MA Education for a Sustainable Environment

The University holds regular events throughout the year, including webinars and the annual on-campus Master’s Expo, all of which offer the opportunity to find out more about our facilities and courses from our academic and admissions staff.

We also attend a number of education fairs both in the UK and overseas throughout the year.

For more details on how you can meet us, visit out events page: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/masters/meet-us/

Please submit the following documents with your completed application form:

• copies of English Language Certification, such as IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson test score report;
• copies of official degree certificates and transcripts of your previous study, showing the subjects taken and grades obtained. If these documents are in languages other than English, please provide official translations;
• your CV;
• a personal statement.

All applications must include a personal statement. This statement plays an important part in the admissions decision. In the personal statement, you should introduce yourself, state why you are interested in Sustainability Education, and explain how doing this MA degree can benefit you professionally and/or how it can benefit your own home community and/or your country. The personal statement should be approximately 500 words in length.

Ensure that you enclose all the necessary documents to avoid any delays.

Develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to support sustainability through education.

MA Education for a Sustainable Environment explores how education can help address some of the most pressing environmental and sustainability challenges facing societies today. Bringing together perspectives from education, environment and development, the course examines the ecological, economic, political, historical and social dimensions of sustainability and their implications for policy, practice and learning.

Situated within the School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED), the programme offers a distinctive interdisciplinary approach that connects educational thinking with wider sustainability challenges. You will develop a critical understanding of how education can support individuals, communities and organisations in responding to local and global environmental issues.

The programme is closely linked to the University's Green Research in Education Group , giving students opportunities to engage with research communities and present their work. There are also opportunities to take part in experiential learning activities and volunteering through local organisations such as Manchester Environmental Education Network (MEEN).

The course encourages you to explore both theory and practice, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to embed sustainability across formal, informal and professional learning environments. You will engage with diverse perspectives, including Indigenous knowledge systems, and consider how different ways of knowing can contribute to more sustainable futures.

You will also become part of a research-oriented, international community, working with expert tutors, practitioners, and 'movement makers' equipping you with the skills to realise this integration in practice.

Designed for educators, policymakers, community practitioners and professionals from a range of backgrounds, the programme supports those seeking to drive positive change through education. Working with researchers, practitioners and changemakers, you will develop the confidence to influence policy, shape practice and create meaningful learning experiences that support sustainability goals.

• Apply your learning: Take up volunteering opportunities with local environmental organisations to gain work experience in the sector.
• Join a student community that makes an impact: Students have secured innovation funding, co-authored publications with our academic team and transformed dissertation projects into public exhibitions and education initiatives.
• Benefit from a rich academic tradition: Education has been a discipline of study at Manchester since 1890, giving you access to an established academic community, with a long history of shaping educational practice.

Assessments will be real-world oriented, will emphasise real-world impact and communication of results. Assessment of the core course units will encourage group-based work, including the dissertation stage. Students will have the opportunity to choose from options for each assessment as they build a portfolio that can help them in their future work. 

The form of assessment varies by course unit and may include written assignments (reports and/or critical reviews), portfolios, presentations and practice-oriented activity. The MA values formative feedback from tutors, peer-peer feedback, and feedback from professionals in the field.

The dissertation element of the MA is worth 60 credits and may be completed as a traditional 60 credit dissertation, and this may have an empirical, conceptual, evaluation, or professional focus. Alternatively, participants may satisfy the dissertation requirement through the completion of two linked parts, each one addressing one of the four listed foci. Indicative dissertations, or dissertation parts, include: 

• a research project and report (building on the earlier completed 'Planning and Piloting Research in Sustainability' course unit) (Empirical);
• theorising an aspect of sustainability education in a particular context, or more broadly (Conceptual);
• an evaluation of the current state of sustainability education practice, policy and/or research in a particular setting (Evaluation);
• a context-specific and/or client-based sustainability education project (Professional).

You can visit our Graduates and Alumni page to hear more from former students about studying in the Manchester Institute of Education.

The course is taught by the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE) which has its own Student Hub. Here you'll find all your teaching staff and support staff as well as a place to relax with fellow students.

MIE is based in the University's Ellen Wilkinson building, which is centrally located on the University's Oxford Road campus, close to the Main Library, Alan Gilbert Learning Commons and the Students' Union.

Career opportunities

Graduates of this course develop knowledge and skills that are relevant across education, sustainability, policy, research and community engagement. The course is suitable for people who want to use education to support environmental awareness, sustainability action and social change in different professional contexts.

Potential career paths include:

• sustainability education;
• environmental learning and engagement;
• teaching, curriculum design and training;
• forest school education and outdoor learning;
• policy development;
• community education;
• programme management;
• charity and NGO roles;
• public engagement;
• sustainability-focused research;
• doctoral study.

The course can support careers in schools, colleges, universities, charities, NGOs, government organisations, community learning projects, environmental initiatives and international development contexts.

Careers support

This course supports students interested in careers that connect education, sustainability and social change across a range of sectors. The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .

Careers support for international students

The Careers Service provide specialist resources, advice and events for international students to help with career planning and making the most of your time while studying in Manchester.

• Working in the UK after study
• Working during study
• Professional and alumni networks for international students

Global networks

The University of Manchester is proud to have the largest global alumni community of any campus-based university in the UK.

International alumni groups are a great way to keep in touch with fellow Manchester graduates in your country, and provide an opportunity to build professional and social networks.