Sustainability Management MSc

Overview

There is growing demand for managers who can lead and drive sustainability change within an organisation. This unique course is designed to meet that demand. It explores how to address sustainability issues in an organisation's key operational functions, from accounting to supply chain management.

You will gain the knowledge and skills you need to develop projects that focus on social transformation through organisations and their stakeholders. You will learn how to manage an organisation as it moves from a traditional business model to a sustainable one. We'll show you how to design an organisation that is based on sustainability. This is essential for an ecological global economy.

You'll explore key sustainability challenges through:

• political economy
• finance
• accounting
• entrepreneurship
• marketing
• strategic management

As you progress through the course, you will be able to:

• engage with industry partners
• carry out interdisciplinary research
• plan for a sustainability career
• study abroad (if eligible)

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

You will:

• gain a critical appreciation of global sustainability issues and challenges for organisations
• learn how to reflect on sustainability management practices in ethical and responsible ways
• apply systemic perspectives and use anticipatory and strategic thinking to address complex problems
• engage in practice and research projects with real-life organisations
• experience different learning environments and cultures

You will develop key skills in:

• stakeholder communication
• collaborative teamwork
• socially responsible leadership

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.

 

Sustainability Management MSc modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Role of Business in Society - Issues and Challenges	10
International Marketing Ethics	10
Sustainable Venture Creation	20
Management Inquiry and Analysis	10
Sustainability Management and the Natural Environment	10
Finance and Accounting for Sustainability	20
Advanced Sustainability Management Project	60
The Moral Limits of the Market: Theory and Public Policy	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Sustainable Supply Chain Management	10
Digital Transformation for Social Good	10
Sustainable HRM Work and Employment	10

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

You will be taught using a range of methods, including:

• lectures
• seminars
• small group work
• project work
• field trips
• study abroad opportunity (optional)

Assessment methods

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

• Case study
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Written exercise

Additional assessment information

During Semester 3 you will be able to pursue your own learning interests through a major research project. This is delivered within a capstone module.

The structure of this module is flexible. It allows you to choose one of three different options:

Individual research project

A research-based dissertation with one-on-one supervision.

Consultancy project

Research and/or policy development to address a real-life problem. This is in collaboration with a host organisation or external partner.

Applied research project

Case-study based research of a particular organisation and/or aspect of sustainability management. It is guided by group supervision.

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.

Our staff

• Dr Wee Chan Au (Degree Programme Director)

Your development

Professional and practical skills

You will:

• be able to apply theoretical knowledge to specific contexts of sustainability practice and management.
• develop integrated problem-solving skills. These include being able to define, contextualise, analyse, and evaluate creative solutions to multi-level sustainability problems.
• be able to present sustainability solutions effectively to (potential) stakeholders.
• learn to plan, design, develop and implement collaborative project and team work. You will do this in cross-cultural settings, which will encourage you to be sensitive and responsive to diverse cultural contexts.
• develop self-awareness and leadership skills. These will help you to influence behavioural and social transformation for sustainability. You will integrate values, ethics and social justice in your learning.

Research skills

You will:

• develop and apply systemic perspectives on complex challenges at the interface between organisations, society and global eco-systems. This involves using systems thinking.
• reflect independently and critically on research and the ethical implications of complex sustainability problems and solutions. You will do this at both micro and macro levels of economic and social activity.
• be able to design, develop, implement, evaluate and report on theory or practice-based research.

Study Abroad opportunities

Once you have completed all the taught elements of the course, you will be able to undertake an additional semester of study with a partner institution.

The Study Abroad period will begin in the late September/early October following submission of your dissertation.

If you participate in an international exchange, you will need to select partner modules which add value to your degree. These should focus on subjects that will enhance your:

• graduate employability prospects
• intercultural understanding
• communication skills

Your future

Further study

This course provides a pathway to a Master of Research (major thesis), MPhil and/or PhD degree in Sustainability Management, and other related fields.

Careers

After completing this course, you will be well-equipped to begin or advance in a sustainability-oriented career. You could take on the role of sustainability analyst, officer or manager. This could be in a wide range of organisations and sectors, such as government, business or non-profit.

Industry links

We have strong links with a wide range of organisations focused on pursuing sustainability. These cover a variety of industries and civil society areas.

Careers support

We have careers staff with expertise in advising on "green" and sustainability-oriented careers. This course also includes extra-curricular activities which will support your professional and personal development planning.

You will become a member of our School’s Sustainability Forum. This is a year-long programme of events and activities. You will be able to explore and decide on the main goals and aspirations of your learning journey.

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

Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 3,500 students representing over 80 nationalities. This valuable network extends beyond our current students to include:

• regional, national and international leaders
• over 34,000 alumni in our network, spanning over 150 countries
• leading professionals and practitioners from industry

The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix - an innovation hub and community that brings together industry leaders, businesses and top researchers.

Our facilities include:

• flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city
• Wi-Fi enabled connectivity throughout the building, including three computer clusters housing over 120 PCs
• four large lecture theatres and over 25 seminar and teaching spaces, providing comfortable teaching and group study space
• dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a balanced mix of study space for group work or quiet, individual study
• contemporary café
• employability hub to support your career aspirations
• Bloomberg Room to give you a real feel for the trading room floor
• Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology

The Frederick Douglass Centre at Newcastle Helix also offers further study and learning spaces. This includes a 750 seat auditorium – the largest in the University.

Find out more about Newcastle University Business School

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

Visit our events calendar for the latest events