Sustainability Leadership

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 14.6 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 14.8 k / Year(s) Deadline: Mar 30, 2024
6 place StudyQA ranking:2995 Duration:2 years

Photos of university / #cambridgeuniversity

The Master of Studies (MSt) in Sustainability Leadership is an interdisciplinary postgraduate degree that explores leadership responses to sustainability challenges and opportunities. This programme is accredited by the University of Cambridge and delivered by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).

The MSt is offered in association with the Departments of Architecture, Engineering, Geography, Land Economy and the Judge Business School. Both academic excellence and leadership on sustainability are prioritised in the competitive selection process, and in the design and delivery of the programme.

The MSt typically attracts candidates who wish to formalise their credentials as sustainability professionals, advisers or consultants. We are also the first choice for mainstream business leaders seeking to gain a better understanding of sustainability risks and opportunities and how to respond to these. We likewise appeal to leaders from the not-for-profit or public sectors who wish to work together with the private sector to address sustainability challenges.

Aims of the programme

  • To develop leaders who have a wide awareness and deep understanding of the social, environmental, ethical and economic challenges facing the world, and equip them to respond more effectively in their executive roles.
  • To expose leaders and future leaders to a range of best-practice cases of how business, government and civil society are responding to these challenges.
  • To help leaders to make a compelling ‘business case’ for sustainability in their sector and/or institutional context, and understand how best to put sustainability policies into practice.
  • To give leaders insights into the academic debate on sustainability, including some of the key scientific and technological issues, and equip them with research skills relevant to sustainability.

The primary approaches to teaching and learning are:

  • taught sessions by academics and practitioners, who are thought-leaders and/or case study illustrators
  • group work, involving dialogue, debate and presentations throughout the taught modules, as well as a group research assignment
  • individual work, involving research and written presentation of findings on selected topics
  • support and facilitation by a CISL-led team of faculty, tutors and supervisors from within the University
  • intensive and collaborative e-learning programmes, including e-modules, online webinars and content-based discussions to maximize knowledge sharing.

Contact time

  • Lectures: 35 hours per year
  • Seminars and classes: 50 hours per year
  • Small group teaching: 26 hours per year
  • Supervision: 7 hours per year

Assessment

Thesis

  • Dissertation: 15,000 words maximum (including footnotes, tables and graphs but excluding appendices and bibliography).

Essays, projects and written papers

  • An analysis paper of 3,000 words maximum
  • A strategy paper of 3,000 words maximum
  • A group project of 5,000-7,000 words

Some assignments and the dissertation require literature reviews. The dissertation also involves an oral presentation.

Examples of previous dissertation topics, articles produced based on dissertation research undertaken during the Master's programme, and example group project topics are available on the CISL website.

Feedback

Students are given formal feedback on their assignment and informal feedback throughout their course, including during supervisions. First year tutors give an annual progress report at the end of year 1 and dissertation supervisors provide termly reports during year 2.

Expected academic standard

Applicants are assessed and accepted on the basis that they have:

  1. At least a 2.i honours degree* from a UK university or an equivalent standard from an overseas institution
  2. A minimum of three years' work experience
  3. Demonstrable enthusiasm and/or aptitude for sustainability leadership
  4. Good ability in written and spoken English language
  5. Endorsement from your employer or, if independent, from an organisation that will be the focus of your work on the programme
  6. Access to appropriate computer technology and internet software
  7. The ability to pay the course fees or to identify a sponsoring institution

* Exceptional applicants who do not meet the standard admission criteria of a 2.i honours degree will be assessed on an individual basis and may be required to provide further materials in support of their application.

Language requirement

  • IELTS Academic: Overall score of 7.5 (a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component)
  • TOEFL Internet: Overall score of 110 (a minimum of 25 in each individual component)
  • CAE: Grade A or B (with at least 193 in each individual element) plus a Language Centre assessment
  • CPE: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200 in each individual element)

Supporting documents

  • References 
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Research Proposal
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Professional Qualifications
  • Personal Statement
  • Letter of Support from your Employer
  • Writing Sample
  • Global Education
  • Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Similar programs:
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 7.26 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 16.8 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Sep 15, 2024 127 place StudyQA ranking: 6011
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 6.26 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 17.8 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Aug 1, 2024 200 place StudyQA ranking: 4798
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 7.02 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 15.4 k / Year(s)
StudyQA ranking: 4900
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 5.12 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 12.8 k / Year(s)
StudyQA ranking: 5251
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 5.71 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 18.3 k / Year(s)
158 place StudyQA ranking: 6573
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 6.82 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 13.6 k / Year(s)
Deadline: May 31, 2024 6 place StudyQA ranking: 4487
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 24.3 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 24.3 k / Year(s)
401–500 place StudyQA ranking: 5002
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 10 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 21.7 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jul 28, 2024 16 place StudyQA ranking: 2329
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 10 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 21.7 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Sep 1, 2024 16 place StudyQA ranking: 1964