(Full time / Part time) 2021 start
Sustainability in Transport MSc
Overview
If you are passionate about solving the grand challenges for sustainable transport – responding to the critical need for decarbonisation, tackling urban pollution, enabling inclusive mobility, economic development, liveable cities, social justice and energy scarcity – then our Sustainability in Transport MSc will inspire and equip you to tackle these issues.
Whatever your background, this Masters degree will ignite your imagination and expand your horizons. You could be a social or political scientist, a geographer, philosopher, or law graduate, or an engineering or science graduate with an interest in environmental and social issues. What’s most important is that you thrive on critical thinking and have a willingness to move outside disciplinary comfort zones. You will:
- Study a range of modules including shaping future transport systems, environmental science and sustainable transport, environmental policy and governance.
- Develop the management skills to lead strategic reviews of transport policy.
- Undertake strategic assessments and reviews of transport and environmental policies.
- Be taught by internationally renowned academics from the Institute for Transport Studies and the School of Earth and Environment. Their work is developing sustainable solutions in transport and beyond.
- Gain industry-specific skills for access to a fast-expanding employment market.
- Have a choice of modules including gaining leadership skills to effectively chair visioning workshops, stakeholder engagement events, strategy meetings, and make persuasive presentations to policy makers.
You will also experience what it is like to be part of a project team working across disciplinary boundaries within the transport sector. Through this, gain insights into how planning, economics, environmental science, modelling and engineering can work together to develop sustainable solutions to global challenges. This practical approach will enable you to apply your knowledge to real-world issues in sustainable mobility and transport systems.
Our Masters degrees have been designed following close consultation with industry and academia to help prepare you for employment in your chosen field. They also address the multi-disciplinary nature of transport – enabling you to make effective decisions for clients, employers and society.
During the course, you’ll also gain experience of what it’s really like to work in the transport sector by collaborating with a project team of students from our other degrees through our Transport Integrated Project module.
Research environment
The Institute for Transport Studies was established as the UK’s first multi-disciplinary transport department, and we continue to lead the field with our research. Our reputation allows us to invest in world-class facilities and a variety of specialist software tools including those we’ve developed in-house such as SATURN, PLUTO, DRACULA, MARS and KonSULT.
Other study options
This programme is available part time over 24 or 36 months. We are flexible as to how you choose to study this course so that you can combine it with other commitments, such as an existing job. Please get in touch with our admissions team to discuss part time study options.
You can also study this subject at Postgraduate Diploma level, part time or full time, or at Postgraduate Certificate level with our PGCert in Transport Studies.
Online taster course
‘Transport Systems: Global Issues and Future Innovations’ is a free online course, delivered via FutureLearn, introducing how the transport sector can develop infrastructures that meet the needs of a 21st century population.
This course may be of interest to undergraduate students and mid-career professionals who are considering a transport Masters at the University of Leeds. Join the online course now.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by IEMA. IEMA is the professional body for everyone working in environment and sustainability. This course entitles students to free student membership for the duration of the course and on successful completion you qualify for GradIEMA. Graduate membership is a launchpad for future leaders within environment and sustainability and offers a range of benefits to support you throughout your career. You can then “Fast track” to Practitioner Membership.
Course content
Alongside specialist modules, you’ll study common modules that address key issues in sustainable transport. These provide you with a holistic overview of transport problems and approaches to policy formulation.
Our Transport Integrated Project module enables you to employ project management scenario-based learning. You will cover a range of transport disciplines and be supervised by experts in the field. Join forces with a project team of other students from our other degrees to develop a solution to a ‘real-world’ transport problem, identifying how your own interests need to collaborate with others to achieve an effective solution.
You’ll gain a range of specialist knowledge and advanced research skills throughout the programme. In your dissertation, you’ll apply these to a project chosen from a wide range of topics. Some topics are suggested and supported by industry, giving you the chance to address a real-world problem and gain experience of working with industry. Your supervisor will support you throughout the process of developing your dissertation topic.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Environmental Policy and Governance 15 credits
- Environmental Science and Sustainability for Transport 15 credits
- Shaping Future Transport Systems 15 credits
- Transport Data Collection and Analysis 15 credits
- Transport Dissertation 60 credits
- Transport Integrated Project 15 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Critical Perspectives in Environment and Development 15 credits
- Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptation 15 credits
- Climate Change Mitigation 15 credits
- Tools and Techniques in Ecological Economics 15 credits
- Sustainable Spatial Planning and Analysis 15 credits
- Green Logistics 15 credits
- Analysing Transport and Society 15 credits
- Public Transport Planning and Management 15 credits
- System Dynamics: Modelling Policy 15 credits
- Traffic Management 15 credits
- Global Transferability of Policies, Models and Methods 15 credits
- Railway Investment Appraisal 15 credits
- Transport Investment Appraisal 15 credits
- Transport and Urban Pollution 15 credits
- Transport in Development 15 credits
- Road Safety Management 15 credits
Learning and teaching
Postgraduate study involves a range of teaching methods, supported by independent learning. In addition to the traditional lecture and seminar formats, you’ll experience a blend of workshops, computer exercises, practical sessions, directed reading, reflective journal, student-led discussions, fieldwork and tutorials.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Assessment is equally varied and can include coursework essays, case-study reports, group assignments, posters, presentations and exams.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a relevant subject such as (but not limited to) geography, town planning, earth and environment, architecture, sustainability, logistics, business and management, psychology, social policy, history, politics or public administration.
Graduates from other disciplines and those with professional qualifications plus experience in the sector will also be considered.
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Engineering (6 weeks) and Language for Science: Engineering (10 weeks).
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
Application deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
31 July 2021 – International applicants
10 September 2021 – UK applicants
For 2020/21 academic year courses the link visible above will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
For courses starting from September 2021, applications will open on October 1st 2020 and you will be able to access the application system from that date.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
Faculty of Environment Taught Admissions Policy 2021
Fees
- UK: £10,250 (total)
- International: £24,750 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.
Additional cost information
Students wishing to attend the optional European Field Trip are advised to allow a minimum of £500 for accommodation and travel during the week-long trip.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Career opportunities
Links with industry
We have close working relationships with a number of organisations and many employers visit the Institute for Transport Studies each year to interview our students for graduate schemes and other vacancies. We also regularly circulate specific job vacancies to students.
Our students are highly sought after and have a good reputation with transport consultants, and may receive a job offer before or shortly after graduation.
The organisations that have advertised and/or recruited directly from the Institute include Arup, Mott MacDonald, AECOM, Capita, Transpennine Express, Transport for London, Pell Frischmann, Leigh Fisher, JMP, Amey and Hyder among many others.
Read more about graduate employability at the Institute for Transport Studies.
Graduate destinations
A degree from the Institute for Transport Studies opens up a range of opportunities to develop a challenging and rewarding career. Transport consultancies are the largest employers of our graduates, but other common careers include those in government, academia, regulatory bodies, transport operators, logistics companies, not-for-profit and international agencies.
Our graduates work across the private and public sectors. Many work abroad, whether for UK companies with overseas offices, for international organisations or for national governments.
Careers support
You’ll be provided with a wide range of support geared towards helping you secure the right employment after graduation.
Each year there are a number of events provided both by the Institute for Transport Studies and the University’s Careers Centre. We have a dedicated Careers Consultant from the Careers Centre who works with our Masters students, delivering bespoke presentations and one-to-one consultations with students on their career plans.
We also invite alumni back to the Institute to share their experiences of developing a career in the transport sector.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Study abroad and work placements
Four-month placement scheme
You will have the opportunity to gain four months industry experience in the UK with companies such as Network Rail and AECOM at the end of your Masters course. After a competitive application process, paid placements are offered from September to December at the end of your studies.
Some of the employers and the job titles of previous placement students are listed below:
- AECOM (Graduate Transport Engineer)
- Network Rail (Strategic Planning Assistant, Timetable Development Assistant, Junior Strategic Planner)
- Fore Consulting (Transport Consultant)
- Stantec (Transport Consultant)
The scheme is open to all Masters students, including those on tier 4 visa, within the Institute for Transport Studies. Placements aren’t guaranteed.
Field trips
We offer plenty of opportunities for students to experience transport systems in action, both within the UK and Europe, allowing you to meet and hear directly from transport professionals and see what you’ve learned in practice.
For many of our students, the highlight of their year is the European Field Trip. This week-long trip which takes place after the summer exams and has been a fixture in the Institute's calendar since 1987. The itinerary varies from year to year, but has often included Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany.
Stops en-route have included Pedestrian Centres and Docklands Transport in Rotterdam; Cycle and Traffic Calming Facilities in Delft; the Motorway Traffic Control Centre in Amsterdam; the Guided Bus System in Essen; the Wuppertal Monorail; Town Planning features in Duisburg and Dusseldorf; research talks at the University of Hasselt, and visit to the Brussels Metro.