Business and Sustainability MSc

Becoming environmentally, socially and economically sustainable is an imperative for businesses of all shapes and sizes. UCL’s Business and Sustainability MSc explores how businesses can turn sustainability challenges into new opportunities and avenues for growth. You will participate in research-led, applied teaching on sustainability science, policy and business practice, empowering you to be sustainability leaders making informed decisions and taking responsible actions for people, planet and profit, now and in the future. To ensure a sustainable future with a resilient social economic system and a healthy natural environment, society urgently needs to address sustainability challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, migration, and inequalities in ethnicity, gender, health, and wealth. Business is a core stakeholder in achieving a sustainable future, both as a cause of, and solution to, environmental degradation, social inequality and economic poverty. We need a new generation of experts equipped with the tools to overcome complexities and embed sustainability into business purpose and practice, creating value whilst solving urgent Grand Challenges. Whilst studying the Business and Sustainability MSc at UCL you address these challenges, developing an applied scientific and technical understanding of the relationship between business and sustainability. Combining the expertise of the Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources and the UCL School of Management, you learn key environmental, social and business concepts and frameworks alongside problem-solving techniques based on robust scientific facts, local and global public policy, and innovative technical know-how. You then apply this interdisciplinary knowledge to business cases and scenarios, gaining hands-on experience tackling the complexities of sustainability issues in a business context, and practise pitching your solutions. You are ultimately equipped with essential strategic decision-making skills, backed by innovative technical and scientific knowledge, to help navigate the sustainability transformation in business and policy, whatever your chosen career. This degree is suitable for recent graduates as well as early and mid-career professionals seeking to upskill. It is particularly relevant to individuals whose current role, or the role they aspire to have, whether in business, government, civil society or academia, requires them to understand and manage business sustainability issues, innovating to minimise the risks and make the most of the associated opportunities. This programme is also available on a modular (flexible) basis, with a duration of 5 calendar years.

A first or upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree in any discipline (such as geography, business and management, environmental sciences, engineering, economics), or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard from a recognised higher education institution. These requirements may be relaxed in consideration of UCL’s Access and Participation Plan. For example, for mature students with professional work experience in business, government or third sector organisations who can demonstrate aptitude for leadership, teamwork and collaboration, creativity and critical thinking, and/or adaptability, among other skills.