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Sustainability Leadership (MSc)
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:
- Identify, analyse, and solve business, public policy, and societal problems within a global context.
- Make a positive societal impact through critical thinking, innovation, and collaboration.
- Appraise the wider economic, societal, and environmental systems in which organisations operate.
- Investigate responsible approaches to organisational leadership.
- 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
- Dr Sinead Mitchell
- Dr Sinead Duane
- Dr Patricia McHugh
DEPT. OF ACCOUNTANCY & FINANCE
NUI GALWAY
View Profile
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