Master's in Environmental Sustainability equips you with the knowledge and tools to tackle pressing environmental challenges, while opening doors to rewarding careers in creating a greener future. It's your chance to make a real-world difference while shaping a sustainable tomorrow.
The ability to deliver sustainable futures across all human activities will require a range of skills. This course is deliberately designed to be skills and techniques based and not focusing on specific subject and domain knowledge. This Masters programme is envisioned as a highly interdisciplinary, conversion course, that will tap upon research strengths across the institution. As such, it is a unique offering in the market addressing a wide range of learners. The focus on skills in particular guarantees that the graduates of this programme will be not only workplace-ready but also future-proofed equipped with all the necessary competencies and being well-versed with the latest technology.
The course consists of seven core, taught modules with an eighth, taught module chosen from 3 options and finally a dissertation. The seven core taught modules are:
Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability
Key Skills
Context and Challenges
Sustainable Resource Management
Business Leadership
Environmental Impact Assessment and Management
Climate Change, Management and Mitigation
There are currently two optional modules:
Field studies
Environmental Earth Science fieldwork
Course structure
Year 1 modules
Core modules:
Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability
covering: introduction to environmental sustainability principles; key environmental challenges and global context; sustainable development frameworks and concepts; sustainability metrics and indices; and the five key concepts of environmental sustainability (capacity, diversity, resource efficiency, climate mitigation, and circular economy).
Key Skills
including: qualitative methods; statistical analysis; spatial information and GIS; artificial intelligence; and multi-criteria techniques.
Context and Challenges
lead by the Anthropology department, this module will cover regulatory frameworks.
Sustainable Resource Management
covering resource efficiency; renewable vs. non-renewable resource; ecosystem-based management; life cycle analysis; circular economy.
Business Leadership
lead by the Marketing and Management department this module develops the skills you will need to understand organisations, their structure and culture. You will explore the leadership skills required to manage organisations and build an understanding of the emergent issues and challenges faced in fostering ethical leadership practices.
Environmental Impact Assessment and Management
this module covers Scoping, baselining, impact, mitigation, and communication.
Climate Change, Management and Mitigation
covering greenhouse gas budgets, climate policy, adaptation, mitigation, and climate finance.
Optional modules:
There are two optional modules:
Field studies - will provide you with an opportunity to examine the practicalities of making changes within an organisation.
Environmental Earth Science fieldwork – is run in conjunction with the MSc Environmental Engineering.
This interdisciplinary course is made up of modules that span departments across the University. It incorporates a wide range of learning and teaching methods which vary according to the modules studied. These include lectures, seminars, workshops, and computer and practical classes. The taught elements are further reinforced through independent study, research and analysis, case studies and structured reading. All modules are underpinned by research and embed elements of research training in both delivery and assessment. Throughout the course you will be encouraged to develop research methods, skills and ethics reflecting the methods used by the research-active staff. You will be encouraged to be ‘research minded’ in all modules, and to develop these critical skills for use in your future.
Assessment
The Master of Data Science is assessed via a combination of essays, online assessments, reports and presentations – both individual and in small groups. The course culminates in a major research project, which is conducted and written up as an independent piece of work with support from your appointed supervisor.
Entry requirements
Applicants must hold a 2:1 Bachelor (Honours) degree or international equivalent. As the programme requires quantitative skills, applicants should also demonstrate mathematical competence through either a relevant University-level module or GCSE Mathematics at Grade B/5 or international equivalent.
Applicants who have relevant professional/industry experience and practice may also be considered
International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.
Home students who do not meet our direct entry requirements, may be eligible for our Foundation Programme which offers multidisciplinary programmes to prepare you for a range of specified degree programmes.
The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only.
With a global reputation for the quality of research output produced by the Department of Earth Sciences, you are well-placed to fulfil your aspirations of finding a rewarding and stimulating professional career.
Many postgraduates secure careers in a range of sectors directly related to earth sciences, taking up roles as geologists, geoscientists, researchers, environmental consultants and analysts.
Others have been appointed to roles in management positions in consultancy, teaching and scientific journalism, while a number of postgraduates continue their academic research at a higher level.
Supervisors and department mentors provide support and can advise on further career steps. The University also has a dedicated careers centre to help you as you consider the next stage of your career.
Department information
Earth Sciences
Develop vital knowledge to support the creation of a sustainable future for the Earth and humankind in a constantly changing world. The Department carries out internationally significant research into the environment, the climate and the fate of natural resources across the globe at a time when the contribution made by science to understanding global events has never been so important.
The Department of Earth Sciences focuses on developing a valuable scientific-led understanding of the state of the Earth as it is now and will be in the future. Our research consistently broadens and refines our knowledge of geological hazards, sustainability, infrastructure, climate change, energy, and natural resources.
Work in the Department is organised into three broad research themes – Earth Surface Processes and Hazards; Climate, Environment and Resources; and Physics and Chemistry of Earth and Planetary Processes. We are supported by major research centres, the Durham Geochemistry Centre, the Centre for Resources and Earth Energy Systems, the Durham Energy Institute, and the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience.
As well as our vital research, we also offer cutting-edge teaching through an MSc in Scientific Computing and Data Analysis (Earth and Environmental Sciences). We aim to provide a vibrant and stimulating academic environment in which you will not only be able to thrive but also play a key role in our vision of making a major contribution to ensuring a sustainable future.
You will be one of around 80 full-time postgraduates in the Department, who join us from around the world.
Facilities
The Department has its home in the state-of-the-art Arthur Holmes building, which features a range of purpose-built laboratories and teaching facilities.
The Department is situated close to the centre of the city and the Cathedral in an area which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Apply
Find out more:
Apply for a postgraduate course (including PGCE International) via our online portal.
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