International Sustainable Development

Entry requirements

A 2:2 honours degree with a minimum of 55% (or equivalent international qualification), in social science, humanities or associated subject.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide details of alternative qualifications or relevant professional or voluntary work experience as this will also be considered.

Months of entry

January, October

Course content

Do you want to deepen your understanding of sustainable development and prepare to make a difference on the ground? Our MSc International Sustainable Development is your ideal next step.

Climate change, disasters and inequality are among many urgent global challenges on the international development agenda. There's a growing need for practitioners with critical perspectives and robust practical skills who can help communities and organisations respond efficiently and sensitively to current and future problems.

Co-led by the Water, Engineering and Development Centre from our Midlands campus, this programme has a strong focus on disaster response and resilience, particularly in relation to the Global South. It’s practice-led – so you’ll graduate ready for hands-on work in the areas that interest you most.

Practical skills for a demanding field

Alongside theoretical inquiry, you’ll learn by doing – building your programme management and research skillset. Deepen your expertise in topics like the politics of violence, international security, and strategies and challenges in the world order, with continually refreshed content reflecting current issues and challenges.

Taught by leading academics, you’ll hear real-world insights from experienced practitioners from organisations like UNICEF, Refugee Councils, the Commonwealth Secretariat, Community Based and Consultancy Organisations. Plus, you’ll have the chance to sharpen your professional skills on an industry-led collaborative project or international field trip.

Loughborough London is part of the SHIFT innovation district and based near the UNICEF UK offices on East Bank. So it’s the ideal place to network and find partners for the collaborative elements of the course.

A pathway to an impactful career

The sustainable development sector is constantly changing, among growing awareness of the grand challenges, risks and inequalities facing societies. This course will equip you to critically reflect on this and develop the empathetic approach employers are looking for.

You’ll graduate ready to support the work of international NGOs, development consultancies, international organisations and foundations, government aid agencies, social enterprises, academia and think tanks.

Information for international students

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Fees and funding

Please see our website for a list of master's degree funding and scholarships.