Leadership in Climate Change and Sustainability MSc
Tackling Climate Change and building sustainable approaches through interdisciplinary collaboration and leadership
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2024
Overview
Gain a comprehensive understanding of climate change and develop the professional skills needed to influence and lead on sustainable climate action.
On our Leadership in Climate Change and Sustainability MSc programme you'll gain a deep insight into climate change's impact on society, organisations, and individuals.
You'll explore sustainable approaches to tackle climate change and other negative human impacts on the planet.
The programme has 3 distinct themes:
- Interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches
- Learning through live projects
- Development of personal agency and leadership roles
Aligned with Newcastle University's own sustainability goals, you'll study global solutions, enhance personal growth, and refine your leadership skills.
Together, we'll explore ways to drive meaningful responses and create a more sustainable future.
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
We'll equip you with the essential knowledge and insights to address global climate challenges.
Throughout the programme, you'll:
- Analyse and assess scientific theories on climate change and sustainability from authoritative sources
- Examine social, cultural, and economic aspects related to these topics
- Prioritise and confront challenges in real-life situations, employing an interdisciplinary approach
- Acknowledge the demands and possibilities of responsible leadership for sustainable practices
Featured module
SCX8000 - Facing Up to Climate Change: Tackling Climate Change through solution focused multi-disciplinary collaboration
As part of the programme you'll take our Facing Up to Climate Change module. On this module you'll work on exciting collaborative projects, combining different subjects, skills, and perspectives from across the University.
The module focuses on sustainable development goals, empowering you to make connections and learn how to influence agendas. The module includes four key themes:
- The Scientific Evidence and Impacts of Climate Change
- The Policies, Politics and Economics of Climate Action
- People and Planet: Social and Ethical Challenges
- Measuring, Monitoring and Methods
Teaching on this module combines interactive, project-based, learning activities, to ensure you have all the skills needed to go further in the sector.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
All students will take the following compulsory modules:
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| 20 | |
| 20 | |
| 60 | |
| 40 | |
| 20 |
All students will take an additional total of 20 credits worth of modules from the following list:
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| 20 | |
| 10 | |
|
CEG8514 - Climate Change: Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation |
10 |
|
CME8065 - Recycling and life cycle assessment for sustainable materials |
10 |
|
NBS8990 - Leadership Perspectives |
20 |
| 20 | |
| 10 | |
| 10 |
How you'll learn
The programme mixes lectures, seminars, and collaborative interactive workshops and study trips. Your learning will also be supported with digital content and our online environment.
The interdisciplinary modules on the programme provide:
- in-depth knowledge on climate change
- critical understanding of the evidence and concepts supporting that knowledge
- the research and leadership skills enabling you to come to your own conclusions and to lead your own research project
This comprehensive approach aims to evaluate knowledge, encourage collaboration, and instil a reflective approach in addressing complex sustainability and climate change challenges for responsible, proactive leadership.
Graduates leave equipped with a diverse skill set combining theory, application, collaboration, and critical thinking for success in academia and professional endeavors.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Dissertation
- Observation of professional practice
- Oral presentation
- Problem-solving exercises
- Reflective log
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Your future
Practical skills
On completing the programme learners should be able to:
- Research, select and apply appropriate knowledge to practice-based projects.
- Plan and deliver team and individual work-packages and projects within timescale and given resources.
- Engage in peer and self-assessment to drive improvement and progressive personal and team development.
- Design and deliver effective communication strategies for a variety of audiences.
Transferable/Key Skills
On completing the programme learners should be able to:
- Source expert, authoritative and verifiable knowledge
- Work and lead effectively in multi-disciplinary teams by understanding and drawing on the skills, knowledges, practices, cultures, and motivations of each team member.
- Respond to challenges and opportunities in a pre-planned, organised and timely manner.
- Design and present arguments in a clear and impactful manner for a range of audiences.
Graduate destinations
Employability is a key focus of the programme, offering tailored support from Newcastle University's award-winning career service. Learners are offered the opportunity to tackle local, national and international challenges in climate change and sustainability through live projects, supported by personal tutors and industry experts.
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
As a student on MSc Leadership in Climate Change and Sustainability, you’ll be based in the Henry Daysh Building on our city centre campus.
As the programme is interdisciplinary, some of your time will also be spent in the School of Engineering.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course
Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course.
How to apply
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- campus tours
- on-campus open days
- virtual open days
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Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
e-mail: PGT.ClimateChange@newcastle.ac.uk
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