Teaching
In addition to attending the residential and online teaching sessions, it is estimated that to complete Stage 1 of the programme successfully students will need to spend the equivalent of 1 day per week (8 hours) on directed learning, independent study, reading, accessing one-to-one support, and completing work for assessment. In addition, students admitted to the programme are also expected to be in a position to undertake personal reflection, apply the learning in practice and/or gain relevant practical experience related to the themes of the programme for at least 1 day per week.
Stage 2 is designed to deliver content at a less intensive pace. For Stage 2 the expected time commitment outside of workshops is half that of Stage 1.
These are average time expectations across each stage of the programme for a typical student, and variations in individual approaches to scheduling and learning can result in weeks where the workload may be heavier or lighter.
Students are provided with all substantive tasks and deadlines at the start of the programme, so they can plan in advance in order to help spread the work evenly across the duration of their study.
Our applied, practitioner-oriented postgraduate programmes are designed to support personal and professional development. The following are key features that underpin CISL’s distinctive approach to learning:
Flexible: Programmes are designed for professionals working full time; hence the intensive teaching is blended with remote working on assignments and other course-related activities.
Thought leadership: The speakers, lecturers and facilitators are leading experts and practitioners from academia, business, government and civil society.
Practical relevance: Business case studies and hearing from leading industry figures are an integral part of the taught content, and assignments are focused on organisational contexts; thereby developing skills needed to translate cutting-edge insights into practice.
Topical: The content includes developing a robust ‘business case’ for sustainability, a focus on sustainability leadership aims and responses, and change management, covering both established and emergent experience.
Interactive: The learning approach is highly interactive, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and designed to encourage reflection and debate.
Diversity of perspectives: Students come from a wide range of functions, sectors, and geographies; hence provide a wide spectrum of insights and opportunities to benchmark against how other organisations are responding to sustainability.
Peer-learning: Shared learning and networking with between peers and the extensive range of contributors together provide a rich co-learning environment.
Support and mentorship: A dedicated CISL team and expert supervisors support the learning journey, including by providing feedback on assignments that are focused on organisational contexts.
Personal application: Students are encouraged to identify personal opportunities for leadership and engage in reflective practice throughout the programme, supported by peers and supervisors.
Stage 1
The PG Dip Stage 1 consists of completing the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business. During PG Dip Stage 1 students will:
- Attend two four-day workshops (blended programme) or an intense period of online teaching (online programme)
- Engage in a range of reading and reflection in preparation for taught sessions
- Undertake two individual practical assignments based on applying learning in their own organisational context
- Complete a group project with a small group of 5-8 participants, supported by a programme supervisors
- Co-operate with fellow students, share ideas generously and contribute to the fullest extent.
Stage 2
Stage 2 is delivered part-time over two years. The programme is structured around course modules, delivered through a combination of residential workshops, online learning, supervisions, and virtual sessions. During PG Dip
Stage 2 students will:
- Complete three modules, each comprising attendance of 2.5 days of one of the available workshops, pre-workshop preparatory material, and online learning activities. Workshops are offered in both the first and second year of Stage 2, giving students the flexibility to choose when to complete a module. Workshops will be delivered to students on both the PG Diploma Stage 2 and the Masters in Sustainability Leadership (continuous and flexible routes).
- Attend a half day of teaching on leadership adjacent to one of the three residential modules
- Undertake e-learning on corporate philanthropy, leadership for change and academic writing
- Deliver a short webinar to peers
- Attend online sessions scheduled to support face-to-face, group-based learning, introduction to assignment lectures, and oral presentations and webinars delivered by peers
- Complete two individual assignments – an analytical case study and literature review – supported by virtual supervisions and including delivery of an oral presentation
| One to one supervision |
6 hours during stage 1 and 10 hours during stage 2. |
|---|---|
| Seminars & classes |
4 hours in stage 1 and 24 hours in stage 2. |
| Lectures |
40 hours in stage 1 and 42 hours in stage 2. |
| Small group teaching |
6 hours in stage 1 and 2 hours in stage 2. |
| Literature Reviews |
The Stage 1 individual assignments and group project include short literature reviews. During Stage 2 students complete a 3000 word assessed Literature Review in year 2 and a short literature review is also included in their Analytical Case Study assignment completed in year 1. |
| Posters and Presentations |
During stage 1 each student will contribute to a group project presentation. This is not summatively assessed; however, the groups do receive constructive feedback. In stage 2 each student will deliver a short oral presentation on their Analytical Case Study assignment. |
| Taught/Research Balance |
Predominantly Taught
|
Feedback
Students submit a plan for each of their assignments, plus one draft copy, to their assigned supervisor. The supervisor will then provide verbal or written feedback on the plan and the draft with the intention of allowing the student to improve their paper before final submission. All of the submitted assignments are double-marked and consolidated feedback from both assessors is given to the student.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
N/A
Essays
In Stage 1 of the course (a Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business), there are three written assignments:
A 3,000-word analysis paper which takes the form of a detailed, critical analysis of a sustainability challenge or opportunity for a specific organisation, culminating in clear strategic recommendations.
A 3,000-word strategic action plan, building on the analysis paper, developing a practical implementation plan for taking forward one or more of the recommendations, supported by a sound rationale and existing literature and cases.
A 7,000-word group project (undertaken with between five and seven other students) on an issue relevant to sustainability, business and leadership, producing an original piece of research that draws upon the group's collective interest and experience.
In Stage 2 of the course students undertake:
A 4,000-word analytical case study, which focuses on sustainability leadership practices generally in their own organisation. A short presentation is also required in relation to this piece of work.
A 3,000-word literature review which asks students to use literature to explore a real-world problem and to identify a gap to develop as the evidence basis for a research project (if a student progresses, to be undertaken in Stage 3).