Sustainability
LEARN, EXPERIENCE, APPLY, TRANSFORM. Develop your capabilities through this hybrid Master's programme, co-designed with the Eden Project. Gain the sustainability knowledge and applied skills to navigate complex, real-world issues.
in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.
Source: GOS 2025
This applied Master's degree, co‑designed by ARU and the Eden Project, offers a unique blend of academic and experiential learning.
You can study full-time over 12 months, or part-time over 24 months providing the opportunity to study alongside your other responsibilities.
Delivered predominantly online, the programme includes five immersive residential weeks at ARU in Cambridge and the Eden Project in Cornwall. These in‑person experiences allow you to build strong connections with a close‑knit cohort, enriching your learning experience with diverse perspectives and real‑world insights.
You will learn from academics within our Global Sustainability Institute and engage directly with sustainability leaders from industry, civil society, government, and the third sector. You will apply your learning through your assignments and a professional placement, where you will also develop ‘Skills for Change’ – practical capabilities aligned with UNESCO’s Sustainability Competencies.
The programme’s flexibility allows you to dive deeply into a specific sustainability area or build a broad foundation across multiple themes.
With its focus on systems thinking, critical reflection, skills development and independent research this Master's equips you for a range of sustainability careers – whether you’re beginning your journey in the field, tackling sustainability challenges in your current role, or exploring a new professional direction.
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Discover some of the highlights of this Master's course.
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Experience a curated learning journey shaped by academic and industry perspectives
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Enjoy flexible online learning, full-time or part-time
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Develop a critical understanding of sustainability challenges aligned with industry needs, through this ISEP accredited Master's
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Strengthen your reflective practice and your capacity to drive change through a professional placement
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Learn from the Eden Project’s visionary approach to sustainability and a network of pioneering leaders
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Tailor assignments to explore one sustainability challenge or broaden your knowledge across diverse topics
This course is accredited by the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP). This gives access to a global network of sustainability professionals, exclusive events, and toolkits and ensures that you graduate with industry-recognised skills in areas such as systems thinking, policy and legislation, environmental management tools, and leadership for change.
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Careers
People join the MSc Sustainability for many reasons, each leading to different career pathways.
You may want to deepen your sustainability expertise to strengthen your current role, or tackle long‑standing challenges in your organisation or sector.
Or you may be a recent graduate or early‑career professional who's eager to explore emerging opportunities in the sustainability field.
Teaching and modules
Develop a strong foundation of academic knowledge while building personal competencies in systems thinking, independent research, and professionalism.
You'll start the course by establishing a solid grounding in sustainability from a systems perspective, helping you explore the interconnections between human and environmental systems and question prevailing societal assumptions. You will explore sustainability challenges using systems mapping techniques, whilst being introduced to academic methods and corporate sustainability tools that can support organisational decision making.
You'll also consider what leadership means for individuals and sectors, through a module developed in collaboration with the Eden Project.
This course includes a professional development placement – in your current workplace or a new organisation – where you'll reflect on your own capacity to lead and influence change.
Finally, you'll undertake an independent research project on a topic of your choice, supported by an academic supervisor. You can explore examples of previous students’ dissertations here, which demonstrate the scope of topics that have been pursued.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Introduction to Sustainability and Systems (30 credits)
- Leading System Change (30 credits)
- Methods and Tools for Complex Systems (30 credits)
- Working Towards Change (30 credits)
- Major Project (60 credits)
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Introduction to Sustainability and Systems (30 credits)
- Leading System Change (30 credits)
- Working Towards Change (30 credits)
- Methods and Tools for Complex Systems (30 credits)
- Major Project (60 credits)
Read profiles of the core teaching team.
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Dr Davide NataliniSenior Research Fellow
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Dr Philippa CalverLecturer in Sustainability
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Professor Rosie RobisonProfessor of Social Sustainability
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Professor Aled JonesDirector, Global Sustainability Institute
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Find out what MSc Sustainability alumni Abigail Blake learned on the course, and how it transformed her career.
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Discover some of the highlights of the MSc Sustainability, including how residential sessions, online learning and a Professional Development Placement link together.
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Hear from Sophie Bowers about her career change post MSc.
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Rachel Leech completed her MSc in Sustainability at ARU in 2023. Hear more about her work as a sustainability leader in further education.
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Find out what MSc Sustainability alumni Abigail Blake learned on the course, and how it transformed her career.
![MSc Sustainability graduate Abigail]()
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Discover some of the highlights of the MSc Sustainability.
![MSc Sustainability student in one of the biomes at the Eden Project]()
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Hear from Sophie Bowers about her career change post MSc.
![Peat bogs]()
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![MSc Sustainability graduate Rachel Leech]()
Facilities
Enjoy a range of facilities designed to support your studies and career development.
These include extensive library and IT resources, and careers support through our Employability Service. After you graduate, you’ll have lifelong access to our Alumni Career Centre.
You can also access support, should you need it, with study skills, health and wellbeing, and more.