With increasing recognition of the impact of a world living beyond its means, the commitment to sustainable development to meet the needs of present generations without jeopardising those of future generations has never been more essential, particularly for organisations across the public and private sectors.
This innovative Masters programme is open to applicants from all subject backgrounds, and is designed to create leaders and sustainability professionals in all fields and subjects. The course will require a high level of independence, adaptability, engagement with both the University and external organisations, and a willingness to be challenged.
Programme content is designed to be holistic, so students will study at intermediate level the broad-ranging fields of leadership and management, environmental and sustainability science, social studies, and economics, amongst others, to prepare them for life as change agents in sustainable development. The course embraces personal choice of study where possible to enhance the students’ existing knowledge, experiences, and interests.
A key principle of the programme is the importance of Education for Sustainable Development, and students will complete the course as fully developed individuals with competency in critical-thinking, systems-thinking, interpersonal working, and much more. Modules are taught through action-based, experiential learning methods such as practicals, site visits, work placements and community-based learning consultancy projects, in addition to lectures and tutorials.
Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.
Please note a deposit may be required to guarantee a place on the course. Due to high demand, applications may not be considered if the course has reached its maximum class size and will be placed on a waiting list. Please see deposit terms and conditions for more details.
Leadership for Sustainable Development highlights
Student Experience
These aim of the course is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experience to become sustainable development 'champions' who can identify and address problems of sustainability in innovative ways and further mainstream sustainable development across all sectors and at all levels.
Master skills in leadership and management such as people and performance management, change management, and project management, and apply them to a range of problems in sustainable development.
Internationally Renowned Experts
Sustainability does not have just one meaning, and sustainability and sustainable development may even be two separate things entirely! Students on this programme will be exposed to a range of academics, subject-matter experts and industry professionals working from multiple viewpoints and disciplinary origins to understand and critique the complex and dynamic nature of sustainable development. No matter what their undergraduate degree, students will be able to engage with the programme to return to their old field as sustainability leaders or forge a new path elsewhere!
Industry Links
The programme includes two compulsory and a third optional eight-week work placement that can be undertaken in any organisation with a suitable sustainability focus. Students will receive support in sourcing and securing placement from our dedicated School Careers & Placement team. Students will get to put their learning into action, and many of our students go onto employment with their host organisation after completing their Masters degree.
Career Development
The year-long community-based learning group project requires students to work with an organisation in need of help to provide support and solutions to a real-life problem in sustainable development. Students will cement their leadership, project management of their choice to explore sustainable solutions to a specific problem. https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/ScienceShop/Students/
Student Testimonials
The whole teaching staff on the MSc Leadership for Sustainable Development are so supportive and the teaching you receive is so relevant and applicable to what employers want today. The placement opportunities are invaluable and provide opportunities to grow as a person and to hone your skills for your professional life. Overall, it has been such a great experience. I’ve met new friends and created a solid basis for a successful career in sustainable development.
Students will be introduced to leadership and sustainable development over three taught modules to help gain an overview of the principles and values of sustainable development, and why it is important.
Leadership & Management for Sustainable Development:
explore approaches to leading and managing people, projects, change, budgets and more, particularly in how these can be used as tools for creating action within the field of sustainable development.
Foundations for Sustainable Development:
consider the core themes, subject knowledge, history, policies and strategies underpinning sustainable development, focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Skills for Sustainable Development:
develop and understanding of the tools and methodologies needed by a sustainability professional such as behaviour change, environmental impact assessment and lifecycle analysis.
Effective Leadership (Group Project):
requires a small group of students to engage with a host organisation over the year in a real-world project to promote sustainable development through experiential learning and action research.
Spring Semester
Students carry out two compulsory work-based learning placements in the second semester, each comprising eight weeks' work:
Work Placement in Sustainable Development Placement I – Jan-Mar
Work Placement in Sustainable Development Placement II – April-June
The placements provide experiences of sustainable development and leadership thereof in a wide range of organisations. Staff and students work together to identify suitable hosts.
Summer Semester
Students have a choice between a third eight-week work placement, or to undertake a taught module:
Work Placement in Sustainable Development Placement III – July-August
Reflective Practice in Sustainable Development:
requires students to consider their role as reflective practitioners in Sustainable Development and critically evaluate their development and performance over the year.
School of Biological Sciences g.hutchinson@qub.ac.uk
Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:
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At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.
On the MSc in Leadership for Sustainable Development we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.
Teaching is across a combination of morning and afternoon classes.
Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course include; lectures, practical experiences, research skills, digital learning technologies and self-directed study to enhance employability.
Assessment
Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:
Students will be assessed through a variety of innovative and challenge methods throughout the course. This includes; quizzes, essays, reports, videos, podcasts, presentations, reflective self-assessment and more.
The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.
Research project on sustainable/rural issues conducted whilst on placement (8 weeks full time). Briefing session on sector. Debriefing session. Visit to or from umbrella organisation representative.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of placements students should be able to evaluate critically the role of leadership for sustainable development, identifying best practice and understanding changes, opportunities and challenges for sustainable development within sector. Students will have had the opportunity to apply and develop knowledge and skills in order to conduct original research relevant for the host organisation.
Skills
Students will be able to critically analyse, synthesise and summarise academic and professional information, use initiative to independently plan and execute tasks at a professional level, conduct critical self-analysis to develop own learning, develop research and employability skills.
This is a broad ranging module exploring the major global issues in environmental sustainability, such as Climate Change, Biodiversity, Waste Management, Water Management and Renewable Energy. The module will introduce concepts and methodologies such as Environmental Economics, ecological footprinting, environmental cost benefit analysis and environmental impact analysis. Students will learn about the pressure caused to the environment by human activities and solutions to help combat these.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to: conceptualise the global context of environmental sustainability; recognise and judge the effectiveness of techniques and methodologies for sustainable development; identify and assess the pressures caused to the environment by human activities and explore current solutions which have been applied to help combat these.
Skills
Competence in appreciating the complexity and diversity of the natural environment; an ability to assess the merits of key theories and debates of sustainable development with particular reference to the natural environment; apply techniques and methodologies for sustainable development in a local context and evaluate its emergence as a response to problems of the natural environment.
Leadership and Management for Sustainable Development
Overview
Course contents
Lectures in the concept and theory of leadership, key concepts, concerns and activities, tools and techniques of project management.
Learning Outcomes
Students will gain a high level of knowledge and understanding of theory and practice of leadership and project management within the sustainable development context to provide a basis for them to increase personal effectiveness as leaders.
Skills
Leadership skills, research skills, numeracy skills (data analysis, data presentation, sampling), communication skills (written and oral), project management skills.
An introduction to the field of sustainable development through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students will receive an overview of the relevant knowledge, science, policy and socio-historical contexts to better direct their independent study and development of the wide subject areas involved in sustainable development.
Learning Outcomes
Analyse and judge the effectiveness of relevant government policies and strategies which impact on sustainable development in Europe. Provide a critical appraisal of the impact that these strategies will have on both local and regional sustainable development.
Skills
Integrate and evaluate different thinking in sustainable development issues and develop own arguments. Recognise different viewpoints, make decisions based on limited information available and devise solutions to sustainable development problems. Utilise a range of techniques and methods which can enhance and facilitate sustainable development. Critically evaluate the impact of major relevant policies and directives on sustainability.
This module requires students to work in groups to carry out a significant project to promote sustainable development under the supervision of an organisation. Three weeks in January will be spent developing the project. Work is ongoing until August when a three week period is allocated for completion of project.
Learning Outcomes
Students will demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate sustainable development issues to a wider audience utilising various forms of media through the application of knowledge and skills gained from other modules.
Skills
Ability to work effectively as part of a team to facilitate a successful outcome, develop project management skills including project planning, budget and time management. Communication and group presentation skills
Research project conducted whilst placed within a sector organisation (8 weeks full time). Briefing session on sector. Debriefing session. Visit to NI Assembly or from politician/civil servant.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of placements students should be able to evaluate critically the role of leadership for sustainable development, identifying best practice and understanding changes, opportunities and challenges for sustainable development. Students will have had the opportunity to apply and develop knowledge and skills in order to conduct original research relevant for the host organisation.
Skills
Students will be able to critically analyse, synthesise and summarise academic and professional information, use initiative to independently plan and execute tasks at a professional level, conduct critical self-analysis to develop own learning, develop research and employability skills.
This primarily self-directed module introduces students to the use of reflective practice amongst sustainable development professionals. Students will have an opportunity to explore a topic of interest to them through a literature review, reflect on their learning and growth as both a student and a practitioner of sustainable development, and cement their learning and development across the entire programme.
Module Contents:
• The concepts of reflection and reflexivity.
• Models of reflective practice e.g. Gibbs
• Application of reflective practice to sustainable development, particularly for practitioners.
• The importance of reflection for leaders and managers.
• Facilitating reflection and reflexivity in others.
• Literature review methods.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
• Describe the role of reflective practice in sustainable development.
• Critically self-evaluate their performance reflectively and reflexively.
• Apply models of reflective practice to both learning and professional practice.
• Facilitate reflective practice in others.
• Conduct a literature review.
Skills
• Critical & Independent Thought: Students will consider various positions in sustainable development across disciplines and theoretical perspectives, evaluate the objective strengths and weaknesses of these viewpoints and formulate their own approach as practitioners.
• Reflective Practice: Students will apply theories of reflective practice to their own work as practitioners in sustainable development, and to their journey as learners at MSc level.
• Knowledge Management & Synthesis: Students will review and interrogate a range of sources, both academic and professional, to evaluate their usefulness and credibility, and draw conclusions for professional practice in sustainability.
• Written Communication: Students will have the opportunity to develop written communication through long form written work.
• Research: Students will develop their research skills by conducting a literature review.
Research project conducted whilst placed within a organisation (8 weeks full time). Briefing session on sector. Debriefing session. Visit to or from umbrella organisation representative of Business sector.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of placements students should be able to evaluate critically the role of leadership for sustainable development, identifying best practice and understanding changes, opportunities and challenges for sustainable development. Students will have had the opportunity to apply and develop knowledge and skills in order to conduct original research relevant for the host organisation.
Skills
Students will be able to critically analyse, synthesise and summarise academic and professional information, use initiative to independently plan and execute tasks at a professional level, conduct critical self-analysis to develop own learning, develop research and employability skills.
Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.
Applicants who do not meet the above academic requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Submission of a portfolio and/or interview may be required.
Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally not later than 31st July 2025. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.
Please note: A deposit will be required to secure a place on this course
The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit the link below for more information. http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicyQUB
International Students
Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.
This MSc will equip you to work in a variety of roles in both the private and public sector, here in Northern Ireland, and internationally. Our recent graduates have gone on to a wide range of roles such as; Climate Programme Manager: Action Resilience Officer for Climate: Communications and Engagement Specialist; Environmental Manager; Sustainability Consultant; Housing Development; Recycling Education Promotions Officer; International Development Volunteer; Marine Community Support Officer; Waste and Recycling Manager: Parliamentary Assistant and Environmental Consultant.
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.
2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Terms and Conditions for Postgraduate applications
1.1 Due to high demand, there is a deadline for applications.
1.2 You will be required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the course. The current mandatory tuition fee deposit payment is:
• £400 for Domestic (NI/ROI/GB) students
• £1000 International (Non- EU & EU except ROI).
1.3 This condition of offer is in addition to any academic or English language requirements.
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.
If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.
Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.