MSc Sustainable Development (online)

Taught 100 per cent online, study the University of Sussex’s world-renowned MSc Sustainable Development online at a time and place that suits you.

In September 2015, the United Nations adopted 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Aiming to end poverty and hunger while achieving gender equality, peace, responsible production and consumption, urgent climate action, as well as caring for life on land and below water, the Goals are challenging and ambitious.

Meeting the SDGs requires extensive transformations in the way markets, civil society and states work in much of the world. These sustainability transformations will need to be impassioned and practical, bridging different socio-economic sectors, knowledge disciplines and policy silos. They will need knowledgeable social entrepreneurs, engaged scholars and committed political activists, equipped to work across silos and sectors, with suitable interdisciplinary skills.

It is such entrepreneurs, scholars and activists that this distinct Masters aims to empower. Delivered by three of the most proficient research units in this area, the Science Policy Research Unit, School of Global Studies and Institute of Development Studies, this interdisciplinary Masters will help develop conceptual and constructive skills based on interrogating knowledges across multiple disciplines. It will enable you to contribute effectively to the realisation of the SDGs through widespread sustainability transformations.

The University of Sussex has been ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies for the past four years (QS World University Rankings by Subject).

If you’d like to find out more about Sussex’s bespoke Virtual Learning Platform and what it’s like to learn online with us, register now to attend our next Sustainable Development webinar and see a live demo of the platform and take a tour around. You can also book a call with one of our Admissions Advisors to ask any questions you have about the course or joining Sussex as an online student.

Download the course leaflet

Duration

This course is part-time and can be completed in a minimum of two years and maximum of four. Students have the opportunity to step on and off the course, pausing their studies if their work or life commitments require*.

*Maximum study break times apply to this course

Course start dates

There are six start dates every academic year, providing maximum flexibility for our students;

July | September | November | January | March | May

Course content and structure

Studying the Sustainable Development MSc (online), you’ll learn to analyse the politics of sustainable development policies and practices, using different conceptual perspectives and methodological approaches, cutting across a wide range of social science disciplines. You’ll focus on real-world issues such as transforming energy production and consumption, climate-related disasters, agricultural intensification, waste and pollution. You’ll learn how social power and inequalities are implicated in processes of technological development and environmental change. And you’ll explore the conditions under which sustainability transformations are achieved, to tackle social inequalities and environmental degradation.

Teaching is interdisciplinary, incorporating perspectives from economics, political science, science technology and society studies, international relations, anthropology, economics, innovation studies and human geography. Engaging with Sussex lecturers and with fellow students from around the world, you will critically and constructively analyse the work of government, business and civil society actors in sustainable development.

With employability firmly in mind, you’ll take part in both independent and group work, studying sustainable development policies and strategies for international agencies, NGOs, public and private organisations.