Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology - MSc
Incorporating Keele's internationally recognised expertise in research and teaching on environmental issues, our accredited MSc aims to provide you with a broad understanding of environmental problems whilst embedding the appropriate specialist scientific, managerial and generic skills for a career in the environmental sustainability sector.
Month of entry
- September, January
Mode of study
- Full time, Part time
Fees for 2025/26 academic year
- UK - Full time £11,400 per year. Part time £6,300 per year.
International - £17,700 per year.
Duration of study
- 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Why study Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology at Keele University?
Course summary
The world is facing increasing environmental threats which are posing severe scientific, social and economic challenges to the human race. These challenges include: the depletion of natural resources, the loss of diversity and the need to develop new forms of energy generation whilst efficiently utilising existing energy sources. Tackling these environmental problems and establishing a sustainable environment requires the adoption of appropriate policies and managerial strategies.
The MSc in Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology is designed to provide an interdisciplinary understanding of environmental challenges whilst giving the opportunity to specialise in several sustainability themes related to geosciences, energy generation, biological science, green information technology, environmental policy and politics, and project management.
We’ll help you develop the broad skillset needed to devise, implement and evaluate sustainability initiatives, or plan and conduct the research to develop the new solutions, processes and technologies to support them. You'll then put skills, such as critical evaluation, research design, scientific writing, project management, data collection, analysis and interpretation, presentation and more, into practice during your research project.
Our interdisciplinary programme aims to equip you with the following key skills:
- An understanding of knowledge in the areas of science, technology, policy and green political theory relevant to environmental sustainability
- Experience in analytical and computer techniques which would allow them to contribute to the solving of environmental challenges
- A conceptual understanding to evaluate critically current research and advance scholarship in environmental sustainability
- A comprehensive understanding of experimental design, planning and scientific techniques within a research project
- Problem-solving and team-working skills relevant to the implementation of sustainable technologies and policies
Additional opportunities
Depending on availability, you could have the opportunity to collaborate with an external organisation and work with them on a real-life issue, giving you valuable experience and boosting your job prospects. In the past, for example, our students have gone on to PhD studies, and careers in clean energy, waste management and sustainability in organisations such as the NHS, local authorities and commercial businesses.
Learn from our campus - our own 'living laboratory'
As a student on the MSc in Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology, you will benefit from learning on a campus featuring a Low Carbon Energy Generation Park which is supporting Keele University's pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030, featuring two wind turbines, 12,500 solar panels and an industrial-sized battery to store the generated energy. You will access on-site energy projects such as the recent HyDeploy project and the HyDEX project, which are driving forward demonstration of low-carbon hydrogen technology, and the Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND) project. SEND, a European first, is an at-scale environment providing a platform that allows energy generation, distribution, storage, forecasting and energy balancing to be intelligently carried out across different energy sources using the Keele University campus as a genuine ‘living laboratory’.
Other courses you may be interested in:
Next steps
Keele students help Port Vale FC boost their sustainability performance
Two Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology MSc students, Kamron and Charlotte, have worked closely with local professional football club Port Vale to help improve the club's energy consumption performance and enhance biodiversity around their stadium, Vale Park.
"I enjoyed learning about all different environmental issues and solutions, technologies as well as business skills for addressing stakeholders with project ideas, to make real-world changes."
Course structure
The MSc in Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology can be studied as either a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course, with a September or January start date. You will complete 180 credits to obtain the master's qualification, comprising of 120 credits of taught modules (60 credits core and 60 credits optional) and a 60 credit dissertation.
The programme comprises of four compulsory modules designed to develop research skills:
- Project Management and Business Skills
- Research Design
- Case Studies in Sustainability and Sustainability Technologies
- Dissertation module
The taught component of the programme is underpinned by a foundation of core modules covering sustainable technologies and environmental politics, academic and research skills, project planning and management.
These modules aim to equip you with relevant analytical and management skills and knowledge necessary to complete your research project under the supervision of a Keele member of the teaching and research staff and, where appropriate an external collaborator from industry.
The Dissertation involves the submission of a 15-20,000 word report that is undertaken in conjunction with an academic supervisor and, where appropriate, an external collaborator.
Modules
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Core modules
ESC-40091 Project Management and Business Skills (15 credits)
This module aims to provide you with key skills and a broad understanding and appreciation of professional practice in the context of sustainability and technical development project planning and management. You will learn how to use data to evaluate and inform decision-making in a commercial setting which has different priorities to a research context and to navigate the stages in planning, developing, delivering and managing successful projects.
ESC-40095 Case Studies in Sustainability and Sustainability Technologies
(30 credits)
During this module you will be presented with case studies to consider around three main themes: The human footprint; Emerging contaminants, and; Sustainable consumption. You will develop skills in critical evaluation, assimilation and communication of complex debates and you will gain an appreciation of the role of ethical, social and political and technical factors in sustainable development and will use these skills to consider a case study of your choice.
ESC-40093 Research Design (15 credits)
This module provides an important foundation to support you to design and carry out independent research. It offers training that you can then tailor to individual project needs in preparation for your Dissertation project. The module will give you the tools to design and carry out high quality, ethical and robust research, not only in your postgraduate degree, but also in future academic, industrial and commercial employment.
The module is assessed by a detailed research proposal that will form the basis of the MSc dissertation project.
ESC-40089 Dissertation (60 credits)
The dissertation module focuses on a student-led research project culminating in the write-up of the research project in the form of a 15,000- 20,000 word master's dissertation. The module is delivered via a combination of one-to-one meetings with the project supervisor(s), independent research and self-learning techniques.
Optional modules
Indicative optional modules
ESC-40097 Clean and Green Technologies (30 credits)
This module aims to provide you with an overview of key concepts, debates, processes and discourses in relation to clean technologies, including renewable sources such as wind/wave/solar, and storage technologies such as hydrogen. The module will emphasising how we can use these technologies in specific scenarios, and minimise carbon footprint and assessing the contribution each might make to meeting energy needs sustainably. You will also gain an appreciation of clean technology while developing transferrable employability skills.
GEG-40020 Key Themes in Human Geography and Sustainability (15 credits)
The Key themes in Human Geography and Sustainability module provides cutting-edge insights into the diversity of inquiry, debate and active research currently taking place within contemporary human geography and the diverse range of sustainability-related issues of relevance. In particular, these relate to the current United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and especially the creation of sustainable cities and communities, good health and well being, reduced inequalities and clean energy. Through exposure to current research, students are able to generate new subject-skills and knowledge which they can apply in the real world and which can help in the development of new approaches for tackling current societal challenges. In addition, the module aims to provide you with the skills and opportunity to undertake a critical systematic literature review - a skill highly valued by employers who frequently require a synthesis and quality appraisal of research on particular topics.
ESC-40109 Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing (15 credits)
This module aims to develop your skills and understanding of the concepts and practical application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing. This will involve using industry-standard software and cloud-based applications for mapping, spatial data acquisition and analysis. GIS and spatial analysis are core elements of conservation ecology and help to provide insight into species distributions, protecting area siting and prioritising conservation areas.
ESC-40101 Collaborative Project (15 credits)*
*Please note you can choose the Collaborative Project module or the Advanced Traineeship module, not both.
This module provides the opportunity to work on real-world issues as you work with staff to identify and approach appropriate collaborative partners and define appropriate projects. You will gain essential employability skills and experience as you are supported to lead collaborative discussions to co-define and co-design a project scope and to review the project's progress and outcomes. You will also develop highly desirable skills in project planning and management, communicating in a professional setting, and problem solving.
GEG-40030 Advanced Traineeships in Geography, Geoscience and Sustainability (15 credits)*
*Please note you can choose the Advanced Traineeship module or the Collaborative Project module, not both.
Advanced traineeships in Human Geography and Sustainability will provide you with real world ‘hands on’ experience of working on a live research project. Through collaboration with a directive research mentor, you will generate a range of new subject-specific and generic research knowledge and skills which will enhance your understanding of contemporary societal challenges as well as future employability. Furthermore, you will generate key insights into different aspects of the research process, ranging from research design and grant preparation to the delivery of impact-related activities and work alongside a range of stakeholders during your research traineeship.
ESC-40047 Green IT (15 credits)
This module will enable you to gain an understanding of the sustainability challenges facing the IT industry and of the strategies and techniques that are available to address these challenges. You will also explore ways in which IT can enhance sustainability in other sectors (e.g. through the use of simulation and modelling software and IT tools such as video conferencing).
ESC-40060 Climate Change Science (15 credits)
You will explore factors affecting the climate and the impacts that this change is having on our planet and its inhabitants. Topics include how climate change comes about, its effects and how to prevent it, including the role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). You will gain skills and confidence in interpreting and communicating complex information, basic modelling and data analysis related to climate change.
LAW-40043 International Environmental Law (15 credits)
This module offers a critical perspective on the development of international environmental law. It provides a grounding in the legal norms, institutions and processes of the field, and explores current environmental global issues such as biodiversity loss, trade and environment, food security and climate change through specific treaty regimes. Drawing on a range of legal, policy and other literature, the module highlights key challenges facing the regulation of the environment today.
ENL-40005 Academic English for Postgraduate Science Students (15 credits)
This module is designed to help non-native English speaking postgraduate students to develop and refine the specific writing, reading and verbal communication skills they require to succeed in their science degree studies. It aims to help students to research, extract key information, summarise from a variety of sources and engage in academic discussion. This may involve a series of workshops, lectures, assignments, online and practical tasks and projects.
Next steps
"The flexibility in essay topics for many of the degree’s modules allowed me to explore my interests. There was a lot of support and encouragement to pursue work experience either prior to graduating or prior to the dissertation module."
Entry requirements
Next steps
Entry requirements
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.
Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
UK
2:2 degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Bangladesh
60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a public university or CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a private university
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Canada
70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
China
70% in a degree in any subject or 65% in a degree in any subject from a '211' university
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Ghana
Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
India
55% or CGPA 6/10 in any degree of three years or longer
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kenya
Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nepal
60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nigeria
Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pakistan
We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information
or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need an English language qualification (see below)
South Africa
Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in any subject
or
Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Sri Lanka
55% in a Special Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Uganda
Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Zimbabwe
Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
English language requirements
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group B.
References
Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.
Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose
Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.
RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.
Professional qualifications and work experience
The majority of our courses will consider relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications at the appropriate level, as an alternative to an undergraduate degree for entry. The work experience should be for a sustained period and at a suitable level, based within a relevant sector to your chosen course.
Admissions staff will review your work experience and/or professional qualifications during the assessment of your application to ensure suitability in terms of relevancy, level and appropriate learning outcomes.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.
Funding
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2025 start date falls in the 2024/25 academic year. Please see the January 2025 fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2025
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.
Scholarships
We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our bursaries and scholarships webpages for more information.
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
Next steps
"Keele University in particular has great relationships with the local community and businesses and their ability to put research into practice, especially in the Environmental sustainability sector. The whole ethos of environmental sustainability is taken seriously across the whole campus"
Your career
This course is designed to prepare you for a successful career in environment and sustainability, in research and development, teaching, management, regulation or consultancy, guiding activities such as energy or waste management, recycling, air quality, flood risk and other effects of climate change.
Previous graduates of this course have secured roles, for example, as an environmental sustainability specialist, sustainability and wellbeing consultant, project manager, innovation associate or assistant engineer.
They can be found working for employers all over the globe, from the London headquarters of one of the world's leading industrial groups (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries) to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), a Bogotá-based publishers and Chinese R&D firm specialising in chemical fungicides.
The transferrable skills you gain in critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, communication, leadership and creativity will equip to find work across a wide range of professions, from business and management, to systems analysis, academia or scientific journalism. One graduate, for example, became an account executive for a medical communications company.
Since the course develops your research skills, it is an excellent route for those who wish to progress onto further study at PhD level, which a large number of our graduates choose to do.
Next steps
Dr Sharon George speaks to CNN about UK plans to minimise plastic waste
Teaching, learning and assessment
How you'll be taught
The programme is delivered through a variety of learning and teaching activities designed to develop research and professional skills. This includes:
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Workshops
- Seminars
- Practical/laboratory classes
- Problem-based learning
- Directed reading
- Independent study
- Project work
- Individual presentations
- Discussions
In addition, you’ll have one-on-one meetings with individual research supervisors, which may take place online or face-to-face. You will be taught by experienced, well-qualified staff who are research-active within the discipline, accomplished at working on research-funded projects nationally and internationally, and eager to share their teaching, research and professional experience to help you achieve success in your studies.
Though there are taught components to the course, we place a strong emphasis on student-led learning and research to help develop your independent research skills and technical skills, with support from teaching staff and technicians.
The main focus of the programme is your research project, which can be carried out here at Keele, with external collaborators in the public or private sector, or at overseas institutions, giving you the opportunity to enhance your employability and network within the sector.
How you'll be assessed
You will complete formal assessment on all modules. Assessments for core modules are coursework-based and include, for example:
- Oral and poster presentations
- Reports
- Reviews
- Blogs
- Reflective writing
- Project proposals
- A research project portfolio
- Dissertation
The assessment on optional modules varies depending on the module, but will feature similar types of assessment, as well as essays, consultancy or technical reports, or exams.
Between 15,000 to 20,000 words in length, the dissertation produced as part of your research project forms your main assessment. You will be paired with an academic supervisor who is an expert in your field, from within the staff here at Keele, one of our international partner institutions or an external collaborator. Together, you will work to advance your research interests and develop your individual research, writing and communication.
Next steps
Keele Postgraduate Association
Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.
Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.
Our expertise
Our programme is taught by a team of environmental specialists working in the fields of environmental technologies, climate change science, biological sciences, chemical science, project management, and environmental social science, policy and politics.
Academic staff are active in relevant research areas and many are involved in collaborations, consultancy work and strategic developments with industrial and commercial development of energy and clean technology nationally and internationally.
Next steps
Facilities
Our unique self-contained campus, with over 600 acres of grounds including forests and lakes, has provided an ideal setting to establish itself as a testbed for real-world teaching, learning and research opportunities as a ‘true Living Lab’. Featured as a national best practice case study in the promotion of sustainability exchange, initiatives such as the Smart Energy Network Demonstrator and SIMULATE (Smart, Infrastructure and Mobility Urban Laboratory and Test Environment) project, contributed to Keele being named Global Sustainability Institution of the Year (International Green Gown Awards, 2021).
Central Science Laboratory (CSL)
The School benefits from its very own dedicated teaching space in the state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratory (CSL). Featuring 80 new polarising microscopes and 20 new low powered microscopes, the CSL allows us to innovate and enhance the teaching experience of our students, and supports a highly tailored approach to practical learning.
Following a £34m investment, the CSL provides 5,300m2 of modern, co-located science laboratories. Over £2m alone has been spent on industrial research-grade analytical and laboratory equipment that is used by students in their day-to-day laboratory teaching. Access to state-of-the-art facilities and high specification equipment will help to ensure you are well prepared for scientific or industrial employment post-graduation. The environment mirrors the multi-faceted nature of working life and the shared space allows group working and collaboration between disciplines, building the skills and experience much valued by employers.
Keele Weather Station
The Keele University Weather Station has been supplying meteorological data for over 75 years, both locally and nationally. We record a wide range of information, including wind speed and direction, rainfall, humidity, sunshine/radiation, air and ground temperatures. Weather recording on two sites is now automated thanks to an investment and support from the Met Office to purchase equipment from Campbell Scientific Instruments – the same company that installed a weather station on Mount Everest.