Admission requirements

For details of the application requirements for Stage 1 of the Diploma please visit the admissions webpages for the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business. The following information relates to Stage 2 of the Diploma only.

As a minimum, all applicants to Stage 2 must have:

• a good academic performance during stage 1 i.e. the Postgraduate Certificate
• a minimum of three years' work experience after graduation
• good ability in written and spoken English language. Please see below for more details of the English language requirement
• endorsement from your employer supporting your application and required time commitment for the programme
• access to appropriate computer technology and internet software
• the ability to pay the course fees or to identify a sponsoring institution
• the ability to attend the required residential modules and commitment to attend all the compulsory online components of the programme

In addition, when reviewing applications, the selection panel will be looking for evidence of:

• demonstrable commitment to and/or enthusiasm and aptitude for sustainability leadership
• understanding of Stage 2, its requirements and structure
• demonstrable ability to leverage the learnings from Stage 1 for both personal and professional development and/or to drive change in the wider organisation or industry
• appropriate suggestions for original research of suitable ambition and scope, demonstrated via a brief overview of the proposed Analytical Case Study and Literature Review Essay

Application and selection process

Applications are made via an online application form. Applicants should expect to receive an update on the progress of their application within 6 weeks. For Stage 2 this may be an offer of a place, a request for further information, an invitation to interview or a notification that the application has been unsuccessful. 

The Selection Panel will adjudicate applicants against the above criteria. While academic performance is one of the criteria used to identify the strongest candidates, we will also consider the other listed indicators of ability.

Applications are considered as they are received, on a rolling admissions basis. 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 requiring time to obtain organisational approval, funding or visas to study, or make other travel or personal arrangements.

Candidates are expected to complete all three stages of the flexible route within 10 years of enrolling on the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business (PCSB). PCSB alumni who would already be beyond this window are recommended to make their stage 2 application as early as possible within the admissions cycle as they may be required to provide additional information or complete additional activities to demonstrate recent learning or up-to-date knowledge of sustainability issues and/or academic skills.

Applications are welcome from Stage 1 students who are still studying and do not yet know the final outcome of their PCSB award.

Language requirements

 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 that are a national 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 7.5 (a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component) 
• TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) taken on or before 21 January 2026*: Overall score of 110 (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 after 21 January 2026 will be required to pass an additional 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 point of application, but applicants are advised to make arrangements to sit a test as soon as possible if this is applicable to them.

Completion of PCSB (Stage 1) does not exempt candidates from meeting the English Language requirement. Candidates who continue from Stage 1 to Stage 2 within the same year may be able to use the same evidence they submitted for Stage 1 depending on the test type and date.

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 Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Business can be found in the overview table. Bursary funding has been made available for deserving candidates who are currently prevented from studying due to financial reasons. For details of this bursary and other funding options please see the bursaries page. 

Terms and conditions 

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