“With participants from all over the world across different industries, functions and backgrounds, the course has improved my ability to think critically, communicate cross-culturally and apply insight to propose practical solutions.”

Jake Smith, Rolls-Royce plc, PCSB Organisational stream

Applicants

We welcome applications from:

• mainstream business roles from all business functions, including strategy and policy, finance, corporate affairs and communications, research and business/product development, procurement, operations, sales and marketing
• social/environmental/CSR/sustainability specialists, including consultants
• entrepreneurs and founders or managers of small and medium enterprises
• those working in the not-for-profit and government sectors that are involved with, or interested in gaining exposure to, sustainability in a business context.

It is assumed that applicants will have a reasonably good general knowledge of some of the issues dealt with during the programme; however, it is not essential to have specialised knowledge in sustainability or a related field. In fact, we welcome perspectives from applicants in a variety of roles who wish to improve their ability to mainstream sustainability into core business activities.

All applicants are required to identify an appropriate organisational context on which they can write their individual assignments. For the majority of applicants this will be their own employer. For applicants where this is a client organisation or other party, it is the applicants responsibility to ensure they have appropriate access to data and insights during the programme.

In addition to the formal requirements, we are particularly looking for applicants who can demonstrate academic or professional excellence and who will use their learning from the programme to lead or influence change.

Find out more about the application

Which format is appropriate for me?

PCSB is available in two formats – as a blended programme and a fully online programme. The blended programme requires attendance at two 4-day residential workshops in Cambridge, while the other elements of the programme can be studied remotely. The fully online programme does not require travel to Cambridge, as all elements are delivered online. Which format would be suitable for you depends primarily on your preferences for learning format, and your circumstances.

Completing either of the formats (blended or online) successfully will lead to the award of a Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business, accredited by the University of Cambridge.

Which stream is appropriate for me?

Blended format

The blended format provides you with the opportunity to select between two streams – Organisational and Value Chain.

The Course Directors will explore which of the two streams is most suitable for you at interview, although you may indicate your preferred stream in the application form. The decision on the stream will be determined by considering your business function, sector, role and the focus of your assignments.

Both the Organisational stream and the Value Chains stream address how business can catalyse wider system-level change. The Organisational stream does so by addressing sustainability within the context of an organisation, whereas the Value Chains stream addresses a broader context: the whole value chain. Each of the streams have their own cohort of Supervisors that provide expertise in specific thematic areas related to the stream.

Applicants from the finance industry can apply for either of the streams, depending on the focus of their sustainability challenge or opportunity that will be addressed in their individual course work.

Online format

PCSB Online is currently only has one stream available, ie Business Sustainability Management. Nevertheless, student have the opportunity to tailor their learning relative to their role, their area of interest, and the area where they see most opportunity for impact, without needing to select a specific stream.

In future, additional streams may be offered which will align with some of CISL’s portfolio of 8 week online courses. To express interest to join in future, please complete this form.

Applicants based throughout the world are welcome

This part-time programme has been designed to be accessible for students based throughout the world.

The content is internationally relevant, however it should be noted that the programme is developed and delivered by a predominantly UK team.

Why apply?

CISL’s postgraduate courses are widely regarded as some of the best in the world. Our students explain how the unique opportunities provided by the programmes have helped them to collaborate, learn from industry and academic experts, and bring about change in their organisations. Their sustainability studies will be applied to real challenges and opportunities in the private, public and NGO sectors.