Course options

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

Make sure you check on the university, college or conservatoire website for any updates about course changes as a result of COVID-19.

Course summary

Corporate responsibility and sustainability have become significant issues for a wide range of organisations and for the managers who work within them. The reasons for this include:

  • high-profile corporate scandals
  • a growing need to demonstrate accountability, transparency and sustainability
  • a decreasing tolerance for corporate excess and irresponsibility
  • the need to protect corporate reputation and to develop brand loyalty and competitive advantage.
The MSc Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability will deepen your understanding and stimulate critical thinking in these areas. You will have the opportunity to practise problem-focused decision-making on a range of economic, social and environmental issues that affect the operation of contemporary organisations. The course will be of benefit if you wish to develop further insights into corporate responsibility and sustainability as part of your career, or if you have limited knowledge of the subject but would like to embark on a career in this sector. It is also ideal if you wish to continue on to a PhD. Highlights
  • Birkbeck is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in teaching, research and consultancy in the broad field of management.
  • Our academic staff are active researchers as well as enthusiastic teachers, and regularly publish cutting-edge articles in the world's leading journals. We have particular research strengths in international business and strategy, the management of innovation and entrepreneurship, human resource management, corporate governance, sport management and marketing, as well as financial management and accounting.
  • We engage in significant collaborative research and have excellent contacts with many public and private sector organisations, professional bodies and researchers at other academic institutions.
  • Course teaching is underpinned by the work of the Responsible Business Centre.
  • You will have access to Moodle, our online learning resource where all information and materials relating to your programme of study and modules are available, as well as the Birkbeck Library and e-Library.
Careers and employability Graduates can pursue career paths in local and national government, business and industry. Possible professions include:
  • management consultant
  • human resources officer
  • operational researcher
  • marketing executive
  • retail manager.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Modules

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

Assessment method

The assessment for each module varies from a combination of coursework and unseen, formal examination, to modules that are assessed by examination only or by coursework only. The length of the coursework and examination will vary, depending on whether they are the only mode of assessment for the module or whether they are combined with another mode of assessment.


How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement 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, foundation programmes and language support services to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

Our standard postgraduate entry requirement is a second-class honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university, or an equivalent international qualification. We will review every postgraduate application to Birkbeck on its 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


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £7425 Year 1
Northern Ireland £7425 Year 1
Scotland £7425 Year 1
Wales £7425 Year 1
International £11610 Year 1

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.
Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS