The Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business is designed for those looking to build bold and pragmatic business solutions to the sustainability challenges we face. The programmes are designed to build capacity and leadership for change within mid to senior managers and are ideally suited to those who: 

1. Understand that a thriving future for society requires a new form of business leadership, one that tackles the challenges of today and uses them as a catalyst for future opportunities.  
2. Want to embed an innovative mindset in how they approach their professional role, supporting a systemic approach to change within their organisation, sector or region.  
3. Want to enhance their ability to respond to sustainability challenges and are looking to further their own personal and professional development in the field. 

The Certificate is a standalone qualification and can be used as the first step towards a full Master’s qualification.  

The University of Cambridge is renowned for its educational excellence and part of that excellence comes from the diversity of thought we bring into our cohorts. CISL’s programmes are designed for working professionals with business experience, and that attracts students from varied backgrounds, including those from unconventional academic backgrounds or who have not studied for many years. Dedicated sessions during the programme provide skills develop students’ academic writing and referencing skills.  

We encourage all those looking to be bold in creating change for a better future to apply or to contact the team to discuss their suitability.

“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 and finance 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 addressed during the programme; however, it is not essential to have specialised knowledge of 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 applicant's responsibility to ensure they have appropriate access to data and insights during the programme. Written confirmation of this access will be required in the letter of support submitted with the application.

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.

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

Which stream on the blended format is appropriate for me?

The blended format provides you with the opportunity to select between three streams – Organisational, Value Chains and Finance.

All streams address how business can catalyse wider system-level change. The Organisational stream addresses sustainability within the context of an organisation; the Value Chains stream examines the entire value chain and the life cycle of a product, whereas the Finance stream focuses on financial institutions and products.

In particular, the following streams are recommended for:

Organisational stream: professionals interested in driving change in their own organisation or working as consultants for business clients on projects that have a sustainability element. This stream empowers professionals to drive sustainability-related change and organisational resilience through a systemic perspective, best-practice insights from diverse sectors and contexts, and collaborative, strategic approaches.

Value chains stream: professionals working in procurement, marketing, and sales functions, as well as in design projects and collaborative projects with many external stakeholders. The stream is relevant to both upstream and downstream ends of the value chain, including post-consumer sustainability challenges.

Finance stream: finance, insurance and corporate finance professionals who want to either harness financial and insurance products, as well as the influence of financial systems and regulation, to contribute to the profitable creation of sustainable development and more resilient companies and economies, or better understand key risks and opportunities connected to sustainability to improve their portfolio and asset management. This stream is recommended for senior- to mid-career professionals and managers working as corporate treasurers, investment bankers, asset managers, asset owners, insurance and pensions investors, venture capital investors, and in other finance-related roles, who are looking to embed sustainability within their organisations, decision-making, products, and services.

You can choose your preferred stream on the application form, or the Course Directors will help you explore which of the streams is most suitable for you at the interview stage. The decision on the stream will be based on your business function, sector, role, preferences, and the focus of your assignments.

Applicants based throughout the world are welcome

This part-time programme has been designed to be accessible to students worldwide.

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. 

PCSB students become members of the CISL Network and, upon successful completion of their studies, of the Postgraduate Alumni Network. Being a member of these global networks allows students to connect with peers, share insights, collaborate on meaningful projects and develop their knowledge well beyond the duration of their postgraduate studies.