Sustainability, Environment and Development

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in social sciences such as (but not limited to) international development, geography, politics, sociology, environmental management, sustainability, environmental science, or in a related subject.

Applicants with any of the following will be considered on a case-by-case basis:

• A bachelor degree with a 2:2 (hons), or equivalent, where applicants can demonstrate relevant work experience or aptitude in a relevant specialist field.
• Professional qualifications and relevant experience.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Sustainable development is a topical and fast-growing field with a lot of opportunities to make a real difference in the world. Through our Sustainability, Environment and Development MSc, you’ll investigate the challenges associated with achieving development that is environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. You will gain the knowledge, skills and practical experience to allow you to become an interdisciplinary leader who can think critically and contribute practically to enhance sustainability policy and action.

The programme is led by the Sustainability Research Institute, who have a well-established approach of applying social-ecological systems and participatory approaches to understanding sustainability challenges and co-creating solutions. We use the same framing, providing high-quality transdisciplinary training through research-led teaching on issues where the need for economic development, social equity and environmental conservation meet. The MSc brings together expertise from the School of Earth and Environment, School of Politics and International Studies, and professional partners to provide many different perspectives on these issues. 

This course draws on theories from both the social and natural sciences, and from professional practice, and is therefore relevant to candidates from a range of backgrounds. Primarily, this is a social science programme grounded in a critical framing of sustainability and development through teaching in social-ecological systems thinking, an understanding of biogeophysical limits, environmental policy, and global inequalities.

We strike a unique balance between fundamentals and practice, embedding a professional skills and field course for all students. Through our programme you’ll have the chance to network through our connections with key players in environment, development and sustainability worldwide.

Once you graduate, you’ll be fully equipped with the extensive knowledge, skills, and practical experience sought after by both the public and private sectors to deliver solutions in critical areas like sustainable economic development, climate change adaptation, governance of natural resources, and conservation.

Why study at Leeds:

• Learn the latest most pressing social and environmental sustainability challenges and proposed solutions from the research conducted across five globally-renowned research institutes right here in our School of Earth and Environment which feeds directly into the course.
• Advance your knowledge in key areas like global inequalities, evolution of development theory, resilience, climate change, conservation, environmental policy and governance of natural resources.
• Build your skills in systems thinking, critical analysis, leadership, problem solving, communication and interdisciplinarity.
• Conduct your own significant individual research project, taking advantage of our collaborative links with sustainability, environment and development organisations across the UK and internationally.
• Experience expert practical and theoretical teaching delivered by a programme team made up of researchers covering the social sciences, economics, development studies, environmental management and conservation from within the School of Earth and Environment and the School of Politics and International Studies.