Global Strategy and Sustainability MSc

As a society, we face urgent challenges from the impact of climate emergencies, environmental damage and social inequality. There is a pressing need for organisations to transform their cultures, processes, and even business models. You will have the opportunity to learn about business and its impact and explore how to build a considerate, resilient future and align business mandates and missions with ethical responsibility.

The Centre for Business, Climate Change, and Sustainability

At Edinburgh, you will have the opportunity to learn about business and its impact upon environment and society from researchers who are international leaders in their field, and from leading research and industry engagement from the Centre for Business, Climate Change, and Sustainability (B-CCaS).

• Centre for Business, Climate Change, and Sustainability

Accreditation

Not only is the University of Edinburgh Business School part of a world renowned University, but it is also accredited by the three most influential business accreditation bodies: the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). This triple accreditation highlights the quality of teaching and excellence of research at the Business School.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 10 July 2025.

Entrance to our MSc programmes is strongly competitive. You can increase your chances of a successful application by exceeding the minimum programme requirements.

• Important points to note when applying for this programme

Academic requirements

A UK first-class or 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in business and commerce, management, finance, accounting, economics, history, international politics, international relations, science, engineering, or law.

We may also consider applicants with a degree in a different subject area but who have relevant work experience or can demonstrate a high level of interest and engagement in environmental/social sustainability. This could, for example be through involvement with voluntary organisations or societies.

Supporting your application

• Relevant work experience is not required but may increase your chances of acceptance.
• Relevant professional qualifications will be considered.

Students from China

This degree is Band A.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Industry opportunities

We regularly bring guest speakers to the School to talk to MSc in Global Strategy and Sustainability students about real, current practice. From client sourced dissertations to career and employability treks, you will also have a variety of opportunities to learn from and network with industry and business professionals.

(Revised 7 February 2025 to update client-sourced dissertations wording)

• MSc Global Strategy and Sustainability industry opportunities

Career development

The success of our programmes is reflected in the career destinations of our graduates. Hugely respected by global employers, our programmes provide the perfect learning experience with access to world-class academics and programmes that are underpinned by real world insights.

Job titles of our recent MSc in Global Strategy and Sustainability graduates include:

• bid manager
• climate change and sustainability specialist
• communications officer
• consultant
• ESG data manager
• innovation strategy and sustainability consultant
• marketing and sustainability coordinator
• marketing consultant
• SOE performance analyst

• sustainability consultant

• MSc Global Strategy and Sustainability career development