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Decarbonisation PG Dip

8 months, starting in September 2025

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Lead society towards a net-zero world by developing your knowledge of managing sustainability in organisations to deliver decarbonisation initiatives with real impact.

As we face a climate emergency, reaching net zero is vital for organisations. Decarbonisation and sustainability play a crucial role in this journey forward. We must adapt to the complexities of reducing carbon emissions across practices, processes, and technologies. This challenging transition also creates an opportunity for a new kind of workforce. We need climate-literate graduates with technical, managerial, analytical, and strategic mindsets.

Our master’s focuses on training you to take on decarbonisation projects and sustainability initiatives across business and industry. You’ll develop your knowledge in areas employers highly value. These include systems thinking, critical analysis, creativity, and the collaborative and interpersonal skills to lead organisational and sustainable change.

A flexible and collaborative learning experience

We provide flexible, hybrid options to learning (subject to visa requirements) so if you can’t always be on campus, you can still engage fully and build valuable remote-working skills. It also allows us to reduce our course’s carbon impact.

We take a team-based approach to learning because the more experience of teamwork you have, the better prepared you’ll be for the workplace. Throughout the course you’ll work in diverse groups with students from a range of backgrounds for a unique educational experience.

From course to career

During your degree, you'll have the support of our Faculty’s postgraduate employability team, who run professional skills workshops, and one-to-one sessions to help you with your CV and interview preparation.

When you graduate, you could become part of something bigger - taking the world towards a net-zero future. You could go on to design and deliver decarbonisation solutions professionally. You could work in a range of organisations, including businesses, charities, NGOs, and government. Typical positions could include:

  • Sustainability manager/consultant
  • Net-zero advisor/manager
  • Life-cycle Assessment (LCA) expert
  • Carbon analyst

2025/26 Academic Year

Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail. If you apply to the University of Bath, you will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 8 months. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2026. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2025.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Year 1

Semester 1

Compulsory units

  • Ideas, concepts and design

    10 credits

  • Organisational change management

    10 credits

  • Professional skills for climate leadership

    10 credits

  • Systems thinking

    10 credits

Semester 2

Compulsory units

  • Ideas, concepts and design

    Continued

  • Professional skills for climate leadership

    Continued

  • Project management for decarbonisation

    10 credits

  • Science-based decision making

    10 credits

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.

Learning

  • Lectures
  • Online resources
  • Seminars

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • In-class test
  • Open book written examination
  • Peer evaluation
  • Presentations

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

We provide a flexible high-quality learning experience delivered online and in person on campus.

You should expect to spend approximately 35 to 40 hours a week studying on your course. These hours consist of structured activities, teamwork and independent learning.

You will be offered between 9 and 18 hours of timetabled learning activities per week, of which the majority will be delivered in synchronous hybrid sessions. These sessions are delivered on campus but, depending on visa requirements, you can take part remotely whenever this is more appropriate for you. The sessions typically include a mix of seminar discussions and team-based working. We provide on-campus, bookable spaces and online collaborative tools to support your teamwork.

Assessment breakdown

You will be assessed by a range of methods designed to develop and test your skills and knowledge.

These will typically include open book examinations, written assignments, in-class tests and activities, peer review, self-reflection, and presentations.

Assessed work will typically include a substantial element (20-50%) of team activity, which may include peer evaluation.

Recognition of professional qualifications

As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

‘This course is going to give you the knowledge, skills, experience, and opportunities you need to make the impacts you seek in the world.’
— Professor Steve Cayzer Director of Studies, Decarbonisation postgraduate courses

Entry requirements

Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

You should have a Bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent, typically a 2:2 or above.

To apply for this course, you should have an undergraduate degree in a numerate subject. This includes engineering and science degrees, as well as other disciplines where there is a numerate element to the course such as architecture, economics, psychology or business.

If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in the UK you may be exempt from our English language requirements. A combined offer (with English pre-sessional) may be offered to students who do not meet the IELTS criteria but whose other credentials meet the programme requirements.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
  • TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Decarbonisation PG Dip

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees

Find out more about our student fees.

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying a postgraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Read more about tuition fee loans

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. You do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

You will need your own web-enabled device such as a laptop.

For remote collaboration, you'll need access to a quiet space, microphone, headphones and a good wi-fi connection.

Find out more about the available support for accessing technology.

Application information

  • Course title
    Decarbonisation
  • Final award
    PG Dip
  • Mode of study
    Full-time, hybrid
  • Course code
    TDUME-ZC05
  • Department
    Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • Location
    University of Bath
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Home application deadline
    31 August 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full.

  • Overseas application deadline
    30 June 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full. We may consider late applications but if you need a Student Visa to study in the UK, you will need time to apply for and receive your visa to be in the UK by the start of the course.

  • Application eligibility
    Home and Overseas students are eligible to apply
  • Regulator
    The Office for Students (OfS)

Immigration requirements

The course has been designed to support student choice using hybrid learning approaches so students can study online or in person, learning together across the globe. However, the choice of learning mode is subject to visa requirements.

Course enquiries

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