Admissions requirements

Applications for the 2027 entry will open in September 2026.

Programme Key information

A fee reduction of £2,350 is applied to the Postgraduate Certificate fee for candidates who have successfully completed a CISL 8-week online course.

Find out more about bursaries and other sources of funding.

Download the brochure for more information about our built environment postgraduate programmes.

Applying for the Master’s or Postgraduate Certificate

The selection process will adjudicate candidates against the criteria below. Whilst academic performance is one of the criteria that we will review in order to identify the strongest candidates, we will also consider other indicators of ability.

Applications are considered as they are received (rolling admissions). We typically receive a large volume of applications towards the closing date, hence applying as early as possible can increase the likelihood of receiving an early indication of the likely/final outcome. This can be especially helpful for applicants who require time to obtain organisational approval, English-language testing, funding, or visas to study, or to make other travel or personal arrangements. 

All applicants should expect to receive an update on the progress of their application within 6 weeks. The initial update for early applicants will usually indicate one of the following: 
1) offer of a place recommended;
2) rejection; or 
3) held for consideration with all the applications after the closing date. 

We aim to make firm decisions (1-2) as early as possible via a rigorous selection process in relation to our admissions criteria. If the decision is to hold the application (3), then the applicant should expect to hear back on the final outcome within 6 weeks of the closing date.
 

Master’s or Postgraduate Certificate?

Professionals choose further education for a variety of reasons. CISL offers both a Postgraduate Certificate and Master’s to accommodate the needs of different types of students.  Students on the Postgraduate Certificate: 
•    wish to enhance their knowledge without committing to a full 2-year programme;  
•    want to benefit from lifelong learning but may not want to write a dissertation; 
•    want to pursue higher education in smaller pieces (students who complete the Postgraduate Certificate can apply to continue on to the Master’s); 
•    may be ‘non-traditional’ students who do not meet the criteria for admissions to the Master’s in full; 
•    and, reflect on their personal leadership skills. 

Students on the Master’s: 
•    are committed to pursuing a 2-year course of study and completing a research dissertation; 
•    may be seeking the qualification to provide recognised credentials for career advancement;  
•    want to fully experience the entirety of the CISL learning programme; 
•    and, develop their personal leadership skills and sphere of influence as agents for change. 

Requirements of applicants for both programmes

Besides enthusiasm and commitment, applicants must have: 

• At least a 2.i honours bachelor’s degree (or successful completion of a Master’s degree) from a UK University, or an equivalent standard from a recognised overseas institution* 
• A minimum of three years' work experience in the built environment after graduation
• Demonstrable enthusiasm and/or aptitude for sustainability leadership in the built environment
• Good ability in written and spoken English language (see further details below)  
• Written endorsement from your employer or, if independent, a demonstrated understanding of the time commitment needed to undertake part-time study at this level 
• Access to appropriate computer technology and internet software 
• The ability to pay the course fees or to identify a sponsoring institution 

*If you have not previously studied in the UK, it is important to check your relevant country guidelines to ensure the qualifications you hold are considered suitable preparation for entry to your chosen course. Please refer to the University of Cambridge Graduate Admissions website where you can look at country-specific guidelines.  

Using AI in your application

When completing an appliction, candidates should note the University of Cambridge guidance on the restrictions and risks of using AI tools.

Letter of support

The programmes are designed for those in full-time employment, with assignments undertaken in a work-based context. If you will be in employment during your studies, please ask your employer to provide a letter stating that they support your application and understand/accept that in undertaking the course you will need time away from work to attend the residential sessions. If appropriate, an employer may want to indicate their appetite for implementing some of your learnings from the programme. 

If you are self-employed or in any other position not requiring the approval of an employer, then please provide a note signed by yourself in lieu of the letter of support from an employer. 

Supporting documents for Master's applicants

Ahead of starting an application Masters applicants should visit this guidance on essential supporting documents. Candidates are advised to use the template below to present their research proposal:

For applicants who are unsure what a research proposal is or how to write one, we suggest looking this up online, as there are numerous resources available.

Non-standard applicants

Exceptional candidates who do not meet the above standard academic requirements may be considered, based on the ability to demonstrate suitability for postgraduate study through professional and other attainments. 
If you think you are a non-standard applicant (i.e. you have alternative experience and qualifications), please contact us attaching a copy of your curriculum vitae, and we will give you an initial indication of whether you are likely to be considered favourably. 
 

Language requirement

All teaching and assessment on CISL's postgraduate-level programmes is in English. The University of Cambridge requires all applicants to demonstrate competence in the English language at a very high level before they begin their proposed course of study. Adherence to this requirement is strict.  

Applicants who are nationals of a majority English-speaking country are not normally required to take a language test. However, individual circumstances may lead to this being set as a condition of an offer. Majority English-speaking countries, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), are listed here.

Applicants who are not a national of a majority English-speaking country will likely be required to take a test and as such we recommend early investigation of test options available, including waiting list times and preparation requirements.

If applicants are required to take a test as part of their offer conditions, the test must meet the University’s English language requirement, currently; 

• IELTS (Academic), IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS One Skill Retake, IELTS Online: Overall score of 7.0 (with a minimum of 7.0 in listening, speaking and writing and a minimum of 6.5 in reading)
• TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) taken on or before 21 January 2026*: Overall score of 100 (a minimum of 25 in each individual component) 
• C1 (CAE): Grade A and B (overall score of 193, with no element lower than 185) plus a Language Centre assessment 
• C2 (CPE): Grade A, B, or C (overall score of 200 with no element lower than 185) 

*Due to changes in the test format, candidates who complete TOEFL and meet the score requirement after 21 January 2026 will be required to pass an additional online assessment with the University of Cambridge Language Centre. There is a fee associated with this assessment.

It is not necessary to have met the Language requirement at the time of application, but applicants are advised to arrange to sit a test as soon as possible if this applies to them.

Eligibility

Please contact the Sustainability Leadership for the Built Environment team for advice if you are uncertain about your eligibility or would otherwise like to discuss the application process and criteria.  

Visa requirements

Students who do not hold a UK or Irish passport will need immigration permission in order to come to the UK and study at Cambridge. Further details can be found on the University of Cambridge International Students website.  

Fees and funding 

The course fee for the built environment programme can be found in the overview table. Bursary and scholarship funding is available. For details of this and other funding options please see the bursaries and scholarships page.

Terms and conditions 

Students offered a place on the course will be asked to sign terms and conditions via an admissions agreement and/or financial undertaking form. The terms and conditions document below provides some indicative terms: