Leadership for Sustainable Rural Development

Overview

Rural areas are crucial to national productivity. Sustainable rural development is a strategy to promote vibrant, healthy rural communities by supporting regional economies, protecting natural resources, ensuring adequate rural services, and addressing food security.



Many rural communities depend on the viability of natural resource-based activities for their livelihoods, from farming, forestry and energy production to leisure, tourism, and artisan markets. Climate change and the increasing encroachment of urban spaces into rural areas present challenges as rural communities navigate the complex landscape of rural sustainability. Rural sustainability leaders are needed to challenge the disparities between rural and urban environments, and enable and strengthen sustainability through policy making, environmental protection and the empowerment of local communities.



This innovative Masters programme is open to applicants from all subject backgrounds, and is designed to create leaders and sustainability professionals in all fields and subjects. The course will require a high level of independence, adaptability, engagement with both the University and external organisations, and a willingness to be challenged.



Programme content is designed to be holistic, so students will study at intermediate level the broad-ranging fields of leadership and management, environmental and sustainability science, social studies, and economics, amongst others, to prepare them for life as change agents in sustainable development. The course embraces personal choice of study where possible to enhance the students’ existing knowledge, experiences, and interests.



A key principle of the programme is the importance of Education for Sustainable Development, and students will complete the course as fully developed individuals with competency in critical-thinking, systems-thinking, interpersonal working, and much more. Modules are taught through action-based, experiential learning methods such as practicals, site visits, work placements and community-based learning consultancy projects, in addition to lectures and tutorials.

Introduction

Autumn Semester

Students will be introduced to leadership and sustainable development over three taught modules to help gain an overview of the principles and values of sustainable development, and why it is important.



Leadership & Management for Sustainable Development:

explore approaches to leading and managing people, projects, change, budgets and more, particularly in how these can be used as tools for creating action within the field of sustainable development.



Foundations for Sustainable Development:

consider the core themes, subject knowledge, history, policies and strategies underpinning sustainable development, focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.



Skills for Sustainable Development:

develop and understanding of the tools and methodologies needed by a sustainability professional such as behaviour change, environmental impact assessment and lifecycle analysis.



Effective Leadership (Group Project):

requires a small group of students to engage with a host organisation over the year in a real-world project to promote sustainable development through experiential learning and action research.



Spring Semester

Students will carry a compulsory work-based learning placement in the second semester, sixteen weeks' work from January to May. The placements provide experiences of sustainable rural development and leadership thereof in a wide range of organisations. Staff and students work together to identify suitable hosts.



Summer Semester

Students will work with an academic supervisor (and industry professional) to complete a piece of independent, original research of relevance to rural sustainability.

Graduate

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.



Applicants who do not meet the above academic requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Submission of a portfolio and/or interview may be required.



The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicy for more information.



International Students

Please see International Student's link below.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally not later than 31st July 2025.



In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder.



Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.



Please note: A deposit will be required to secure a place on this course.

1 year full-time.

Entry Year: 2025/26

Career Prospects

Introduction

This MSc will equip you to work in a variety of roles in both the private and public sector, here in Northern Ireland, and internationally. Our recent graduates have gone onto a wide range of roles such as; Climate Programme Manager: Action Resilience Officer for Climate: Rural Development Specialist; Environmental Manager; Sustainability Consultant; Rural Community Development Officer; UFU: Recycling Education Promotions Officer; Rural Community Network Manager; Marine Community Support Officer; Rural Services Support: Waste and Recycling Manager: Parliamentary Assistant and Environmental Consultant.