(Full time) 2021 start
Sustainability and Environmental Management (International) MEnv, BSc

Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
Our Sustainability and Environmental Management (International) MEnv, BSc is a four-year Integrated Masters degree with a year spent at a partner university in Australia, Canada or the USA. It explores the environmental, economic and social implications of our decisions and attempts to find sustainable solutions to environmental problems.
Drawing on environmental science and ecology, you will develop your knowledge and skills in the science underpinning environmental issues. At the same time, learning opportunities in politics, economics, policy and law will help you evaluate societies' role in, and interaction with, changes in the natural world.
You’ll be trained in data collection and analysis and will refine your research skills in a research project and through hands-on field training.
Research-led teaching by experts
Teaching draws on the research expertise of academics in the School, in both environmental, natural and social science. Research takes place across the globe, from low-carbon cities in the UK, to resource governance in sub-Saharan Africa, to conservation in Patagonian rainforests. Read about research in the Sustainability Research Institute.
The year abroad
A year in one of our carefully selected partner universities, can add real value to your degree, broadening your academic horizons and demonstrating a high degree of independence – attributes highly valued by prospective employers.
Your Year Abroad is fully integrated into your course, so it counts towards your final degree classification, and you take Masters-level modules during your fourth and final year. Leeds was the first university in the UK to introduce the fully integrated international study year abroad and we have many years’ experience of working with internationally renowned institutions.
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Accreditation
This course is accredited by IEMA. IEMA is the professional body for everyone working in environment and sustainability. This course entitles students to FREE student membership 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.
Course content
Our modules cover a broad range of areas, with a core focus on environmental social science and options to pursue themes such as energy and transport, climate change, biodiversity and conservation, environmental economics, business and policy. This allows you to tailor the degree to your interests.
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.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Sustainable Development 20 credits
- Ecology 10 credits
- Atmosphere 10 credits
- Skills for Environmental Social Science 10 credits
- Introduction to Business, Environment and Corporate Responsibility 20 credits
- Environmental Politics and Policy 10 credits
- Environmental Science for Environmental Management 20 credits
- Challenges in Transport and Mobility 10 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Foundation Mathematics for Social Sciences 10 credits
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- Personal Development for Careers in the Environmental Sector 10 credits
- Climate Change: Society and Human Dimensions 10 credits
- People, Sustainability, and the Environment 20 credits
- Research in the Environmental Social Sciences 30 credits
- Environmental Impact Assessment 10 credits
- Environmental Policy and Governance 10 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Ecosystems: process, pattern, and change 20 credits
- Climate Change: Science and Impacts 10 credits
- Contaminated Environments 20 credits
- Tools and Techniques for Business, Environment and Corporate Responsibility 20 credits
- Economics and Sustainability 10 credits
- GIS for Geoscientists 10 credits
- Managing Biodiversity 10 credits
- Transport Land Use and Development 10 credits
- Transport, Energy and Environment 10 credits
Year 3
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Advanced Topics in Conservation Science 20 credits
- Contested Cities 20 credits
- Creating Alternative Futures 20 credits
- Management of Wilderness and Global Ecosystems 20 credits
- Law and the Environment II: Governing the Environment 10 credits
- Introduction to Programming for Social Science 20 credits
- Independent study project 20 credits
- Environmental Risk: Science, Policy and Management 10 credits
- Business and Sustainable Development 10 credits
- Catchment Processes and Management 10 credits
- Atmosphere and Ocean Climate Change Processes 10 credits
- Atmospheric Pollution: Causes, Impact and Regulation 10 credits
- Strategic Energy Issues 10 credits
- Sustainability Economics in Practice 10 credits
- Sustainable Development in Practice 10 credits
- Study Year Abroad 120 credits
- Study Semester Abroad 60 credits
- Public Transport Policy and Practice 10 credits
- Case Studies in Sustainable Transport 10 credits
- Travel Activity Analysis 10 credits
- Social Analysis and Social Psychology for Transport 10 credits
- Healthy Cities: Transport and Health 10 credits
Year 4
Compulsory modules
- Environmental Research Project 45 credits
- Sustainable Consumption 15 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Hydrological Processes and Analysis 15 credits
- Business, Environment and Sustainability 15 credits
- Introduction to Ecological Economics 15 credits
- Environmental Economics and Policy 15 credits
- Delivering Sustainability Through Projects 15 credits
- Environmental Policy and Governance 15 credits
- Critical Perspectives in Environment and Development 15 credits
- Climate Change: Physical Science Basis 15 credits
- Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptation 15 credits
- Climate Change Mitigation 15 credits
- Tools and Techniques in Ecological Economics 15 credits
- Green Logistics 15 credits
- Analysing Transport and Society 15 credits
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
Teaching on the programme is designed to integrate theoretical principles of sustainability with real world environmental management challenges. Students will explore case studies and apply their understanding through a variety of practicals, workshops and seminars. Skills classes, fieldtrips and small group academic tutorials also provide hands-on experience. You can expect to study in a variety of settings, from large lecture theatres to computer clusters, seminar rooms, tutorials, laboratories and out in the field.
We offer research-led teaching across the breadth of our environment and business disciplines, from specialists in their field. As Leeds is a research-intensive Russell Group University, you’ll be studying amongst staff who are at the cutting edge of research world-wide, and who will incorporate this expertise into their teaching.
This course is provided through the Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) in the School of Earth and Environment, one of the leading UK Centre's for Environmental Social Scienes. Students interact with and learn from internationally-recognised experts from the Institute throughout the course.
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'll be assessed through a variety of methods, including coursework, exams, and practical exercise. There is a general progression towards more independent project work in your final year, through which you will apply the skills and understanding that you have developed throughout the course.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAA including two from Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, English, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, History, Law, Mathematics, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Sociology
Where an A-Level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-Level at the stated grade. Excludes A-Level General Studies or Critical Thinking
GCSE: English and Mathematics at grade C (4) or above, or an equivalent English language or Mathematics qualification.
Other course specific tests:If you fail to achieve the higher grades required for this four-year programme, we guarantee you a place on the BSc programme (provided you achieve the grades required for the BSc). A successful performance during years 1 and 2 will support an application to transfer back to this Integrated Masters programme.
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BTEC
D*DD in Extended Diploma/3 Subsidiary Diplomas in two relevant subjects. We will accept a combination of BTECs and A-Levels. Please contact the School's Undergraduate Admissions Team for more information.
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International Baccalaureate
35 points overall, with 17 points at higher level to include 5 points in two relevant subjects.
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Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)
AAAAAA/H2H2 H2H2H2H2 in two relevant subjects
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AAABB overall with AA in 2 Advanced Highers (AH). For non-AH applicants AAAAAA. To include 2 relevant subjects.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
Were committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds A Level offer: ABB plus a pass in the Access to Leeds scheme.
For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.
If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year. We offer a Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc for students without a science background at A-level and an Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re 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.
Applicant days
If you receive an offer to study with us, we’ll invite you to attend one of our applicant days. You’ll have the opportunity to meet our academic staff and students, explore the School and University and find out more about your course and what it’s like to be a student at Leeds.
Admissions policy
Faculty of Environment Taught Admissions Policy 2021
Fees
UK: See fees section below
International: £22,500 (per year)
UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the UK government and may vary if policy changes.
EU students starting in 2021/22
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.
UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. In other years, the government has confirmed fee levels in the summer. When the fee is confirmed we will publish an update on all course pages.
Tuition fees for new international students for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for international students are published on each individual course page. These are usually published a year in advance, so 2022 course fees should be available from September 2021.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
Additional cost information
<p>Because we recognise the value of field experience, the school heavily subsidises or covers transport and accommodation costs for compulsory taught field courses and many optional field trips. You will have to supplement the cost of some optional fields trips.</p>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 about additional costs
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Scholarships
Career opportunities
Governments, businesses, NGOs and researchers now hold sustainability at the core of their thinking about the environment and our place in it. The environment is important to everyone, but it is under increasing pressure from our demands on natural resources and the waste generated by our lifestyles. This means there’s a demand for literate and numerate graduates with good analytical skills and a thorough understanding of the environmental, economic and social implications of the decisions that we make and the strategies that we use to find sustainable solutions to environmental problems. The MEnv also provides excellent preparation for further study.
We prepare our graduates for a range of careers. They work in a range of organisations - in small organisations and large companies or public sector organisations, such as the Environment Agency - and in a broad range of non-environmental and environmental roles, including environmental sustainability roles and environmental consultancy.
Our graduates have secured positions including:
Field Environment Advisor, Tullow Oil Kenya
Analyst, NextGen
Junior Project Manager, Global Sustainable Management Gmbh
Careers support
The School of Earth and Environment is committed to enhancing employability and offers a range of initiatives to ensure our students receive the highest level of support throughout their studies. Read about careers and employability on the School website.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. Thats one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Study abroad and work placements
Your year abroad
On this course, your year abroad replaces the third year of your degree (it does not add an additional year to your studies). During the year, you will follow the sustainability course at your host institution and will return to Leeds to complete the final year of study at masters level.
We have partnerships with universities across the world.
Find out more on the Study Abroad website.
Fieldwork
We hope to run our fieldwork activities as planned for the 21/22 academic year, but it might not be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continually reviewing the situation and will communicate any decisions to applicants and offer holders at the earliest possible opportunity.
Fieldwork will be an essential element of your degree, and is one of the most enjoyable and sociable parts of the course for students and staff alike. We offer opportunities for fieldwork during all years of study, both in the UK and abroad. For example, in Year 1 we have a residential trip in West Yorkshire to study flood management and learn research tools and techniques. Our Year 2 students travel to Amsterdam to study topics such as water management, sustainable transport and sustainable energy.
Field classes are closely integrated with lectures and module coursework in order to offer an excellent opportunity to get hands-on experience and develop practical research skills. A project in your final year offers you the chance to undertake research in a topic of your choice with the benefit of expert academic guidance.