Top jobs with a masters in environment and sustainability

Find out how studying for a masters qualification in the Centre for Environment and Sustainability at Surrey opens the door to a wide range of jobs and careers.

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The jobs market

The University of Surrey’s Centre for Environment and Sustainability is an internationally acclaimed centre of excellence on sustainable development and an interdisciplinary hub for research and postgraduate teaching.

Our masters courses will prepare you to join a new generation of environment and sustainability professionals ready to take on the challenges our planet faces. Graduates who understand how economic development and social equity can be balanced with environmental protection are increasingly in demand by employers and can have a real impact on the future of our planet.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that the transition to a green economy will lead to the creation of some 24 million new jobs globally by 2030, noting that ‘from a jobs perspective, environmental sustainability is critical’ (World Employment and Social Outlook 2018: Greening with jobs). According to the Local Government Association employment in the low-carbon and renewable energy sector alone in England could grow from 185,000 in 2018 to 694,000 by 2030 and 1.18 million by 2050.

I believe that the critical shifts for sustainable development... happen when we look at ourselves, at the places we live and work, and ask ourselves: ‘What more can I do?’ For me, studying at Surrey was part of the answer. Jen Horn, Sustainable Development MSc

What Surrey offers

At Surrey, our masters courses in environment and sustainability cover corporate environmental management, environmental strategy and sustainable development. Through the application of interdisciplinary approaches and analysis, you will have the necessary training to pursue a diverse range of careers.

Each course also offers full-time students the opportunity to do an industrial placement as an elective module. This means spending six to 12 weeks with a company or non-governmental organisation doing the work you’ll aim to find after graduation.

Students have completed industrial placements in companies such as: