Sustainability and Adaptation
Master of Science | PG Diploma | PG Certificate
Examine the causes and urgency of climate change, what actions are needed and – crucially – what solutions we have already, on our MSc in Sustainability and Adaptation.
This course uses the concepts of sustainability and adaptation transformation to frame an analysis of environmental and climate change policy and its implications for society on an international, national, local and individual level. With a wide range of modules, the course offers a holistic view of sustainability and the opportunity to explore a wide variety of topics in depth related to sustainability and adaptation.
Key Areas of study
Some of the topics you’ll study include:
- Sustainability thinking and adaptation transformation planning
- Acute resilience pathways for cities and communities
- Environmental politics and social and economic systems
- Sustainable design of buildings and environmentally responsive materials and resources
- Transformational change
- Risk and vulnerability assessment and adaptive capacity
- Land use and food security
- Restoration ecology, environmental assessments and ecosystem services, including waste and water
- Energy provision and energy flows in buildings
CAT Stories: Tom Robinson
Tom is CEO of Adaptavate, an award-winning company rethinking and redesigning the way building materials are produced, used and disposed of. Along with another graduate of CAT, he set up the company shortly after graduating from CAT’s MSc Sustainability and Adaptation using research from his thesis to develop Adaptavate’s first bio-based product.
Modules
When studying this course as an MSc you will need to study two introductory core modules, plus choose five optional taught modules before undertaking a dissertation. Depending on your pathway through the course, you will also complete the 15-credit Applied Research Design module in the year prior to starting your dissertation. Please click on the descriptions below for information about each module.
Core modules
- EV7132 – Introduction to Sustainability and Adaptation
- EV7137 – Sustainability and Adaptation Concepts in Practice
- EV7125 – Applied Research Design
- EV7101 – MSc Dissertation
Optional Modules
- EV7131 – Introduction to Politics and Economics of the Environment
- EV7128 – Energy Flows in Buildings
- EV7105 – Cities and Communities
- EV7108 – Energy Provision
- EV7127 – Ecosystem and Ecosystem Services
- EV7110 – Sustainable Materials in the Built Environment
- EV7126 – Communicating Transformational Social Change
- EV7136 – Restoration Ecology
- EV7130 – Transformational International Energy Management
- EV7129 – Food Systems and Sustainability
Our timetable of module dates changes year on year. You can view our most recent version of the Timetable, Programme Specifications, Course Handbooks and Current Student Information on our Current Students page.
FEES AND FUNDING
Tuition fees for this course for a full MSc for Home Students are £9,800 or for Overseas students £12,600. This is the cost payable to CAT for the course tuition. Please visit our Fees and Funding pages to see the tuition fees for other study levels, additional fees and funding opportunities.
Entry requirements
We ask for a Bachelor’s degree or knowledge and skills equivalent to degree standard.
IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required for applicants whose first language is not English.
Why study at CAT?
Benefit from over 50 years of research and sustainability experience
CAT is a world-leading eco centre and a pioneer in Zero Carbon Britain researching and teaching practical solutions for sustainability, with over five decades experience in low-impact building, energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable food production, natural resource management and more.
Immersive or distance learning
Students can decide whether they want to study a module on-site or via distance learning.
Our taught modules offer an immersive learning experience through lectures, talks, seminars and workshops delivered by our expert in-house staff, with specialist insights from visiting lecturers from industry and academia. Practical sessions during on-site study visits at CAT, allow you to get hands-on with sustainable building materials, ecological assessments and energy efficiency.
Many modules are shared with our other postgraduate courses, providing you with a rich learning experience. Our teaching resources are available through Microsoft Teams for students taking the module by distance learning and on-site, creating a space for students to interact and share ideas and expertise, adding to the immersive learning environment
Flexible study options
Courses can also be studied full or part-time, and our course structure allows you to choose the mode and level of study that suits you, helping you fit your studies around your life and existing commitments.
Full-time study at MSc level will allow you to complete the course in 18 months. Part-time study at MSc level will allow you to complete the course over a recommended three years.
Interested in studying this course? Join us for our next open day, contact us for more information or apply today.
This course is created and delivered by CAT and is validated by the University of East London.
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APPLY NOW
Apply for our 2025 entry to study on our MSc in Sustainability and Adaptation.
Due to high interest we recommend you apply early as we consider applications on a first-come first-served basis. If you have further questions or need support with your application then do get in touch.