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Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Design MSc

Course code

F800PSUSENIN

Start date

September

Placement available

Mode of study

1 year full-time

21 months full-time with placement

Fees

2024/25

UK £11,550

International £23,615

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Overview

The results of unsustainable human development in the 21st century are evident as climate change, species extinction, pollution, poverty, and inequality become inescapable global realities. The next big challenge for society is to transform our economy to incorporate the principles of sustainability. This presents an exciting opportunity to rethink, redesign and rebuild a positive future for business practice.

The global market for environmental products and services is projected to double from USD 1,370 billion per year to USD 2,740 billion by 2020. Half of this market is in energy efficiency and the balance in sustainable transport, water supply, sanitation, and waste management. 2.3 million people have in recent years found new jobs in the renewable energy sector alone. Employment in alternative energies may rise to 2.1 million in wind and 6.3 million in solar power by 2030.

This course will provide you with the skills across the disciplines of science, engineering design and business to be a part of this market and to become leaders and innovators in the context of environmental awareness.

The Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Design MSc offers you the opportunity to carry out a six-month work placement as part of your degree. This is a 21-month programme – 12 months of study at Brunel, followed by a short break while you await your dissertation grade, to allow you to finalise your placement. Once you've passed your dissertation, you'll complete your six-month work placement. You could complete the Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Design MSc in just 12 months without a placement, but we’d advise opting for the placement route to make the most of your degree and enhance your future career prospects.

Watch these videos to find out why Gracen and Tom chose this course.

You can hear more from two inspirational alumni here

This course entitles students to FREE student membership of the IEMA for the duration of the course and, on successful completion, they qualify for GradIEMA. Graduate membership is a launchpad for future leaders within environment and sustainability and offers a range of benefits to support you throughout your career. You can then “fast track” to Practitioner Membership (PIEMA), following successful completion of the work-based assessment of competence.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship You may be eligible for a full tuition fee waiver, as well as a range of other financial incentives, on this course. Find out more.

British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM In partnership with the British Council, we are offering five fully-funded scholarships for female students from the Americas region (eligible countries only). The deadline to apply for this scholarship is 7 April 2023 at 11.59pm – find out more.

The Water Conservators Environmental Sciences Bursary Awarded by The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators, a Livery Company of the City of London. The company has a particular interest in issues related to water and the environment. They'll award a single bursary of £2,000 towards the tuition fees of the successful candidate. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is Friday, 27 May 2022 – find out more.

IEMA - Resized H95px Web 2019

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

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Course content

This course is designed to create leaders in the field. It's structured to become less instructor-led and more student-led as the course progresses. You’ll develop your leadership and entrepreneurial skills alongside a network of specialists and your peers.

This course can be studied 1 year full-time or 21 months full-time with placement, starting in September.

Year 1

This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

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Careers and your future

After completing the course you’ll be equipped with the skills to join the huge shift globally towards creating a sustainable society. You may wish to:

  • Start your own green business as an entrepreneur and/or designer / innovator.
  • Become a change-maker and leader in an existing business moving towards sustainability.
  • Join a corporate institution or public body (e.g. local and regional government, NGOs) as a senior sustainability and environmental coordinator / manager.
  • Become an adviser on sustainable business and policy, sustainable new product development and investment / funding within existing companies, or as a consultant in new business ventures. The latter will include new 'green' product and service enterprises and sustainability service providers

If you choose the six-month placement option, you’ll benefit from a programme that includes mentorship from leading entrepreneurs, business leaders, inventors, and academics. You’ll receive intensive corporate experience and exposure to business start-up opportunities. This'll widen your network and broaden your experience, providing you with ideas and contacts for starting up your own business or simply for starting out in the sector.

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UK entry requirements

  • A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, in design, science (e.g. Environmental and Social Sciences Engineering), Management, Business Studies or a related subject.

Applicants with other qualifications will be considered if these are supported by a science A-level (or equivalent) and relevant work experience

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EU and International entry requirements

If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
  • Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
  • BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
  • TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all) 

You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.

Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 entry

UK

£11,550 full-time

International

£23,615 full-time

More information on any additional course-related costs.

Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase. 

See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.

Scholarships and bursaries

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Teaching and Learning

How your course will be delivered

Required equipment

How you'll learn on your course

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Assessment and feedback

Assessment will take the form of integrated coursework on core sustainability and business, and sustainability and design module content, formal written examinations, individual and group coursework assignments, oral and poster presentations, a dissertation in the form of a business plan, and a reflective portfolio (for the optional six-month placement period).

 

Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.

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