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Organizational Governance and Sustainability

MSc

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, on campus

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus

Course overview

On this MSc Organizational Governance and Sustainability we explore the complex and changing relationships between organisations, corporations, their stakeholders and the societies in which they operate.

  • Why choose this course?
    • It addresses the social, environmental, political and moral aspects of organisations’ relationships with stakeholders and society and is ideal if you wish to engage critically with the policy aspects of organisational governance and sustainability.
    • This course explores international perspectives, recognising the increasing globalisation of organisations and finance and investigating the wide variety of cultures and governance systems within which organisations operate worldwide.
    • It is ideal if you wish to build a career in the regulation of private, public and third sector organisations, the management or trusteeship of pension and other investment funds, or the field of organisational, social and environmental sustainability.
    • It benefits from the involvement of a number of leading figures in the field including members of national and international committees on organisational governance, shareholder activists and NGO representatives.

  • What will I learn?

    On this MSc, you will gain insight into:

    • organisational governance and sustainability in the private, public and third sectors
    • systems of governance in the major world economies, the political and economic principles and cultural values on which these are based and the pressures promoting and resisting their convergence
    • social, environmental and ethical responsibilities of organisations and how they implement, communicate, measure and address sustainability issues.

    You will develop a critical understanding of the nature, behaviour and outcomes associated with the social, economic, political and legal systems governing organisations and sustainability. You will also examine the different theoretical perspectives on the role of organisations in society and sustainability.

  • How will I learn?

    We encourage you to be an active learner on this course and you will be taught via a mixture of lectures (some pre-recorded) and seminars. Lectures are designed to provide you with an overview of the material, while seminars give you an opportunity to contribute to discussions and group work.

    The MSc Organizational Governance and Sustainability combines coursework and independent research leading to a dissertation in which you will be able to demonstrate your originality and creativity and follow your interests in this area.

    This course is available to study full- or part-time and follows an evening timetable.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Two to three evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: One to two evenings a week, October to July.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • The course builds upon Birkbeck Business School’s research strength in organisational governance and ethics, corporate responsibility and sustainability, and organisational psychology. This is supported by Birkbeck Responsible Business Centre and our Centre for Political Economy and Institutional Studies.
  • We combine an interdisciplinary approach with in-depth research training in business and organisational psychology. The course also offers you a strong foundation for PhD research in the area.

Modules and Teaching

Birkbeck Business School

The school is research-driven across a wide range of disciplinary themes with academic staff who create new knowledge, push boundaries and publish in leading academic journals.

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Entry requirements

Our standard postgraduate entry requirement is a second-class honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university, or an equivalent international qualification.

Please find details of entry requirements and equivalencies for over 120 countries worldwide.

We also accept a professional or other qualification obtained by written examinations approved by Birkbeck.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,555 per year
Full-time home students: £13,110 per year
Part-time international students: £11,490 per year
Full-time international students: £22,980 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this MSc Organizational Governance and Sustainability, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

  • how to assess quantitative and qualitative analyses
  • imaginative and original approaches to using methodological tools in different subject areas
  • library and archive skills
  • oral presentation and communication skills
  • effective team working.

Graduates from this course can follow or progress a career path in the following kinds of role:

  • organisational governance and sustainability analyst, consultant or policy-maker
  • environmental and sustainability adviser or manager
  • company secretary
  • professional manager or trustee of pension and other investment funds
  • executive and non-executive board member.

Some of our graduates from this course have gone on to be employed at the following organisations:

  • World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
  • Pensions and Investment Research Consultants (PIRC)
  • Innovation Forum
  • National Health Service Board of Governors
  • Amnesty International
  • University College London Hospital Board of Governors.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Related courses

Study routes for Organizational Governance and Sustainability (MSc)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time