This program consists of a pathway program offered by StudyGroup at the Durham University International Study Centre located at Queen's Campus, in Stockton on Tees. After completing the pathway, students will progress into a program at Durham University. In a Pre-Masters program students will study courses related to their intended field of study alongside English to develop and enhance their skills as a student. Advancement into their intended program depends upon successful completion of the pathway program.

This Pre-Masters provides the subject knowledge, language proficiency and study skills students need to progress to degree study at the University of Durham, Durham City campus in a range of subjects related to science and engineering.

After completing this pathway, students will transfer to the Master of Science in Sustainability, Energy and Development. This course enables students to learn how anthropological ideas and approaches are vital for understanding the environmental, social and economic crises of the contemporary world. It teaches how to engage with local knowledge and community-based approaches, rather than rely on global blueprints for sustainable development.

The course is taught by an active, interdisciplinary team involved in world-class research on development issues. The department offers comparative knowledge about achieving environmental and social sustainability through participatory approaches and active collaborations with projects for empowerment in the Global South. Geographical areas of expertise include Sub-Saharan Africa, South America, South Asia, South-East Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Melanesia. Staff also help students connect with Durham’s excellent research communities such as the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience, and the Durham Energy Institute.

The MSc is based around core modules focusing on the challenges of pro-poor transitions to sustainability, aided by culturally informed perspectives on new themes in development such as resilience, and energy justice. Options allow students to pursue subject interests with specialist guidance. The dissertation enables students to conduct independent research under the supervision of an expert, and become a master of their chosen topic.