MSc Sustainability and Society
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Achieving sustainability is a social challenge. It’s about human decision-making, behaviours, values, and consumption patterns. Too often though, society is left out of the conversation on sustainability. Our MSc in Sustainability and Society will help you put that right, equipping you with the knowledge and skills the world needs to develop sustainability solutions that work for everyone.
On this dynamic programme, you’ll become a part of the vibrant research community in the Science, Society and Sustainability research group, based in the School of Environmental Sciences. You’ll interact closely with internationally renowned experts working at the forefront of global efforts to improve social engagement with sustainability. Our action-oriented approach to teaching will give you the opportunity to apply cutting-edge ideas in real-world situations, working alongside partners from across the business, policy and NGO sectors.
The interdisciplinary breadth of the School of Environmental Sciences allows you to tailor your learning to your own interests and career goals. You’ll have the chance to apply the core theoretical and practical skills you’ll learn to diverse subject areas such as energy, climate change, AI and emerging technologies, biodiversity and conservation, water, food, and more.
Based on the beautiful UEA campus in the historic city of Norwich, you’ll be part of the School of Environmental Sciences which has been a world leader in developing global sustainability solutions for over 50 years. In the new QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2025, UEA is proud to have become a world top 60 university—reflecting our commitment to tackling the world’s greatest environmental, social and governance challenges.
Upon graduation, you’ll have the skills, connections and research experiences necessary to become a leader in sustainability. You’ll also be well-placed to undertake further PhD study, and you’ll have strong employability potential across many career areas including business, consulting, policy, NGOs and research.
Study and Modules
Structure
Our MSc in Sustainability and Society is a full-time, one-year taught programme aimed at high-level students and practitioners. Taught between September and the end of August, the programme consists of a number of taught modules and a research dissertation.
Core modules will introduce you to the key ideas and skills necessary to understand the relationships between sustainability and society. These modules will include practical experiences where you’ll work alongside partner organisations to apply the skills you’ve learnt to real-world problems and initiatives. You’ll then be able to broaden this core learning through a range of optional modules allowing you to specialise and pursue specific sustainability topics that align with your interests and career goals.
Throughout the year, you’ll also develop the research, methodological and analytical skills necessary to complete a research dissertation. You’ll be closely supported by an expert Faculty member to develop your own research project proposal and conduct research on any topic you choose that is related to sustainability and society.
The taught and research-based components of the programme will enable you to develop a wide range of skills that are in high-demand among prospective employers across multiple different sectors.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
You’ll receive an average of 15-hours contact time per week (depending on your module choices), made up of lectures, seminars and practical exercises. Throughout the year you’ll be taught by world-leading experts that are conducting the very research you’ll be learning about. Lectures will introduce you to the key concepts and ideas you’ll need to understand interactions between society and sustainability. You’ll then have the chance to explore these ideas further in seminars and practical sessions that will use a diverse range of teaching methods allowing you to apply the concepts you’re learning to real-world sustainability challenges. Seminars and practical classes will help you to develop sought-after transferable skills in areas such as critical thinking and problem-solving, teamwork and leadership, effective communication, innovation and enterprise, reflective learning, and project-management, helping to boost your employment prospects on graduation.
Independent Study
Completing advanced Master’s-level study will demand that you become an effective and independent learner and thinker with excellent study skills. You’ll receive constructive feedback throughout the programme to help guide your individual study time (around 25 hours per week). Supported by UEA’s state-of-the-art campus and online facilities, you’ll become a well-organised, confident and self-motivated learner able to work both independently and as a leader within diverse teams.
Assessment
Assessment
Every module you’ll take has its own assessment tasks designed to assess you against specific learning outcomes. You’ll experience a diverse range of assessment methods including written essays, reports and policy briefs, portfolios, individual and group presentations, and more formal exams and class tests. The assessment tasks provide an opportunity for you to consolidate your learning and demonstrate your knowledge and skills development. The tasks are often highly-engaging and practical, giving you the chance to practice skills that will be immediately applicable to subsequent careers.
The dissertation is a core feature of the MSc. With one-on-one supervision from expert Faculty members, you’ll design and deliver a research project that focuses directly on your personal interests and career goals in the field of sustainability and society. Your dissertation is assessed through a project proposal, a dissertation, and a presentation.
Feedback
You’ll receive feedback on your work every step of the way. Formative assessment tasks are designed to give you advice and guidance allowing you to discuss your work with tutors so that you can improve it before submitting summative assessments.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject related to geography, social science or physical science. Strong applicants from other backgrounds with experience relevant to Sustainability and Society are also encouraged to apply.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Any subject related to geography, social science or physical science. Strong applicants from other backgrounds with experience relevant to Sustainability and Society are also encouraged to apply.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in Listening and Reading with 6.0 in Writing and Speaking)
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
-
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
-
UK Students: £11,775
-
International Students: £24,350
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
Green jobs are one of the fastest growing employment areas, and emphasis is increasingly placed on how to engage society in sustainability transformations. Upon graduation, you’ll be well-positioned to pursue career options related to sustainability and society across a wide range of sectors including business, consulting, government and NGOs. This MSc Sustainability and Society course also provides a strong foundation for those wishing to pursue PhD-level study.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Environmental consultancy
- Sustainability/Environmental policy and management
- Public engagement practitioner
- Marketing, communications and campaigns strategy
- Behaviour and organisational change
- Policy researcher / adviser
Discover more on our Careers webpages.