Key Information
Taught 100% online, study Sussex’s world-renowned MSc Sustainable Development at a time and place that suits you.
- 1st in the world for Development Studies QS World University Ranking 2017-2023.
- Connect with students working in government, NGO, manufacturing, banking and agriculture sectors.
- Join students from over 80 countries.
Course start dates:
There are six start dates every academic year, providing maximum flexibility for our students;
January | March | May | July | September | October
Fees
Course fee: £12,240
Course overview
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. You’ll benefit from expertise drawn from 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 seven years (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
This course is part-time and can be completed in a minimum of two years. You have the opportunity to step on and off the course, pausing your studies if your work or life commitments require, providing you complete the course within four years from enrolment.
You can also study an on campus version of our Sustainable Development MSc on a full or part time basis, find out more.
Study online at the University of Sussex
In this video, you’ll meet some of our inspiring online students and learn more about their distance learning experience, as well as the student support they’ve received throughout their postgraduate studies.
Read the transcript
Why did I choose the University of Sussex? I think because they offered a programme that was number one part-time, and number two online. And it was just easy to balance with my job and other commitments I have.
The faculty have been extremely accommodating given the way the course is structured on a very flexible basis. People are not necessarily flowing from one module automatically to the next.
What I’ve really felt on this online course is that the learning materials are such a high quality. They prepare kind of really consumable content for us on what we should be learning.
The course is flexible in the way it allows you to study. So, I have control of when I can do certain things. If, for example at work I have lots of deadlines coming up I could block out a module and then rejoin it in the next module.
A couple of the anxieties I had before I started the course was how does it all work? But it was all very simple. Within the first week you go on there it’s all very easy to use and navigate Any questions I have had I was able to ask the Student Success team and they get back to you very promptly.
The flexibility of having an app having a website having all the materials you need just makes life a lot easier.
Different methods of learning definitely helped I found that podcast for me were really helpful to get the information in.
I found it great if I’m watching videos and lectures to be able to fast forward them pause them rewind them.
The reading list has actually been something that I’ve really enjoyed because I was a bit kind of worried about not being not having access to the library but the reading list has been carefully like selected and it’s so easy to get onto the books and also for me it’s been great because you can download them as PDFs.
So, people connected really well. We did lots of sharing online and actually we feel really connected so there’s lots of people that I met on the course that I’ll now stay in touch with.
I think it’s really great that the cohort is international for the online course. So I’ve made amazing professional connections with people working in Canada, Asia, all over Europe, as well as all over the UK.
I’d like to end up working in the field. I’m going to take my time now I’ve finished the course and again make sure I end up somewhere I really want to. I think the most important thing for me would be somewhere I feel like I’m actually making a difference for the future
Ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies*, the University of Sussex is at the forefront of teaching and research in sustainable development.
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.
*(QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
In order to graduate on this course, students must successfully complete all 11 core modules plus one of the optional modules below.
- Sustainable Development: Politics and Policies
- Science, Technology and Innovation
- Policy Analysis
- Understanding the Policy-Making Process
- Key Perspectives in International Development
- Democratising Science and Technology
- Globalisation and the Environment: Capitalism, Ecology and Power
- Perspectives, Methods and Skills
- Innovation for Sustainability
- Market-based Solutions for Sustainable Development: Pitfalls and Possibilities
- Decolonising knowledge for Sustainable Development
Students have the opportunity to tailor their learning by choosing between one of two modules below.
- Critical Issues in Sustainability: Environment, Agriculture, Health
- Sustainability in Business Operations and Supply Chains
Each module lasts for 7 weeks with the final module assessment deadline usually on the Monday of Week 8. Students should allow for 20 hours per week study time.
Assessments will take place throughout each module and must be completed within the module teaching period for students to progress through the course/to the next module.
The course uses multiple assessments methods to assess students’ knowledge, competence development and engagement through individual and groupwork exercises, such as written reports, simulations, essays, project reports, MCQs, and portfolios. An indication for the likely assessment methods of this module is given, though this may be subject to change.
Deputy Course Director: Sustainable Development MSc (online)
Lecturer In Sustainable Development (SPRU – Science Policy Research Unit)
Professor Of Energy Policy (SPRU – Science Policy Research Unit)
Lecturer (International Relations), Associate Tutor (International Relations), School Tutor (SPRU – Science Policy Research Unit)
School of Global Studies
Course Director: Sustainable Development MSc (online)
Senior Lecturer In Technology And Innovation For Development (SPRU – Science Policy Research Unit)
Professor Of International Relations
Lecturer In Sustainable Development (SPRU – Science Policy Research Unit)
A lower second-class (2.2) undergraduate honours degree or above from any UK university or international equivalent.
Applicants whose first language is not English (and whose first degree was not taught in English) need to supply evidence of IELTS (Academic) high level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).
Masters course fee: £12,240
Cost per module: £1,020
Fees can be paid at the start of the course or on a module-by-module basis, with students required to pay the first module fee of £1,020 to secure their place on the course.
Course fees will remain fixed for 24 months from your initial course start date. Thereafter, the course fee will rise at a rate of 2.5% per calendar year (subject to rounding for administration purposes).
Please visit our fees and funding page for more information on funding for your studies.
20% Alumni discount
If you have previously graduated from an undergraduate, postgraduate or PhD course with the University of Sussex you will be eligible* for a 20% discount on this online course.
Find out more about the alumni discount and eligibility criteria.
*T&Cs apply.
Our online Sustainable Development MSc empowers students to contribute effectively to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through widespread sustainability transformations.
Read the transcript
The online experience allows you to continue your studies while at work or whatever family commitments you’ve got. And definitely Sussex has got a good reputation particularly within SPRU and International Development and I think that was reflected in the experience we had as students.
A couple of anxieties I had before I started the course was, how does it all work? But it was all very simple. Within the first week you go on there, it’s all very easy to use, navigate. Any questions I had I was able to ask the Student Success team and they get back to you very promptly.
What I’ve really felt on this online course is that the learning materials are such a high quality and there’s a really, really great online learning platform. They prepare kind of really consumable content for us on what we should be learning.
Different methods of learning definitely helped. I found that podcasts for me were really helpful to get information in because often just reading a lot of information is is quite difficult to get in but listening and visual aids really helped.
I found it great if I’m watching videos and lectures to be able to fast forward them, pause them, rewind them and to have all those materials there to refer to as and when you need them.
I think it’s really great that the cohort is international for the online course so I’ve made amazing professional connections with people working in Canada, Asia, all over Europe, as well as all over the UK.
Read the transcript
Hi. I’m Helen and I’m studying online for a Masters at the University of Sussex for Sustainable Development. I think studying online was a really good option to kind of keep my full-time job and really study when it works for me.
The most important thing for me is really that my career has a positive impact on the world and on environmental issues in particular. So, the Sustainable Development course is giving me some great insight on the kind of complexity of sustainability issues and teaching me the practical skills that I’m going to need to work as an environmental professional and that could be in policy, consulting, NGOs anything like that.
What I’ve really felt on this online course is that the learning materials are such a high quality. And there’s a really really great online learning platform. They prepare kind of really consumable content for us on what we should be learning and what the key kind of concepts, issues, solutions are that we need to be aware of.
So I really appreciate all the effort that they’ve put in you can definitely notice it. And yeah, they’re very engaged in the workshops that they offer. They often invite in guest lecturers from around the University who might not be teaching an online course so that we can get kind of more access to those world-leading academics who are all amazing.
I always shook when I kind of I’m writing a paper about something and I realised that the academic who wrote that theory works in my department, so that’s always really cool.
And I definitely feel like once I finish the course I’ll be in a place where I can really confidently walk into that job interview and say I deserve this job and it’ll really be true as well.
Walusungu Lulukile Ngulube, Field Coordinator, United Nations Development Programme from South Sudan has shared her experience of studying online and networking with students around the globe. Learn more about her story here.
Niall Readfern, one of our online students who is the co-founder of Kuokoa, an NGO operating in Uganda and helping to create sustainable fisheries. Niall shares his experience of studying online and helping his community here.
Richard Alexander Spence, one of our online students who a former British Army Officer and is now a Stabilisation Consultant for the UK Government’s Office for Conflict, Stabilisation and Mediation (OCSM). Read Richard’s experience here.
Student testimonial videos
Meet some of our inspiring learners, hear their reasons for choosing the Sustainable Development course at Sussex, and discover how they fit online learning into their busy lives.
Read the transcript
The online experience allows you to continue your studies while at work or whatever family commitments you’ve got. And definitely Sussex has got a good reputation particularly within SPRU and International Development and I think that was reflected in the experience we had as students.
A couple of anxieties I had before I started the course was, how does it all work? But it was all very simple. Within the first week you go on there, it’s all very easy to use, navigate. Any questions I had I was able to ask the Student Success team and they get back to you very promptly.
What I’ve really felt on this online course is that the learning materials are such a high quality and there’s a really, really great online learning platform. They prepare kind of really consumable content for us on what we should be learning.
Different methods of learning definitely helped. I found that podcasts for me were really helpful to get information in because often just reading a lot of information is is quite difficult to get in but listening and visual aids really helped.
I found it great if I’m watching videos and lectures to be able to fast forward them, pause them, rewind them and to have all those materials there to refer to as and when you need them.
I think it’s really great that the cohort is international for the online course so I’ve made amazing professional connections with people working in Canada, Asia, all over Europe, as well as all over the UK.
Read the transcript
Hi. I’m Helen and I’m studying online for a Masters at the University of Sussex for Sustainable Development. I think studying online was a really good option to kind of keep my full-time job and really study when it works for me.
The most important thing for me is really that my career has a positive impact on the world and on environmental issues in particular. So, the Sustainable Development course is giving me some great insight on the kind of complexity of sustainability issues and teaching me the practical skills that I’m going to need to work as an environmental professional and that could be in policy, consulting, NGOs anything like that.
What I’ve really felt on this online course is that the learning materials are such a high quality. And there’s a really really great online learning platform. They prepare kind of really consumable content for us on what we should be learning and what the key kind of concepts, issues, solutions are that we need to be aware of.
So I really appreciate all the effort that they’ve put in you can definitely notice it. And yeah, they’re very engaged in the workshops that they offer. They often invite in guest lecturers from around the University who might not be teaching an online course so that we can get kind of more access to those world-leading academics who are all amazing.
I always shook when I kind of I’m writing a paper about something and I realised that the academic who wrote that theory works in my department, so that’s always really cool.
And I definitely feel like once I finish the course I’ll be in a place where I can really confidently walk into that job interview and say I deserve this job and it’ll really be true as well.
Science, Policy and Research Unit (SPRU)
University of Sussex, Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) – Masters courses
"Today’s challenges – from unemployment and increasing inequality to climate change – make it essential to reignite and redirect economic growth, and to innovate for sustainable, inclusive development."
Professor Maria Savona Professor in Innovation and Evolutionary Economics