Environmental Strategy MSc - 2026/7
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MSc Environmental Strategy
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| PGDip | Environmental Strategy |
| PGCert | Environment and Sustainability |
Professional recognition
Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES)
Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) for the purpose of eligibility to apply for associate membership.
Institution of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
Accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) for the purpose of eligibility to apply for graduate membership
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | PFG61001 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
| Part-time | PFG61002 | 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 - Sustainability, Civil & Env Engineering
Programme Leader
CHENOWETH Jonathan (Sust & CEE)
Date of production/revision of spec
15/11/2024
Educational aims of the programme
- Provide theoretical and practical grounding for evaluating technical, social, economic, and organisational aspects of environmental problems
- Apply life-cycle assessment thinking and other analytical methods to gain better understanding of resource uses and materials/wastes management
- Anticipate and respond pro-actively to future environmental policy developments including government regulation and policy, and competitive market pressures
- Develop a greater understanding and sensitivity to the range of stakeholders in environmental planning and management
- Adapt and apply appropriate specialist techniques and methodologies for problem-solving and decision-making through advanced module options
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Be able to discuss national and supra-national policy frameworks and their implications for environmental management and sustainable development | K | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Advance the ability to apply systems thinking in environmental management | KCP | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Identify and consider the role of ethics in good environmental practice and the advance towards sustainability | KCPT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Be able to balance environmental, economic and social outcomes | KCP | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Advance understanding of how organisations adapt to technological changes, evolving values and regulation, and social expectations | KC | PGDip, MSc | |
| Be able to access and use environmental data and digital resources to support research and analysis | KCPT | MSc | |
| Develop an advanced understanding of global and cultural sensitivities relating to environmental management | KCPT | 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 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Students are to take four optional modules.
Unstructured (2-5 years) - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Unstructured (2-5 years) - FHEQ Level 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
Each module on this programme is taught on an intensive modular basis. There is pre-reading to do for each module and on occasion a pre-module assessment, followed by the intensive taught week where classes run from approximately 9 - 5, Monday - Friday for one week. Post-module coursework is to be completed over the four week period after the intensive week.
This MSc degree embeds employability, global and cultural capabilities, digital capabilities, sustainability, and resourcefulness and resilience across the curriculum of the programme.
Employability: professionally focused learning that nurtures career ready graduates permeates the programme through its use of speakers from industry and government. Employability is also developed via site visits in some modules, such as the Environmental Auditing and Management Systems module, which are designed to give students practical examples of how to apply their developing knowledge and skills. . Some modules, such as the Environmental Science and Society module, give students the opportunity to work in multi-disciplinary teams. Students can opt to do a professional training placement as one of their 15 credit electives. This professional training placement really develops students' readiness for the world of work, particularly for those students lacking previous professional work experience.
This programme is accredited by Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). IEMA provides a route for its members to achieve Chartered Environmentalist status. If students complete four specified modules (Sustainable Development Applications, Environmental Science and Society, Environmental Law and Environmental Auditing and Management Systems), plus the overall MSc degree, then they are eligible for Graduate Membership of IEMA upon graduation.
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 MSc's modules designed specifically to develop these capabilities. Class discussions which are built into almost every module on this programme expose students to a variety of global and cultural perspectives due to both the diversity of students taking this MSc programme and the breadth of topics and perspectives covered.
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.