Five reasons to study for a masters in environment and sustainability at Surrey

1. Master the key concepts which will transform our world

On our masters courses you’ll build your knowledge of the principles that underpin sustainable development: UN Sustainable Development Goals, industrial ecology, the circular economy, ecosystem services, natural capital, clean growth, planetary boundaries, and life cycle assessment.

2. The route to a transformative career

You’ll gain the knowledge and skills you need to implement sustainability frameworks in corporations, government and charities. Our courses are multidisciplinary by design, bringing together a wide range of engineering, natural and social sciences to meet challenges of resource use and environmental management. Graduates go on to roles such as Associate in Sustainability and Climate Change at PwC, Climate Programs Director at Business Council on Climate Change, and Manager at National Grid. 

According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022, 93 per cent of postgraduate taught environment and sustainability students are in work or full-time study after graduating, with an average starting salary of £29,792.

3. Intensive modular teaching

Our masters courses consist of eight modules, each lasting five days, plus a dissertation. Full-time students like this teaching format because it allows them to really focus on each topic in turn, while for part-time students, it means they can more easily combine studying with other commitments. Modules can even be completed during weeks of annual leave over several years, meaning you can gain your masters while working full-time.

4. Guest lecturers from government and industry

On our environment and sustainability modules, you’ll be exposed to the experience and practical viewpoint of external experts. Guest lecturers include corporate leaders from Aviva Investors, Climate Action, Ikea, Natural England, Sony Computer Entertainment, Surrey Wildlife Trust and the United Nations Environment Programme. Full-time students can also take an industrial placement module, which provides them with invaluable practical experience and on-the-job training.

5. Become part of a leading research centre

Surrey has a 25-year track record of leadership in sustainability and environmental strategy, exerting a strong influence on policy and society, through its Centre for Environment and Sustainability (CES). 2022 saw the launch of a new pan-University Institute for Sustainability aimed at leveraging expertise from across the disciplines to meet sustainability challenges.

You will be based in CES where our interdisciplinary research integrates engineering and science with insights from economics and social sciences to develop action-oriented responses to long-term environmental and social issues. This research strongly informs our teaching, producing graduates with the knowledge and skills to be the sustainability leaders of tomorrow.

Discover our masters courses in environment and sustainability.