MASc Design for Sustainability

What you'll learn

The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation project.

Core modules

• Systemic Design for Sustainability (15 CATS)

This module will develop your capabilities in sustainable design theories and practices, grounded in an understanding of the interconnected ecological, social, and economic factors that shape decision-making. Through co-design, networked leadership, and systemic design, you will learn to address complex organisational challenges and translate them into actionable interventions. The module ultimately equips you to integrate sustainability into strategic decision-making and contribute effectively to the sustainable transformation of organisations

• Design Research and Market Insights (15 CATS)

The core of value creation is being able to effectively understand and anticipate stakeholder needs and design solutions that address these needs. It is important to be able to apply a range of approaches and methods to understand attitudes, behaviours across the product or project lifecycle to inform design and commercial decisions. You will be taught how to use market insight in tandem with design research to support the definition of user and customer informed value propositions and product requirements.

• Design Practice and Prototyping (15 CATS)

In product development, creating a ‘proof of concept’ or ‘Minimum Viable Product’ is essential to secure funding and enable usability testing for refinement. Combining UX and technical design skills ensures products meet user needs and can be manufactured with available technology. The integration of creative and technical expertise allows businesses to produce offerings that users want and can be economically delivered.

• Circular Systems and Regenerative Design (15 CATS)

This module examines systems thinking in the circular economy and regenerative design to tackle sustainability challenges. You will learn to design processes, products, and systems that minimise waste, improve resource efficiency, and restore ecosystems. Through practical exercises and case studies, they develop skills to integrate circular and regenerative principles into design, contributing to more sustainable and resilient industries and communities.

• Emerging and Evolving Technologies (15 CATS)

On this module, you will learn to identify, evaluate, and integrate emerging technologies in diverse organisational contexts. Focusing on sustainable strategic innovation, you will explore cutting-edge developments and their applications, developing the skills to tackle complex challenges. Through a holistic approach, you will gain the capability to plan and implement innovative solutions effectively, ensuring organisations can adapt to rapid technological and global change.

• Commercialisation, Innovation and Sustainability (15 CATS)

Commercialisation, Innovation and Sustainability explores how innovations can be successfully brought to market and sustained. You will gain the knowledge and skills to lead enterprises that achieve financial success while positively impacting society and the environment. Topics include sustainability in enterprise, entrepreneurial mindset, stakeholder engagement, strategic decision-making, finance, business organisation, corporate social responsibility, and impact evaluation

• Design Innovation Lab (30 CATS)

You will develop and demonstrate leadership, collaboration, and interdisciplinary skills by working in mixed-skill teams to tackle industrial problems or sustainability challenges. Through the project lifecycle, they apply leadership, management, and product development practices, gain insight into diverse professional roles, and enhance communication with technical specialists, team members, and stakeholders. This module lays the foundation for systemic problem-solving in the final ‘Industry Impact Project’.

Project

In addition to the taught modules, you will complete a dissertation project which is worth a third of your final Master's grade (60 credits). This substantial project is designed to strengthen your academic and research skills, while allowing you to explore a specific area that reflects your interests and career goals. Design for Sustainability students will take an Industry Impact Project (IIP) through which you will develop your academic, research, analytical, professional, design and management skills.

Leveraging the close partnerships that the University of Warwick has with key organisations and sector leaders, it is envisaged that the major project will have an industrial sponsor, enabling close collaboration with an industry partner. This valuable experience will further development students’ transferrable skills, provide networking opportunities and enhance understanding in a professional research and development environment.

You are expected to devote an appropriate portion of your time and intellectual effort to the project during the course i.e. approximately 600 hours over the course of the academic year.

Learning style and assessment

This course has two components – a taught component accounting for two-thirds of your time and effort, and a research component accounting for one-third.

For the taught component, we blend synchronous and asynchronous lectures and seminars, with syndicate exercises, simulations, personal reflective practices, and case studies. The majority of modules are taught in small classes to facilitate and encourage interaction. Others practice large-scale lectures, which are then supported by small class seminar and group activities.

Our module leaders have extensive industry experience. Guest speakers from industry also contribute regularly, bringing real-world insight into your learning experience.

Typical contact hours

Assessment

The course uses a variety of assessment methods across modules. These reflect the types of artefacts required in professional environments.

Assessments can include pitches (visual, verbal and material), academic and research papers, critical commentaries, individuals and group presentations, portfolio creation, and exhibition.

Assessments have been designed not only to assess your achievement in meeting the course learning outcomes in an academically sound manner, but also contribute to preparing you with the requisite competencies required for employment.

Entry requirements

In order to meet our academic entry requirement, you should have obtained the minimum of a UK 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalentLink opens in a new window) from a range of academic disciplines, particularly but not exclusively from Engineering (and other STEM subjects) or from Design (or other arts degrees). The course is designed for candidates keen to apply their skills within the context of engineering or product design.

English language

How to apply

Application is through the University’s online form.

You will need to select: Department: WMG and tick Type of course: 'Postgraduate Taught' to bring up the full list of WMG courses available for application.

What you will need to provide

• A completed application form and £75 application fee.
• A Personal Statement which can be included in the online application.
• A scan of your transcript (marksheet). If you are still studying, please send us your transcripts to date. NB: if you are made an offer, we will then require you to upload your degree transcripts and certificate in order to clear your conditions.
• English language test result (if applicable) - this can be submitted after you have an offer.
• One reference. If you completed studies less than 2 years ago, this should be an academic reference. If you graduated more than 2 years ago, we will require a professional reference. We contact your referee directly, so please include their valid professional email address on your application form.
• Candidates with professional experience should include their CV with their application.

You can read more about the application process, and access a link to the application form, on our how to apply web page.

Application Deadline

Our official application deadline is 31st August 2026, however please note that this course will close early if capacity is reached ahead of that deadline. We strongly recommend you apply as soon as you are ready in order to avoid disappointment.

Tuition fees

For 2026 entry, the tuition fees are as follows:

• Home students: £13,040
• Overseas students: £37,460

If you are successful in receiving an offer, a deposit payment is required in order to secure your place on the course. Please note that sponsored students can apply for a deposit waiver. For further information, please see our tuition fees deposit page.

Your remaining tuition fee is then payable at the start of the academic year, or in three instalments. For information about how to pay your tuition fees, please review the University's Finance webpages.

WMG Excellence Scholarships

At WMG, we invest more than £1 million per year into supporting our talented students and creating a diverse and inspiring learning environment.
Our funding opportunities range from the competitive merit-based WMG Excellence Scholarship open to all offer-holders, through to guaranteed bursaries for specific countries and partnership awards with third-party funders.

WMG Excellence Scholarships are merit-based awards, available on a competitive basis. Awards range from £5,000 to £15,000 tuition fee discount.

Applications will be judged on past academic achievement, professional experience, reasons for study, and your vision for the future. View our WMG Excellence Scholarship webpage full details on how to apply for this award.

Additional Scholarship opportunities

You might also be eligible to apply for other scholarships from the University of Warwick, such as the Warwick Taught Masters Scholarship Scheme; as well as awards from external funding bodies, including Chevening Scholarships. For additional funding opportunities and eligibility details, please visit the University funding web pageLink opens in a new window

Employability and Career Prospects

As a Design for Sustainability graduate, you will have developed a key set of valuable skills enabling you to design and implement sustainable products, services, and systems, work effectively with diverse stakeholders, and lead change within industries and communities toward more responsible and regenerative futures.

Graduates will be equipped to pursue careers in both established industries and emerging sectors driving sustainable transformation. You will be well-prepared to work across a wide range of contexts, from start-ups and large corporations to NGOs, government agencies, consultancies, research institutes, and educational organisations, all with a focus on sustainability and innovation

As a student in the WMG department at Warwick, you will benefit from our strong industry links, especially through our research collaborations. We also regularly host industry speakers and expert as part of the teaching on the programme. The reputation and position of Warwick as one of the worlds top universities for academic quality and employability will also ensure you the best platform from which to launch or accelerate your career.