Postgraduate Sustainability Programmes
Become a world changer
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A world leader in sustainability
We've been recognised as one of the top universities in the world for taking action to address some of the most pressing environment, social and governance challenges facing society today. Our researchers are at the forefront of developing new approaches to shape a better future for people and our planet.
World Top 30
in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2025
19th
in the category of Sustainability (QS World University Rankings 2025)
15th
for Sustainability (QS World University Rankings 2024: Europe)
Top 40
in the People and Planet Green League Rankings 2022/23
Postgraduate programmes
We offer a range of exciting and innovative programmes covering many subject areas and disciplines to help you become a global leader of change. Take a look at our options below, and take you first step to extraordinary.
MSc Accounting, Analytics and Sustainability
An executive programme, designed for anyone interested in developing their data analytics and sustainability knowledge, skills and capabilities in the area of accounting.
MSc Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise
Plant a seed of change and learn the scientific and commercial skills to harness the power of plants, and really make a difference to the world we live in.
MSc Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
Your opportunity to equip yourself with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue a career in economics, coupled with strong environmental expertise
MSc Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Providing the skills required to meet the growing challenge to achieve energy and environmental sustainability through the application of new technology
Master of Data Science: Earth and Environment
Providing skills and interdisciplinary knowledge to address the challenges of utilising the streams of data produced in industry, science and government
Scientific Computing and Data Analysis: Earth and Environmental Sciences
This programme provides the advanced knowledge of how to use sophisticated datasets and tools to tackle cutting-edge and societally-relevant problems
MSc Sustainability, Energy and Development
Delivering an understanding of the linked processes and practices that feed into climate change and inequality, and how the can be critically addressed
MSc Global and Planetary Health
Offering a unique opportunity to work at the interface between human health, environmental sustainability and social justice
MSc Energy Engineering Management
Enabling students to become leaders in their field, supporting the move to Net Zero and making a real impact on the climate crisis.
MA Environmental Humanities
This exciting new interdisciplinary programme explores how humanities can contribute to developing a response to the environmental crisis.
LLM in International Environmental Law
Offering the skills and knowledge needed to tackle major global challenges such as environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change.
MA in Climate, Risk and Society
Explore the social dimensions of climate risk and resilience from multiple perspectives.
MSc in Climate, Risk and Society
Focus on a natural science approach to risk that enables you to engage with the natural and social dimensions of climate change.
MA in Environmental Hazards and Risk
Focus on understanding the broader concepts of environmental hazards and risk in an interdisciplinary perspective.
MSc in Environmental Hazards and Risk
Develop specific skills within the natural and social dimensions of environmental hazards including flooding, landslides and earthquakes.
The faculty were an inspiration and the taught materials and delivery methods were easy to grasp, but at the same time made us challenge ourselves.
Raisa Bashar
Alumna - MSc Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
Student enterprise tackling climate change
Two companies started by past students here at Durham have been accepted onto the Tech Nation Net Zero 2.0 programme, which is supporting the UK’s most promising climate tech companies drive down environmentally harmful emissions.
Read more
While growing up, I realised that climate change is one of the most significant challenges of this century and that we humans are responsible for most of it. I knew that if I wanted to be an active part of the solution, I had to dedicate my studies and work towards this cause.
Ana Maria Villarreal-Vives
Student - MSc New and Renewable Energy
“Planetary health is a fast emerging area of research and practice, with rapidly growing opportunities in this specialist field in both academic and community contexts. There is also a rapidly increasing demand and opportunities for planetary health specialisation within a broad range of other fields in the commercial and not-for-profit sector. This programme builds upon the existing research and teaching strengths of 含羞草研究所”.
Prof. Corinne Reid
Senior Global Advisor - Australia
JusTN0W
Just Transitions to a Net Zero World
The JusTN0W initiative aims to develop a world-leading interdisciplinary work programme, to research sustainable and just solutions for accelerated decarbonisation of economies, and to achieve lasting societal well-being for the present and future generations. JusTN0W ties in experts from Durham Law School, the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Economics, and the Department of Biosciences. Our highly skilled and diverse JusTN0W team welcomes you to explore and join JusTN0W.
Find out more about JusTNOW