Sustainability and Business MSc

Course overview

Never before has there been more pressure on businesses to rethink their processes and drive their organisations forward both sustainably and holistically. That’s why worldwide corporations, large and small, are seeking forward-thinking specialists who can understand the challenges faced in both sustainability and business — and help provide the solutions.

Our Sustainability and Business MSc prepares you, the next generation of innovators, to create, develop and reinvent sustainable enterprises. You’ll learn what shapes the relationships between business, environment and society, and how individuals and organisations can address social and environmental problems effectively.

You’ll build a specialist yet practical skill set — in everything from developing ideas and plans for new sustainable ventures, to pitching to investors — which will give you the industry experience employers in this field are looking for and the crucial components you’ll need if you want to start your own business.

This course is co-delivered by the Sustainability Research Institute, within the School of Earth and Environment, and the Leeds University Business School’s Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Studies, providing you with expert teaching delivered by industry specialists from across a broad range of disciplines.

Leeds – and Yorkshire in general – is one of the leading regions in the UK for sustainability action. From the Leeds’ climate assembly, which informs city-level policies on climate change, through to the Yorkshire and Humber region being a hub for renewable energy and green technology development. Studying here, you can use your time to learn more about how local businesses, organisations and communities put sustainability into practice.

If you’re a forward-thinker, with a positive vision of the future, and keen to lead innovation in business — whether that be across a large organisation or through your own startup — our Sustainability and Business MSc is ideal for you.

Why study at Leeds:

• You'll be taught by academics who have led the field for over ten years from the Sustainability Research Institute – one of the largest academic groups of sustainability experts in the world – and members of Business and Organisations for Sustainable Societies (BOSS) – a leading research group in business and sustainability.
• Learn the latest, most pressing environmental challenges from the impactful research conducted across five world-leading research institutes within our School of Earth and Environment, as well as innovations in sustainable business — all of which feed directly into the course.
• Advance your knowledge and skills in key areas, such as how sustainability leads business practice, plus practise interdisciplinary research methods and approaches that relate to environmental management and corporate social responsibility.
• Tailor your degree to suit your interests, with a range of optional modules that could help support your career path and aspirations.
• Take advantage of our strong industry links, with the chance to learn directly from award-winning academics, professionals in government, large corporations, stakeholders and entrepreneurs.
• Enhance your career prospects and join our successful alumni who have pursued careers in related positions, working for reputable local and international organisations such as Ove Arup & Partners, Highways England, Eco Tree France, JBA Consulting, Deloitte, Leeds City Council and Natura.

Join our online taster courses

Find out if this course is right for you by trying our five-part series of free online courses that will show you how environmental management policies are developed and help you understand the challenges surrounding their formulation. 

Course details

The course is split into three sections. In the first two semesters, you'll take lectures and seminars, followed in the third period by approximately four months of individual work leading to the submission of a dissertation in late August.

You’ll develop an understanding of the factors that shape the relationships between business, environment and society. You'll cover the range of policy and management initiatives that promote business innovation in a sustainable society and critically evaluate how government, business and stakeholder groups interact.

You’ll apply key inter-disciplinary research methods and approached relevant to business sustainability, entrepreneurship and innovation. Throughout the course, you’ll also critically evaluate your own contribution to working in inter-disciplinary teams on social, environmental and economic value creation challenges.

Finally, by the end of the degree, you’ll be fully equipped to communicate the complexity of sustainability and business issues to a range of different audiences.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Sustainability and Business MSc in the course catalogue

Compulsory modules

Business, Environment and Sustainability – 30 credits

Explore the role of business in tackling the challenges of sustainability. The module draws on contemporary case studies in the literature and also the experience of the teaching staff and guest speakers. Examples are explored from a variety of conceptual perspectives to promote critical reflection on the opportunities and limitations of business contributions to the challenges of sustainability.

Sustainable Business in Practice: Implementation and Communication – 30 credits

Cover the varying business and corporate social responsibility (CSR) requirements. You'll link the theoretical basis of sustainable business and corporate responsibility to practical approaches and communication issues. Various 'real-life' cases are introduced and you’ll analyse which management technique, within the field of sustainable business and CSR, is appropriate in various settings.
business and CSR.

Research Skills – 15 credits

Explore what defines social science as a knowledge production system as well as the existence of different research paradigms and strategies. You’ll build an understanding of the relationships between theory, conceptualisation, method, hypotheses or research questions, evidence and measurement in the context of social sciences, as well as issues related to objectivity, generalisability, reliability and utility of research.

You’ll also become familiar with appropriate social sciences research designs (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods) and build the common research skills relevant for the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data that will help support your dissertation project – and your future professional career.

Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Creation – 15 credits

This module aims to integrate knowledge of entrepreneurship with new enterprise design. It will help create an advanced understanding of the process of new enterprise design within the context of enterprise skills and the theory of entrepreneurship.

Research Project – 60 credits

You'll apply the knowledge and skills you developed in both semesters 1 and 2 to a research project. Under the guidance of your supervisor, you’ll define, plan and investigate a research question in a subject area that interests you.

Through this project, you’ll build invaluable skills in collating, critically analysing and presenting research alongside transferable skills in data collection, time management, working independently and organisation which will prepare you for your future career – whether that be in academia or industry.

Optional modules

Please note: The modules listed below are indicative of typical options.

New Venture Creation – 15 credits

This module will support you in developing a new venture as a live case study, giving you the chance to explore the potential of your ideas by working with tutors, entrepreneurs/practitioners, and your peers to develop and evaluate a new venture idea. Once you have decided the focus of your project, you will work on developing a portfolio around your new venture initiative. The portfolio will enable you to produce a business plan for the venture at the end of the module.

Enterprise and Society – 15 credits

You’ll have the opportunity to explore the intersection between business and social and environmental issues. The module explores different types of for-purpose organisations that entrepreneurs may wish to set up or may work for in the future. It considers how these organisations use their business activity to address specific non-financial value creation whilst remaining financially viable and competitive. You’ll also consider the nuances of some of the missions/issues as framed by the sustainable development goals, the potential trade-offs and unintended consequences and how impact might be measured. You'll draw on real-life case examples to illustrate various aspects of these topics.

Critical Entrepreneurship Studies – 15 credits

You’ll be encouraged to engage with contemporary and critical issues and debates in the study of enterprise and entrepreneurship. During workshops, you will have the opportunity to engage with academic speakers and experts to debate some of the most current and pressing challenges in enterprise and entrepreneurship studies.

Managing and Delivering Sustainability Through Projects and Organisations – 30 credits

Learn some core elements of sustainability from a practical perspective and some of the essential processes for delivering sustainability. You’ll choose a particular theme/case study to explore in depth throughout the module, allowing you to tailor the module to a specific area of interest and apply the approach taught in the lectures to a real situation. You’ll work in groups on a case study project and present your project ideas, including sustainability assessments, as a group.

Climate and Environmental Policy and Governance – 15 credits

Apply appropriate theories and insights from theory to understand how contemporary human-environment interactions are governed, who has what roles and how to evaluate governance and policy. A central focus of the module is how the alleged limitations of conventional state-led climate and environmental governance have given way to a proliferation of 'new' and dynamic modes of governance where centres of authority are diffuse and state-market-civil society distinctions blur. The module explores changing modes of climate and environmental policy and governance within and between the international, regional, national and local levels of analysis, illustrating these ongoing processes through practical examples and case studies from both the Global North and Global South.

Perspectives on Sustainability, Environment and Development – 15 credits

Develop a well-grounded understanding of the key theoretical, conceptual and practical debates alongside issues within the sustainability-environment-development field. This module describes diverse perspectives on how social, economic, and environmental issues have evolved and shape development processes in both the Global North and Global South. It embeds systems and critical thinking throughout, so you can critically evaluate mainstream ideas of environmental management and development, as well as sustainability challenges and solutions.

Fieldwork

Fieldtrips to local businesses and organisations expose students to real-world examples of sustainability and business, providing an opportunity to learn from professionals in their place of work.

Learning and teaching

You'll learn through a variety of teaching methods, to help you develop both generic and subject-specific skills. This includes lectures, real case studies, practical workshops, computer lab sessions, project work (individual and group work) and a written dissertation. There may also be research seminars from external speakers.

Practical exercises focus on real-world scenarios and case studies to produce optimal solutions, including familiarisation with state-of-the-art technical approaches, software and the regulatory regimes that companies and public sector organisations operate within.

The research-intensive environment of our School ensures that your course material is both up-to-date and research led.

You'll also learn the scientific and rational principles lying behind the practical approaches used in the world outside academia, so that your skills keep pace with changes in technology or the regulatory environment.

You'll be assigned a personal tutor, who will maintain contact with you throughout the year and offer pastoral guidance. They will help you to settle into the university and clarify any procedures, as well as helping you prepare for employment upon graduation.

Active research environment

The School of Earth and Environment is home to five world-leading research institutes, which are at the heart of our active research environment –and working to tackle the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. Throughout your degree, you'll be taught by experts who are leaders in their fields, becoming directly engaged with their cutting-edge research.

The Business and Organisations for Sustainable Societies (BOSS) group is a transdisciplinary team of researchers, who are focused on critically evaluating the role of businesses and organisations and how they can incorporate sustainability in their systems, including their activities and throughout their supply chains.

Business and organisational networks

We have strong links within a range of local and international businesses and organisations. During your studies you may have the chance to learn directly from leading academics, professionals in government, large corporations, stakeholders and entrepreneurs.

Programme team

The wider programme team is made up of researchers and academics who work within the Business and Organisations for Sustainable Societies (BOSS) research group in the Sustainability Research Institute, as well as members of staff from the Leeds University Business School’s Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Studies. This allows you to learn about the same themes, but from two unique perspectives.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You will be assessed by a combination of traditional assessment techniques, such as essays, presentations, reports, and assessment techniques for the experiential and blended learning elements of the programme, such as group work and case studies.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a natural, environmental, physical, management or social science 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.

International

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

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadlines

Please read our How to Apply page for full details, including application deadlines and what to include with your application.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

30 June 2025 – International applicants

12 September 2025 – UK applicants

Click below to access the University’s online application system and find out more about the application process.

If you're still unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Earth and Environment

Contact us

School of Earth and Environment Postgraduate Admissions Team

Email: apply-masters@see.leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £14,500 (Total)

International: £32,500 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

Standard travel and accommodation costs associated with compulsory field trips are covered by the University. However, you must pay for some subsistence, incidental or personal expenses such as suitable clothing, footwear and any related visa costs associated with overseas travel.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Career opportunities

This course combines some of the most sought after and relevant topics in today’s society. Not only will you learn the skills to pursue careers in business and in other sectors of the economy, such as government or non-governmental organisations, but you’ll also enhance your current sustainability credentials too.

It’s this combination of sustainability knowledge, business acumen and an extensive professional skill set which could be crucial to organisations worldwide, as well as highly transferable across a wide range of industries.

Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research, meaning our graduates are highly sought after by some of the most reputable companies in the field.

Here’s a snapshot of our previous sustainability graduates’ job roles and organisations after they left Leeds:

• Sustainability Project Manager, City of York Council
• Japan Analyst, Argus Media Limited
• Business Unit Assistant, Ernst and Young
• Sustainability Consultant, Gleeds
• Sustainability and Wellbeing Manager, Workman LLP
• Environment Specialist, Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.
• Research Assistant, University of Leeds
• Sustainability Manager, Nando’s
• Sustainable Fashion Footprint Coordinator, Arcadia Group

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one — that’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers. The University's Careers Service is one of the largest in the country, providing a wide range of resources to ensure you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.

• Dedicated Employability Officer — gain quality advice, guidance and information to help you choose a career path. From CV and cover letter writing to supporting you with job applications, our School’s dedicated Employability Officer is on hand to help maximise your capabilities through a process of personal development and career planning.
• Employability and networking events — we run a full range of events, including careers fairs and industry talks in specialist areas and across broader industries, with employers who are actively recruiting for roles, giving you the opportunity to network and engage with industry sponsors. 
• Employability skills training – to support your transition to the workplace, we embed training in a range of key transferable skills valued by employers such as research and data analysis in all our programmes.
• MyCareer system — on your course and after you graduate you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events.
• Opportunities at Leeds — there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.

Find out more about careers support.