DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Oct 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 10,270 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* PGDip: £8,200 | PGCert: £4,100
Key Summary
Introduction
The global community faces problems of poverty and profound environmental change that are interconnected in complex and dynamic ways.
Our MSc Sustainable Development programme aims to provide you with a broad grounding in the main concepts associated with sustainable development. It's clear that solutions to the challenges of sustainable development need holistic, integrated and coordinated actions across a wide range of sectors.
Through the programme, you will gain a theoretical basis for understanding the evolution, meanings and use of the concept of sustainable development. You will also acquire the skills needed to understand current environmental, developmental and sustainability issues and debates.
During your time on the programme, your knowledge and understanding will be enhanced for decision and policy-making on sustainable development issues. You will also gain critical, analytical and integrative skills for responding to these challenges.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
Sustainable Development is available as a Master of Science (MSc), Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) or Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert).
The programme is organised in two study sessions per year, beginning in April and October. In each study session, students complete one module, starting with the core module, over a period of a 16 weeks followed by one of 4 dissertation stages for MSc students.
MSc students are required to enrol for their dissertation at the same time as their modules, before the start of each session. Students will need to allocate at least 10-15 hours of study per module, per week.
Three programme structures: MSc, PGDip and PGCert
Please note that all programmes must be completed within the registration period.
MSc
- Four modules, comprising one core (30 credits), at three elective modules (30 credits each) from the list below (only one elective is permitted from outside CeDEP).
- MSc students will also be required to complete a dissertation (60 credits). In a typical 2-year MSc programme, the dissertation is completed in four 8-week stages following each taught module.
- For students aiming to complete the MSc over three years, there will be two study sessions when you will not need to study a taught module. You may choose not to study at all during these sessions due to other commitments. Alternatively, you may want to use this time to undertake preparation for your dissertation.
PGDip
Four modules, as per the requirements for MSc students, will not be required to complete a dissertation (thereby gaining 120 credits in total).
PGCert
- One core module and one elective module from within CeDEP
- Modules from other departments - only students on MSc and PGDip programmes may take one module from other departments as listed below
Core
- Understanding Sustainable Development
Compulsory Dissertation
- Dissertation (Stage 1)
- Dissertation (Stage 2)
- Dissertation (Stage 3)
- Dissertation (Stage 4)
Assessment
Each module will be assessed via e-tivities which combine formative and summative assessment. The variety of assessments in our modules aims to develop a range of critical, analytical and writing skills. All assessments are submitted online.
Research methods and dissertation (MSc students only)
The dissertation involves desk-based and/or field-based research. In year one, students will learn how to conduct original research by completing the research methods module. Students will be required to produce a topic form and an assessed proposal. In year two, students will complete data collection, write up and submit the final dissertation.
The dissertation is assessed through two components: the assessed proposal (20% of the final module mark); and a 10,000 word dissertation (80% of the final module mark).
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Graduates from the Centre for Development, Environment and Policy leave SOAS with in-depth knowledge about the environmental and sustainability challenges facing the world today, as well as the interdisciplinary skills to tackle them.
Recent graduates have been hired by:
- African Development Bank Group
- BP
- Civic Exchange, Hong Kong
- Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
- Energy Networks Association
- Energy UK
- Ernst & Young LLP
- ESB
- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- Plan UK
- Public Policy Projects
- UN Environment Programme
Faculty
Program delivery
Students are supported by a dedicated module tutor and convenor with whom students can discuss academic queries at regular intervals during each study session. This program is taught 100% online through the Bloomsbury Learning Environment (BLE) which provides access to all learning materials and course resources as well as access to the SOAS Library.
Learning is asynchronous allowing students to fit their studies around existing commitments. Students have 24/7 access to study skills support through Studiosity. Students are able to interact with their module tutor and fellow students in discussion forums, peer-to-peer learning and engagement guided by the tutor. Assessments are designed to build knowledge and skills over the course of study.