Organizational Governance and Sustainability
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..
We also accept a professional or other qualification obtained by written examinations approved by Birkbeck.
Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.
Months of entry
October
Course content
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. It is also a signatory member of the UN’s Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME).
What you will 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 you will 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.
- 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.
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 roles:
- 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.
Information for international students
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.
If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MSc
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Student Advice Service
- studentadvice@bbk.ac.uk
- Phone
- +44 (0)20 3907 0700