Sustainable Business

Sustainable Business MSc (Online)

Transform business practices to safeguard the future.

Key details
Location
Online
Course duration
2 years
Attendance
Part-time

Course overview

This course is not currently recruiting.

Become a change-making business leader, or the founder of a sustainable business that’s doing
things differently.

Benefiting from Cornwall Business School’s established expertise and industry connections, you’ll develop the specialist knowledge, skills and competencies required to lead and inspire attitudinal and behavioural change, find new solutions to complex problems and redesign business practice for the benefit of people and planet.  

With ethical considerations intrinsic to this Sustainable Business course, you will emerge with a compelling set of sustainable, strategic and change management skills, and will be equipped to respond to the climate emergency by supporting existing businesses or creating your own innovative start-up.  

You will:

  • Graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary to become an inspiring and resilient business leader, driving change across the shifting modern business landscape 
  • Become an expert in conscious change management, a comprehensive area covering human development and large strategic systems transformation 
  • Build a critical awareness of different methods of sustainable transformation across a broad range of business contexts 
  • Learn to identify opportunities for ethical business transformation 
  • Enhance your originality, communication and leadership capabilities 
  • Sharpen your research skills at the intersection of theory and practice 

Course details

Sustainable business is all about reducing the negative environmental and social impact of business operations. On this forward-thinking course, you'll learn how individuals and organisations can bring about positive environmental and social change through business innovation.  

You’ll build your foundation of sustainable business practice, understanding the principles, frameworks and theories, as well as through industry engagement and the interrogation of case studies, the critical relationships between business, society and the environment. 

You'll deepen your knowledge of business operations through a sustainability lens, empowering you to identify market opportunities for sustainable transformation to lead to delivering change. 

You’ll also hone the core business skills, including communication, negotiation, and leadership, required to launch your own sustainable business. 

MSc Sustainable Business (Online)

Modules  

MSc Sustainable Business is comprised of five modules, four 30-credit modules and one 60-credit project (180 credits in total). The modules have been specifically designed to be studied in a non-linear order. You'll begin the course with Module 1 and end the course with your Final Major Project (MSc only). The order in which you'll study modules 2-4 will depend on when you begin the course. 

MSc 

You'll need to complete four 30-credit modules and one 60-credit project (180 credits in total). All modules on the course are compulsory and must be passed to complete the award.  

From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details for the MSc.

PGDip  

You'll need to complete four 30-credit modules (120 credits in total). All modules on the course are compulsory and must be passed to complete the award. A dissertation (major project) is not required.  

From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details for the PGDip.

Module details

In this introductory module you'll explore some of sustainability’s key principles, including social equality and justice, regenerative systems, circularity, and citizenship.  

As you build an understanding of the complexities that exist at the heart of sustainable practice, you will begin to develop a ‘future thinking’ mindset. Human health, wellbeing and happiness will be considered as part of your evaluation and analysis of challenges related to the climate and ecological crises.  

You'll sharpen your commercial skills in the context of sustainability, ensuring you’re equipped with the critical and analytical thinking to identify opportunities for business transformation and provide strategic decision making. 

(30 credits) 

The move towards a better world requires an exploration of the societal structures that impact upon sustainable development. Drawing on philosophy and theology, this module explores the interconnectivity of society and the environment and delves deep into how business can be done differently, to contribute to transformative social-environmental justice.  

You'll examine how businesses can lead the way with ethical policy, governance and decision-making, driving the transition to a more sustainable future. 

You’ll consider real-world challenges and apply your knowledge and skills to construct solutions to complex problems. You’ll also develop the communication and persuasion skills needed to challenge the status quo and change mindsets. 

(30 credits)   

Creating sustainable business solutions requires a problem-solving approach to the challenges that we face and an understanding of the internal and external contexts in which commercial organisations operate.   

In this module, you’ll research and evaluate the global, local and organisational forces that affect business operations and identify sustainable market opportunities in response.  

You'll take a strategic approach to business creation and form a persuasive justification for the introduction of a new-to-market business concept.   

(30 credits)   

To drive meaningful sustainable transformation, attitudinal and behavioural change is required. Individuals, teams and whole organisations need to be supported to adopt new ways of living and working. 

Within this module you will explore conscious change management from different perspectives, including those of customers, colleagues, partners and a range of communities. As part of the process, you will also reflect upon attitudes and behaviours in relation to your own practice and agency.  

You will explore theories of change and deepen your understanding of the barriers to change, as well as developing the knowledge and skills to plan and develop effective, ethical change management. 

(30 credits)   

Drawing upon the knowledge and experiences gained from previous modules, you'll produce an ambitious, critical and professional project designed to appeal to a specialist audience. This project can take a practice or research-based approach and may be designed to further current understanding, or to develop a concept that has the potential for transformative change.  

The Final Major Project will focus your passions and interests and should reflect your awareness of the contexts, challenges, possibilities, and goals of your sustainable practice. You'll also demonstrate increasing autonomy in research skills, building on your networks to support the development of your work. 

(60 credits) 

As part of our process of continuous improvement, we routinely review course content to ensure that all our students benefit from a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be some changes made to your course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Any students affected will be informed of any changes made directly.

How you'll learn

Our online degrees have been designed from the outset to be taught and learned online. This means that they're crafted specifically for you to study remotely. We offer a truly multidisciplinary syllabus designed to meet the demands of the creative industries, and as a postgraduate student you should dedicate at least 20-25 hours per week for study. 

You’ll learn through a blend of case studies, webinars, guest talks, tasks and discussion forums, which you’ll access via our dedicated virtual learning environment. This is also where you’ll find all key documentation, get course announcements and access rich learning resources. You'll access all these materials via our dedicated virtual learning environment. Our lectures are pre-recorded and re-watchable, so you won't have to worry about attending them. 

You'll be supported academically by Online Tutors, who will also deliver weekly webinars and facilitate the online forums. If you need assistance with anything that isn't directly related to course material, a dedicated Student Advisor team will be on hand to help. You'll also have access to Falmouth University's excellent Employability Service.

We incorporate optional face-to-face events for all our online students. There will be up to two per year and will typically run over weekends, to fit around your other commitments. They're great opportunities to meet other students and Tutors and to explore course related topics through additional activities and discussions. You'll get the chance to hear from industry experts, offering a wider professional context for your learning and a deeper insight into your chosen industry.  

Find out more about studying online

Assessment methods

Assessment on this course has been carefully planned to work specifically for online delivery. Assessment provides the course team with a means of offering tailored guidance alongside advice on how to progress knowledge and skills in key areas that relate to the course Learning Outcomes. The course team will identify your strengths and weaknesses as an individual and discuss them with you throughout your time on the course.  

As you move through the modules, you will keep an assessed critical reflective journal, for weekly reflections on learning, helping you to embed critical self-evaluation into your ideas and personal development.   

You'll be assessed via coursework at the end of each module in the form of visual, verbal and written assignments. You will also receive regular feedback via webinars, Q&As and workshops with other students on your course.  

Studying Sustainable Business MSc (Online) means you'll be part of the trailblazing Cornwall Business School community. Check out the stories below to discover more about our amazing students, graduates and staff.

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Winners at Cornwall Tourism Awards 2024 CREDIT Nick Williams

Photo credit: Nick Williams

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Staff

Our Business courses encourage the fearless pursuit of innovation across a spectrum of sectors. On this Sustainable Business course you will learn from a team of academics with expertise across business, entrepreneurship and technology, embedded in the future-driven and collaborative community of Cornwall Business School. 

Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every staff member who teaches on the course.

Resources and Support

  • Dedicated easy-to-use virtual learning environment (VLE)
  • Accessible online audio / visual content
  • A Student Advisor to support you throughout your studies and access to our Student Support Services
  • Access to our Employability Service
  • 24/7 access to Falmouth's extensive online library of contextual books, journals and resources
  • Access to online software tutorials at LinkedIn Learning
  • Students' Union community
  • Optional in-person events
  • Invitation to attend alumni events

Although online students don't have access to on-campus facilities as part of the course, you can hire equipment and access facilities by paying a charge. Find out more about availability and prices here.

Careers

This course is designed to support and develop your understanding of the theory and practice of contemporary sustainable business. You can choose your own approach, either as theorist or practitioner, with a view to supporting existing businesses or creating your own start-up business. 

The specific career options you may pursue after studying Sustainable Business MSc include: 

• Sustainability Consultant 

• Sustainability Manager 

• Sustainability Data Consultant 

• Sustainability Management Trainer 

• Business Entrepreneur 

Further study opportunities include postgraduate research study within sustainable business or management-related disciplines. 

How to apply

A 2:2 honours degree (or above) or Level 6 equivalent qualification is desirable. However, candidates without a degree or formal qualification are still encouraged to apply, if they have significant relevant work experience. If you'd like to discuss our entry requirements, speak to an advisor.

For more information regarding equivalent international qualifications and Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) either request information with our easy online form, or read about it on our apply page

If your first language is not English, you'll need to take one of the following tests to verify your proficiency:

  • IELTS - minimum overall score of IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
  • TOEFL iBT (online test) - minimum of 88 overall and at least 21 in all 4 components
  • LanguageCert (online test) - a High Pass from the ESOL B2 Communicator test in reading, writing, speaking and listening (2 parts)

We also accept a range of equivalent recognised English language qualifications.

For more information about equivalent international qualifications or English language requirements please contact our friendly Course Advisors.

What we're looking for

If you have an enthusiasm for sustainability and the desire to use your professionalism, teamwork and communication skills for good, then this course could be for you. You may currently be in employment within a large organisation, running your own start-up, or have ambitions to create a new business. Above all, you will have the desire to succeed at postgraduate study level, with an interest in pursuing a career in sustainable business.  

This course has three intakes per year: January, May and September.

Academic start date* Application deadline
20 January 2025 8 January 2025
26 May 2025 6 May 2025
22 September 2025 1 September 2025

Please note:

*Virtual Welcome Week begins the week before the academic start date. During this time, our Student Advisor team will host Welcome Webinars and be in touch with practical information on how to study online.

An Early Bird discount is available for early applications. Currently the scheme offers up to £600 off MA tuition fees: £300 if you apply by the Early Bird discount submission deadline, and a further £300 off your tuition fees if you receive an offer and within two weeks you accept the place and pay the acceptance fee. Both these payments would be applied to your final fee instalment. Please note the discount amount is subject to change for future intakes.

Early Bird discount submission deadline Academic start date
25 November 2024 20 January 2025
31 March 2025 26 May 2025
4 August 2025 22 September 2025

To discuss all our discount opportunities, contact an advisor.

Speak to an advisor

Fees, costs & funding

Tuition fees

£12,150 total fee (incl. acceptance fee) - 2 years part time - MA/MSc course

£7,921 total fee (incl. acceptance fee) - PGDip course

£12,150 total fee (incl. acceptance fee) - 2 years part time - MA/MSc course

£7,921 total fee (incl. acceptance fee) - PGDip course

Tuition fees for September 2026 will be confirmed in summer 2025.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. 

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs

Typical course costs

As part of studying MSc Sustainable Business (Online), you will require:  

Laptop/Computer  

You’ll require a desktop/laptop. This machine should have a minimum operating system of Windows 10 or Mac OS 10.15, at least 8GB of RAM, and an i7 processor. We recommend a 15” screen, with a minimum of 256GB hard drive space. It will also need to be capable of running our virtual learning environment.  

Adobe Creative Cloud

You will need access to Adobe Creative Cloud. You may be eligible for discounted licenses through Adobe's education pricing and Falmouth University seeks to provide further discounts when possible. If any discounts are available, we will communicate these to you.

For more information please visit Adobe Creative Cloud.

Resources/materials 

As work during the course can be created in any medium of your choice, the exact equipment requirements may differ according to your practice and preferred ways of working. The costs of these materials will need to be covered by you.  

Optional face-to-face events 

You will be expected to cover your own travel, accommodation and subsistence costs to attend these events. 

Ask a student

What better way to find out about life at Falmouth University than by asking our current students?

From course details and academic support, to the social scene and settling in, our students are ready and available to answer any questions you might have. Simply set up your account, send them a question and they'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Speak to an advisor

Do you have questions about the course or studying at Falmouth? Fill in our simple online form and we'll get in touch to support your application journey.

Submit form
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