Environmental Management and Sustainability (MSc)

To apply for MSc Environmental Management and Sustainability, you’ll need a 2:2 degree in a relevant subject, such as:

• biology
• sustainability
• Earth science
• engineering
• ecology
• geophysics
• geography
• zoology
• plant science
• oceanography
• environmental science
• physics
• chemistry

This is not an exhaustive list of subjects, and we assess all applications on an individual basis. Prospective applicants can email our admissions team through admissions@southampton.ac.uk to discuss the suitability of their previous degree.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.

If you are taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you must get at least the following scores:

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet direct entry requirements, you can apply to complete a Pre-Master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus.

You'll progress to your chosen course after successfully completing the programme. Find out more about Pre-Master's programmes for international students.

Recognition of professional experience

We encourage candidates with alternative qualifications and experience in the environmental sector to apply. We will assess all applications on an individual basis.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This master's degree in environmental management and sustainability is structured to provide a balance of core training and specialist pathways. 

In the first semester, you'll study core modules. In the second semester, you'll choose from a range of optional modules and complete further training in research methods and field-based learning.

Semester 1 overview

The first semester includes 4 core modules covering:

• key environmental challenges and management approaches
• concepts, professions, and career opportunities in sustainability
• key academic and technical skills and techniques such as geographic information systems (GIS) and statistical analysis.

Together, these modules form the foundation for the degree.

Semester 2 overview

In the second semester, you'll take an additional core module that helps you develop your data collection and research skills. 

You'll get to apply these skills in the residential field trip to the Isle of Wight Biosphere Reserve, which is included in your tuition fees. On the field trip, you'll work in groups to conduct research with real-world impact, helping you build research and communication skills towards your dissertation.

You'll also select three optional modules with guidance from your tutor so you can tailor your degree to one of our specialist themes:

• biodiversity and nature recovery
• consultancy
• water resources

You'll start your MSc Research Project in semester 2 and continue to work on it over the summer.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

Teaching and learning on our environmental management and sustainability degree combines lectures, seminars, practical classes and fieldwork. 

You'll complete substantial independent study while on the course, including reading, project work and assessment preparation. You will also have smaller cohort tutorials and a dedicated tutor to guide and mentor you during your degree.

Our approach is research-led and strongly applied, using real-world tasks such as geographic information systems (GIS) analysis, field-based group projects and reports to develop practical skills. 

You'll engage in both collaborative and individual learning activities, and progress from guided study in taught modules, as well as independent research through the final MSc project.

Assessment

Our assessment strategy combines a range of coursework, presentations and some exams, with an emphasis on applied and research-based tasks.

You'll complete individual and group assignments such as reports, presentations, portfolios, data analyses, and field-based projects, alongside opportunities to develop communication and teamwork skills.

Assessment is aligned with learning outcomes, and progresses through structured tasks in taught modules, as well as independent research in the final MSc project. You'll be supported with formative feedback and a balanced assessment load across modules.

Dissertation

Instead of a traditional dissertation, you'll produce a research project written in a journal article format. 

This will be a challenging but career-defining piece of work that many of our students go on to submit for publication in academic journals, with the guidance of their supervisors.

Academic Support

MSc Environmental Management and Sustainability is a course that's inclusive by design, and we will work with individual students to cater to their needs ahead of time for both regular teaching activities and field trips. 

We'll also use a variety of teaching and assessment approaches to accommodate a diverse range of learning styles and preferences.

If you have any questions or concerns about support provided on the course, or would like to discuss this further, please contact the course lead, Dr Tina Christmann.

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £10,400.
• EU and international students pay £31,200.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams, and includes the residential field trip and day field trips. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. 

If you study part-time, you may not be eligible for this loan. Find out if you're eligible.

Geography and Environmental Science Global Impact Scholarship

Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in geography and environmental science.

Find out more about the Geography and Environmental Science Global Impact Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Postgraduate Taught Equitable Futures Scholarship (Environmental and Life Sciences)

There are 3 scholarships covering all tuition fees for UK-domiciled students from racially minoritised ethnic backgrounds. 

Find out more about the Postgraduate Taught Equitable Futures Scholarship (Environmental and Life Sciences), including eligibility and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

There is no application assessment fee for postgraduate courses starting in 2026.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two academic references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Inclusion and Respectful Behaviour Policy.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000