Overview of our part-time Master's-level Sustainability Leadership for the Built Environment qualifications
Diagrammatic overview, with progression routes and associated fees | Back to the postgraduate study homepage | Key details for Sustainable Business Postgraduate Programmes | Download the overview table here
Key Details
University of Cambridge qualification: | Master of Studies Degree | Postgraduate Certificate |
Course title: | Sustainability Leadership for the Built Environment | Sustainability Leadership for the Built Environment |
Type of programme | Full Master’s degree | Postgraduate qualification equivalent to 1/3 of a Master’s degree |
Duration and format | Part time over 2 years. 6 residential workshops in Cambridge; each workshop is 7 days | Part time over 10 months. 2 residential workshops in Cambridge; each workshop is 7 days |
Application dates | Applications for 2026 entry open in September 2025 and close 29 April 2026. | |
Workshop dates | Provisional workshop dates for students starting in 2026 are: Workshop 1: 20 - 26 September 2026 Workshop 2: 13 - 19 December 2026 Workshop 3: 11 - 17 April 2027 Workshop 4: 12 - 18 December 2027 Workshop 5: 26 March 1 April 2028 Workshop 6: 2 - 8 July 2028 In addition to the residential workshops, students must attend a virtual dissertation conference in March/April 2028, dates TBC | Provisional 2026 workshop dates: Workshop 1: 20 - 26 September 2026 Plus, either: Workshop 2: 13 - 19 December 2026 or Workshop 3: 11 – 17 April 2027 |
Time commitment | 1 day per week (8 hours) on directed learning, independent study, reading, accessing one-to-one support, and completing work for assessment. Students admitted to the programme are also expected to be in a position to undertake personal reflection, apply the learning in practice and/or gain relevant practical experience related to the themes of the programme for at least 1 day per week. | |
Fees | £28,080 (£14,040 p/a). The fee includes membership of a Cambridge College. It excludes accommodation and meals; however, reasonably priced College accommodation is offered. PG Cert alumni pay a reduced fee of £21,060 (£10,530 p/a). Applicants will be expected to cover the application fee (£85 online). Field trips, gala dinners, matriculation and other group photos are optional additional costs. | £8,754, which includes all teaching fees, learning materials and accommodation for the two Cambridge residential workshops. Fees do not include travel costs. |
Bursaries and scholarships | Three scholarship opportunities are available; the Changemaker Scholarship for candidates who demonstrate personal, academic and/or professional achievements in the built environment and an ambition to catalyse positive change in the industry; the Pomeroy Academy Scholarship for candidates from the APAC region (East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australasia, and Oceania) and the Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors Scholarship for candidates committed to sustainability in the built environment. A limited number of Access bursaries for a 10-50% of the course fees are offered on a competitive need basis. | A limited number of Access bursaries for a 10-50% of the course fees are offered on a competitive need basis. |
Accreditation* | 180 CATS points at level M | 60 CATS points at level M |
*CATS points refers to the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme. It may be possible to transfer the CATS points to Level M programmes of other higher education institutions. As institutions vary on their policies of accepting transferred credits you should contact your preferred institution for further advice.
Additional information
University of Cambridge qualification: | Master of Studies Degree | Postgraduate Certificate |
Course title: | Sustainability Leadership for the Built Environment | Sustainability Leadership for the Built Environment |
Who would benefit? | Mid-career professionals involved in the financing, commissioning, design, assessment, construction and management of projects in the built environment who want to develop their capacity to deliver sustainable project outcomes and mobilise complex and diverse interdisciplinary teams, drawing on the research excellence of the University of Cambridge. | Mid-career professionals involved in all aspects of the built environment who wish to gain a broad and action-oriented introduction to sustainability in the built environment as well as develop an understanding of effective interdisciplinary teamworking. |
Assessed work | First year: Two industry-relevant individual assignments and a Group Project (typically 5–7 students), supported by a specialist course Supervisor. Second year: 15,000-word research dissertation, under the direction of an academic Supervisor. | Two industry-relevant individual assignments and a Group Project (typically 5–7 students), supported by a specialist course Supervisor. |
College membership and award of degree | Students become full members of a Cambridge College and can attend a University graduation ceremony at the Senate House. | Students are not members of a Cambridge College. Residential workshops are held in a range of Cambridge Colleges and Institutions, and an Award Ceremony at a Cambridge College is offered to candidates who wish to receive their certificate in person. |
Progression options and eligibility | Alumni of the PG Cert SLBE (or IDBE) can apply. If accepted, they pay a reduced fee and are exempt from the first-year assignments and the two workshops they already attended. The MSt is the highest award currently available via CISL. Progression to a PhD would be via another Department or University. | Alumni can apply to attend the MSt SLBE. If accepted, they pay a reduced fee and are exempt from the first-year assignments and the two workshops they already attended. |
Testimonials | Read testimonials from previous students. | |