Postgraduate programmes study pathways

There are two routes that can be taken to achieve a CISL Master of Studies (MSt) qualification, i.e.  ‘continuous’ or ‘flexible’. Both routes provide the same learning outcomes and networking opportunities. 

The continuous route is the traditional delivery method for the MSts, which entails part-time study over two years without interruptions.

The flexible route splits the part-time MSt into stages over a number of years; thereby splitting the journey into stages with the potential for breaks between stages. This may offer advantages for students seeking to fit their studies around work, family and other commitments. The course fees are paid at the start of each stage.  

Entry points and pathways 

Continuous Routes 

Apply directly to either the MSt in Sustainability Leadership (MSt SL) or the MSt in Sustainability Leadership for the Built Environment (MSt SLBE). Both programmes take 2 years to complete. 

Progression Routes 

MSt Sustainability Leadership has two flexible pathways: 

MSt Sustainablity Leadership Pathway Diagram

  1. Apply to the Postgraduate Certificate, then apply to join the two-year Master's of Studies in Sustainability Leadership continuous route. Candidates would be exempt from workshop 1 of the Masters, and the first-year assignments, having completed these during the PG Certificate.

  2. Apply to the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business, then the two-year Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Business (Stage 2), followed by the two-year Stage 3 to obtain the Master's of Studies in Sustainability via the flexible route. Please note the PG Diploma is under review and will not be accepting new applications for 2027 entry. While it is under review, alumni of CISL's Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business can still apply to the Master's of Studies in Sustianblity leadership as per option 1 above.

In both instances, the studies must typically be completed within 10 years from the start of enrolment on the PG Certificate at CISL. Candidates who have a long break before resuming their studies may be asked to provide evidence of learning or experience demonstrating substantive, continued engagement with relevant sustainability activities in recent years.    

Credits from the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability Leadership for the Built Environment (formally IDBE) are not transferable to the Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Business or the MSt Sustainability Leadership.   


 The MSt in SLBE (Sustainability Leadership for the Built Environment) has one progression route: 

Masters SLBE Pathway Diagram .jpg

  • Apply to the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability Leadership for the Built Environment, delivered part-time over ten months, then apply to join the Master's of Studies in Sustainability Leadership for the Built Environment (MSt SLBE).     

Note that these two programmes can be taken consecutively and students have between three and ten years to complete both stages of the programme.  

It is not possible to transfer from the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business to the MSt SLBE. 

Credits from a lower qualification (earlier stage) are subsumed by a subsequent, higher qualification (later stage); i.e., only one qualification is held upon completion of any stage. 

To find out more about these progression routes, join one of the Meet the Directors webinars or contact the team.