MSc Sustainability Business Specialist Apprenticeship (integrated MSc Sustainability Leadership)

To be accepted on to an apprenticeship course you must have support from your employer and meet the course entry requirements.

You must:

• meet the standard entry requirements for master's level study, which are normally one of the following:

  a good honours degree (at least a 2:2) in a subject related to the field of study

  a post-experience or professional qualifications

  equivalent qualifications (including internal qualifications).

• be employed and working at least 50% of contracted hours in England, in a senior role that supports you in achieving the apprenticeship duties
• have approval from your employer and commitment that they can support you to carry out your job role and the apprenticeship.

Applicants without an honours degree who have significant management experience are also encouraged to apply. This is managed on a case by case basis following the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning process.

For apprentices aged 16-18 on the first day of their apprenticeship, a level 2 English and maths (GCSE grade 4/C or level 2 functional skills) remains mandatory before completion.

For apprentices aged 19 and over, the level 2 English and maths requirement is now optional. English and maths training can be included where agreed by the apprentice and employer.

Eligibility for apprenticeship funding in England

To qualify for apprenticeship funding in England, an apprentice must meet all the criteria outlined by the Department for Education in the Apprenticeship Funding Rules. These requirements apply to programmes starting between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026.

1. Right to work

The apprentice must have the legal right to work in England.

2. Residency eligibility

See our website for fees

Driving Sustainable Change Strategies

Learners explore innovative ways for organisations to thrive in economic and environmental landscapes. They draw on real-world scenarios from various domains, sectors and contexts, and think critically about the intersection of business and sustainability.

Apprentices develop an understanding of the need to transform organisations into catalysts for change, delving into topics such as corporate social responsibility, strategic direction, ethical leadership, stakeholder engagement and organisational behaviour. They engage with industry experts, discussing current trends and best practice in sustainable business strategies.

Apprentices develop an understanding of how businesses can drive positive change while maximising profits. They also learn how to navigate the challenges of modern-day business, manage organisational change, and lead the way towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Evaluating Sustainable Global Operations

Over the past two decades, the importance of managing environmental impact has become increasingly paramount to business success. This has led many organisations across the globe to explore their impact at an operational level and across their extended value chain, identifying areas for improvement and the development of more efficient, sustainable management practices.

Learners identify key operational challenges in value/supply chain management and explore the tools available to organisations in achieving their sustainability objectives through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Value Chain Analysis (VCA) and lean management tools linked to process improvement and identification of waste.

Sustainability and Regulatory Frameworks

Learners are introduced to international, European and UK sustainability regulatory frameworks, with an understanding of the relationship between sustainability and regulation, laws, treaties, reporting rules and guidelines. They also gain an understanding of how organisations can embrace and adhere to the various sustainability regulations, to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy.