Sustainability and Environmental Management
MSc

In the past few decades, the importance of environmental management has continually risen on the agenda of both private and public organisations due to the increasing environmental crises that the world is facing. In addition, the scope of what is covered by environmental management is becoming broader with elements of sustainability being embedded within industry standards.

As the scope of what is covered by environmental management broadens, by extension the skills environmental practitioners and managers are expected to have now includes social and financial skill sets such as corporate governance, making environmental business cases, communication and reporting, sustainable value chain and sustainable business management among others.

Following this shift in the sector, the need to acquire sustainability skills and training for environmental management practitioners has never been so important.

Accredited by IEMA, giving you free student membership

This programme is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), a high-quality benchmark recognised by employers around the world.

The IEMA Accreditation gives you free IEMA student membership while studying this programme, giving you access to a wide range of resources and support to complement your studies such as free articles, webinars, events, newsfeed and downloads as well as copies of The Transform Magazine, the world’s most read environment and sustainability publication.

Upon completion of this course, you will be eligible to join the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) as a graduate member (GradIEMA) and fast track to Practitioner Member status (PIEMA) depending on your experience.

Accredited by CIWEM, giving you free student membership

This programme is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM). 

Whilst enrolled on this master’s degree you can enjoy free student membership to the CIWEM that allows you to:

• Keep up to date with the latest best-practice knowledge through their member’s magazine, policy documents and technical journals
• Build your professional network through free events and local branches
• Enhance your career prospects through professional recognition of your qualification

The CIWEM will support the development of the skills and qualities that employers are looking for, providing you with opportunities to showcase your talents.

Upon completion of this course, you will be eligible to register for graduate membership of CIWEM.

Popular with those already in the industry

This degree is a popular choice for those already employed in the industry due to the ability to study some of our modules on their own to enhance your CPD. Our standalone 20 credit modules have been designed to enhance career development and progression into the broader areas of sustainability and leadership. The 20 credit modules that can be taken as standalone modules are as follows:

• International Environmental Policy and Law
• Tools for Delivering Sustainable Solutions to Environmental Problems
• Sustainable Business Management
• Environmental Impact Assessment

Exemptions for IEMA Practitioners

As 3 core modules are aligned to IEMA’s practitioner level membership, IEMA practitioner members can join the programme at the Postgraduate Diploma stage.

Find out more about the online course

Our Academic Lead for the MSc Sustainability and Environmental Management, Dr Uche Okere, talks about the online MSc Sustainability and Environmental Management course in this video.

We will advise you of your study plan – the running order and availability of the modules – when you are invited to enrol.

If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered. In addition, where demand is high, some modules may be subject to a cap.

Postgraduate Certificate stage

You must complete three core modules.

Postgraduate Diploma stage

You must complete the three core modules at Postgraduate Certificate stage as well as three optional modules.

Masters stage

To gain the full MSc, you must complete the Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma plus the Independent Scholarly Activity which is a triple module, worth 60 credits.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Pace of study

We recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete one 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester.

Assessment method

This course is assessed through 100% coursework with a range of methods, such as essays, research reports, presentations, group work and practical reports.

Student support and guidance

Whilst we encourage our students to become independent, life-long learners, we also recognise that offering the right support and guidance will help you to achieve your goals. There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor, through to our:

• Library
• Health and Wellbeing Centre
• Careers and Employability Service
• IT Support
• Union of Students

All these services, and more, are available to you as an online student at the University of Derby.

Get a taste of the course content

Our Sustainability and Environmental Management MSc course taster will give you an idea of how online learning works. It includes a selection of content from a course module so you can see what some of our learning material looks like.

You will need to complete a short form to access the course taster.

You will normally need an undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2). A science or related degree is preferred but a range of degrees will be considered.

If you don’t have this qualification but do have extensive and relevant work experience at an appropriate level we welcome your application.

You must provide a CV detailing your academic and work experience and a reference from your workplace or the institution where you undertook your previous study. This information should be included as part of your online application.

English language qualifications

You will normally need one of the following English Language qualifications:

• GCE O level English Language: Grade C
• GCSE English: Grade C

If English is not your first language, or you have not successfully completed your highest level of qualification in English, you will need an English language qualification. For this course you will need at least one of the following:*

• IELTS 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in any areas)
• TOEFL 550 (paper based) 213 (computer based) or 80 (internet based)
• Pearson Test of Academic English: 51
• Cambridge Advanced Certificate: Pass
• London Tests of English: we accept level 5 for postgraduate courses
• International GCE O Level English Language: Grade C
• International GCSE English/English as a Second Language: Grade C*

*If you have a minimum of IELTS level 4.5 you can study our Certificate of Credit in English for Academic Purposes which we will accept as evidence that you are able to perform at a suitable level of IELTS 6.0. We will also accept the Certificate of Credit as evidence that you can perform at GCSE level.

Find out more about English language requirements

^‡2022/23 for new entrants

Starting between September 2022 and August 2023.

2023/24 for new entrants

Starting between September 2023 and August 2024.

About your fees

This figure would be the total cost of this course in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.

However, please also note that you can receive a 5% discount if you either:

• Pay your full course fees upfront, or
• When enrolling in September, pay for all of your modules to be studied in that academic year upfront

Exemptions for IEMA Practitioner Members

If you are an IEMA practitioner member, you are entitled to exemptions worth 60 credits on the three modules covered in the Postgraduate Certificate stage of this course, a saving of £2,715 on the full MSc.

This means that you will join the course at the Postgraduate Diploma stage and complete a total of three optional modules plus the Independent Scholarly Activity to achieve the MSc Sustainability and Environmental Management.

You will need to provide evidence of your IEMA practitioner membership with your application so we can confirm your exemptions.

This will take a minimum of 2 years to complete.

Flexible payment plans available

Choose from three payment plan options:

• Pay monthly and only for the modules you are studying

• Pay your full course fees upfront, receive 5% discount and avoid annual increases

• Pay for all modules studied in the year and receive a 5% discount (September enrolment only)

Masters funding options

Depending on where you are from in the UK or EU, and on your pace of study, you may be eligible for a postgraduate student loan. Accessible through Student Finance, this is a non-income based loan to help with living costs and tuition fees whilst studying your masters programme.

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

Find out more about the Alumni discount

Students should apply directly to the University.

Apply now

For support with completing your application, view our guide to the application process.

Documents to support your application

In order for your application to be assessed, you will need to provide the following documents when you apply:

• Official photo identification such as a passport or driving licence
• Current CV
• Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications*

*Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:

• Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• The date of the translation
• The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
• The translator’s contact details

A list of approved translators can be found on the UK Government website.

Please note: failure to submit any documentation when requested, may result in your application being withdrawn.

Application deadlines

All of our online courses have set start dates throughout the year. We require time to review your application and get back to you with a response before your course starts. Take a look at information regarding applying for an online course to see full details of deadlines and term dates.

Upon completion of this programme, you will be equipped with the skills needed to improve the culture of sustainability within your organisation. Additionally, through enhancing your communication, employability and digital skills, you will be well placed to perform better in your current role, seek a promotion or secure a new job.

If you wish to further your studies, you may choose to progress onto a PhD or other research degree in environmental management or sustainability within the university or elsewhere.

For professional development, you could also undertake further professional development through short courses or our standalone 20 credit modules at level 7, which can be taken as Certificates of Credit for your professional development. Choose from:

• International Environmental Policy and Law
• Tools for Delivery Sustainable Solutions to Environmental Problems
• Sustainable Business Management
• Environmental Impact Assessment

Utilise our Careers and Employment Service​

Whilst you are a student at the University of Derby, and for 3 years after you graduate, our Careers and Employment Service can assist you with job search advice, CV creation, workshops and events, as well as one-to-one appointments with employment advisers to help with career planning and interview preparation.

Contact us

Contact the University of Derby Online Learning:

Other courses you might like

• Environmental Health MSc
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