MSc Sustainability Innovation Leadership
ApplyKey facts
- Start date: Sep 2025
- Application deadline: July
- Study mode and duration: 12 months full time
Places on course: up to 20
Study with us
- designed for those with a background in a broad range of disciplines and a curious mindset
- gain interdisciplinary knowledge and innovation skills to critically assess uncertain and complex environmental and social scenarios
- develop a creative vision and ambition to drive leadership for sustainability across a range of sectors
- become equipped with necessary training and capacity to use diverse decision-making approaches to enact and transform change across a range of domains and sectors such as in engineering, design, business sectors
Why this course?
Sustainability leadership expertise demands new skills, innovation and cognitive capacity drawn out of multiple disciplines, experiential creative methods and empathetic learning including indigenous and generational thinking. The aim of the MSc Sustainability Innovation Leadership course is to develop a community of future leaders who possess unique expertise and a visionary approach merging environmental engineering science, social innovation leadership as well as creative design thinking knowledge and skills.
Through a combination of transformative interdisciplinary insights, academic analysis, practical application, peer learning and personal reflection, the Masters aims to develop a community of leaders who have:
- an exploratory mindset and empathetic approach to understanding of interdependent and complex social, environmental and ethical challenges and opportunities facing the world across sectors and domains
- a creative vision and ambition to drive leadership across a range of sectors (private and public, community and business, tech sectors as well as science domains) to resolve complexity, uncertainty and entanglement of real systems change
- the interdisciplinary knowledge, attitude and ability to critically assess, reflect upon and explain decision-making approaches for uncertain and complex environmental and social scenarios
- a developed leadership signature and capacity at a personal and organisational level to best use these decision-making approaches to enact and transform change across a range of domains and sectors
The course is open to many disciplinary backgrounds – if you arrive to us from a business and management background you will gain invaluable new skills in tackling uncertainty drawing on new regenerative creative thinking and environmental science. If you are a designer or architect, you will gain unique leadership skills rooted in understanding the world as complex, entangled and socially constructed. If you are an engineer, you will gain transformative knowledge to innovate, think creatively and apply this using novel leadership abilities.

What you'll study
The learning objectives will offer a universal understanding of the fundamentals of environmental engineering science, design thinking and communication, generational and ancestral approaches as well as social innovation leadership. The course will operate at the nexus of different faculties in the University – from Business, Engineering to Design and is developed for diverse students from a range of sectors including engineering, architecture, business, finance, design, environmental science, management, arts amongst others. The course is structured along three key themes and six interconnected learning outcomes as below and is developed through an ethos of generosity, exploration and creativity.
Themes
- Environmental Science and Sustainability Engineering
- Design and Generational Thinking
- Leadership and Social Innovation
Interconnected learning outcomes
- knowledge of the changing global context and the case for Generational Adaptation and Resilience to transform current systems and the role of individuals and collectives, humans and non-humans
- understanding of a sustainable Designed future, and the potential synergies and tensions in communicating and enacting it
- ability to draw upon range of pathways to achieve change both within and beyond organisations to achieve sustainability Innovation
- demonstrating skills to enact both personal and collective leadership and effective action as a Social and Strategic agent of change
- knowledge of Sustainability Environmental Science insights, knowledge and research for specific contexts
- ability to enact collaboration and empathy, individually and collaboratively, via human and non-human systems to enact and advance an Interdisciplinary innovation driven sustainability age
Social Entrepreneurship (10 credits)
There is a growth in the number of entrepreneurs starting businesses with social and environmental purposes. This module examines ideas and practices for addressing social needs. These include social enterprises, collaborative innovation networks, hubs, digital platforms, and support intermediaries. The module is centred around how students can start their own social entrepreneurship projects. The module will consist of a selection of presentations and discussions around social innovation and social entrepreneurship.
Strategic Innovation Management (10 credits)
This module is designed to build knowledge of the processes underpinning innovation. The class will provide an introduction to the main concepts and frameworks related to definitions, processes, strategies, organisation and sources of innovation. Towards the end of the class, new trends in innovation, such as social innovation and frugal innovation, will also be covered.
Social Impact Strategy Lab (10 credits)
In recent years, social impact has moved beyond the edges of business research and education. It is now a subject at the forefront of business practice, evidenced through the focus on the Sustainable Development Goals. Society now need graduates with knowledge and skills in social impact. This class will provide them with the practical knowledge to enact social impact strategy in different types of organisations.
The educational aim of this module is for students to understand how they can enact social impact through organisational strategy. The purpose of this class to develop students into organisational leaders who approach strategy with a social lens, where social impact is not simply a CSR exercise but is embedded in the organisational outcomes and activities.
Circular Economy & Transformations Towards Sustainability (10 credits)
This class initially introduces the circular economy as a framework for the development and management of a sustainable 'waste-as-resource' economic system in which production is designed to be restorative and resilient. The class then proceeds to cover a range of contemporary challenges in the practical application of circular economic principles within different sectors, incorporating presentations from leading practitioners in the field.
The implications of the concept of circular economy for research, policy, business practices and societal transformations towards sustainability are explored in detail through a mix of theory, case studies, individual and group project work. This includes:
- consideration of the role of innovation and knowledge production
- social trends and consumer behaviour
- conservation and sustainable use of energy and material resources
- climate change and environmental sustainability
- the design of business models that maximise product life and value retention
The class discusses the role of individuals and communities in the making and operation of the circular economy. You'll be challenged to identify and critically evaluate opportunities to use waste as an economic good and as the basis for commercially, socially and environmentally profitable business initiatives through the application of creative design; as well as the range of business opportunities arising from repair, reconditioning and remanufacturing activities. The class also introduces the key principles of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), carbon measurement and management.
Global Water Policy (10 credits)
This class, run by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, aims to provide students with the ability to:
- recognise the issues relating to overall global water policy and its interactions with other global issues
- discuss the impact of climate change and economic development on water resources and availability
- explore the different implementation issues based on regional case studies
- explore the role of stakeholders on the acceptance and achievement of policy objectives
The class also covers water policy from an international perspective focusing on transboundary issues and a review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that tie into water law and water policy.
Ways of knowing and Interdisciplinary methods for Research (10 credits)
This module aims to help develop expertise required for assessing different ways of knowing the world, diverse modes of researching and evaluating what counts as evidence, data collection and analysis, and combining these to create meaning and understanding. The module will foster innovative and experimental ways of generating knowledge, expanding the role of interdisciplinary methods through new lines of inquiry and a sustained focus on methodological innovation and collaboration across different fields. Methods are key sites where knowledge is made and remade, through application, innovation, negotiation, contestation, and experimentation. Conversely, methods can be sites where knowledge-making is hampered or censored, either implicitly or explicitly, and they may introduce either robustness or brittleness into systems. Materialised in processes and procedures, methods inform how phenomena are sensed, and how they’re made sense of, through signs and abstractions. Methods inform what is produced and how materials are accessed, assimilated, and understood. Practical experience of conducting inter and multidisciplinary research projects is combined with an introduction and principles of qualitative, quantitative, mixed, and experimental research methods. Students will be introduced to specific examples to highlight the broad spectrum of research methods in the interdisciplinary research toolkit to ultimately design and develop their own research proposal.
Generational Adaptation and Resilience Leadership (20 credits)
The aim of this module is to develop knowledge on resilient approaches and adaptation systems shifting from anthropocentric concerns to a multi-species and multi-dimensional set of frames to support management and sustainability leadership in a range of contexts and sectors from business, construction, retail, healthcare, design and arts, charitable initiatives. Mindful of extractive ways of gaining knowledge and information, this module does not attempt to teach from a place of expertise or lived experience - rather, it sets out a framework for adapting some taught principles to students’ work or professional pursuits and disciplines.
Energy Flows and Planetary Health (10 credits)
This module aims to develop knowledge and understanding of energy systems in the built and natural environment and their implications on planetary health. This module focuses on multiple interpretations and definitions of energy systems from both a life-giving and life-supporting set of boundaries. Flows of energy could be studied in a variety of systems at different scales (e.g. from tangible aspects like heat, water, air, soil, minerals to intangible aspects like ideas, inter-dependencies, trophic cascades, conversion of food to energy, etc.). The module demonstrates that broader positions need to be taken when engaging with sustainability innovation and that human and inter-species health is inextricably linked to planetary health and energy flows. It seeks to collaboratively consider following three themes:
- energy flows through comfort and wellbeing in both the built and natural environments
- implications of various energy systems on planetary health – pollution, hazards, threats
- consequences of interrupted flows on humans, other species, energy systems or society more widely
Design Modes and Communication Innovation (20 credits)
This module aims to develop creative eco-centric problem-solving and decision-making skills to analyse and address complex and uncertain challenges that emerge in a range of contexts accelerated by climate change and social degradation. The module is inspired by traditional methods of “Design Thinking”, that enables iterative approaches to difficult problems characterised by uncertainty and complexity. It also expands thinking on methods of communication and ways complex problems and ideas can be conveyed.
Final Incubator (60 credits)
As a complex piece of research, the master’s incubator project acts as a thesis and will be first and foremost, framed within the overall course ethos, learning and approach. Students will undertake a supervised, individual research project. Students would be encouraged to produce their incubator project dissertation, with the graphical style and format of dissertation appropriate to research focus of project Incubator Project draws on the diversity of learning, research, and design modes that are taught in the other modules. The Incubator will be responding to a research problem and need identified by the student relating to a complex interdisciplinary societal issue or challenge that necessitates research and innovation in approach and methods used. The aim of the Incubator is that it also becomes a space of learning and evolution catered to address a particular issue or challenge raised and explored by the student but is connected to a wider system.
Elective modules
Environmental impact assessment (10 credits)
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) relates to the process of identifying, evaluating, and mitigating the biophysical, social, economic, cultural and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made. This class, run by the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering but open to all MSc and MEng students across the University, introduces the methods used to predict environmental impacts, and evaluates how these may be used to integrate environmental factors into decisions.
The class draws principally on the UK planning context of environmental impact assessment of individual projects (project EIA), but also takes account of EIA experience in other countries and international organisations. Participants evaluate the quality of Environmental Statements (or EIA Reports) and of the EIA process using the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) methodology.
The class discusses how EIA can be used a pro-active design tool for projects and how it can contribute to the enhancement of environmental, social and health issues. Students are also introduced to key principles of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and biodiversity net gain (BNG). Class has the contribution of key practitioners in the field and includes different case studies, such as proposed onshore and offshore windfarms.
Sustainability (10 credits)
This module covers one of the major challenges of modern industry which is to address the need for sustainable product development and manufacturing. International legislation and increasing costs of fiscal instruments such as the landfill tax now aim to force producers to reduce the environmental impacts of their products and processes.
Accelerating globalisation and industrialisation continues to exacerbate complexity of sustainability. Whilst manufacturers are constantly required to lower their costs and maintain their competitiveness, legislations require them to look at lifecycle costs.
At the end of this module students will be able to:
- understand the importance of sustainable product development and sustainable manufacturing and how to establish competitive advantage
- describe End-of-Life issues and critically discuss the place of reuse processes in Sustainable Design and Manufacturing, as well as identifying the various reuse processes, defining and differentiating them and critically discussing their particular advantages and disadvantages in sustainable manufacturing
- identify the product features and characteristics that facilitate and hinder product recovery and be able to technically analyse products’ sustainability and redesign them for enhanced sustainability
- identify the fundamental “building blocks” of LCA and describe/illustrate the use of LCA in lifecycle decision making, as well as describing Biomimicry use in product design
Assessment and feedback will be in the form of coursework (100%) including discussion forums, group seminars and a position paper.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements | A first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in disciplines related to engineering, business, management, architecture, design. |
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English language requirements | If English is not your first language, please visit our English Language Requirements page for full details of the requirements in place before making your application. |
Assessment
Our assessment methods include:
- written essays and reports
- presentations
- group work
- incubator thesis project
- reviews
The incubator thesis project involves one-to-one tuition and appraisals in review seminars and through student peer group reviews.
Learning & teaching
Learning & teaching on the course is highly interdisciplinary, drawing on novel collaborative methods and insights from seminars, workshops, group discissions, labs and exploratory research work.
Guest lectures
The course is supported by a number of established leading voices in sustainability, innovation, business, design and technology sectors.
Pre-Masters preparation course
The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non-UK/Ireland) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde.
Upon successful completion, you'll be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.
Please note: Previous Maths & English qualifications and your undergraduate degree must meet GTCS minimum entry requirements as well as the pre-Masters course and an interview will be conducted before an offer can be made.
Fees & funding
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that the majority of fees will increase annually. The University will take a range of factors into account, including, but not limited to, UK inflation, changes in delivery costs and changes in Scottish and/or UK Government funding. Changes in fees will be published on the University website in October each year for the following year of study and any annual increase will be capped at a maximum of 10% per year.
Scotland | £11,900 |
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England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £11,900 |
Republic of Ireland |
If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status. For more information and advice on tuition fee status, you can visit the UKCISA - International student advice and guidance - Scotland: fee status webpage. Find out more about the University of Strathclyde's fee assessments process. |
International | £30,250 |
Visa & immigration | International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. |
Available scholarships | Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities. |
How can I fund my course?
Scottish postgraduate students
Scottish postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from England
Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Wales
Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Northern Ireland
Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
International students
We've a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Chat to a student ambassador
Want to know more about what it’s like to be a student at the University of Strathclyde? A selection of our current students are here to help!
Our Unibuddy ambassadors can answer all the questions you might have about courses and studying at Strathclyde, along with offering insight into their experiences of life in Glasgow and Scotland.
Careers
The degree opens up a range of exciting career possibilities. For many of our graduates, it's the combination of their first degree, or work experience, and the MSc that distinguishes them from the competition. Many may develop careers in sustainability leadership, acting as Heads of Sustainability in a specific sector from engineering, design, architecture to finance, retail and health; others may develop their own consultancy to pursue innovation in business and offer a unique skillset, new knowledge and abilities many are unlikely to possess without this type of course.
The course leadership team have an established wide range of industry as well as research and innovation links for potential placements. Prof.Sonja Oliveira has a renowned international reputation as a leader in sustainability innovation and has worked globally with a number of architecture, engineering and consultancy firms across disciplinary domains from business, management, leadership, creative coaching.
Dr. Gráinne McGill has a background in architecture and sustainable design, with over 10 years of experience in environmental monitoring and building performance evaluation.
Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city
Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.
Apply
Start date: Sep 2025
Sustainability Innovation Leadership