MSc (Management and Sustainability)

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Galway

Program Overview

This MSc blends core management skills with deep sustainability expertise so you can lead organisations in a world where profitability and purpose go hand-in-hand. You’ll learn how to design sustainable strategies, guide ethical decision-making and drive responsible change — ideal for careers like Sustainability Manager, ESG Consultant and Circular Economy Specialist.

Curriculum Structure

Semester 1 (Foundations):
You’ll build strong management foundations and sustainability insight with modules including Critical Thinking & Analytical Skills, Introduction to Sustainability, Sustainable Strategies & ESG Reporting, Sustainable Human Resource Management, Responsible Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Business & Professional Development Skills — equipping you to evaluate complex business and sustainability challenges.

Semester 2 (Specialisation & Application):
In your second semester you focus on embedding change with Business & Society, Leading Change & Business Transformation, Accelerating Change for Global Sustainability, and Transforming International Supply Chains & Circular Economy — gaining strategic tools to shift organisations toward ethical, resilient and low-carbon models. You can tailor your learning further with optional modules such as Green and Sustainable Finance, Sustainable Marketing, Energy Policy, Negotiations and Project Management.

Applied Pathways:
You complete the programme by choosing either an Internship & Applied Management Report or a Consultancy Project with a real client, where you apply your sustainability and management learning to concrete organisational challenges and build professional experience.

Focus areas:
Sustainable strategy and ESG reporting; ethical leadership; international supply chains; circular economy; innovation; business-society relations.

Learning outcomes:
You’ll graduate able to craft and implement responsible business strategies, lead organisational transformation, analyse sustainability challenges through data and critical thinking, and communicate actionable solutions in professional contexts.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This is a Level 9 Masters qualification on Ireland’s National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), recognised internationally for postgraduate study.

Reputation (employability rankings):
University of Galway is ranked among the top 2 % of universities worldwide and has been named #1 in Ireland for Sustainable Development in THE Impact Rankings, giving this programme strong academic credibility and global recognition.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical skills through simulated business environments, live company projects, professional skills workshops, and access to dedicated business school facilities like trading rooms and innovation labs. This applied learning approach is designed to mirror real-world management challenges. The experiential learning components typically include:

Live Client Projects & Consultancy: Many programs feature core modules where students work in teams as consultants for real companies (often SMEs or startups) to solve a current strategic or operational business problem, presenting solutions directly to company leadership.
Business Simulation Software: A key tool is competitive business simulation software (like Cesim SimFirm, Capstone, or Marketplace). Students manage a virtual company, making integrated decisions across all business functions in a simulated market over several rounds.
Professional Development Workshops: Dedicated non-credit workshops often cover practical skills such as advanced Excel for business, financial modeling, LinkedIn profile optimization, networking, and presentation skills.
Dedicated Business School Facilities: Students typically have access to:
- Trading Rooms (Bloomberg Terminals): Equipped with Bloomberg Professional terminals for real-time financial data analysis, found in many business schools.
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship Hubs: Dedicated spaces for design thinking, prototyping, and startup development, often connected to the university's entrepreneurship center.
- Behavioral Labs: Used for consumer and organizational behavior research, featuring tools like eye-tracking software.

Progression & Future Opportunities

University of Galway's MSc in Management and Sustainability (full-time 1 year, NFQ Level 9) equips diverse graduates with management fundamentals and sustainability expertise to lead ethical transformations, covering critical thinking, sustainable strategies/ESG reporting, HR, innovation/entrepreneurship, supply chain/circular economy, change leadership, business/society dynamics, plus electives like green finance/marketing and project management, culminating in internships or live consultancy projects. Graduates target sustainability manager, ESG consultant, project lead, or strategy roles across multinationals, consultancies, and policy organizations driving global responsible practices.

Career Support Elements

Competitive internships or client consultancy projects deliver real-world ESG/supply chain experience.
Guest lectures, networking events, and alumni panels connect to sustainability leaders.
Custom electives and skills clinics build tailored ESG reporting/innovation portfolios.
Emphasis on practical assessments prepares for immediate organizational impact.
Outcomes span ethical leadership in corporate, public, and NGO sectors worldwide.

Further Academic Progression
Graduates pursue PhDs in sustainability management or specialized ESG certifications, leveraging applied research training.