Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (MSc)

Birkbeck, University of London

Corporate responsibility and sustainability have become significant issues for a wide range of organisations and for the managers who work within them. The reasons for this include high-profile corporate scandals; a growing need to demonstrate accountability, transparency and sustainability; a decreasing tolerance for corporate excess and irresponsibility; and the need to protect corporate reputation and to develop brand loyalty and competitive advantage.

The MSc Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability will deepen your understanding and stimulate critical thinking in these areas. You will have the opportunity to practise problem-focused decision-making on a range of economic, social and environmental issues that affect the operation of contemporary organisations. The programme will be of benefit if you wish to develop further insights into corporate responsibility and sustainability as part of your career, or if you have limited knowledge of the subject but would like to embark on a career in this sector. It is also ideal if you wish to continue on to a PhD.

TEACHING

Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY

Graduates can pursue careers in local and national government, business and industry. Possible professions include management consultant, human resources officer, or operational researcher. This degree can also be useful in becoming a marketing executive or retail manager.