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Sustainability Leadership (MSc)

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Course Overview

Sustainability is a leadership imperative in today’s world, as organisations face increasing pressure to respond to complex global problems such as climate change, labour exploitation, and persistent inequality. This programme will equip students with the leadership skills to address the challenges, risks, and opportunities that environmental sustainability and social responsibility present for contemporary businesses and organisations. Participants will learn to value the importance of preserving relationships with communities, employees, and the environment, therefore ensuring responsible business models. Through a holistic consideration of environmental, economic, and social resources, students will develop the expertise to lead organisations through the transition towards a sustainable planet and society.

The key strength of this programme is that it will equip students with the leadership skills to address the challenges, risks, and opportunities that environmental sustainability and social responsibility present for organisations.

Learning outcomes:

  1. Identify, analyse, and solve business, public policy, and societal problems within a global context.
  2. Make a positive societal impact through critical thinking, innovation, and collaboration.
  3. Appraise the wider economic, societal, and environmental systems in which organisations operate.
  4. Investigate responsible approaches to organisational leadership.
  5. Formulate strategies to effectively drive sustainable business transformation.

Unique selling points:

  • The programme leverages the interdisciplinary research strengths and capacity developed over several years within the College of Business, Public Policy & Law, the College of Science and Engineering and the Ryan Institute.
  • The programme’s part-time, blended delivery approach allows for industry’s skills needs and training requirements to be met in a flexible manner.
  • The curriculum will include an international study trip to a highly ranked European university partner. 
  • The curriculum is strongly integrated with industry through a combination of guest speakers, company site visits, real-life case studies and applied sustainability projects.
  • Organisations are grappling with managing the transition towards a sustainable planet and society.  The programme addresses a gap in the market and will enable participants to develop sustainability leadership expertise.

Skillnet Ireland’s recent report on Talent for Ireland’s Green Economy, undertaken in collaboration with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), reports the following:

  • Leadership is essential to provide strategic direction for enterprises and to encourage employees to engage with climate action and sustainability issues.
  • The top skill sets needed to lead companies’ transition to a low-carbon economy include climate change and corporate sustainability strategy skills.
  • Such skills currently have a high demand but low supply/ high recruitment difficulty.

This new MSc programme directly addresses the identified gap in sustainability leadership skills.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System. 

Who Teaches this Course

researcher
Dr. Christine Domegan
B. COMM., M.B.S., Ph.D.(NUI)
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researcher
Dr Orla Lenihan
BComm, MAcc, FCA, PhD
Lecturer Above The Bar
DEPT. OF ACCOUNTANCY & FINANCE
NUI GALWAY
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researcher
Dr Sheila Malone
PhD
Lecturer Above the Bar in Marketing
E: sheila.malone@nuigalway.ie
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researcher
Dr Johanna Clancy
B.Comm, MBS, Ph.D
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researcher
Dr Jason Harold
BA,MA,PhD
Lecturer Above The Bar
E: JASON.HAROLD@nuigalway.ie
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Requirements and Assessment

Assessment mechanisms will include a variety of written assignments, written reports, applied projects, oral presentations, reflective learning journals, and online simulations. 

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have a minimum of two years’ working experience, along with a primary degree in business, science, engineering or social science.


Additional Requirements

Duration

Part-time: 2 academic years (six semesters)

Next start date

September 2023

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

35

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Offers are made on a rolling basis.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

90

Award

CAO

Course code

TBC

Course Outline

Year 1 / Semester 1

Module Code

Module Title

ECTS

Module Status (Core/Optional)

MK___

Consumption and Society

5

Core

MG___

Responsible Management and Leadership      

10

Core

 

Year 1 / Semester 2

Module Code

Module Title

ECTS

Module Status (Core/Optional)

BSS2104

Introduction to Sustainability

5

Core

MG___

Sustainable Innovation

10

Core

 

Year 1 / Semester 3

Module Code

Module Title

ECTS

Module Status (Core/Optional)

XX___

Field Trips: Leading sustainable business transformation                                                     

20

Core

 

 

 

 

 

Year 2 / Semester 1

Module Code

Module Title

ECTS

Module Status (Core/Optional)

AY___

Corporate Governance and Taxation                

5

Core

MS___

Sustainable Information Systems                    

10

Core

 

Year 2 / Semester 2

Module Code

Module Title

ECTS

Module Status (Core/Optional)

EC___

The Economics of ESG                                       

10

Core

XX___

IrelandNetZero Simulator

5

Optional

MK___

Stakeholders, Partnership Development and Collective Action

5

Optional

 

Year 2 / Semester 3

Module Code

Module Title

ECTS

Module Status (Core/Optional)

AY___

Financing Net Zero Summer School

10

Optional

MK___           

Systems Thinking and Practice for Sustainable Leadership          

10

Optional

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

There is a very strong employer demand for these skillsets with several potential career pathways identified including Chief Sustainability Officer; Director of Sustainability; Sustainability Manager; Sustainability Officer; Marketing Officer; Procurement Officer; Planning Officer; Sustainability Coordinator; Sustainability Consultant; Sustainability Projects Leader; Supply Chain Officer; Hospitality Manager; Finance Manager; Project Manager; HR Manager; Policymaker; NGO and County Council roles; General Management roles.

Why choose this course?

  • There is a need for organisations to understand the impact that sustainability will have on their supply chain, how to gain a competitive advantage and how to understand the regulatory and governance requirements.
  • Companies are constantly being asked now by their larger corporate clients to demonstrate how they are integrating sustainability into their strategy and what plans and targets they have in place to reach Net Zero, implement the Climate Action Plan etc.
  • SMEs will lose out on competitive bids if they are not demonstrating sustainability in their operations and supply chain.
  • A high level of EU funding is available for companies to advance their sustainability strategies.

Graduates of this programme will:

  • Develop the knowledge and expertise to embed environmental and social factors into business decisions and projects.
  • Develop the leadership skills required to fully integrate sustainability into organisational strategy and culture.
  • Be able to communicate effectively with all stakeholders about sustainability risks and opportunities.
  • Develop the collaborative and teamwork skills required to formulate partnerships for collective sustainability action.
  • Appreciate their responsibility to serve society and the planet as good citizens.
  • Value an ethical approach to governance and management.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€

Fees: Tuition

€

Fees: Student levy

€

Fees: Non EU

€

Find out More

Programme Director:
Dr Orla Lenihan
E: orla.lenihan@universityofgalway.ie

Downloads

  • Business Postgraduate Programmes 2023

    Business Postgraduate Programmes 2023 PDF (4.7 MB)

  • Postgraduate Prospectus 2023

    Postgraduate Prospectus 2023 PDF (20.6MB)