Business and Management with Sustainability

Stage 1

You will increase your understanding of contemporary management practice, focusing on sustainable corporate finance and the energy transition agenda while delving into policymaking and leadership to support sustainable business outcomes.

Stage 2

You will critically review and manipulate a range of tools and techniques to support strategic decision-making in relation to global sustainability and ethical management. You will further develop your awareness and understanding of energy policy and economics, sustainability and transitions and enhance your ability to apply expertise in management with a focus on sustainability.

Stage 3

The Capstone module is designed to provide you with an opportunity to integrate master's level knowledge and skills by independently working on a research focused project from a degree related discipline. Personal and professional skills such as research, communication and presentation skills will be developed.

*The Capstone project can be undertaken in Year 3 or during two summer periods at the end of Year 1 and Year 2.

Extended Master’s

We offer an extended Master’s route, starting in September, on our traditional 1-year route which incorporates a 12 month placement. This route has a duration of 24 months, and will follow the same teaching programme as the 1 year course. You will receive training, guidance and support to support you through the recruitment and selection stages for the jobs on offer from our dedicated Employability and Enrichment Hub team.

Find out more

Learning Methods

You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshop sessions. These comprise of a mix of group study, discussion, simulation and presentations of findings by teams and individuals.

There is 12 hours of timetabled classes per week with a further 12 hours of directed and individual study. The course uses a workshop type approach with flexible module sessions normally of 3 hours per week for each module.

Activity Summary

• Lectures - up to 30 students per group, 14 hours per week 
• Tutorials - 8 hours per week
• Independent Study - 23 hours per week
• Placement/Work Based Learning - 12 hours per month where applicable

How long is a Business and Management with sustainability course?

This Business and Management with Sustainability course can be successfully completed within 12 - 36 months.

Independent Study

The course is rounded off with an independent piece of work that pulls together the learning from all taught modules into a comprehensive Capstone project. Students choose one of two approaches to the Capstone project – a traditional dissertation or a live work-based consultancy project. Students can choose based on personal preference and career aspirations.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed over the duration of the course:

• 1 written exam, typically for 3 hours
• 7 written assignments, including essays
• 1 Capstone project
• 1 oral assessment

Staff Delivering on This Course

Aberdeen Business School is committed to the highest standards of quality and best practice in pedagogy and research within an environment which values all associated stakeholders to transform individuals and communities by providing demand-led teaching and research to contribute to economic, social and cultural development regionally, nationally and internationally.

Teaching staff are actively engaged in research and scholarly activities and can therefore help to prepare students for both current and future professional practice.

Many staff of Aberdeen Business School contribute to quality procedures in other institutions in the UK in roles such as external examiners, validators and professional body accreditors, thereby ensuring parity of expectation across the Higher Education sector nationally.

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Capstone

You are encouraged to apply for live Capstone consultancy projects which are sourced locally and are advertised through our Professional Enrichment hub. You are also able to negotiate and source your own consultancy host organisation in discussion with the Professional Enrichment Hub.  

12 month Placement

For those on our Extended Master’s route (24 months Full Time On Campus) you will have the opportunity to embark on a 12 month placement on completion of the 9-month teaching programme (mid-May). If you successfully secure a placement, you will start your placement no later than September and will complete your placement by the following June prior to graduation in July.

Placement opportunities are real jobs in an extensive range of organisations from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to global multinationals, and is an excellent way to test your academic knowledge, develop transferable skills and develop your business networks. The employing organisation is likely to be a source of rich data for the Capstone module and you will be encouraged to research an organisational issue of your choosing – likely identified through discussion with the placement employer.  You will also complete a reflective e-portfolio which captures the skills development through the placement period. 

Throughout the placement you will be assigned both a workplace mentor and an academic mentor and will receive ongoing support to enhance your career development.

N.B. You are responsible for finding the placement, with support from the placement team, and as such the University cannot guarantee that all students will be successful in securing a placement. If unsuccessful, your course fee attached to the work experience element will be refunded.

The MSc in Business and Management with Sustainability aims to develop students who are reflective and critical thinkers, able to analyse, solve problems, and make managerial judgements that recognise the global economic, social and political trends impacting upon ethical and responsible organisational decision making.

Ultimately, through a problem-based approach to learning, students will build an awareness of the many global sustainability challenges that increasingly demand more innovative solutions from the world of business and management.

If you are interested in developing the skills and knowledge needed to become a changemaker by supporting businesses in instilling sustainable practices, MSc in Business and Management with Sustainability is the right degree for you.

Whether you wish to work for a large corporation or a smaller business, the public or the non-for-profit sector, lead impactful research projects or launch your own start-up, the course will equip you with the necessary skill- and mind- set to formulate and implement responsible and sustainable strategies that respond to the grand societal challenges of our time

Is studying Business and Management with sustainability a good career choice?

Previous graduates have gone on to take up managerial positions:

• in the public and private sectors
• in organisations ranging in size from small entrepreneurial ventures to listed companies, large conglomerates and the quasi-public sector
• some have also gone on to set up their own businesses

What is needed for an MSc in Business and Management with sustainability?

• Applicants normally hold a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree or its equivalent in any subject discipline.
• Applicants with a lower degree classification and / or relevant work experience will be considered on a case by case basis

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

International Students 

International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University.

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.