Business and Sustainability

Program Overview

It combines expertise from the Business School and School of Social Sciences, offering a balanced education in economics, environmental science, management, and sustainability practices. Graduates are prepared for careers in environmental consulting, sustainability, business management, and other fields where they can drive positive change.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The BSc Business and Sustainability course aims to develop future leaders in this field, providing students with the fundamental concepts and tools needed to understand the challenges businesses face in sustainability. This program will prepare you to devise innovative and sustainable business practices.

Objectives:

• Equip students with a strong understanding of business and sustainability.
• Develop skills in analytical and critical thinking, problem-solving and strategic decision-making.
• Foster a commitment to embedding socially and environmentally responsible practices in future careers.
• Provide a foundation for further studies in the field.

Program Description:

This program combines expertise from Birkbeck's Business School and the School of Social Sciences to offer a balanced education in the field. Students will benefit from the university's internationally recognized research and consultancy experience.

Outline:

Program Content:

The program covers various aspects of business and sustainability, including:

• Economics of natural resources
• Environmental science
• Management studies
• Leadership
• Sustainability practices
• Sustainable food systems
• Climate change and society
• Project management
• Strategic management
• Corporate responsibility
• Green finance
• Stakeholder marketing

Structure:

The program is offered as a 3-year full-time or a 4-year part-time option, both on campus and starting in October.

Module Descriptions:

• Year 1:
• Economics of Natural Resources: Introduces the economic aspects of environmental issues.
• Humans and the Environment: Explores the relationship between humans and the natural world.
• Introduction to Environmental Science: Provides an overview of the key principles and concepts of environmental science.
• Management Studies I and II: Introduce the fundamentals of business management.
• Year 2:
• Future Food Systems and Sustainability: Examines the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable food production.
• Leadership in Sustainability: Develops leadership skills in the context of sustainability.
• Managing Environments: Focuses on environmental management strategies.
• Organizational Change: Explores the dynamics of organizational change in relation to sustainability.
• Sustainability and Stakeholder Marketing: Investigates how businesses can engage stakeholders in sustainability initiatives.
• Sustainable Business Practices: Examines various approaches to sustainable business practices.
• Year 3:
• Business Project: Provides an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to a real-world business problem.
• Climate and Society: Past, Present and Future: Explores the impacts of climate change on society.
• Green Finance: Examines the role of finance in promoting sustainability.
• Introduction to Corporate Responsibility: Introduces the key principles of corporate social responsibility.
• Project Management (Undergraduate): Develops project management skills relevant to sustainability projects.
• Strategic Management (Undergraduate): Introduces strategic management concepts in the context of business sustainability.

Assessment:

Assessment methods include written assignments, group work, reports, presentations, data manipulation and interpretation.

Teaching:

Teaching methods include pre-recorded lectures, interactive seminars, and field visits. Classes are typically held in the evenings between 6pm and 9pm. The program benefits from the expertise of Birkbeck's active researchers, who are passionate about teaching and regularly publish cutting-edge articles.

Careers:

Graduates can pursue careers in various areas such as:

• Environmental consulting
• Sustainability
• Ecology
• Conservation
• Journalism
• Local government
• Human Resources
• Business Management
Students can also progress to further study in MSc Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability or MSc Environment and Sustainability.

Application:

Full-time applications are submitted via UCAS, while part-time applications are submitted directly to Birkbeck.

Fees:

Fees for the program vary depending on the year of entry and academic year.

Academic year 2024–25, starting October 2024

Full-time home students: £9,250 per year Full-time international students: £17,620 per year

Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

To be confirmed

Part-time home students: £6,935 per year

Part-time international students: £13,215 per year

Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

To be confirmed

Part-time home students, Year 1&2: £4,625 per year

Part-time international students, Year 1&2: £8,810 per year Part-time home students, Year 3+: £6,935 per year Part-time international students, Year 3+: £12,615 per year

Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

To be confirmed