“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 process and requirements.

Which stream is appropriate for me?

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.

Completing either of the streams successfully will lead to receiving a Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business, accredited by the University of Cambridge. 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 Tutors 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. 

Applicants from outside the UK

We welcome applicants from outside the UK. This part-time course based around two workshops 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.

Teams or groups (Value chains stream only)

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.