Postgraduate

MSc, Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate in Sustainable Development

About this programme

The rationale for this new and innovative programme of study lies in the global development and sustainability challenges for this millennium that have been articulated in the Millennium Development Goals; Agenda 21 of the Rio Summit on Environment and Development; and the Declaration of the Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development. These challenges have been endorsed by the International Association of Universities and the International Council for Science.

Programme aims

The skills acquired on this programme will enable you to address the globalisation and sustainability challenges of this millennium. The objectives are to enhance:

• knowledge for creativity and innovation, and informed decision and policy-making on sustainable development issues

• analytical, technical, inter-personal, and learning skills for resolving development and sustainability challenges through independent and/or collective means

• practical research experience and ethical insights for ensuring sustainable development, especially long-term or intergenerational outcomes.

Programme summary

	You study	Study period	Cost (2009)
MSc	10 modules	2-5 years	£8,700
Diploma	8 modules	2-5 years	£6,815
Certificate	4 modules	1-5 years	£3,570
Short courses	Single modules are ideal if you're keen to update your professional knowledge, enhance your career or sample the programme. Short course students who subsequently register for either the MSc or Postgraduate Diploma will be credited with any modules completed successfully. In 2009, the fee per module is £925.

Career progression

Graduates of this programme will typically find work in:

• government ministries and other public sector organisations concerned with policy analysis in the fields of sustainable development and environmental planning

• international and non-governmental organisations concerned with the sustainable dimensions of economic change

• public and private sector companies conducting analyses of the interface between environment and poverty

• consultancies and development projects concerned with issues of sustainability

• applied research and teaching in institutions of research and higher education.

Comprehensive study materials and support

For each module the University will send you detailed study guides, textbooks and supplementary study materials which may include audio and/or videotapes and computer software. Tutorial support is via an online learning environment and tutor-marked assignments. Increasing numbers of students participate in electronic seminars and other networked activities. This allows for a range of contacts and peer-learning possibilities that will help to enrich the distance learning experience.

Your time commitment

The study time required for each module is, on average, 7-8 hours per week over a period of       30-31 weeks (plus 4-5 weeks for revision).