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Course type
Masters degree
Credits
180

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
3 years part-time study
Read more about how long it takes
Study method
Distance learning
Course cost
Postgraduate loan available
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

MSc in Environmental Management

Course code: F65

This MSc expands your knowledge and skills needed for effective, informed and creative environmental management. You’ll examine current local and global concerns in areas such as environmental protection, legislation and policy, natural resource management and sustainability, developing your skills in analysing the issues and improving environmental performance in all sectors. You’ll choose option modules from project management, environmental science, innovation management and systems thinking. Finally, you’ll conclude with an in-depth investigation of a topic or problem of your choice.

This course is accredited by:

This course is accredited by:

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Choose first module
  • Develop essential skills for successfully addressing environmental issues
  • Take a rigorous approach to solving complex real-world problems
  • Conclude with either a substantial piece of independent study on a topic of professional interest or a more academic, in-depth research project

The first two-thirds of this MSc is the same as our Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management (E79). The first third is the same as our Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Management (K19).

Course type
Masters degree
Credits
180

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
3 years part-time study
Read more about how long it takes
Study method
Distance learning
Course cost
Postgraduate loan available
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

How to register

Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:

Stage 1 (120 credits)

60 credits from:

Compulsory modules Credits Next start
Making environmental decisions (T891)

This module teaches you to use a systems framework to integrate environment with other considerations when making decisions in complex environmental management situations.

See full description

Register
 30 01 Nov 2025
Sustainable organisations: theory and practice (T892)

This module provides the background knowledge and a practical skill-set to lead the way in transforming or creating sustainable organisations of the future.

See full description

Register
 30 01 May 2026
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T863 and T867.

30 credits from:

Compulsory modules Credits Next start
Environmental monitoring and protection (T868)

This engaging online module will equip you with information on monitoring, modelling, and preventive technologies for water, noise, air, and wastes pollution.

See full description

Register
 30 01 Nov 2025
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T878 and TD866.

30 credits from:

Option modules Credits Next start
Project management (M815)

This APM accredited module is ideal for aspiring project managers and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects.

See full description

Register
 30 01 May 2026
Environmental science challenges (S831)
An opportunity to learn how to help address environmental problems whilst developing core skills directly relevant to employability and good citizenship.

See full description

Register
 30 04 Oct 2025
Technology innovation management (TB801)

This module examines innovation from a management perspective, enabling you to develop an understanding of how to contribute to the process and management of technological innovation.

See full description

Register
 30 01 Nov 2025
Making strategy through systems thinking in practice (TB871)

TB871 builds capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking.

See full description

Register
 30 01 May 2026
Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872)

This module is about effecting systemic and systematic change in uncertain and complex situations, change that can transform situations for the better.

See full description

Register
 30 01 Nov 2025
Advance your independent learning  (YXM830)
This innovative module allows you to take a topic of your choosing and focus on it in depth while developing your postgraduate study skills.

See full description

Register
 30 04 Oct 2025
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules D837, S825, T848, T869, T878, T889, TU811, TU812, TD866, TU870 and TUXX870

Stage 2 (60 credits)

Either 60 credits from:

Module Credits Next start
Research project (T802)

This research module is the final part of an MSc; you’ll design your own research and submit a dissertation.

See full description

Register
 60 01 Feb 2026

Or 60 credits from:

Compulsory modules Credits Next start
MSc project: researching in context (T803)

T803 is the capstone module of multiple masters qualifications, during which you’ll complete a small research project.

See full description

Register
 30 01 Nov 2025
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module T847.
Plus, another 30 credits from the Stage 1 modules 30

You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you. Note, in particular, you can only count the credit from one of the following modules towards a single qualification: Research project (T802) or MSc project: researching in context (T803).

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Cognitive skills
  • Practical and professional skills
  • Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes.

Credit transfer

If you have already completed some successful study at postgraduate level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards this Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible as it may affect your choice of OU modules. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.

Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.

On completion

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Master of Science in Environmental Management. You’ll be entitled to use the letters MSc Env Mgmt (Open) after your name.

If your masters degree is awardable with a distinction or a merit, the qualification regulations explain how you can achieve these.

You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website. 

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 18 March 2025.

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

However, some option modules do have entry requirements. We’ll ask you to prove you meet them when you register for any of these modules:

Although this qualification has no entry requirements, we recommend you have:

Our free course, Succeeding in postgraduate study, helps you develop the skills and confidence to manage the requirements and demands of postgraduate study.

You’ll also need the skills and knowledge to:

  • Write technical essays and reports at a high level.
  • Carry out calculations using logarithms and the exponential function.
  • Analyse numerical data.
  • Understand and apply scientific principles in relation to chemical reactions, biological processes and energy conversion.

While Environmental monitoring and protection (T868) may not be the module you study first, the T868 diagnostic will help you assess if you’re ready for this qualification.

How long it takes

Most students study the MSc in Environmental Management part-time, completing 60 credits a year over three years. Typically, this means 12–25 study hours each week.

You must complete the MSc in Environmental Management within eight years.

Career relevance

Our environmental management programme is for people who are interested in designing, managing and participating in more effective environmental decision-making processes. For example, if you are involved in setting up or responding to environmental or integrated management systems, planning new development projects or are trying to understand or manage sustainability. Students are drawn from industry, commerce, local and national governments, consultancies, non-governmental organisations and communities. They include people already involved in environmental management and those who wish to be – both personally and professionally.

The professional route, where you take the MSc professional project as your final module, is particularly suitable if you want to develop your career in industry, commerce, the public sector or the third sector. The research route is more applicable if you intend to develop a career in research or go on to undertake study leading to a PhD or other research degree.

Whichever route you follow, this qualification will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in this expanding sector.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and the Institute of Sustainability & Environmental Professionals (ISEP).

CIWEM is a global community of professionals, industry organisations, universities, governments, and NGOs united to improve the practice of water and environmental management in ways that benefit society and our environment. This programme’s CIWEM accreditation means you can be confident you’ll be well-prepared for a career in water and environmental management. Becoming a CIWEM member gives you a globally recognised demonstration of your professionalism and technical abilities; you can join at any stage in your career.

This course is approved by the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP). This course entitles students to FREE student membership for the duration of the course, and on successful completion, graduates will qualify for GradISEP. Graduate membership is a launchpad for future leaders within environment and sustainability and offers a range of benefits to support you throughout your career. You can then “Fast track” to Practitioner Membership (PISEP) following successful completion of the work-based assessment of competence.

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