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Environment and Sustainability at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

This postgraduate course in environment and sustainability offers you an advanced-level grounding in sustainable responses to a broad range of environmental issues. It will help you develop a deeper understanding of the key drivers of environmental policy, and challenges and solutions for environmental management. Why choose this course?

  • Our academic staff on this course are experts in their respective fields, publishing and teaching in a wide range of topics including climate modelling, renewable energy, flooding and coastal adaptation.
  • You will benefit from advanced research training which you will then apply in a dissertation in which you can conduct an in-depth study of a real environmental challenge.
  • This course is ideal if you have a special interest in ecological issues. You may be a manager with responsibility for environmental affairs in the public or private sector, a member of a regulatory body, or a member of an environmental pressure group.
What you will learn On this environment and sustainability course you will not only develop an in-depth understanding of major global environmental problems, but also how to communicate those issues effectively. You will explore the relationship between policy, practice and the ecological environment, and the development of effective strategies for addressing the threats and opportunities posed by environmental issues. How you will learn This course is available to study full- or part-time with an evening timetable, with classes scheduled in the evening so you can combine your studies with a continuing career. It allows you to engage critically with key literature, and explore relevant and topical issues in lectures and seminars, so you can gain an informed understanding of the principal concepts and issues in environmental science and policy. You will test and develop your ideas through interaction with your lecturers and fellow students, many of whom are already experienced professionals. You will also have access to high-quality online resources through our virtual learning site. We offer this course as a Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate. The Certificate and Diploma are ideal if you are interested in studying at postgraduate level for personal or professional reasons, but you don't want to commit yet to a full MSc. Highlights
  • Our location in central London offers excellent access to a wide range of research resources, including Birkbeck Library, LSE Library of Political and Economic Science (LSE), the Royal Geographical Society and Senate House Library (University of London).
  • We have contacts with many public and private sector organisations, professional bodies and researchers at other academic institutions, which can lead to important networking opportunities.
  • Our academic staff are experts in their respective fields, publishing and teaching in a wide range of topics including climate modelling, renewable energy, flooding and coastal adaptation.
  • Working with the University of London, we offer an online MSc Global Environment and Sustainability.
Careers and employability On successfully graduating from this environment and sustainability course, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:
  • advanced research skills spanning natural and social science approaches
  • critical thinking
  • understanding and communicating environmental issues
  • working with geographic information systems (GIS).
Graduates can pursue career paths in sustainable business, environmental management, local government, education, research, policy work, and in environmental groups and charities. Possible professions include:
  • geographic information systems officer
  • nature conservation officer
  • environmental consultant
  • planning and development surveyor
  • town planner.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Coursework, a presentation and a substantial piece of independent research in the form of a dissertation, which accounts for one third of the MSc.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this programme is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £11700 Year 1
Northern Ireland £11700 Year 1
Scotland £11700 Year 1
Wales £11700 Year 1
International £20340 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Environment and Sustainability at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS