Sustainability in Transport MSc

Course overview

Please note: applications for this course open on the 1^st October 2024.

Our Sustainability in Transport MSc will equip you with the technical and professional skills needed to help solve some of the grand challenges of sustainable transport. Taught by researchers at the forefront of the subject, you’ll look at how we can respond to the critical need for fast transport decarbonisation, along with ways to tackle urban pollution and enable social equity and inclusion in mobility. The course also examines the relationships between sustainable transport and economic development, liveable cities, social justice and energy scarcity.

Whatever your background, this Masters degree will ignite your imagination and expand your horizons. You could be a social or political scientist, a geographer, philosopher, law graduate, engineering graduate or science graduate. What’s most important is that you thrive on critical thinking and you have a willingness to move outside disciplinary comfort zones.

Studying in the Institute of Transport Studies at Leeds will also give you a unique head start in your career in transport. Not only does our world-leading research shape the course, but our close links with large corporations means you’ll have a chance to interact with potential employers and possibly interview for graduate schemes and other vacancies. We also offer opportunities to build your industry work experience before you graduate with work placements and project work throughout your course.

Why study at Leeds:

• This Masters degree is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA)
• Our Institute for Transport Studies’ globally-renowned research conducted right here on campus feeds directly into the course, shaping your learning with the latest thinking in sustainable transport.
• Advance your knowledge in a range of key areas including shaping future transport systems, environmental science and sustainability in transport and strategic assessments of transport and environmental policy.
• Develop a professional and specialist skill set that will enable you to manage projects in industry effectively, run visioning workshops, stakeholder engagement events, strategy meetings, and make persuasive presentations to policy makers.
• Tailor the course to suit your career aspirations with a broad selection of optional modules that’ll refine your knowledge in the topics that interest you the most.
• Build industry experience collaborating on a multidisciplinary team project with students from other degree specialisms that focuses on a real-world transport problem posed by Leeds City Council or other relevant organisation. You may also be able to apply for an optional industrial placement.
• Familiarise yourself with industry-standard models and tools. Experience expert theoretical and practical teaching delivered by a programme team made up of researchers and academics from the Institute for Transport Studies who have extensive expertise across a variety of transport disciplines.
• Enhance your career prospects and become part of our successful alumni who have secured jobs in some of the most influential national and international companies and institutions in transport including Network Rail, Atkins Realis and the Department of Transport. Many of these organisations are members of the ITS Industrial Advisory Committee who directly inform and advise on course content and priorities.
• Take advantage of our close working relationships with big organisations in industry such as ARUP, AECOM and Transport for London who actively advertise and recruit directly from the Institute of Transport Studies.
• This course offers flexible study options where you can study full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 or 36 months.

Accreditation

Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA)

Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students.

This course is accredited by The Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA), the global professional body for everyone working in environment and sustainability.

This Masters degree guarantees your eligibility for free student membership of IEMA for the duration of the course and on successful completion, you qualify for GradIEMA.

Graduate membership is a launchpad for future leaders within environment and sustainability and offers a range of benefits to support you throughout your career. You can then “Fast track” to Practitioner Membership.

Join our online taster course

This two-week course offers a great taste of studying 21st-century transportation challenges at a postgraduate level.

Course details

Throughout this course, you’ll learn a range of modules that address key issues in sustainable transport. You’ll first learn important fundamentals through a selection of core modules – these provide you with a holistic overview of challenges for sustainability in transport and approaches to policy formulation.

You’ll then be able to specialise in your preferred interests by choosing from a wide range of optional modules. This allows you to tailor your degree towards your career interests. You'll also study our Transport Integrated Project module, which gives you experience of a typical real-world transport project. You’ll gain specialist knowledge and advanced research skills. In your dissertation, you’ll apply these to a project chosen from a wide range of topics.

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.

Most courses consist of compulsory and optional modules. There may be some optional modules omitted below. This is because they are currently being refreshed to make sure students have the best possible experience. Before you enter each year, full details of all modules for that year will be provided.

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

Compulsory modules

Climate and Environmental Policy and Governance – 15 credits

Within this module, we examine the key strategies and policies for climate change mitigation and adaptation and the multiple pathways through which human-environment interaction is governed. A central focus 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. You’ll explore changing modes of climate and environmental policy and governance within and between the international, regional, national and local levels of analysis.

Environmental Science and Sustainability for Transport – 15 credits

You'll learn the knowledge and skills required to understand the environmental constraints of cities and how to influence decision-making in transport towards environmentally and socially sustainable solutions. The module includes training in the UK toolkit for modelling vehicle emissions across transport networks in current and future years.

Shaping Future Transport Systems – 15 credits

In the Shaping Transport Futures module, you'll understand the fundamental relationships in transport systems, their interactions with other sectors, and future opportunities and challenges. You'll also learn about interventions in managing transport systems, contrast international approaches to transport planning and management, and acquire the fundamental techniques necessary to work in interdisciplinary teams. These skills will prepare you for the Transport Integrated Project module delivered in the following semester.

Transport Data Collection and Analysis – 15 credits

Acquire the fundamental skills and knowledge of data collection and analysis in the context of transport. In this module, we will address the loop covering research questions, data requirements, data collection/generation, data analysis, and interpretation allowing you to develop a good understanding and practice for transport data collection and analysis.

Transport Integrated Project – 15 credits

This group project lets you develop industry experience of working within the transport sector, as part of a multidisciplinary team. You’ll work alongside students from our other Masters degrees, using your different specialisms to solve a real-world transport problem posed by Leeds City Council or another relevant organisation.

You’ll gain insights into how planning, economics, environmental science, modelling and engineering can work together to develop sustainable solutions to global challenges.

Throughout the project, you’ll be advised by subject experts and will be required to write both group and individual reports. You'll also present your work as a group.

Previous projects have included:

• Designing a new park and ride site
• Designing a new train station
• Redesigning Leeds’ City Square

Transport Dissertation – 60 credits

Your dissertation gives you the ultimate opportunity to develop and apply research and/or design skills in a specialist topic within the transport discipline. You’ll complete an independent research project on a topic of your choice, develop an in-depth knowledge of your chosen subject area, and demonstrate your findings in a report.

Some topics are suggested and supported by industry, giving you the chance to address a real-world problem and gain experience of working with industry. Your supervisor will support you throughout the process of developing your dissertation topic.

Optional modules

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

Environmental Economics and Policy – 15 credits

Explore the micro-economic approach to environmental issues, which states that environmental problems are market failures leading to a loss of social welfare, and environmental policies are interventions that seek to restore optimal allocation of resources.

Critical Perspectives in Environment and Development – 15 credits

The purpose of this module is for you to obtain a well-grounded understanding of the key theoretical, conceptual and practical debates and issues within the environment-development field. Theoretically, political ecology is used as a starting point in part 1 of the module to push critical and reflective thinking about mainstream ideas of environmental change and development. In part 2 of the module, key concepts and topical issues in the environment-development field are explored. Conceptual focus is given to the issues of biodiversity, land degradation and desertification, with practical examples drawn from a variety of fields including conservation, agriculture, forestry and water management. The module draws significantly on the international research expertise of staff in the Sustainability Research Institute.

Tools and Techniques in Ecological Economics – 15 credits

This module aims to develop research skills to enable you to carry out quantitative research projects, which integrate environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainability. Through lectures, seminars and computer exercises, the module will familiarise you with some of the most extensively used methods and research frameworks for the analysis of coupled socio-economic and environmental systems. The content of this module is relevant to some of the most innovative and cutting-edge research in ecological economics, effectively paving the way towards a systematic understanding of sustainability. This module will cover both top-down macro-economic approaches and bottom-up social and technical approaches, providing you with a broad foundation for your future work and research.

Sustainable Spatial Planning and Analysis – 15 credits

Learn the key aspects of integrated transport and land-use planning which contribute to more sustainable outcomes. You'll develop your skills to access, analyse and display spatial data to facilitate advanced policy analysis informed by the theoretical underpinnings of sustainable land use and transport planning.

Green Logistics – 15 credits

You’ll gain the skills needed to work in planning, policymaking and consultancy roles in which you'll need up-to-date understanding of best practice in reducing the environmental problems associated with freight logistics and supply chain activities.

Analysing Transport and Society – 15 credits

You'll learn how to apply social analysis in practice and policy in the transport sector in both professional environments and higher academic studies. This module will provide understanding of the basis of qualitative and quantitative methods, and practical understanding of a range of research methods and evaluative techniques using lectures and practical ‘hands-on’ workshops designed to engage and stimulate learning.

Public Transport Planning and Management – 15 credits

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the critical issues that shape the planning, management, and financing of public transport systems in both developed and developing countries. You'll take part in practical problem-solving exercises that help you understand, evaluate, apply, and communicate the core operating and economic principles of public transport planning.

System Dynamics: Modelling Policy – 15 credits

This module develops your understanding of the structure and dynamics of complex systems in transport. You’ll learn how to apply causal loop techniques enabling you to communicate ideas and model structures effectively.

Traffic Management – 15 credits

Traffic Management is the process of adjusting or adapting the use of an existing road system to meet specified objectives without resorting to substantial new road construction. The traffic management objectives have evolved reflecting the changing nature of road systems and travel patterns in the past decades. This module will equip you with knowledge of how to select, design and implement a range of appropriate measures and techniques, as well as knowledge of practical experiences for enhancing the efficiency of road transport systems for all groups of road users. In addition to UK practice, a wide range of international evidence is included to broaden the scope of module delivery.

Global Transferability of Policies – 15 credits

You'll critically examine the applicability of policies in different geographical and political contexts from those where they originated. This module develops your knowledge of the theories underlying the transfer of policy and the ways that such theories are frequently framed as being geographically specific.

Railway Investment Appraisal – 15 credits

Starting from the principles of cost-benefit analysis and Business Cases, this module covers the key methods and techniques of railway investment appraisal. It includes worked examples and case studies featuring urban, regional and high-speed rail. Recent innovations in appraisal methods are covered. The role of railways in the economy is addressed. Current major infrastructure projects are used to aid discussion. The link with project finance, and links with decision making and transport policy are considered.

Transport Investment Appraisal – 15 credits

Starting from the principles of cost-benefit analysis and financial appraisal, the module covers the key methods and techniques of transport investment appraisal. You'll study examples and case studies from road, rail and active modes of transport.

Air Quality Policy Design and Evaluation – 15 credits

We'll equip you with the skills necessary to analyse air pollution data, then design and evaluate the impact of air quality policies, including mitigation options for poor indoor air quality. Practical experience of open-source innovative data analysis tools is provided, including a new open-source package – AQEval – developed and published by Institute for Transport Studies to evaluate Air Quality policies.

Transport in Developing Countries – 15 credits

This module provides a broad outline of the role of transport mobilities in development. You’ll become more familiar with the economic, financial, institutional and demographic characteristics of low-income countries and their significance for transport sector policies and technical practices. We’ll examine development policy and its interaction with transport policy and explore the applicability and outcomes of policy approaches, analytical tools and techniques to different economic, institutional and social contexts.

Road Safety – 15 credits

In the Road Safety module, you'll explore the critical issues surrounding road collisions that lead to injuries and fatalities, significantly impacting both individuals and society. You'll explore the various factors linked to crash occurrences, such as human behaviour, the road environment, and vehicle types. This module focuses on identifying problems and developing solutions through policy, engineering, and evaluation, while also considering broader topics like human capacity and limitations.

Fieldwork

At the Institute for Transport Studies, we want you to graduate with hands-on, real-world skills you can take into your career. Fieldwork gives you the chance to build those professional skills and put theory into practice – experiencing transport systems in action and meeting transport professionals who are actively working in the field.

Industrial placements

This programme gives you the opportunity to undertake a paid placement – either over four or twelve months. Our close industry links give you the platform to apply to a number of major organisations such as Network Rail and AECOM. Please note: placement opportunities are limited and therefore the application is highly competitive. Placements are not guaranteed.

Part-time study options

This course is also available to study part-time, over 24 or 36 months. Please get in touch with our admissions team to discuss part-time study options.

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

Learning and teaching

Postgraduate study involves a range of teaching methods, supported by independent learning. You’ll learn through lectures, seminars, workshops, computer exercises, practical sessions, directed reading, reflective journals, peer review, presentations, discussions, fieldwork and tutorials. You’ll also learn through independent study, allowing you to develop critical problem-solving and research skills that are relevant to a career in transport.

Throughout your degree, you'll be supported by a personal tutor who you can meet regularly to discuss any study or career questions you might have. There is also the opportunity to apply to the Institute for Transport Studies mentorship programme, where you'll be assigned an alumni mentor who currently works in the industry. The mentorship programme is a great opportunity to receive personalised career advice and develop a relationship with someone who is successful in the transport industry.

Active research environments

The Institute for Transport Studies was established as the UK’s first multidisciplinary transport department, and we continue to lead the field with our research. Our reputation allows us to invest in world-class facilities and a variety of specialist software tools including SATURN, DRACULA, the Propensity to Cycle Tool (PCT) and specialist open-source analysis packages such as AQEval for tracking the impact of Air Quality policies using R and the stplanr package for sustainable transport planning with R.

Programme team

The wider programme team is made up of researchers and academics from the Institute for Transport Studies who have extensive expertise tackling a variety of transport problems.

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

Assessment is equally varied and can include coursework essays, case-study reports, group assignments, posters, presentations and exams.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a relevant subject such as (but not limited to) geography, town planning, earth and environment, architecture, sustainability, logistics, business and management, psychology, social policy, history, politics or public administration.

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 Engineering (6 weeks) and Language for Science: Engineering (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 note: applications for this course open on the 1^st October 2024.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

30 June 2025 – International applicants

12 September 2025 – UK applicants

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

Institute for Transport Studies

Contact us

Institute for Transport Studies Postgraduate Admissions Team

Email: courses@its.leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £13,000 (Total)

International: £32,750 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

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

Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

Travel, accommodation and subsistence costs associated with compulsory field trips are covered by the university. However, you must pay for incidental or personal expenses.

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

A degree from the Institute for Transport Studies at Leeds opens up a range of opportunities to pursue a rewarding career in this industry. This course will equip you with an extensive specialist skill set, alongside industry experience and the chance to interact directly with industry organisations which could give you the edge with employers.

Transport consultancies are the largest employers of our graduates, but other common careers include those in government, academia, regulatory bodies, transport operators, logistics companies, not-for-profit and international agencies.

Our graduates work across the private and public sectors. Many work abroad, whether for UK companies with overseas offices, for international organisations or for national governments.

Plus, the University of Leeds is in the top 5 most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2024 report.

Here’s an insight into some of the job roles and organisations previous graduates on this course have secured:

• Business Improvement Manager, Amey Plc.
• Acting Executive Director of Major Transport Projects, Department of Transport (WA)
• Sustainable Travel Officer, Devon County Council
• Rail Manager, West Yorkshire Combined Authority
• International Inbound Transportation Manager, Jaguar Land Rover
• Continuous Improvement Manager, Unipart Rail Ltd.
• Industry Consultation Manager, Network Rail
• Business Operations Manager, Act TravelWise
• Assistant Consultant - Sustainable Transport, Steer Davies Gleave

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.

• Links with industry – we have close working relationships with a number of organisations and many employers visit the Institute for Transport Studies each year to interview our students for graduate schemes and other vacancies. We also regularly circulate specific job vacancies to students. Organisations include ARUP, Mott MacDonald, AECOM, Capita, Transport for London, Pell Frischmann, Leigh Fisher, JMP, Amey, among many others. Read more about graduate employability at the Institute for Transport Studies.
• 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 representatives. 
• 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 career support.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

This degree does not offer the option to study abroad.

Work placements

You’ll have the opportunity to gain four or twelve months industry experience in the UK with companies such as Network Rail and AECOM at the end of your Masters course.

It’s important to note, work placements are not guaranteed. The job market is competitive – and there may be competition for the placement you want. You’ll have to apply the same way you would for any job post, with your CV and, if successful, attend an interview with the organisation. After the competitive application process, paid placements are offered from September to December at the end of your studies.

Our Careers Service will help you every step of the way. They run a number of placement sessions to discuss opportunities and support you with CV writing and interview preparations. Plus, they’ll be there to answer any questions you may have and offer guidance throughout the process, too.

Benefits of a work placement year:

• Build industry contacts within your chosen field
• Our close industry links mean you’ll be in direct contact with potential employers
• Advance your experience and skills by putting the course teachings into practice
• Gain invaluable insight into working as a professional in this industry
• Improve your employability

Some of the employers and the job titles of previous placement students are listed below:

• Graduate Transport Engineer, AECOM
• Strategic Planning Assistant, Timetable Development Assistant, Junior Strategic Planner, Network Rail
• Transport Consultant, Hydrock Fore
• Transport Consultant, Stantec
• Graduate Transport Planner, WYCA
• Graduate Transport Planner, Hydrock Fore (formerly Fore Consulting)
• Graduate Transport Planer, SLR (formerly Vectos)
• Graduate Transport Strategy Consultant,The Hub Transport Advisory

The scheme is open to all Masters students, including those on a student visa, within the Institute for Transport Studies.