Sustainability in Transport MSc

Program Overview

The Sustainability in Transport MSc program at the University of Leeds equips students with the technical and professional skills needed to address the challenges of sustainable transportation, focusing on decarbonization, urban pollution, and social equity and inclusion. Through a combination of core and optional modules, students gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainable transportation and its relationship with economic development, livable cities, social justice, and energy scarcity. The program prepares graduates for careers in transportation consultancies, government, academia, and other sectors.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Sustainability in Transport MSc program at the University of Leeds equips students with the technical and professional skills needed to address the challenges of sustainable transportation. The program focuses on:

• Decarbonization of transport: Addressing the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector.
• Urban pollution: Tackling air pollution and its impact on urban environments.
• Social equity and inclusion: Ensuring that transportation systems are accessible and equitable for all members of society.
The program examines the relationship between sustainable transport and:
• Economic development: Understanding the role of transportation in fostering economic growth.
• Liveable cities: Creating urban environments that are pleasant and sustainable for residents.
• Social justice: Promoting fairness and equity in transportation systems.
• Energy scarcity: Addressing the challenges of limited energy resources.
The program is designed for students from diverse backgrounds, including social and political science, geography, philosophy, law, engineering, and science. The key requirement is a strong interest in critical thinking and a willingness to explore interdisciplinary perspectives.

Outline:

The program is structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of sustainable transportation through a combination of core and optional modules.

Year 1 Compulsory Modules:

• Climate and Environmental Policy and Governance: This module explores the policy frameworks and governance structures that shape environmental and climate change policies, including those related to transportation.
• Environmental Science and Sustainability for Transport: This module provides a foundation in environmental science and its application to transportation systems, covering topics such as air pollution, climate change, and resource management.
• Transport Data Collection and Analysis: This module focuses on the methods and techniques used to collect, analyze, and interpret transportation data, equipping students with the skills to conduct research and evaluate transportation policies.
• Transport Dissertation: This module allows students to undertake an independent research project on a topic related to sustainable transportation.
Students can choose from a range of topics, including those suggested and supported by industry, providing opportunities to address real-world problems.
• Transport Integrated Project: This module provides students with practical experience working on a real-world transportation project.
Students collaborate with peers from other Masters programs to develop solutions to a transportation challenge posed by Leeds City Council.

Year 1 Optional Modules (Selection of Typical Options):

• Environmental Economics and Policy: This module explores the economic principles and policy tools used to address environmental issues, including those related to transportation.
• Critical Perspectives in Environment and Development: This module examines the social, political, and ethical dimensions of environmental issues, providing a critical lens for analyzing sustainable transportation policies.
• Tools and Techniques in Ecological Economics: This module introduces students to the principles and methods of ecological economics, which integrates environmental and economic considerations in decision-making.
• Sustainable Spatial Planning and Analysis: This module focuses on the planning and analysis of sustainable urban development, including transportation infrastructure and land use.
• Green Logistics: This module explores the principles and practices of sustainable logistics, covering topics such as supply chain management, transportation optimization, and environmental impact assessment.
• Analysing Transport and Society: This module examines the social and cultural dimensions of transportation, exploring the relationship between transportation systems and social structures, mobility patterns, and individual behavior.
• Public Transport Planning and Management: This module focuses on the planning, design, and operation of public transportation systems, covering topics such as route planning, service frequency, and fare structures.
• System Dynamics: Modelling Policy: This module introduces students to system dynamics modeling, a tool for understanding complex systems and simulating the impact of policy interventions.
• Traffic Management: This module explores the principles and techniques of traffic management, covering topics such as traffic flow optimization, congestion mitigation, and safety measures.
• Global Transferability of Policies: This module examines the challenges and opportunities of transferring sustainable transportation policies across different contexts, considering factors such as cultural differences, economic conditions, and environmental regulations.
• Railway Investment Appraisal: This module focuses on the economic evaluation of railway investments, covering topics such as cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment, and financial modeling.
• Transport and Urban Pollution: This module examines the relationship between transportation and air pollution, exploring the sources of pollution, the health impacts, and mitigation strategies.
• Transport in Developing Countries: This module focuses on the challenges and opportunities of sustainable transportation in developing countries, considering factors such as poverty, urbanization, and infrastructure development.
• Road Safety: This module explores the causes and consequences of road accidents, examining the factors that contribute to road safety and the effectiveness of different safety interventions.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods to evaluate student learning, including:

• Coursework essays: Written assignments that demonstrate students' understanding of key concepts and their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.
• Case-study reports: In-depth analyses of specific transportation challenges or projects, requiring students to synthesize information from multiple sources and develop evidence-based recommendations.
• Group assignments: Collaborative projects that allow students to work together to solve transportation problems, developing teamwork and communication skills.
• Posters: Visual presentations that summarize research findings or project outcomes, requiring students to communicate complex information effectively.
• Presentations: Oral presentations that allow students to share their research or project work with peers and faculty, developing public speaking and communication skills.
• Exams: Written examinations that assess students' knowledge of core concepts and their ability to apply theoretical frameworks to solve problems.

Teaching:

The program employs a range of teaching methods to engage students and foster their learning, including:

• Seminars: Interactive discussions that allow students to explore topics in greater depth and engage with different perspectives.
• Workshops: Practical sessions that provide students with hands-on experience using tools and techniques relevant to sustainable transportation.
• Computer exercises: Simulations and data analysis exercises that allow students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.
• Practical sessions: Field trips and site visits that provide students with firsthand experience of transportation systems and infrastructure.
• Directed reading: Assignments that require students to read and critically analyze academic literature related to sustainable transportation.
• Reflective journals: Personal reflections on learning experiences and the application of course concepts to personal and professional contexts.
• Fieldwork: Practical experiences that allow students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, such as conducting surveys, collecting data, or working with industry partners.

Careers:

The Sustainability in Transport MSc program prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in the transportation sector, including:

• Transport consultancies: Providing expert advice and services to government agencies, private companies, and other organizations on transportation planning, design, and implementation.
• Government: Working for national, regional, or local government agencies to develop and implement transportation policies, regulations, and programs.
• Academia: Conducting research, teaching, and publishing in the field of sustainable transportation.
• Regulatory bodies: Ensuring compliance with transportation regulations and standards.
• Transport operators: Managing and operating transportation systems, such as public transit, freight, and logistics.
• Logistics companies: Optimizing transportation networks and supply chains to improve efficiency and sustainability.
• International agencies: Working with international organizations to address global transportation challenges, such as climate change, poverty, and urbanization.

Other:

• Accreditation: The program is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA), a global professional body for environmental and sustainability professionals.
• Research: The Institute for Transport Studies is a leading research center in the field of transportation, providing students with access to cutting-edge research and opportunities to contribute to ongoing research projects.
• Facilities: The Institute for Transport Studies has access to world-class facilities, including specialist software tools for transportation analysis and modeling.
• Mentorship program: Students have the opportunity to participate in a mentorship program, where they are paired with alumni mentors who work in the transportation industry.
• Employability skills training: The program incorporates training in key employability skills, such as research, data analysis, communication, and teamwork.
• Study abroad and work placements: Students have the opportunity to participate in a four-month industry placement scheme, gaining practical experience with companies such as Network Rail and AECOM.

UK: £12,500 (Total) International: £30,750 (Total) Read more about paying fees and charges.