Postgraduate Sustainability Programmes

Become a world changer

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.

More about sustainability at Durham

World Top 30 in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024

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

Businessman analysing virtual economic charts and graphs

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

Solar panels in foreground with wind turbine behind

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

The main entrance to the Palatine Centre

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

view of earth from space with data overlaid

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

Two students sitting opposite each other on laptops

MSc Global and Planetary Health

Offering a unique opportunity to work at the interface between human health, environmental sustainability and social justice

Student creating samples in the laboratory

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.

An image of solar panels and wind turbines with a distant industrial landscape

MA Environmental Humanities

This exciting new interdisciplinary programme explores how humanities can contribute to developing a response to the environmental crisis.

Students on a field trip in a beautiful natural environment

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.

Climate change, COP26 and Environmentalism in Law

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.

Group photo of geography postgraduate students

MA in Environmental Hazards and Risk

Focus on understanding the broader concepts of environmental hazards and risk in an interdisciplinary perspective.

Person looking at aftermath of earthquake

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.

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

Working with industry

At Durham, we work with a range of industry leading partners to make a positive impact around the globe, and more locally too.

With a £45,000 grant from EPSRC IAA (Impact Acceleration Account) we employed a post-doctoral academic to work with with our partner Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, developing prototype software which applies risk analysis techniques to the problems that the offshore wind industry face.

Learn more about Durham Energy Institute

“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 Durham University”.

Prof. Corinne Reid

Senior Global Advisor - Australia