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University of Cape Town MPhil Degree in Environment, Society and Sustainability

University of Cape Town

MPhil Degree in Environment, Society and Sustainability

Cape Town, South Africa

2 Years

English

Full time

31 Aug 2025

Feb 2026

ZAR 142,910 / per year *

On-Campus

* for Rest of the World| SADC Fees: From ZAR 79,210| Non-SADC African Students Fees: From ZAR 126,810

Key Summary

    About: The MPhil in Environment, Society and Sustainability focuses on understanding the complex interactions between environmental issues and societal dynamics. The program explores sustainability through interdisciplinary approaches, equipping you with skills for critical analysis and research.
    Career Outcomes: Graduates can pursue careers in environmental policy, sustainable development, social research, or academia. Potential roles include environmental consultant, policy analyst, and sustainability coordinator.

Introduction

This MPhil programme is designed for students with diverse backgrounds who have an interest in environment, society and sustainability. Problems pertaining to the environment, society and sustainability are interdisciplinary in nature and students with backgrounds in both natural and social sciences are encouraged to apply.

The MPhil is an 18-month programme that accepts students from a wide range of disciplines who have achieved above average results in a 4 year degree. It provides education in theory relating to environment, society and sustainability. When qualified, you will join the environmental and geographical scientists who are shaping the future by addressing global and local environmental and developmental challenges.

Aims:

To produce graduates with:

  • a broad understanding of major environmental issues as well as theoretical ideas underpinning sustainable development.
  • the ability to effectively analyse and manage environmental and developmental issues, with emphasis on the southern African situation.

Aims and Objectives Of The MPhil Programme

The general aims of the Environmental, Society and Sustainability Masters programme are to produce graduates who have:

  • a broad understanding of major environmental issues in Africa and around the world, as well as theoretical ideas underpinning sustainable development; and,
  • the ability to effectively analyse and manage environmental and developmental issues, with emphasis on the southern African situation.
  • The accomplishment of these aims requires exposure to the concepts and methods of a number of disciplines. The MPhil graduate is capable of integrative thinking and of synthesizing elements from diverse disciplines into a cohesive whole.

Specific objectives of the programme are to produce graduates who can:

  • understand the intricate linkages within and between biophysical and social systems, and appreciate the principles and requirements that would facilitate the transition to sustainability within these systems;
  • communicate within and across the range of disciplines that contribute towards sustainable development;
  • respect differing perspectives on issues;
  • formulate and implement solutions to problems of sustainable development, through the use of theories, analytical methods and synthesising approaches, and oral presentation and report writing skills; and,
  • make meaningful contributions to improving legal/administrative structures and procedures relevant to the environment and sustainable development, primarily in South Africa but also more widely.

Admissions

Scholarships and Funding

Curriculum

Program Tuition Fee

Career Opportunities

About the School

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