Sustainability and Ecology

Masters in Sustainability and Ecology On this flexible Master’s degree immerse yourself in gaining a contextual understanding of global and local scale ecological sustainability and explore ecological worldviews from across the globe and gain a scientific understanding of the issues surrounding the rehabilitation of nature whilst maintaining essential or useful ecosystem services.

This degree tackles these themes through a combination of academic study, discussion and practical work and gives our students the knowledge, skills and experience needed to develop a career in the environmental sector and make an impact. The programme draws on our expert staff and a wide selection of academics and specialist guest lecturers in the field.

Taught at the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), situated in a UNESCO Biosphere, you'll have easy access to a wide range of habitats, including woodlands, wetlands, high mountain pasture and woodland, heathland, riverine, coastal and transitional waters – many of which are represented at CAT itself. Students will be able to choose modules which will explore landscape management and local habitat management practices and also evaluate the potential values and limitations of habitat restoration, rewilding, biodiversity, conservation, and urban green infrastructure.

How is the course taught? Our MSc programme is taught either by distance learning or through residential blocks in one of the most imaginative environmental buildings in the UK, or in a mixture of the two.

What qualification will you receive? Successful completion of the programme MSc Sustainability and Ecology at the Centre for Alternative Technology leads to the award of Master of Science (MSc) by LJMU. The programme is also available to study as a Postgraduate Certificate and as a Postgraduate Diploma. This course is created and delivered by CAT and validated by LJMU.

Modules include Introduction to Sustainability and Adaptation Sustainability and Adaptation Concepts in Practice Ecological Assessment Restoration Ecology Ecosystems and Ecosystem Services Introduction to Politics and Economics of the Environment Food Production and Consumption Cities and Communities Sustainable Materials in the Built Environment Sustainable Food Production: Techniques and Practices Work-based Project Applied Research Design MSc Dissertation

Why study at CAT? Studying at the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is a truly unique experience. For over 50 years CAT has been at the forefront of the environmental movement, pioneering low-carbon living and renewable technology. At the Graduate School of the Environment (GSE), students benefit from our extensive practical and academic knowledge, graduating with the skills needed to become leading players in the sustainability sector. Find out more about our facilities here.

Hands-on, flexible and immersive learning At CAT, hands-on practical learning takes place side by side with academic study, group work and lectures during residential on-site block learning weeks taught at the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), an immersive learning environment. Nestled in a disused slate quarry on the edge of the Eryri National Park, CAT is a living laboratory for practical, sustainable solutions. It contains some of the most innovative and renowned environmentally conscious buildings in the country, as well as one of the most diverse range of installed renewable technologies, on site water and sewage treatment, sustainably managed woodland and acres of organic gardens. It is a flexible degree with a choice of modules, each 8 weeks long, taken over one year or two – meaning the degree can be part time. It is a masters degree designed to give you the best possible experience whilst also meshing neatly with the pressures of modern professional and family life.

Is this the course for you? Interested in studying this course? Join us for our next open day or contact us.