This programme is currently under development and may be subject to change
Key information
Duration: 1 year full time or 2 years part time
Institution code: R72
Campus: Egham
UK fees*: £10,100
International/EU fees**: £20,700
The course
Sustainability and Management (MSc)
The global pursuit of progress has led to widespread industrialisation, overpopulation, resource depletion, pollution and other threats to our planet. Through the research and teaching of environmental and social sustainability we aim to preserve our world and its resources for future generations.
Study Sustainability and Management at Royal Holloway, University of London and you’ll develop the skills to communicate with experts across a variety of backgrounds, helping you to become an expert in sustainability and an attractive prospect for business, governmental agencies and NGOs.
The MSc Sustainability and Management is taught jointly by the Department of Geography, which is recognised for expertise in the research and teaching of environmental and social sustainability and the School of Management, which has a long tradition of research into sustainable businesses and corporate social responsibility.
Follow your passion for Sustainability and Management at Royal Holloway and you’ll graduate with an interdisciplinary Masters degree offering excellent employability prospects, and be well equipped with the skills and knowledge you need to tackle some of today's most pressing sustainability issues.
From time to time, we make changes to our courses to improve the student and learning experience. If we make a significant change to your chosen course, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Course structure
Core Modules
Term One
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In this module you will develop an understanding of the key social and environmental relationships, incorporating contemporary issues in the geographies of sustainability. You will look at the concept of 'risk society', sustainable cities, and the impacts of corporate sector activities on the environment. You will consider the challenges to sustainable development at household and community levels, with a focus on community-based approaches to sustainable development.
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In this module you will develop an understanding of research methods used for exploring the social sciences. You will look at the key methods used by social scientists, with teaching delivered by those who have practical experience in their field. You will look at the research process and explore research beyond the field, becoming familiar with the practical considerations of a range of methods, their benefits and challenges, their epistemological basis, and their ethics.
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In this module you will develop an understanding of the key aspects of entrepreneurship. You will look at the entrepreneurship process, the key differences between large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises, and the financing options available to start-up and developing companies. You will examine enterprise barriers, growth and performance, with particular consideration given to the role of start-up and entrepreneurial activity in the hi-tech and biopharma sectors.
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This module will describe the key principles of academic integrity, focusing on university assignments. Plagiarism, collusion and commissioning will be described as activities that undermine academic integrity, and the possible consequences of engaging in such activities will be described. Activities, with feedback, will provide you with opportunities to reflect and develop your understanding of academic integrity principles.
Term Two
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This module aims to address some of the potential issues this world faces from a cutting edge geographical perspective. These topics include climate change, political division, and technological revolutions. The module is split into sessions, titled Earth Futures, Secure Futures, Just Futures, and Creative Futures.
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You will undertake an independent volunteer project which will give you practical experience in gaining sustainability related work experience. The project will enhance your employability and provide an opportunity to gain practical experience of organisational objectives, cultures and practices.
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In this module you will develop an understanding of the role of business in modern society from an ethical perspective. You will look at different types of business, including publicly traded multinationals, small and medium-sized enterprises, social enterprises and family firms. You will examine the issues in these organisational types and articulate moral arguments from a range of perspectives, critiquing alternative models of business, including social entrepreneurship, fair trade and microfinance.
Term 3
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You will carry out an extended project on a topic of your choice, producing a written report of between 12,000 and 15,000 words. Working with your supervisor, you will carry out primary and secondary research, using theoretical and practical methods to tackle your research question. You will carry out your dissertation in collaboration with an organisation in the field of development and the environment.
Optional Modules
Teaching & assessment
You will benefit from innovative teaching including real-life case studies, seminars with practitioners, field work and volunteering.
Assessment is carried out by a variety of methods including coursework, examinations and a dissertation.
Entry requirements
2:2
Business studies, Ecology, Environmental science, Environmental studies, Geography, Geology, Management studies, or Social studies.
Normally, we require a UK 2.2. (Honours) or equivalent in Business Studies, Ecology, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Management Studies, Social Studies. Candidates with professional qualifications or relevant professional experience in an associated area will also be considered but will be required to demonstrate proficiency in theoretical aspects of the subject.
International & EU requirements
English language requirements
All teaching at Royal Holloway is in English. You will therefore need to have good enough written and spoken English to cope with your studies right from the start.
The scores we require
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
Country-specific requirements
For more information about country-specific entry requirements please see here.
Your future career
Sustainability and Management graduates from Royal Holloway, University of London are highly employable, with a range of attractive transferable skills. You’ll gain the most current, up-to-date knowledge, with expert teaching augmented by lectures from a wide range of highly respected guest speakers on current sustainability and business issues.
This highly-regarded programme will place you in a good position to progress to doctoral-level study. Our recent alumni have gone on to enjoy fulfilling careers, including Director at Sustainable Travel International, Consolidations and Reporting Analyst at Tetra Pak International, Researcher at the Institute of Business Ethics and Carbon Consultant at DHL.
- Graduate with a highly desirable interdisciplinary education.
- 90% of Royal Holloway graduates in work or further education within six months of graduating.
- Develop the knowledge and skills to become an expert in sustainability for leading companies, governmental agencies and NGOs.
Fees, funding & scholarships
Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £10,100
EU and international students tuition fee per year**: £20,700
Other essential costs***: There are no single associated costs greater than £50 per item on this course.
How do I pay for it? Find out more about funding options, including loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries.
* and ** These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.
All postgraduate fees are subject to inflationary increases. This means that the overall cost of studying the course via part-time mode is slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year. Royal Holloway's policy is that any increases in fees will not exceed 5% for continuing students. For further information, please see our terms and conditions. Please note that for research courses, we adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry. For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee please see the RCUK website.
** The UK Government has confirmed that EU nationals are no longer eligible to pay the same fees as UK students, nor be eligible for funding from the Student Loans Company. This means you will be classified as an international student. At Royal Holloway, we wish to support those students affected by this change in status through this transition. For eligible EU students starting their course with us during the academic year 2023/24, we will award a fee reduction scholarship equivalent to 30% of the difference between the UK and international fee for your course. This will apply for the duration of your course. Find out more
*** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2022/23 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
