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An image to illustrate the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management
If you’re interested in designing and participating in effective environmental management, this diploma is for you. It’s suitable for many contexts, from government, commerce and industry to voluntary, local and community organisations. You’ll consider the everyday concerns of environmental protection, natural resource management, and rapidly changing environmental legislation and policy, in global and local contexts – gaining the skills to unpack these issues and play an active, creative role in improving environmental performance. You’ll choose option modules from project management, environmental science, innovation management and systems thinking.
This course is accredited by:
Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) logo.
ISEP University Partner logo
This postgraduate diploma is the same as the first two-thirds of our MSc in Environmental Management (F65). The first half is the same as our Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Management (K19).
To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits. You'll study three compulsory 30-credit environmental management modules and choose 30 credits from a range of option modules.

ModulesCreditsNext start
You'll study all three of the following:
Environmental monitoring and protection (T868)
This module will equip you with information on monitoring, modelling, and preventive technologies for water, noise, air, and waste pollution.
Next start date: 01 Nov 2026
See full description
3001 Nov 2026
Making environmental decisions (T891)
This module teaches a systems framework to integrate environment with other considerations when making decisions in complex environmental management situations.
Next start date: 01 Nov 2026
See full description
3001 Nov 2026
Sustainable organisations: theory and practice (T892)
This module provides the background knowledge and practical skill set to lead the way in transforming or creating sustainable organisations of the future.
Next start date: 01 May 2027
See full description
3001 May 2027
Subject to regulations, if you’ve passed the discontinued module T863, T867, T878 or TD866, you may count one or more of these instead.
You'll choose one from:
Project management (M815)
This APM-accredited module is for aspiring and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in managing technological projects.
Next start date: 01 May 2027
See full description
3001 May 2027
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.
Next start date: 03 Oct 2026
See full description
3003 Oct 2026
Technology and innovation management (TB801)
Examine innovation from a management perspective, and develop an understanding of how to contribute to the process and management of technological innovation.
Next start date: 01 Nov 2026
See full description
3001 Nov 2026
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)
Build your capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking.
Next start date: 01 May 2027
See full description
3001 May 2027
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.
Next start date: 01 Nov 2026
See full description
3001 Nov 2026
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.
Next start date: 03 Oct 2026
See full description
3003 Oct 2026
Subject to regulations, if you’ve passed the discontinued module D837, S825, T848, T869, T878, T889, TU811, TU812, TD866 or TU870, you may count one of these instead.

By studying the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management, you’ll:
You’ll study through online materials, case studies and tutor-supported activities.
You’ll be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management upon successful completion. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PG Dip Env Mgmt (Open) after your name.
Your postgraduate diploma may be awarded with a distinction or a merit. The qualification regulations explain the criteria you’ll need to meet to earn one of these classifications.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
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 to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You’ll study the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management part-time, completing 60 credits per year over a two-year period. Typically, this translates to 16–20 hours of study per week.

The recommended hours include time to work through that week’s online study planner, complete recommended reading, and attend tutorials.

You must complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management within eight years.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
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:
The T868 diagnostic will help you assess if you’re ready for this qualification.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
You’ll pay for your qualification one module at a time, rather than the full cost upfront. Since module fees can vary, the total cost of the qualification will depend on the modules you choose. The fee for each module is listed in its description.

£7,390–£7,720*
Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.
There are some additional costs that aren’t included.
Further information is available in the module descriptions.
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
Learn more about spreading the costs with monthly instalments and our other funding options below.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
We’ll show you how you can pay by bank transfer or combine payment methods.
You may be eligible for:
Our environmental management programme is for people interested in designing, managing, and participating in more effective environmental management 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 on our environmental management programme are drawn from industry, commerce, local government, consultancies, non-governmental organisations and communities. They include people already involved in environmental management and those who wish to be – both personally and professionally.
You can select modules that are most relevant to your interests and career aspirations as your studies progress from a postgraduate certificate through a diploma to our MSc.
This qualification will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in this expanding sector.
Accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM). 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 demonstrates your professionalism and technical abilities to the world; you can join at any stage in your career.
Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) logo.
Approved by the Institute of Sustainability & 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.
ISEP University Partner logo
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.
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