Empowering future leaders to create and manage sustainable, purposeful businesses for the 21st century.
Are you driven to advance your career by stepping into a leadership role that not only focuses on managerial excellence but also champions sustainable and ethical business practices? Do you aspire to be at the forefront of driving purposeful change, leading organisations towards a more sustainable future? The MSc Sustainable Management program at Ulster University Business School is meticulously designed to immerse you in the principles and practices of sustainable business across various sectors.
This course has been designed to provide you with a robust understanding of how sustainable principles are integrated into core business functions. Critical areas such as Data Analytics, Supply Chain Management, and Strategic Planning, will be presented through a sustainability lens. Modules such as Sustainable Reporting and Governance and hands-on projects like Sustainable Business Innovation, will allow you to gain practical insights into weaving sustainability into core business strategies, preparing you to be a leader in sustainable business transformation.
Within the Sustainable Business Innovation Project you’ll gain the ability to make sustainable and impactful decisions which will prepare your business for the changing business landscape.
Studying at Ulster University Business School, a forward-thinking institution with strong connections in the business world and a commitment to excellence in sustainability, you'll join a diverse community of students from around the globe. This environment fosters a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives, preparing you for a dynamic and evolving business landscape.
Whether you come from a business background or are new to the field, this practical and relevant program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in today's business world, making you a valuable asset to any organisation committed to sustainable practices.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
Course modules include:
Semester 1
Fundamentals of Sustainable Management The module is designed to familiarise students with the critical aspects of sustainability within business operations, including the drivers, barriers, and trends. It explores the balance between economic performance and sustainable practices, highlighting the importance of ethical decision-making, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. Through engaging with contemporary case studies and theoretical frameworks, students will learn to apply sustainable management principles to real-world scenarios, emphasising practical, innovative solutions to sustainability challenges.
Data Analytics for Sustainable Management. The module equips students with the knowledge and skills to analyse and interpret sustainability-related data, evaluate its implications for sustainable management practices, and apply data analytics techniques to address challenges in various industries. Through theory and practice, students can develop a critical understanding of the ethical and social considerations associated with data use in sustainable management.
Logistics and Supply Chain Management This module focuses on equipping students with skills to navigate globalised supply networks sustainably. It covers core logistics and supply chain management principles, strategies, and practices, emphasising environmental impact reduction and social responsibility. Through the analysis of contemporary issues and the incorporation of applicable Sustainable Development Goals, students will develop critical thinking and ethical and responsible decision-making abilities to evaluate, enhance, and implement sustainable solutions for long-term benefits.
Semester 2
Sustainability Reporting and Governance Sustainability reporting is critical for organisations to measure economic, environmental, and social activities. This module develops the students’ appreciation of what must be disclosed in sustainability reports, to comply with local, national, and international sustainability reporting requirements. Students will also gain an understanding of how good corporate governance leads to high quality sustainability reporting and the effective management of the organisation’s sustainability-related risks, opportunities, and targets progression.
Managing and Leading Sustainable Business This module is designed to allow students to develop skills within aspects of sustainable business operations, focusing on the internals and how businesses can be managed and led. The module will consider new ways of managing and leading people and contemporary literature in the area. It will highlight the importance of diverse and inclusive management and leadership practices & ethical decision-making, whilst being socially responsible. Students will be given the opportunity to consider real-world scenarios, highlighting challenges and innovations to find solutions, which can be practically applied, by engaging with contemporary theory, business practices and case-studies, to give an authentic learning experience.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Sustainable Development This module provides an understanding of the relationships between societal and economic needs and the environment, focusing on a range of sectors. It explores different perspectives on the goals of improving human wellbeing and environmental conservation, particularly the extent to which these might be complementary, compatible or contradictory goals, and how this intersects with broader social phenomena such as inequality and climate justice. The module considers how different sectors approach the relationship between people, place and purpose.
Semester 3
Sustainable Business Innovation Project This module will enable students to undertake a project integral to sustainable management, building on the knowledge and skills gained throughout the course
The full-time MSc is completed in one year. Participants can also exit with a PgCert after successful completion of one semester (three modules) or alternatively exit with a PgDip after successful completion of two semesters (six modules).
This program is designed to empower you with the essential skills to navigate and address complex management challenges within sustainable contexts. By blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on applications, you will develop the capability to critically assess and effectively respond to the operrational needs and consumer demands of ethical and responsible business practices.
Your curriculum is meticulously crafted to ensure a harmonious integration of individual and collaborative learning experiences. Through the use of real-world case studies and interactive, inquiry-based activities, we aim to enhance your analytical, strategic, and problem-solving skills, all within the realm of sustainable management.
You will benefit from the expertise of our faculty members, who are not only scholars but also practitioners deeply rooted in the sustainable business sector. Their current research and industry partnerships will bring you insights into cutting-edge sustainable practices. Additionally, guest lectures from industry experts will further enrich your understanding of the latest trends and challenges in sustainable management.
Your learning journey will be assessed through a dynamic mix of formative and summative methods, including individual assignments, collaborative projects, interactive discussions, and reflective exercises, all aimed at reinforcing your knowledge and skills in sustainable management.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study.
In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
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Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Year: 1
Status: C
Sustainability reporting is critical for organisations to measure economic, environmental, and social activities. This module develops the students' appreciation of what must be disclosed in sustainability reports, to comply with local, national, and international sustainability reporting requirements. Students will also gain an understanding of how good corporate governance leads to high quality sustainability reporting and the effective management of the organisation's sustainability-related risks, opportunities, and targets progression.
Year: 1
Status: C
"Fundamentals of Sustainable Management" is designed to familiarise students with the critical aspects of sustainability within business operations, including the drivers, barriers, and trends. It explores the balance between economic performance and sustainable practices, highlighting the importance of ethical decision-making, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. Through engaging with contemporary case studies and theoretical frameworks, students will learn to apply sustainable management principles to real-world scenarios, emphasising practical, innovative solutions to sustainability challenges.
Year: 1
Status: C
In today's global business landscape, data analytics plays a vital role in providing insights into organisational performance and increasing value. This module equips students with essential skills to navigate this trend, emphasising sustainability-focused data analysis. By collecting and analysing data on sustainability-related factors, students will gain actionable insights crucial for guiding sustainability initiatives and enhancing resource efficiency in organisations.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module focuses on equipping students with skills to navigate globalised supply networks sustainably. It covers core logistics and supply chain management principles, strategies, and practices, emphasising environmental impact reduction and social responsibility. Students will develop critical thinking and ethical and responsible decision-making abilities to evaluate, enhance, and implement sustainable solutions for long-term benefits by analysing contemporary issues and incorporating applicable Sustainable Development Goals.
Year: 1
Status: C
Contemporary leaders are effective in their use of managing people to engage in sustainable business. Knowledge and understanding of human behaviour are essential pre-requisites for effective and efficient people management. This module encourages students to reflect on what is known about how people behave in organisational settings, the theories that inform this knowledge and aid their consideration of delivering an effective sustainable business.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module explores the theories and frameworks to tackle contemporary business challenges by fostering sustainable business model innovation. Students will grasp the fundamental principles and theories supporting business model innovation, while also exploring methods to drive significant innovation through strategy development and impact assessment. Focusing on critical thinking and collaboration, the model encourages students to devise creative and sustainable solutions across diverse business contexts, aiming for enduring environmental and social impact.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides an understanding of the relationships between societal and economic needs and the environment, focusing on a range of sectors. It explores different perspectives on the goals of improving human wellbeing and environmental conservation, particularly the extent to which these might be complementary, compatible or contradictory goals, and how this intersects with broader social phenomena such as inequality and climate justice. The module considers how different sectors approach the relationship between people, place and purpose.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
Applicants must:
(a) have gained
(i) a second class honours degree or better from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body or from an institution or another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard, or
an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification;
and,
(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent); the minimum English language requirements for non-native English speakers, are IELTS 6.0 (with no contributing band at less than 5.5).
or, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b):
(c) in exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Studies pursued and examinations passed in respect of other qualifications awarded by Ulster University or by another university or other educational institution, or evidence from the accreditation of prior experiential learning, may be accepted as exempting candidates from part of the programme provided that :
they shall register as students of the University for modules amounting to at least the final third of the credit value of the award at the highest level.
If students are exiting with the PgDip or PgCert, they need to have registered as students of the University for modules amounting to at least the final 50% of the credit value of the award at the highest level.
In this section
The course places a strong focus on enhancing your employment prospects. This MSc Sustainable Management program equips you with the skills and knowledge to become a leader in specialist sustainability orientated careers. Here are just a few exciting career paths you might explore:
Sustainability Officer/Manager: Overseeing a company's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts.
Sustainability Consultant: Advise businesses on integrating sustainable practices into their operations.
Sustainability Analyst: Gather data and analyse a company's environmental impact. Sustainable Business Model Innovator: Help companies develop new business models that are both profitable and sustainable.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager: Lead a company's CSR initiatives, which focus on social and environmental responsibility beyond legal requirements.
Whilst the course is sustainability focused, it will also prepare graduates for traditional managerial roles and empower the next generation of business leaders to take existing business models and adapt them to be more sustainable.
None
£7,000.00
£17,090.00
None
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.
At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.
We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.
Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.
