions, enhance personal growth, and refine leadership skills.

Together, we'll explore ways to drive meaningful responses and create a more sustainable future.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

The programme will equip you with the essential knowledge and insights to address global climate challenges.

You will learn core skills in:

• Leadership
• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Information processing
• Research
• Communication and presentation

Throughout the programme, you will:

• Analyse scientific theories on climate change and sustainability, while learning how to identify authoritative evidence and sources of information to assess those theories.
• Examine social, cultural, and economic aspects of sustainability and climate change
• Prioritise and confront challenges in real-life situations, employing an interdisciplinary approach
• Acknowledge the demands and possibilities of responsible leadership for sustainable practices

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.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Leadership in Climate Change and Sustainability MSc modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Facing up to Climate Change: A Multi-Disciplinary Perspective	20
Professional Skills	20
Research Dissertation	60
Addressing Climate Change and Sustainability through Live Projects	40
Leadership for Climate Change and Sustainability	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Climate Change: Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation	10
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)	10
Cold Environments	10
Sustainability Management and the Natural Environment	10
Critical Approaches to Environment and Society	20
Engagement with environment, landscape and planning	10

All students will take an additional total of 20 credits worth of optional modules from the list above.

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

The programme mixes lectures, seminars, and collaborative interactive workshops and study trips. Your learning will also be supported with digital content and our online environment.

The interdisciplinary modules on the programme provide:

• in-depth knowledge on climate change
• critical understanding of the evidence and concepts supporting that knowledge
• the research and leadership skills enabling you to come to your own conclusions and to lead your own research project

This comprehensive approach aims to evaluate knowledge, encourage collaboration, and instil a reflective approach in addressing complex sustainability and climate change challenges for responsible, proactive leadership.

Graduates leave equipped with a diverse skill set combining theory, application, collaboration, and critical thinking for success in academia and professional endeavors.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Dissertation
• Observation of professional practice
• Oral presentation
• Problem-solving exercises
• Reflective log
• Written exercise

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

 

Your future

Graduate destinations

Employability is a key focus of the programme, offering tailored support from Newcastle University's award-winning career service.

Climate change is one of the most complex and challenging issues of our time and impacts everyone on the planet. The job market is responding to the global and national responses to climate change with an increase in opportunities across the board: in industry, government, NGOs, charities as well as international bodies and organisations.

The skills and knowledge acquired through this programme are essential for the future of work. The programme will empower learners to become leading change agents in their chosen field.

Graduates on this MSc are prepared for a wide range of careers across the globe in various areas and sectors, including:

• policy
• planning
• local government
• energy consultancies
• large and small engineering consultancies
• entrepreneurship and business start-ups
• economic development
• charitable organisations

Practical skills

Learners are offered the opportunity to tackle local, national and international challenges in climate change and sustainability through live projects, supported by personal tutors and industry experts. On successful completion of this programme, learners will be able to:

• Research, select and apply appropriate knowledge to practice-based projects
• Plan and deliver team and individual work-packages and projects within timescale and given resources
• Engage in peer and self-assessment to drive improvement and progressive personal and team development
• Design and deliver effective communication strategies for a variety of audiences

Transferable/Key Skills

On successful completion of the programme, learners will be able to:

• Source expert, authoritative and verifiable knowledge
• Work and lead effectively in interdisciplinary teams by understanding and drawing on the skills, knowledges, practices, cultures, and motivations of each team member.
• Respond to complex social challenges and opportunities with creative, analytical and innovative thinking
• Design and present arguments in a clear and impactful manner for a range of audiences

Industry links

Our strong industrial and stakeholder engagement means our degree programmes are informed by industry and experts. You will typically benefit from this engagement through:

• industry guest lectures
• site visits
• projects
• employment opportunities with added support from our Careers Service

You can expect to carry out programme-based projects with international companies such as ARUP and RWE

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

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

As a student on MSc Leadership in Climate Change and Sustainability, you’ll be based in the Henry Daysh Building on our city centre campus.

As the programme is interdisciplinary, some of your time will also be spent in the School of Engineering. 

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

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:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

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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.

• Business and Humanities Pre-Master's

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

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.

Apply Online  

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