MSc in Leadership for Sustainable Rural Development
Belfast, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 21,500 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* EU and international student
Introduction
Rural areas are crucial to national productivity. Sustainable rural development is a strategy to promote vibrant, healthy rural communities by supporting regional economies, protecting natural resources, ensuring adequate rural services, and addressing food security.
Many rural communities depend on the viability of natural resource-based activities for their livelihoods, from farming, forestry and energy production to leisure, tourism, and artisan markets. Climate change and the increasing encroachment of urban spaces into rural areas present challenges as rural communities navigate the complex landscape of rural sustainability. Rural sustainability leaders are needed to challenge the disparities between rural and urban environments and enable and strengthen sustainability through policy-making, environmental protection and the empowerment of local communities.
This innovative master's programme is open to applicants from all subject backgrounds and is designed to create leaders and sustainability professionals in all fields and subjects. The course will require a high level of independence, adaptability, engagement with both the University and external organisations, and a willingness to be challenged.
Programme content is designed to be holistic, so students will study at the intermediate level the broad-ranging fields of leadership and management, environmental and sustainability science, social studies, and economics, amongst others, to prepare them for life as change agents in sustainable development. The course embraces personal choice of study to enhance the student’s existing knowledge, experiences, and interests.
A key principle of the program is the importance of Education for Sustainable Development, and students will complete the course as fully developed individuals with competency in critical thinking, systems thinking interpersonal working, and much more. Modules are taught through action-based, experiential learning methods such as practicals, site visits, work placements, community-based learning consultancy projects, and lectures and tutorials.
Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July for courses which commence in late September. If any program receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications of this will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.
Please note a deposit may be required to guarantee a place on the course. Due to high demand, applications may not be considered if the course has reached its maximum class size and will be placed on a waiting list. Please see the deposit terms and conditions for more details.
Leadership for Sustainable Rural Development Highlights
- Student Experience
- Internationally Renowned Experts
- Student Experience
- Industry Links
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
We offer prestigious, competitive scholarships of up to 50% off tuition fees to new international students. You must have an offer to study a full-time course with us in 2025 to apply for a scholarship.
Curriculum
Autumn Semester
Students will be introduced to leadership and sustainable development over three taught modules to help gain an overview of the principles and values of sustainable development, and why it is important.
Leadership & Management for Sustainable Development:
explore approaches to leading and managing people, projects, change, budgets and more, particularly in how these can be used as tools for creating action within the field of sustainable development.
Foundations for Sustainable Development:
consider the core themes, subject knowledge, history, policies and strategies underpinning sustainable development, focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Skills for Sustainable Development:
develop and understanding of the tools and methodologies needed by a sustainability professional such as behaviour change, environmental impact assessment and lifecycle analysis.
Effective Leadership (Group Project):
requires a small group of students to engage with a host organisation over the year in a real-world project to promote sustainable development through experiential learning and action research.
Spring Semester
Students will carry a compulsory work-based learning placement in the second semester, sixteen weeks' work from January to May. The placements provide experiences of sustainable rural development and leadership thereof in a wide range of organisations. Staff and students work together to identify suitable hosts.
Summer Semester
Students will work with an academic supervisor (and industry professional) to complete a piece of independent, original research of relevance to rural sustainability.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
This MSc will equip you to work in a variety of roles in both the private and public sectors, here in Northern Ireland, and internationally. Our recent graduates have gone on to a wide range of roles such as; Climate Programme Manager: Action Resilience Officer for Climate: Rural Development Specialist; Environmental Manager; Sustainability Consultant; Rural Community Development Officer; UFU: Recycling Education Promotions Officer; Rural Community Network Manager; Marine Community Support Officer; Rural Services Support: Waste and Recycling Manager: Parliamentary Assistant and Environmental Consultant.
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for Extra-curricular Skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised by a world-leading university, but you'll also have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this the Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
Student Testimonials
Program delivery
Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:
At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high-quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practices in learning, teaching and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential.
On the MSc in Leadership for Sustainable Rural Development we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world-class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.
Teaching is across a combination of morning and afternoon classes throughout the week.
Examples of the opportunities provided for learning in this course include; lectures, practical experiences, research skills, digital learning technologies and self-directed study to enhance employability.
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.