Master in Sustainable Development Management
Sunway College Johor Bahru · Johor Bahru, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Master in Sustainable Development Management (MSDM) at the Jeffrey Sachs Center aims to develop multidisciplinary practitioners skilled in management and problem-solving using analytics and systems thinking guided by global concerns. The programme focuses on building solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Students study sustainability across topics such as corporate sustainability strategies, social entrepreneurship, finance and sustainability, sustainable management and operations, and economics and development. The curriculum combines core courses, elective options, and research projects, with exposure to real-world practices and case studies.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Study core courses including Earth’s Climate System, Economics of Sustainability Management, Social Entrepreneurship and Development, Sustainable Management and Operations, and Finance and Sustainability
- Complete the Global Foundation Course: Introduction to Sustainable Development and Research Methods to build your sustainability and research toolkit
- Start research work with Research Project I and develop the basis for your final research direction
- Choose from available electives such as Sustainable Waste Management, Energy Systems and Management, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, Sustainable Forestry and Biodiversity, Governance in Sustainable Development, and Smart Tech and IOT
- Continue your research through Research Project II using analytics and systems thinking approaches
- Integrate core sustainability management topics with elective specialisation to apply SDG-focused problem-solving in real contexts
- Consolidate research outcomes from Research Project II and finalise your programme research submission
- Strengthen your ability to manage sustainability-related projects and communicate findings for decision-making
- Prepare for professional pathways aligned to SDG implementation and sustainability leadership
Curriculum
Credit hours table based on official programme requirements. Total programme credit is 42 credit hours.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Core courses | Global Foundation Course: Introduction to Sustainable Development | 5 | 19 |
| Economics of Sustainability Management | 5 | |||
| Earth’s Climate System | 5 | |||
| Research Methods | 4 | |||
| Semester 2 | Core courses | Corporate Sustainability Strategies | 5 | 16 |
| Sustainable Management and Operations | 4 | |||
| Finance and Sustainability | 4 | |||
| Research Project I | 3 | |||
| Semester 3 | Core courses and elective | Social Entrepreneurship and Development | 3 | 13 |
| Research Project II | 4 | |||
| Governance in Sustainable Development | 6 | |||
| Total | All required core courses and elective courses, including Research Projects I and II | 42 credit hours | ||
Career outcomes
- You graduate with management and problem-solving skills built around analytics and systems thinking, preparing you for roles in corporate sustainability and sustainability strategy functions.
- You develop SDG-focused capability that supports careers as a consultant working on sustainability initiatives across public, private, and non-profit organisations.
- You are trained in social entrepreneurship and development, helping you pursue opportunities in social enterprise and SDG-aligned community and impact work.
- You build finance and sustainability and economics-of-sustainability management knowledge, supporting career pathways in sustainability-related finance, reporting, and project evaluation.
- You combine research methods with hands-on research projects (Research Project I and Research Project II), strengthening your credibility for policymaker-adjacent and educator-type roles.
- You can pursue career directions listed by the programme such as innovators, social entrepreneurs, consultants, policymakers, and civil society activists committed to achieving the SDGs.
Employability rate
For graduates of the Sustainable Development Management field in Malaysia, an estimated employability rate is around 78% and an unemployment rate around 22%, reflecting continued hiring needs for sustainability, governance, and SDG implementation skills.
Together, these figures suggest you can expect a reasonably stable demand for sustainability management and related advisory roles when your CV includes relevant research and applied learning from the programme.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree (foreign qualifications) and CGPA | Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree (Level 6, MQF) from outside Malaysia. For related fields, a minimum CGPA of 2.50 is required; if you have a minimum CGPA of 2.00 (and you do not meet 2.50), the university may accept you subject to a rigorous internal assessment. For non-related fields, a minimum CGPA of 2.00 is required; if you have at least 2 years of relevant work experience, the university may accept you subject to a rigorous internal assessment, and if you do not have relevant work experience, you may be required to pass pre-requisite courses. |
| APEL.A or other recognised equivalent qualifications | Applicants may be considered with an APEL.A Certificate (APEL T-7) for Recognition of Prior Learning, or with other equivalent/related qualifications to a Bachelor’s degree (Level 6, MQF) recognised by the Malaysian Government. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Development Studies | Unknown |
Language requirements
International candidates must demonstrate English proficiency sufficient to meet the needs of the programme. If you do not meet the stated requirement, the HEP offers English proficiency courses and you may be assessed to ensure your proficiency is sufficient for the programme needs.
IELTS Academic
TOEFL iBT
TOEFL iBT
PTE Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
Other accepted proofs
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated total course fee | MYR 55300 / total program | Estimated Total Course Fee (Year 2026) for Malaysian students RM55,300. International students pay fees in RM equivalent; USD figure shown is indicative. |
Proof of financial resources
International applicants must be able to fund the total programme fee. The university states an estimated total course fee for the year 2026, and international students are required to pay their fees in RM equivalent.
- Proof of ability to pay the estimated total programme fee in RM equivalent for international students.
- If your bank or sponsor documentation is requested for visa/pass processing, prepare official financial documents as required by the Malaysian student pass process.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | January - Winter intake | March - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | January 01, 2026 | March 01, 2026 | September 01, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | January 31, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | September 30, 2026 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | January 01, 2026 | March 01, 2026 | September 01, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | January - Winter intake | March - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | January - Winter intake | March - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Check the programme and intake fit
Review the programme overview and available intakes (January, March, September) and confirm you understand the entry requirements. If you have questions, the university indicates you can contact the programme team or join a preview session when available. Start your preparation early so you can gather your academic documents and English language evidence (if applicable).
Submit documents for eligibility check
Compile your documents for an eligibility check and submit them through the university’s Eligibility Check portal. The university states it will email you the outcome within 7 working days. Ensure you include your bachelor’s transcript and completion certificate, reference letters, and your personal statement, and add diploma documents only if they are applicable to your background.
Proceed to enrol after eligibility approval
After you pass the eligibility check, you may proceed to enrol using the university’s online application system. Complete the enrolment steps and provide any additional information requested during the process. Keep your uploaded documents accurate and consistent with your official records to avoid delays.