Key information
Duration: 1 year full time or 2 years part time
Institution code: R72
Campus: Egham
UK fees*: £11,600
International/EU fees**: £23,700
The course
Sustainability and Management (MSc)
The global pursuit of progress has led to widespread industrialisation, overpopulation, resource depletion, pollution and other threats to our planet. Through the research and teaching of environmental and social sustainability we aim to preserve our world and its resources for future generations.
Study Sustainability and Management at Royal Holloway, University of London and you’ll develop the skills to communicate with experts across a variety of backgrounds, helping you to become an expert in sustainability and an attractive prospect for business, governmental agencies and NGOs.
The MSc Sustainability and Management is taught jointly by the Department of Geography, which is recognised for expertise in the research and teaching of environmental and social sustainability and the School of Management, which has a long tradition of research into sustainable businesses and corporate social responsibility.
Follow your passion for Sustainability and Management at Royal Holloway and you’ll graduate with an interdisciplinary Masters degree offering excellent employability prospects, and be well equipped with the skills and knowledge you need to tackle some of today's most pressing sustainability issues.
From time to time, we make changes to our courses to improve the student and learning experience. If we make a significant change to your chosen course, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Course structure
Core Modules
Term One
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In this module you will develop an understanding of the key social and environmental relationships, incorporating contemporary issues in the geographies of sustainability. You will look at the concept of 'risk society', sustainable cities, and the impacts of corporate sector activities on the environment. You will consider the challenges to sustainable development at household and community levels, with a focus on community-based approaches to sustainable development.
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In this module you will develop an understanding of research methods used for exploring the social sciences. You will look at the key methods used by social scientists, with teaching delivered by those who have practical experience in their field. You will look at the research process and explore research beyond the field, becoming familiar with the practical considerations of a range of methods, their benefits and challenges, their epistemological basis, and their ethics.
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This module will describe the key principles of academic integrity, focusing on university assignments. Plagiarism, collusion and commissioning will be described as activities that undermine academic integrity, and the possible consequences of engaging in such activities will be described. Activities, with feedback, will provide you with opportunities to reflect and develop your understanding of academic integrity principles.
Term Two
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The module aims to introduce students to how their human geography learning is relevant beyond the academy in an applied setting (e.g. business, charity etc.) It does so through an introductory seminar that lays the groundwork for each student to undertake a placement with one of a number of external institutions across London or further afield if needed (organised both by staff and students). They are required to spend a minimum of 20 hours working with the organisation of their choice. They will be allocated a member of staff as an academic tutor to help support their experience and learning.
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In this module you will develop an understanding of the role of business in modern society from an ethical perspective. You will look at different types of business, including publicly traded multinationals, small and medium-sized enterprises, social enterprises and family firms. You will examine the issues in these organisational types and articulate moral arguments from a range of perspectives, critiquing alternative models of business, including social entrepreneurship, fair trade and microfinance.
Term Three
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You will carry out an extended project on a topic of your choice, producing a written report of between 12,000 and 15,000 words. Working with your supervisor, you will carry out primary and secondary research, using theoretical and practical methods to tackle your research question. You will carry out your dissertation in collaboration with an organisation in the field of development and the environment.
Optional Modules
There are a number of optional course modules available during your degree studies. The following is a selection of optional course modules that are likely to be available. Please note that although the College will keep changes to a minimum, new modules may be offered or existing modules may be withdrawn, for example, in response to a change in staff. Applicants will be informed if any significant changes need to be made.
Term One
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In this module you will develop an understanding of how international strategy and entrepreneurship fit into the organisation and running of a commercial entity. You will look at the ways in which a firm can achieve sustainable competitive advantage through strategy and entrepreneurship, evaluating the processes that firms use to develop, renew and reconfigure these. You will also examine the theoretical frameworks of strategy and entrepreneurship in the real business world.
Term Two
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This module aims to address some of the potential issues this world faces from a cutting edge geographical perspective. These topics include climate change, political division, and technological revolutions. The module is split into sessions, titled Earth Futures, Secure Futures, Just Futures, and Creative Futures.
Teaching & assessment
You will benefit from innovative teaching including real-life case studies, seminars with practitioners, field work and volunteering.
Assessment is carried out by a variety of methods including coursework, examinations and a dissertation.
Entry requirements
2:2
Business studies, Ecology, Environmental science, Environmental studies, Geography, Geology, Management studies, or Social studies.
Candidates with professional qualifications or relevant professional experience in an associated area will also be considered but will be required to demonstrate proficiency in theoretical aspects of the subject.
International & EU requirements
English language requirements
MSc Sustainability and Management requires:
- IELTS 6.5 overall. Writing 6.5. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 61. No other subscore lower than 54.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL ib: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 25.
- Duolingo: 120 overall, 125 in literacy and Production. No subscore below 100.
Your future career
Sustainability and Management graduates from Royal Holloway, University of London are highly employable, with a range of attractive transferable skills. You’ll gain the most current, up-to-date knowledge, with expert teaching augmented by lectures from a wide range of highly respected guest speakers on current sustainability and business issues.
This highly-regarded programme will place you in a good position to progress to doctoral-level study. Our recent alumni have gone on to enjoy fulfilling careers, including Director at Sustainable Travel International, Consolidations and Reporting Analyst at Tetra Pak International, Researcher at the Institute of Business Ethics and Carbon Consultant at DHL.
- Graduate with a highly desirable interdisciplinary education.
- 90% of Royal Holloway graduates in work or further education within six months of graduating.
- Develop the knowledge and skills to become an expert in sustainability for leading companies, governmental agencies and NGOs.
Fees, funding & scholarships
Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £11,600
EU and international students tuition fee per year**: £23,700
Other essential costs***: There are no single associated costs greater than £50 per item on this course.
How do I pay for it? Find out more about funding options, including loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries.
* and ** These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2025/26. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually. For further information, see fees and funding ,and terms and conditions.
** This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26. Find out more
*** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
