Sustainable Development MSc - 2026/7
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MSc Sustainable Development
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| PGCert | Environment and Sustainability |
| PGDip | Sustainable Development |
Professional recognition
ISEP
Accredited by the Institute of Sustainability & Environmental Professionals for the purpose of eligibility to apply for graduate membership
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | PFG61003 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
| Part-time | PFG61004 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Other internal and / or external reference points
N/A
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences - School of Engineering
Programme Leader
CHENOWETH Jonathan (Sch of Eng)
Date of production/revision of spec
02/11/2026
Educational aims of the programme
- To provide participants with a thorough conceptual framework and the skills necessary to understand the concept of Sustainable Development, and make judgements about Sustainable Development policies and their implementation.
- To equip participants to evaluate existing political, socio-economic, ethical, cultural and regulatory frameworks to inform decisions regarding Sustainable Development.
- To encourage participants to develop a sensitive appreciation of the significance of the contextual settings of sustainable development, especially as they relate to developing countries.
- To develop and enhance participants' research and data handling skills.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Demonstrate a critical understanding of the concept of sustainable development and current debates relating to sustainable development | K | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Be able to integrate sustainable development into the day-to-day management and functioning of organisations, and on-going performance monitoring by accessing and using environmental data | KP | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Be able to evaluate technical, social, environmental, economic and political aspects of sustainable development | KCPT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Be able to adapt economic and social assessment tools to support decision-making for sustainable development | KCPT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Be able to research complex sustainability problems while following ethical research principles. | KCPT | MSc | |
| Develop an advanced understanding of global and cultural sensitivities relating to sustainable development | PT | PGDip, MSc | |
| Be aware of digital resources and tools which can support the implementation of sustainable development | KCPT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over one academic year, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Part-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied part-time over three to five years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Module Selection for Year 1 - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Students are to take four optional modules.
Unstructured (2-5 years) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Module Selection for Unstructured (2-5 years) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Students are to take four optional modules.
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | Y | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | Y | Yes |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
Modules on this programme are taught on an intensive modular basis. This includes pre-reading for each module, a pre-module assessment, and an intensive taught week where classes run from 9 - 5, Monday - Friday. Post-module coursework is due four weeks later.
This MSc degree embeds employability, global and cultural capabilities, digital capabilities, sustainability, and resourcefulness and resilience across the curriculum of the programme.
Employability: is developed via the use of guest lecturers from industry and government, and site visits in some modules which are designed to give students practical examples of how to apply their developing knowledge and skills. Some modules give students the opportunity to work in multi-disciplinary teams. Students can opt to do a professional training placement which develops students' readiness for the world of work.
This programme is accredited by Institute of Sustainability and Professionals (ISEP) and provides a route to Chartered Environmentalist status.
Global and cultural capabilities, intercultural awareness and informed views on global, social and ethical issues are required skills for any effective sustainability practitioner, with the MScs modules designed specifically to develop these capabilities.
Digital capabilities: Throughout the MSc students learn to navigate the University of Surrey's Virtual Learning Environment (SurreyLearn), other digital resources and online databases to aid their learning and undertake research.
Resourcefulness and resilience: Students are challenged to be resourceful in their data gathering and analysis as they develop their qualitative and quantitative research skills when completing their module assessments and when doing their dissertation.
Sustainability: permeates all of the modules in this programme since the programme as a whole is seeking to create skilled sustainability professionals.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.