Postgraduate Taught

The world is facing increasing environmental threats which are posing severe scientific, social and economic challenges to the human race. These challenges include: the depletion of natural resources, the loss of diversity and the need to develop new forms of energy generation whilst efficiently utilising existing energy sources.

Tackling these environmental problems and establishing a sustainable environment requires the adoption of appropriate policies and managerial strategies. The interdisciplinary nature of this postgraduate course provides a broad understanding of these environmental problems whilst embedding the appropriate specialist scientific, managerial and generic skills for a career in the environmental sustainability sector.

The course incorporates Keele University’s internationally recognised expertise in research and teaching on environmental issues. It is taught by a team of environmental specialists working in the fields of environmental technologies, biological sciences, chemical science, project management, and environmental policy and politics.

Hub for Accessibility

We also have a unique opportunity to see research applied through development of the Keele Hub project which is a ground-breaking new project associated with developments to a 70 acre site on the main Keele University campus.
Keele University’s campus has unrivalled potential to form a unique hub for research, development and demonstration of a range of environmental and sustainable technologies.

 Over the next 5 years we aim to nurture and create:

• an unparalleled range of sustainable energy sources
• a campus community with sustainability at its heart
• ambitious building/refurbishment plans to the highest environmental standards
• joint sustainability enterprises with industry and government
• a range of cutting-edge training and CPD programmes in sustainability
• a ‘hub’ of expertise involving UK and international partners

The main focus of the initiatives on the new site has been a specialist Sustainability Hub building – a centre for excellence in sustainability and environmental technologies.  This showcase building will share knowledge and expertise in these new technologies with the public, industry and other interested groups.

For more information on the Keele Hub and Keele’s energy plans  see here.

As a student on the MSc in Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology programme you will have direct access to these environmental developments first hand.  You can even choose to base your research project around research linked to the new Keele Hub building.

Course Director
Dr Sharon George

The MSc in Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology is designed to provide an interdisciplinary understanding of environmental challenges whilst giving the opportunity to specialise in several sustainability themes related to geosciences, energy generation, biological science, green information technology, environmental policy and politics, and project management.

Successful students will gain

• An understanding of knowledge in the areas of science, technology, policy and green political theory relevant to environmental sustainability
• Experience in analytical and computer techniques which would allow them to contribute to the solving of environmental challenges
• A conceptual understanding to evaluate critically current research and advance scholarship in environmental sustainability
• A comprehensive understanding of experimental design, planning and scientific techniques within a research project
•  Problem-solving and team-working skills relevant to the implementation of sustainable technologies and policies

Applicants should have a first degree (UK second-class honours degree or above) or equivalent qualification (generally an aggregate mark of at least 60%). Students without a degree but with relevant professional training will also be considered. Where English is not a first language, proof of English language competence will be required (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent).

The MSc programme comprises 8 taught 15-credit modules and a 60-credit research project which is undertaken either at Keele University or on placement with an industrial collaborator.

This structure allows students to obtain a postgraduate certificate (60 credits) or a postgraduate diploma (120 credits) depending on the number of modules studied.

The first two modules provide an overview of important environmental technologies and policies relevant to sustainability. Students then choose four from eight optional modules which are arranged within four themes:

• Renewable and Sustainable Energy
• Biological Challenges and Sustainability
• Environmental Politics
• Policy and Project Management

Cross theme studies are encouraged. This interdisciplinary knowledge is then applied in a student-centred learning situation. This provides the necessary teamwork and problem-solving skills to formulate strategies to address a range of environmental and sustainability challenges.

The 60-credit research project is preceded by a Research Skills module.

Modules are assessed by assignment and/or examination. The research project is based on the submission of a 20,000word report that is undertaken by the student in conjunction with an academic supervisor and, where appropriate, an industrial collaborator.

Scholarships for international students

A number of Keele scholarships are available to full time international students studying for the MSc in Environmental Sustainability & Green Technology.

You'll find more details here:

Keele Postgraduate Scholarships

English Language Training

The requirements for entry onto the programme is an IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) with a minimum score of 6 in each sub-test. 

Dependent on language standards, which will be further assessed upon application, overseas students will be required to undertake 2 hours of language training per week organised by the English Language Unit at Keele.

The language training will be carefully integrated with the content of the programme, so preparation for assessments will be included as well as presentation skills etc.  The language training is designed to enhance the programme and ensure that you will receive the maximum benefit from the taught modules offered.

The English Language Unit also offers other courses (often held in the evening) which are available free of charge or at a minimal cost to overseas students. These include: pronunication and conversation classes, english for academic purposes, and BEC (Cambridge Business English Certificate, Higher) Exam Preparation.

For further details of these courses please see the English Language Unit website

Further Information

• Download a brochure in Mandarin
• Watch a video about life at Keele

This course is produced in collaboration with the following Schools:

• SPIRE (Politics, International Relations and Philosophy).  An MRes/MA in Environmental Politics is also on offer.
• Life Sciences

We have one scholarship available for 2013-14 for a student  from a developing Commonwealth country accepted on to one of the following programmes: Human Rights, Globalisation & Justice / Gender, Sexuality & Human Rights / Environmental Sustainability & Green Technology / Environmental Politics / Diplomatic Studies / Global Security.

The Shared Scholarship is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and Keele University.  The Commission will pay your tuition fees and airfares to and from the UK, which Keele University will arrange for you once you have been granted the scholarship.

Keele University will provide you with a maintenance award of approximately GBP 917 per month, but your accommodation fees for a single room on campus will be deducted from this.

Candidates are expected to hold a first degree at either first class or upper second class level, and must have met the English Language requirements of the course in question.

Candidates are required to return home immediately on conclusion of their course and they must sign an undertaking that they are nationals of a developing Commonwealth country;  are permanently domiciled in a developing Commonwealth country; and are not at present living or studying in a developed country, and must not have undertaken studies lasting one year or more in a developed country.

Applications for the scholarship must be received by 20 March 2013 using the Electronic Application System (EAS) 

• Home/EU = £3,900 (full-time), £2,150 (part-time).
• International: £12,350

There are a number of bursaries on offer to both home and overseas postgraduate students. Please see this page for details and eligibility.