MSc Leadership for Sustainable Development
Belfast, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
31 Jul 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 23,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international fee
Key Summary
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 2023 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
The 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!
The School was the first school of Biological Sciences in the UK to achieve a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award in recognition of its outstanding progress in promoting gender equality and addressing the unequal representation of women in science.
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.
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.
Autumn Semester
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 for Sustainable Development:
explores approaches to leading and managing oneself and other people, the contexts in which this happens (organisations and systems) and how project and policy management takes place in these contexts.
Foundations for Sustainable Development 1 & 2:
consider the core themes, policies and strategies underpinning sustainable development focusing on the UN SD Goals and the Three Pillars of Sustainability. There are additional opportunities for practical training and relevant skills development.
Effective Leadership (Group Project):
requires a small group of students to engage with a host organisation over the year in a project of their choice to promote sustainable development through 'experiential learning'.
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.
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.
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.