Managing for Sustainability

Are you committed to transforming business as we know it? The McGill Managing for Sustainability major will help you unlock the potential for businesses to make positive contributions toward environmental, economic and social sustainability. It will give you the tools needed to drive systemic change across every sector of society and advance efforts in combatting climate change.

As a Managing for Sustainability student, you will discover the environmental, economic and social sustainability challenges and opportunities facing businesses today. You will develop critical thinking, strategic planning and problem-solving skills to integrate business strategies with sustainability objectives.

With sustainability issues shaping the activities of all business functions, the Managing for Sustainability concentration is also available as an ideal complement to majors and concentrations in other areas.

• Canadian citizenship or Canadian permanent residency
• 23 years of age or older by the start of classes (21 years of age for the Faculties of Management and Music)
• No high school, college or university level studies within the last five years that would constitute a basis for admission
• Two letters of reference
• Mature Student Statements:
  • Letter of Intent, including description of all educational experiences
  • Complete resume of employment and other activities, highlighting points relevant to the application
• In some cases, an interview may be required
• Demonstrate academic potential by successfully completing a minimum number of specific courses (see 'Minimum grades & prerequisites' below) within the three-year period prior to admission and no later than May 15th of the year of application for the intended program (May 1 for some programs). These courses, which may be completed at CEGEP or university, will also fulfill prerequisites for the intended program. 

An undergraduate degree in Managing for Sustainability will prepare you for a career committed to advancing sustainability initiatives in a range of industries. Pursue a rewarding career as a consultant specializing in sustainability and corporate social responsibility; head a department focused on corporate environmental management or green product development; or take up a position in organizations or startups that focus on sustainability issues.

Careers can include:

• Corporate Responsibility Manager
• Community Relations Advisor
• Environmental Affairs Coordinator
• Sustainability Consultant
• Responsible Investment Manager

1. Know your deadlines.

   Mark your calendar with these important dates regarding your application. 

2. Decide what to study.

   Use the program finder tool to explore over 300 undergraduate programs and find your best match. 

3. Make sure you're eligible.

   Admission to most programs is based on grades only. In this step, you'll find:
   • How your academic record is reviewed
   • The grades that gained entrance to your program in previous years
   • The prerequisites for your program

4. Get ready to apply.

   As of October 1, you can apply. Complete each step of the pre-application to-do list, including:

   • Understand the deadlines that apply to you
   • Prepare your academic documents
   • Identify supporting documents you'll need to provide

5. Submit your application.

   Review our tips on how to apply and see what the application fees will be. Remember that you can apply to two programs.

6. Apply for an entrance scholarship.

   Look into entrance scholarships early! The deadline is usually a week after your application deadline. This page provides information about entrance scholarships, bursaries, and other funding opportunities.

7. Submit documents and keep in touch.

   We'll connect with you by email to let you know when to upload supporting documents, if required. In this step, you'll see:
   • How to follow your applications status
   • Supporting documents you may need to prepare
   • How to submit supporting documents, including self-reporting your grades