MBA Sustainability Impact (Online)
Learn to become a proactive agent of positive change with this MBA in Sustainability Impact. This online course is designed to equip you with the skills needed for managing a business through 21st century challenges.
Key facts
- Award MBA
- Start date February 2024, September 2023, September 2024
- Application notes Applications for September 2024 entry will open in September 2023.
- Duration MBA part-time: 24 months
- Mode of study part time
- Delivery online
Overview
This new online MBA Sustainability Impact will seek to provide flexibility of learning and contemporary insights using the Insendi platform and methodology. By working across the Insendi platform, there will be enhanced opportunities to network with partner universities which are specialising and offering content in their niche areas of expertise. Thus benefiting the students’ experience in the online environment.
This course will first establish a baseline of content expected of an MBA, embedding the necessary skills to coordinate, manage, and guide business decisions. You will develop skills in accounting and finance, operations management, strategy, people management, project management, and consumer and marketing insights.
A core notion in MBAs is that business is about defining a problem, and businesses are created to provide solutions to the inevitable market demand where problems exist. With this specific MBA Sustainability Impact, we look at the increasing pressures faced by our society and businesses to adapt to a range of social and environmental problems in our increasingly complex 21st century society. This is set against a backdrop of “climate crisis” and the need for organisations to move towards achieving net-zero targets.
At Stirling we provide specialist expertise in how the impact economy has developed, how impact can be maintained and measured with financial returns, all while upholding the social and environmental purposes of that aspect of a business’ contribution.
The course will cover how different markets, as well as different business stages and scales, can engage with defining a new purpose, while measuring and maintaining impact in line with that purpose. This includes new frameworks for measuring business impact on climate, society, and the environment. How these markets can be targeted in line with a given purpose will be challenged through the re-thinking of marketing strategies.
The routes to scaling an impact, including the importance of technology, will be covered. The increasing accessibility to new markets through technology provides new ways of solving social and environmental problems while providing new business models and new ways of financing and scaling an initiative. Technology and innovation will continue to play an important role in the improvement of human welfare, as well as in adapting to the environmental and social challenges of the 21st century.
Pressures such as net-zero commitments in response to climate change will challenge businesses, as well as influence market expectations of what the role of business in society should be. Businesses will need to adjust to new governance as well as new social, and behavioural structures. This MBA will also cover how to manage these difficult transitions.
Enhance your employability
You’ll have the chance to undertake a consultancy project with businesses across the public, private and non-profit sectors. This allows you to integrate the knowledge and skills from your course to solve a real business challenge. Places on these projects are competitive and involve interviews with the host company. At the end of the project you’ll be able to present your recommendations and a high-quality piece of research or consultancy.
Supporting business leaders
Postgraduate education at the University of Stirling Management School goes beyond text books and lecture rooms. We also focus on your personal and professional development.
Our unique Flying Start Leadership programme equips you with the awareness, knowledge and techniques essential for building a successful career. These range from practical skills, like effective public speaking, to developing ways to work under pressure in difficult situations and manage conflict. Find out more about Flying Start.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
The Online MBA Sustainability Impact is designed to help you become a positive agent of change in the business world of the 21st century. This will help you strengthen and build your professional career in areas such as:
- Business change management
- Project management
- Digital entrepreneurship
- Digital marketing
- Consultancy
- Sustainability impact strategy
At the end of this course, you can expect to take up strategic roles in organisations looking to transition to Net Zero, contributing to innovative practices and solutions.
Our graduates in sustainability have gone on to work in roles such as Global Sustainability Manager, Sustainability Consultant, ESG Analyst, Circular Economy Network Coordinator, and Social Entrepreneur.
Our MBA graduates have a track record of securing high-quality roles in both the private and public sectors.
Work placements
You will have the option to do a consultancy project as your last assessment on this programme. This will be undertaken with a business to demonstrate real-world impact.
You can apply work to your own organisation, or benefit from our contacts through partnerships such as Riipen.
Faculty facilities
While this course is all online and to be taken from the comfort of your own home or office, you will still get access to the top services of the University of Stirling. This includes online access to the library facilities, student learning services and well-being support.
Research overview
Recent examples of the reach and impact of our research include:
- Professor Bernard Burnes winning The Journal of Applied Behavioural Science McGregor Award for the best paper published in 2020. 'The Origins of Lewin's Three-Step Model of Change’ was the journal’s ‘Most Read’ paper with over 23,000 views and downloads between its publication in March 2021 and late July 2021.
- A worldwide readership of 1,599,422,500 on press releases regarding Dr David Comerford’s study into vaccine hesitation, ran again once guidelines on Astra Zeneca changed, recommending alternative vaccines for the under-30s.
- Professor Oliver Mallett writing a piece for The Conversation about the future of work post-Covid, which was reproduced in 69 publications worldwide, reaching a total readership of 184,319,000.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
You’ll need a minimum of a second-class Honours degree in any subject or an equivalent qualification. However, if you don’t have these formal qualifications, but bring significant work experience in a relevant area, you can still apply. Prospective students must also have three years of supervisory or management experience.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall with a Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - High Pass overall with minimum 25 in each sub-skill
Last updated: 23 August 2022
For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.
Course details
This innovative MBA Sustainability Impact will be delivered in a flexible manner, using the Insendi platform. This will allow you to benefit from an interactive online learning environment, offering niche expertise from partner universities around the world.
You will use problem-based learning techniques and applied case studies for discussion and assessment, with plenty of opportunities available for you to reflect on your personal knowledge, experience and practice. This will encourage independent thinking and support you to acquire subject specific and transferable skills.
You’ll also benefit from:
- Educational features of the Insendi approach and platform
- Masterclasses and career talks
- Fireside chats with leading thinkers and business figures
- Practical networking skills
- Advice on how to work with head-hunters
- Virtual career fairs
- SimValidate online simulation and learning resource
- Riipen employer/ student project matching platform
- Access to seasoned business mentors, from Scotland's largest independent business advisory firm who are globally connected via membership of PDF network
- Live lounge sessions
Modules
Compulsory modules:
- Flying Start Leadership Programme
- Operations Management
- Matchmakers in the Digital Economy
- People, Teams and Organisation
- Project Management
- Accounting & Finance
- Digital Business: Strategic Management of Emergent Technologies
- Impact Strategy, Climate, and Measurement
- Human Aspects of the Climate Transition
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Sustainability
- Digital Entrepreneurship
- Digital Marketing and Advertising
- Marketing for Impact
- Research Methods and Consultancy Approaches
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2022). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
Teaching
This online MBA Sustainability Impact is for you to learn practical skills in order to apply them in the real world of business, which is everchanging at the moment.
Teaching will all be done online and using the Insendi platform. Learning and teaching methods includes a combination of online lectures, self-directed study and, where appropriate, interactive sessions. This will allow you to engage with, practice and demonstrate the new skills and achievements in as wide a variety of contexts as possible. The teaching team will encourage you to embrace collaborative learning, recognising that business is collective and that much learning takes place between members of a team.
The course aims to ensure you are exposed to cutting-edge theory and relevant knowledge through teaching staff engagement with subject research. The course also taps into the expertise and experience of industry and academic contributors from across the globe including Ivey Business School and ESMT Berlin who are invited to share research expertise and practical experience in live case study interactions enabling you to gain a greater understanding of the link between application and theory.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through a variety of methods including case studies, essay style coursework, projects, management reports and a research-based dissertation. Assessments are authentic, real business problems that can be applied to your professional expertise and practice.
Written coursework is used as the main examination method allowing you to express your knowledge and understanding of the subject area and show subject specific and transferable skills. It also promotes independent learning, problem solving and analysis. Exams are used where appropriate to test your analytical and mathematical skills.
The dissertation or student consultancy project is an important part of this MBA’s assessment. It enables you to build on research and other skills attained within the course. Supervision is arranged on a one-to-one basis which allows assessment of the development of subject knowledge and understanding, autonomous learning skills, motivation and transferable skills.
Classroom hours
You can expect around 5 hours of online learning each week on each module you take.
Course director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| 2022/23 | 2023/24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Students from the UK | £12,000 | TBC |
| Students from the Republic of Ireland | £12,000 | TBC |
| Overseas (non-EU) students | £12,000 | TBC |
| European Union students | £12,000 | TBC |
Students from the UK
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from the Republic of Ireland
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
European Union students
EU Postgraduate Scholarship
Eligible EU students will automatically receive our EU Postgraduate Scholarship, which provides a 40% fee discount on full-time, on-campus postgraduate degrees at the University of Stirling.
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you will be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Overseas students (non-EU)
We offer a range of funding options for overseas students.
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Our MBA graduates have enjoyed worldwide success within different organisations. Taking this course, you will have the capacity to exhibit a significant improvement in your work-based performance, confidence and learning in the workplace. You’ll also be able to demonstrate new, in-demand skills. Graduates will be in a position to support businesses as they seek to transform and grow which is highly desirable for ambitious employers.
By combining experience with new management thinking developed over the MBA, you will also have the skills to deliver enhanced decision-making, strategic contributions to idea generation, and business improvement.
Core areas and roles where your enhanced skills could be used:
- Business Development Directors / Vice Presidents
- Management Consultancy
- Business Support Managers
- Account Managers
- Sales Director
- Project Director
- General Management
- Innovation Architectures
- Own Business
- Family business succession planning
94.3% of our graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2019/20, HESA)
The University of Stirling achieved five stars for Teaching, Employability, Research, Internationalisation, Facilities and Inclusiveness in the QS Stars University Ratings 2021.
Employability skills
As you will be studying this MBA Sustainability Impact on a part-time basis over 24 months, it will allow you the opportunity to continue building your work experience as you learn new skills through the course.
Throughout this course, you can expect to develop practical skills that you will soon see can be applied in real-life business contexts. You’ll gain critical thinking skills as well as an entrepreneurial mindset, negotiating skills and how to manage performances and projects.
This course is designed to equip you with the ability to manage a business through 21st century challenges. This means you and the business you work for will be able to maintain a competitive advantage while targeting a positive sustainability impact.
You will soon be able to take up strategic roles in organisations looking to transition to Net Zero, contributing to innovative practices and solutions.
Companies we work with
Employers of our graduates span the private, public and voluntary sectors. These include:
- Citibank International
- HSBC
- KPMG
- Accenture
- PwC
- EY
- Quatar Airways
- Deloitte
- General Electric
- The Bank of China
- L’Oreal
- Barclays Bank
- Adidas
- Royal Bank of Canada
- Vodaphone
- Unilever
- Various governmental agencies
HigherEd Global Talent Portal
As a Management School student, you have access to the HigherEd Global Talent Portal where you’ll find internship, trainee positions, apprenticeships and graduate positions from companies around the world. It helps international students looking for placements back at home and local students that want to explore an international experience.
The global talent portal is in addition to all other existing initiatives and resources available for you through the Careers and Employability Service, and the Target Connect vacancy and events system.