Sustainabilty in Enterprise

Course Outline
Are you concerned about sustainability and climate action? Are you someone who is interested in achieving real systems change across enterprise and industry? Do you want to know how business can play a part in the transition to a sustainable society? If so, then the Postgraduate Certificate and MSc in Sustainability in Enterprise programmes could be for you!

Under the 'Sustainable Futures' theme, University College Cork, Maynooth University and Institute of Technology, Sligo have developed a joint Postgraduate Certificate and MSc in Sustainability in Enterprise, in recognition of the growing national and international market for graduates in sustainability. These part-time and online programmes are open to graduates from Engineering, Science, Business, Management, Economics, Sustainability and related disciplines. They are open to both recent graduates and those currently in employment.

This online Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability in Enterprise is delivered on a part-time basis over 1 year whereas the MSc in Sustainability in Enterprise is delivered on a part-time basis over 2 years. In Year 1, you will register for the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability in Enterprise and take modules to the value of 30 credits. Following successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Year 1, you may progress to the MSc in Sustainability in Enterprise in Year 2. To complete the MSc, you will take an additional 60 credits to make up 90 credits in total. This includes taught modules to the value of 30 credits and a Dissertation in Sustainability in Enterprise (CE6051) to the value of 30 credits, which is completed over the summer months.

Why Choose This Course
This new part-time online Postgraduate Certificate and MSc in Sustainability in Enterprise programmes are delivered by leading academic experts in sustainability from University College Cork, Maynooth University, Institute of Technology, Sligo.

UCC is a national and global leader in Sustainability and was ranked 8th in the world in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings in 2021 for its work related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Postgraduate Certificate and MSc in Sustainability in Enterprise programmes leverage UCC's Sustainability Strategy and the interdisciplinary strengths and capacity developed over 20 years within the Environmental Research Institute and its reach across 20 disciplines at UCC. It also draws on the strength of UCC's commitment and success in their Green Campus initiative. The programme aims to build on this success to support the transformation to a low carbon economy across a range of industry sectors using a flexible programme design that is responsive to emerging skills needs.

IT Sligo has recognised expertise in Environmental Science and Management and is the leading Irish HEI in the delivery of online/blended learning programmes in partnership with industry. IT Sligo have >16 years of experience in online/blended education and have been recipient of the 'Taoiseach's Public Service Excellence Award' for its achievements in promoting online/blended learning for full-time and part-time students. MU's School of Business is a management education research leader whose expertise includes contributions in the field of sustainability in management education. IT Sligo's third level educational programmes are informed by research at their Centre for Environmental Research Innovation and Sustainability while MU's teaching is supported by the Irish Climate Analysis and Research Unit (ICARUS).

This unique joint programme will also include industry and enterprise guest lectures. By design, the programmes offer great flexibility for students, especially those who are also working.

Modules
Year 1 (Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability in Enterprise):
CE6045 Introduction to Sustainability & the Natural Environment (10 credits)
CE6046 Introduction to Sustainable Enterprise (10 credits)
CE6047 Systems Thinking in Environmental Sustainability (10 credits)

Year 2 (for completion of the MSc in Sustainability in Enterprise):
CE6048 Responsible Management for Sustainable Enterprise (10 credits)
CE6049 Decarbonisation and Pathways to Net Zero (10 credits)
CE6050 Applied Research Methods in Sustainability in Enterprise (10 credits)
CE6051 Dissertation in Sustainability in Enterprise (30 credits)

Requirements
Applicants must have a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) with at least a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in any of the following:

- Science
- Engineering
- Business
- Management
- Economics
- Sustainability
- A related discipline (e.g. Finance, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Computer Science or Medicine)

Candidates who have completed the Higher Diploma in Sustainability in Enterprise (NFQ, Level 8) are also eligible to apply to the programme. Although in most cases interviews will not be required to assess suitability for the programme, please note that an interview may be required in some instances. Applicants who do not meet the minimum entry requirements for this course may wish to consider applying for the Higher Diploma in Sustainability in Enterprise (NFQ, Level 8).

How Do I Apply

1. Choose Course
Firstly choose your course. Applicants can apply for up to two courses under one application. Details of taught courses are available on our online prospectus.

2. Apply Online
Once you have chosen your course you can apply online at the online application portal. Applicants will need to apply before the course closing date. There is a non-refundable €50 application fee for this course.

3. Gather Supporting Documents
Scanned copies of the following documents will need to be uploaded to the online application portal in support of your application. Applicants may need to produce the original documents if you are accepted onto a course and register at UCC.

- Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.

- Any supplementary items requested for your course.

Please log into the online application portal for more details.

4. Application processing timeline
Our online application portal opens for for this course in late October/early November.

5. Course Offers
Course offers will be made on a rolling basis.

6. Questions on how to apply?
Please use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

- You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

- Please upload your CV here.

- Please enter the name and email address of two referees.

2 years Part-time – PG Certificate (Year 1); Masters (Year 2).

Skills and Careers Information
The Postgraduate Certificate and MSc in Sustainability in Enterprise will develop highly competitive graduates with expertise in environmental sustainability, sustainability in business and management, and in systems thinking. These combined skills ensure that graduates will be able to solve complex multi-faceted sustainability challenges both now and in the future. Graduates will be employed in sustainability roles in business, industry, enterprise and large organisations across a variety of sectors.

Following completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Year 1, students can further enhance their qualifications and expertise by progressing to the MSc in Sustainability in Enterprise in Year 2.