Climate Change and Sustainable Solutions MSc (online)
Overview
Addressing climate change is the defining challenge of our time. As emissions continue to rise and environmental deterioration accelerates, the need for decisive action has never been more urgent. Yet as governments, businesses and societies grapple with this complex transition, a critical missing component remains: the skilled leaders needed to deliver transformation.
Our online climate change and sustainability master’s bridges this gap. This multidisciplinary programme will equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead the transition to a sustainable future. You’ll gain a deep understanding of climate science, policy, and governance while mastering the practical tools to design and execute effective solutions.
Delivered 100% online, this distance-learning programme has been designed with busy professionals in mind. Study part-time, wherever you’re based, without pausing your career or sacrificing other commitments.
Why study a climate change and sustainability MSc?
The transition to a net-zero economy is reshaping every sector, from finance and energy to consulting and policy.
By studying our climate change and sustainability master’s, you position yourself at the forefront of a global movement, gaining the expertise to tackle deeply complex problems that require innovative, cross-disciplinary solutions.
Climate change and sustainability careers
In today’s job market, professionals with green skills have a significant competitive edge. Globally, the hiring rate for sustainability professionals is 46.6% higher than the hiring rate for the workforce overall. (LinkedIn Green Skills Report)
This demonstrates the high demand for green talent, driven by new regulations, including Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR), as well as national net-zero targets and growing pressure on organisations to operate more responsibly. Across sectors, employers are investing in people who can help them reduce risk, meet reporting standards and build resilient, future-ready organisations.
For graduates of this climate change MSc, this means an opportunity to excel in a growing field where demand for skilled professionals continues to outpace supply, with opportunities to shape policy, influence business strategy and drive meaningful environmental and social change.
Potential roles include:
- Climate risk consultant
- ESG analyst
- Net-zero programme manager
- Sustainable supply-chain specialist
- Resilience consultant
- Carbon accounting specialist
Why this climate change course?
Tangible solutions to the climate crisis will require an understanding of the big picture. That’s why our online sustainability master’s has been designed by a team of cross-departmental experts from the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy, King’s Business School, and the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences.
You’ll benefit from:
- World-class research: Learn from academics at the forefront of climate research, including those from our dedicated King’s Climate Research Hub and Net Zero Centre.
- Practical, job-ready skills: Go beyond theory with training in carbon accounting, supply chain analysis, GIS and systems methods.
- A solutions focus: Develop the capacity to design innovative, effective strategies that consider technical, economic and governance-related factors.
- Global connections: Benefit from King’s partnerships with international agencies, research institutes and relevant employers, and join a thriving alumni network on graduating.
What will you learn on the Climate Change and Sustainable Solutions MSc?
Modules
Addressing climate change is one of the most urgent priorities for society today. The physical, economic and social impacts of global warming are accelerating as GHG emissions continue to rise with little sign of abatement.
This module aims to set out the evidence for human-induced global warming, the socio-economic and environmental impacts that are already taking place on a global scale, and the future scenarios of climatic change under different sustainability pathways.
The aim of this module is to provide students with a detailed knowledge of climate change science and to build their confidence in being able to explain why transformative, sustainable solutions are so urgently needed.
(30 credits)
This module will provide a comprehensive understanding of the role that science, policy and governance play in addressing climate change.
International and national policy frameworks, such as UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, will be examined to understand the politics and decision-making processes that shape adaptation and mitigation responses in theory and practice.
To explore the challenges and opportunities with implementing effective climate policies, case studies, discussions (both synchronous and asynchronous), and negotiation role-play will be used to give insights into how different actors (government, public institutions, researchers, private companies, individuals) interact and the relationship between science and policy.
(30 credits)
Many of today’s social and environmental problems have their roots in the modern financial system and in the way we have been conducting business over the last 60 years. And yet both finance and business have the potential to play a vital role in creating solutions for sustainability.
In this module, we explore the role of business in creating a sustainable economy, examine their current performance and strategies, and create pathways for change.
The module will also explore the way in which climate change is the biggest financial risk of our time, and equally the opportunities it presents for financial innovation.
Students will work on practical problems and real examples to understand the enablers and barriers of sustainable business and green finance.
(30 credits)
This module examines how the global transition towards sustainability intersects with geopolitics and security.
It provides students with a foundational understanding of theoretical frameworks through which they can better understand and analyse transition dynamics (from local to global scales). This will include introducing prominent models for risk analysis in the Anthropocene and useful theories of change surrounding the feedback loops through which environmental trends, economic transitions and socio-political behaviours are shaping and reshaping each other.
Building on these frameworks, the module also covers a range of specific trends across key thematic areas, including resources and economics, technology and innovation, placehood and mobility, health and wellbeing, and norms and ideologies. This includes case studies on issues including critical mineral competition, economic transition risks, supply chain vulnerabilities, security sector reform, and evolving climate governance and resilience systems.
Importantly, the module also challenges students to think beyond trends-based analysis and to engage with issues of deep uncertainty. This includes challenging students to examine ‘possibilistic’ rather than ‘probabalistic’ futures, which bridge the gap between 'known' geopolitical path-dependencies and 'unknown' transformative potentials.
The module emphasises professional application, drawing on students' diverse geographic and career contexts to explore sustainability challenges from multiple perspectives.
(15 credits)
This module will provide students with knowledge on how and why technological change happens in relation to climate change. It will also enable students to engage critically with the key functions and challenges of technologies that can be used in climate change responses (adaptation, mitigation and geoengineering).
(15 credits)
This module provides in depth training in a range of sustainability skills, culminating in a defined research project on a climate solution.
Students will learn data skills, including collecting, analysing and reporting on data, carbon accounting and lifecycle analysis, and GIS and spatial analysis.
Students will be able to choose from one of two datasets/problem briefs to complete a report for a consultancy group and they will have to write an independent report under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
The objectives of this module are to provide scaffolding knowledge for Project B, the dissertation, and to provide students with the technical skills needed for future sustainability leaders.
(30 credits)
This module provides students with the support and time to undertake a dissertation. Students will be paired with an academic supervisor to produce a dissertation on a subject of their choosing.
If the student is currently employed, they can choose to undertake a dissertation on a work-based issue, in which case they would be paired with both an academic supervisor and a work-based manager.
(30 credits)
Learning outcomes
You’ll develop sought-after knowledge and skills in five key areas.
Global systems literacy: Develop a systematic understanding of key global environmental and resources systems and how they are being reshaped as a result of the current socio-economic status-quo.
Data and analytics for sustainability: Learn how to handle data and the understand the uncertainty of data and modelling of global systems, including environmental, social and economic data.
Politics and governance of sustainability: Develop a deep and systematic understanding of the complex relationship between climate science and policy and study how that relationship informs current and/or future global and local climate (in)action.
Problem-solving for sustainability: Think critically and consider the full complexity of sustainability problems, and experience of working individually and in teams to develop solutions for complex sustainability problems.
Research skills and project management: Build experience with designing and implementing a substantial research project (dissertation) that demonstrates key employability skills.
How will you be assessed?
Assessments are designed to test your knowledge, understanding, and critical awareness of the topics discussed during the programme. They also evaluate your ability to analyse and apply specialist knowledge to practice.
While these may vary between modules, they are likely to include one or more of the following:
- essays
- group work
- oral presentations
- science and policy briefs
- concept maps
- analytical reports.
Why study sustainability at King’s?
King’s College London is a global leader in sustainability education and research.
- 9th in Europe and 16th globally for environmental and social sustainability (QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026)
- ‘First-Class University’ status in the People & Planet University League 2025-26, scoring 100% in both sustainable food and education categories
- 7th in the UK for Social Sciences (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026)
- 14th best geography department in the world (QS World University Ranking by Subject 2025)
Who is this course for?
Our climate change MSc is ideal for early- to mid-career professionals who are passionate about environmental issues and eager to take on leadership roles in the sustainability sector. If you seek practical solutions to complex sustainability issues through policy, business models or operational changes, this programme is for you.
We welcome students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds who are motivated to understand sustainability solutions at a systems level. You’ll gain the skills, confidence and knowledge to build or advance an impactful, sustainability-focused career.
Whether you’re looking to pivot your career, overcome a plateau or deepen your expertise, this programme will equip you with the strategic management skills and systems literacy needed for roles like Sustainability Manager, Climate Risk Analyst and ESG Consultant.
Online learning
Life doesn't stop once you start studying. Our 100% online distance learning model offers the flexibility to balance your education with your professional and personal commitments.
Delivered via our virtual learning environment, KEATS, the programme offers 24/7 access to high-quality learning materials, including interactive modules, video lessons, recorded lectures and all required reading.
You can study part-time, connecting with a global cohort of peers through collaborative exercises that mirror real-world professional environments.
Interested in this programme?
Meet the programme director
Dr Katie Manning
Entry requirements
You should have a 2:1 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related subject, typically in environmental, earth or natural sciences; social or political sciences; business, economics, public policy, or engineering. Similar disciplines will also be considered.
We also welcome applicants with relevant professional experience who can demonstrate their ability to study at a postgraduate level. If you hold a 2:1 or 2:2 degree (or international equivalent) in any subject, or have equivalent professional qualifications, you must be able to demonstrate relevant professional experience.
Applicants with Level 5 qualifications or equivalent must have at least five years of relevant work experience.
As part of your application, you will need to answer personal statement questions and provide two references. Depending on your previous qualifications, you may also need to submit a CV.
You must provide a copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
English language requirements
English language band: B
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English language requirements page.
Fees
The total cost of our Climate Change and Sustainable Solutions MSc programme is £15,500.
Students must pay a deposit of £2,500 upfront to secure their place on the course.
These tuition fees may be subject to increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.
Depending on your country of residence, you may also have to pay Goods and Services Tax (GST) in addition to your tuition fees. You can find further information on the King's Goods and Services tax page.
Application deadlines
The application deadline for the next intake (September) is 1 September 2026.
There are 3 intakes per year: September, January and May.
For all application deadlines, click the ‘Get programme details’ button on this page, complete the form and an Enrolment Advisor will be in touch to provide more information.
