The new fully online version of the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business (PCSB Online) is a Master's-level postgraduate programme, delivered part-time for working professionals over approximately one year. The programme is designed to strengthen leadership skills and help embed sustainability in a range of organisational contexts. This programme is designed for senior and mid-career professionals who wish to gain a broad and action-oriented introduction to sustainability in a business context and apply the learning either within their organisation, or across their organisation’s value chain. It equips students to respond to sustainability challenges and opportunities, and embed sustainability principles in mainstream business practice and ‘real-life’ contexts

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Programme overview 

PCSB Online is part of CISL’s mission to empower individuals and organisations to take leadership to tackle critical global challenges. More specifically, through combining academic foundations with leading business insights via a collaborative and applied approach, students will:  

• Understand global social, environmental, and economic trends, and how business can catalyse wider system-level change   
• Gain critical skills and confidence to embed sustainability into business action    
• Adopt new approaches, tools, and techniques for leading change   
• Acquire skills to influence and engage key stakeholders and embed sustainability in a specific context.  
• Obtain a Master’s-level qualification from the University of Cambridge. 

The programme is delivered in two parts. 

Throughout the programme, you will be encouraged and supported to collaborate and network with your fellow students as well as with the expert contributors, through online discussion forums, interactive workshops, supervision sessions and self-organised group project meetings. You will also have access to a multitude of academic and research resources at the University of Cambridge.

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Start date, duration and format

The online programme has multiple start dates throughout the year depending on candidate’s preference for a Part 1 subject. Please follow the link above for details of upcoming start dates.

Part 2 is expected to be offered twice a year, with the next intake in May 2026. Candidates can apply to Part 2 having already completed Part 1, during their Part 1 studies or before registering for a Part 1 module.

Part 1 comprises 1 week of orientation followed by 8 weeks of active study time. Part 2 requires an additional 10 months of study. The full duration of the programme will depend on the Part 1 subject chosen as there may be a gap between Part 1 and Part 2.

Students complete their studies part-time alongside employment. The programme is delivered fully online to enable access for a global community of learners.

Virtual live participation 

During Part 2 students will be expected to participate in live virtual sessions for 4-5 hours/month on average, including:

• 2 hours/month on average of virtual live teaching sessions (webinars, masterclasses, discussions) 
• 2 hours/month on average of group meetings with supervisor, plus up to 2 hours of group project meetings without a supervisor.  
• 0.5 hours/month on average for individual meetings with supervisor and other miscellaneous meetings. 

All live learning sessions will be on Tuesdays, usually at midday GMT (12:00 UTC; 13:00 BST) depending on student time zones. Dates will be published in the course handbook and/or VLE, and diligent participation is expected.

Bursaries and other sources of funding

The full tuition fee for the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business Online is £8,346 (£2,350 for Part 1 and £5,996 for Part 2). The fee for each part is collected separately at the start of each part. Partial support for Part 2 programme fees is available. Consideration is given to social, economic or educational disadvantage experienced by applicants, enabling applicant from disadvantaged backgrounds to access the opportunity to study.

For more information on bursary criteria and how to apply for support see here.

University of Cambridge award and progression

• Award: Postgraduate Certificate, equivalent to 1/3 of a Master’s degree. 60 CATS points at level M. (In Frequently Asked Questions we answer: “What is a postgraduate certificate and how does it differ from other types of ‘certificate’?”)
• Progression: Possibility to apply to continue to the Postgraduate Diploma or Master’s in Sustainability Leadership, which require some residential attendance.

Download the brochure to find out more

Dr Theo Hacking headshot

In an interview with Eco-Business, CISL Director of Postgraduate Education shares his thoughts regarding how PCSB Online can help to close the global ‘green’ skills gap by making high-quality education more accessible.     "The launch of PCSB Online is an exciting development for CISL and the University of Cambridge. It is the first fully online qualification awarded by the University and is an important milestone in improving access to world-class education. I’m delighted that we’re able to offer this as an option for equipping sustainability leaders who are unable to join our existing residential programmes." Dr Theo Hacking

Not ready to apply?

Register your interest to be kept up to date with future cohorts of the PCSB Online, including details of additional themes available that align with CISL's broader portfolio of 8-week online courses. 

Register your interest PG Cert Online