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An image to illustrate the Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Management
Environmental management is becoming increasingly important to everyone, whether at work, in the community, or at home – from complying with environmental legislation to addressing global challenges such as climate change and energy conservation. This course addresses the everyday concerns of environmental protection, natural resource management and rapidly changing environmental legislation and policy. You’ll explore biophysical, social, political and economic factors from local to global and develop the skills to participate creatively in improving environmental performance in your own context.
This postgraduate certificate is the same as the first half of our Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management (E79) and the first third of our MSc in Environmental Management (F65).
To gain this qualification, you need 60 credits. You'll study two compulsory 30-credit environmental management modules.

ModulesCreditsNext start
You'll study both of the following:
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 T867, you may count this instead.

By studying the Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Management, you’ll:
You’ll learn through online materials, case studies and tutor-supported assignments.
You’ll be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Management upon successful completion. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PG Cert Env Mgmt (Open) after your name.
Your postgraduate certificate 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 Certificate in Environmental Management part-time, completing 60 credits over a one-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 Certificate 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.
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:
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.
You’ll pay for your qualification one module at a time, rather than the full cost upfront. The fee for each module is listed in its description.

£3,860*
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 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 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.
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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Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.
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