Sustainable and Ethical Business Management

Creating business managers of the future

In light of a rapidly changing global landscape, traditional business is no longer a viable option. There is a shift away from profit only to purpose, planet and people as new business values. Whether it is reaching Net Zero, embedding environmental sustainability or social responsibility, all businesses need to realign to these emerging future priorities. In this programme, you’ll develop the mindset and skills to be at the forefront of change and support the transition to reach the ‘new normal’ for businesses. Given this, businesses will be looking for managers of the future to create resilient companies. We will teach you not only how to manage a business responsibly, but how to be ahead of the market and implement the changes needed to move businesses into a sustainable future.

Become a responsible business practitioner in a rapidly changing world

In this programme, you will learn to become a responsible business practitioner by looking at why and how to run a business effectively through an integrated sustainable, ethical and socially responsible lens. It will help educate and upskill you as an effective and responsible leader and business manager, which is fast becoming an urgent and vital expertise for all businesses and organisations.  

Put your skills into practice

You will get the opportunity to work with businesses directly through the ‘student as practitioner’ approach. This means you'll experience first-hand the challenges and opportunities businesses are facing today. Through your course activities, you will learn how to find responsible solutions that can assist businesses in transitioning effectively to a globally sustainable economy.

These employer-led briefs, simulations and industry case studies will provide valuable and much sought-after insights and experience into the pivotal transition that all businesses require. This will support you in becoming work-ready in line with how businesses today are evolving in response to world challenges.

You will also receive Carbon Literacy certification through association with the Carbon Literacy Project, as well as developing key professional sustainability competencies, values and a responsible mindset which are core to becoming an effective manager, leader and global citizen today. You’ll be part of a growing worldwide movement to achieve not only a sustainable future but a better one for all!

Expert teaching

You’ll be supported by a cross-disciplinary team of experts. The curriculum is informed by cutting-edge applied research on pro-environmental and pro-social business, developed both internationally and locally within the University of Derby. As part of the degree, you’ll have the opportunity to work with our research centres, such as:

• Sustainable Business and Green Growth Research Cluster
• The Centre for Supply Chain Improvement
• Centre for Business Improvement
• Social, Cultural and Legal Research Centre
• The Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism
• Environmental Sustainable Research Centre (ESCR)
• Experiential and Services Marketing Research Cluster
• Visitor Economy Research Group.

You’ll also have the opportunity to become members of various research and industry networks such as the Low Carbon Business Network.    

 You’ll study modules such as:

• The Case for Sustainable and Ethical Business
• Sustainable and Ethical Business Strategy
• Leading Sustainable and Ethical Change
• Sustainable and Ethical Business Operations and Marketing
• Sustainable Workforce and Wellbeing
• Sustainable and Ethical Finance and Accounting
• Independent Study: Research Methods
• Independent Study: Dissertation.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Throughout the programme, you will encounter a diverse range of teaching methods fostering a learning environment that supports engagement, a sense of belonging and a collaborative community. You will be challenged to look beyond the status quo and to seek innovative, effective and where possible, game-changing approaches to responsible business management practice. You will do this through methods such as:

• tutor facilitated learning with structured opportunities for discussion, reflection and planning for industry application 
• learning opportunities identified and taken directly from business/industry case studies or live briefs to form module assessments
• business improvement projects/leadership projects 
• guest lectures by industry experts, academic practitioners and researchers to allow exploration and discussion around issues, opportunities, challenges and best practice  
• action learning sets and inquiry-based learning activities  
• use of simulations, Generative AI and game-based learning  
• specific responsible business/leadership/management research  
• critical review of emerging themes in academic and professional literature 
• critical reflection and reflexive practice learning portfolios.

You’ll be well suited to support businesses to develop their sustainability across a range of sectors. The programme also specifically provides Carbon Literacy certification which is a critical and much sought-after skill in supporting the wider business community in meeting Net Zero targets.

The programme also fosters your development as a responsible leader or manager and business practitioner with the mindset, knowledge, skills and professional competencies to support the transition to a more responsible, sustainable global economy.

If applying for this programme, you will need to meet the University of Derby general entry requirements for a master’s degree. Applicants will normally be in possession of a UK 2.2 (or above) bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised British or overseas Institution listed on ENIC-TI. All subjects are considered, but possession of degrees or relevant experience in related subjects will be advantageous.

If English is not your first language, we will need to see that you have an English language capability of IELTS 6.5 (with 5.5 in each skills area) or equivalent.

2024/25 (August 2024 - July 2025)

Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.

* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable

Additional costs and optional extras

About postgraduate awards

Please note at postgraduate level, you’ll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.

This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.

Funding your studies

Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.

Find out about funding your studiesFind out about funding your studies

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Other courses you might like

• MSc Sustainable and Ethical Business Management
• MBA Global and MBA Global Finance

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.