MSc Sustainable Business Management

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

The MSc Sustainable Business Management at the University of Exeter is all about learning how businesses can thrive while making a real positive impact on the planet and society. It’s perfect for anyone passionate about sustainability, climate action, and creative business solutions, giving you the skills to lead organisations toward a greener, more responsible future.

Curriculum Structure

This one-year master’s is designed to give you hands-on experience with sustainable business practices and strategies.

Core Modules: You’ll dive into Sustainable Business Management, exploring how companies can balance profit with social and environmental responsibility. In Biomimicry & Circular Economy Design Principles, you’ll discover how nature-inspired solutions and circular models can reshape industries. Strategic Innovation for Sustainable Business teaches you to create innovative, sustainable business strategies, while Business Transformation Case Study gives you real-world problem-solving experience. The course wraps up with a Major Project, where you put all your skills into action on a practical sustainability challenge.
Optional Modules: You can tailor your learning with subjects like Environmental Governance, Themes in Climate Change, Life Cycle Analysis, or Global Public Health & Environmental Change. These let you explore your personal interests, whether it’s policy, environmental science, or impact assessment.

Focus Areas

Sustainability in business, circular economy, biomimicry, environmental governance, innovation and consultancy, strategic transformation, applied projects.

Learning Outcomes

You’ll graduate able to design business strategies that are socially and environmentally responsible, apply circular economy and biomimicry principles to real challenges, critically assess policies and impacts, and deliver a major applied project that addresses sustainability goals.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Business School is triple-accredited by AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS, ensuring your degree is globally recognised.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

Ranked in the UK Top 10 for Business & Management
QS subject ranking: 201–250 globally for Business & Management Studies
REF 2021: 100% of research in Business & Management rated internationally excellent or world-leading

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This MSc isn’t just about lectures and textbooks — it’s about rolling up your sleeves and putting sustainability into practice. At the University of Exeter, you’ll get hands-on experience working on real business challenges, collaborating across disciplines, and learning from cutting-edge research centres dedicated to sustainability. From field trips to case studies, everything is designed so you can see how theory works in the real world and build practical skills you can take straight into your career.

Here’s how you’ll gain that practical edge:

Research & Applied Projects: Work with the Exeter Centre for Circular Economy (ECCE) on consultancy-style projects or your Major Project, tackling real sustainability challenges faced by businesses today.
Collaborative Learning: Collaborate with students from natural sciences, engineering, humanities, and policy through the Graduate School of Environment & Sustainability, broadening your perspective on sustainable business.
Field Trips & Case Studies: Get out of the classroom with field trips and real-world case studies that show how sustainable business works in practice.
Advanced Tools & Labs: Use resources from the Centre for Responsible Innovation (CRI) and the Centre for Simulation, Analytics and Modelling (CSAM) to analyze complex sustainability issues using cutting-edge digital tools.
Circular Economy Strategy Engagement: Link your projects to the University’s own circular economy initiatives, gaining experience with real policy and institutional sustainability programs.
Local Impact Opportunities: Join community partnerships and workshops like those run by Arca, applying your learning to support local businesses and communities in Cornwall.
Modern Campus Facilities: Benefit from Penryn Campus’s lecture theatres, seminar rooms, and research labs, all designed to support hands-on learning and sustainability research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Completing this MSc opens the door to a range of exciting sustainability-focused careers. Many graduates step into roles like Management Consultant, Corporate Sustainability Manager, Business Development Manager, or Sustainability Analyst, where they can make a real difference while building a successful career. Your skills will be in demand as businesses increasingly seek leaders who can combine strategy with sustainability:

Career Support: Exeter’s Career Zone team helps you plan your career, refine your CV, practice interviews, and connect with employers, giving you the confidence to land your first role.
Internships & Practical Experience: Programs like Green Consultants let you work on real sustainability projects, gaining hands-on experience while building professional networks.
Industry Connections: Collaborations with the Exeter Centre for Circular Economy (ECCE) and other sustainability initiatives give you opportunities to work alongside businesses and research leaders, making your learning highly relevant to the real world.
Accreditation & Recognition: The Business School’s triple-accreditation (AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS) ensures your degree is respected globally, adding weight to your CV.
Graduate Outcomes: Alumni are well prepared for both general management and specialist sustainability roles, making a tangible impact in business and society.

Further Academic Progression:
After your MSc, you could continue into a PhD or doctoral research focusing on sustainability, circular economy, or environmental management through Exeter’s Graduate School of Environment & Sustainability. You could also pursue further professional qualifications or a related master’s, such as in sustainable finance, environmental policy, or social entrepreneurship, to deepen your expertise and specialize in your chosen field.