- Analyse environmental and sustainable development contexts and systems at both national and international levels.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of organisations, policies, or projects related to environmental management and sustainable development.
- Design and propose solutions in environmental management, resource governance, and sustainability transitions.
- Apply data, technology, and research methods to enhance decision-making quality in environmental management.
Master of Environmental and Sustainability Management
SwissUK™ Dual Qualification
Master of Environmental and Sustainability Management Dual Qualification
ESG has become a mandatory governance standard across many legal frameworks and international labour markets, particularly for listed companies, cross-border investment enterprises, and organisations participating in global supply chains. ESG compliance is no longer a box-ticking exercise; it requires substantive governance capabilities, including the ability to design, operate, and monitor sustainable development strategies grounded in solid academic, legal, and professional foundations.
These requirements are reshaping global workforce structures, with roles such as Sustainability Manager, ESG Specialist, Environmental and Social Risk Manager, and Sustainability Business Specialist increasingly standardised at postgraduate level. These roles demand an integrated combination of advanced disciplinary knowledge, professional competency frameworks, and practical application capabilities. As a result, qualifications are increasingly evaluated based on competency comparability and regulatory alignment, rather than on academic credentials alone.
The SwissUK Master of Environmental and Sustainability Management integrates the National Competency Framework for Senior Leader (average salary £84,240/year). The programme combines the excellence of Swiss private education with the UK RQF system recognised by Ofqual (UK Government), enabling learners to obtain a dual qualification aligned with professional competency standards and recognised by employers in international working environments.
Swiss Made. UK Government Recognised.
Qualifications
- Master of Environmental and Sustainability Management from SIMI Swiss
- Level 7 Diploma in Environmental and Sustainability Management awarded by OTHM (recognised by Ofqual, UK Government)
Promotion
Delivery
Awarding
- Swiss Information and Management Institute (SIMI)
- OTHM (Ofqual UK.Gov Awarding Body)
UK ENIC Band
The Master qualification is aligned with FHEQ/RQF Level 7 and has been assessed by UK ENIC as comparable to Band 12 within the UK qualification framework.
Recognised in the United Kingdom
The OTHM Level 7 Diploma is regulated by Ofqual (UK Government) and recognised as equivalent to a UK Master’s Degree level.
Recognised in Switzerland
Bachelor graduates from SIMI Swiss can work in Switzerland immediately, as the Environmental Scientist role is considered a non-regulated occupation.
National Occupational Standards
Master of Environmental and Sustainability Management Dual Qualification aligned with the Sustainability Business Specialist framework — leading to Sustainability Business Specialist status with a UK median salary of £36,336 per year.
Recognised internationally
Recognised under UK FHEQ/RQF Level 7, the Master of Environmental and Sustainability Management Dual Qualification is accepted as equivalent to a Master’s Degree in over 180 countries and territories.
Quickly Learn a New Major
With its unique structure combining a UK-recognised qualification and Swiss private higher-education excellence, learners can switch majors quickly without starting over.
Programme Details
The Master of Environmental and Sustainability Management Dual Qualification programme includes 6 compulsory modules + 1 Capstone Project in Environmental and Sustainability Management major.
A. Compulsory Modules
- Fundamentals of Sustainability (20 UK Credits)
- Environmental Science and Energy Transition (20 UK Credits)
- Environmental Management in Organisations (20 UK Credits)
- Research Methods (20 UK Credits)
- Advanced Principles of Net Zero (20 UK Credits)
- Sustainability as a Business Strategy (20 UK Credits)
B. Capstone Project in Environmental and Sustainability Management (60 UK Credits)
The Capstone Project serves as an integrated assessment of all knowledge and competencies gained throughout the programme. Students are required to:
Upon graduation, students will receive:
- Level 7 Diploma in Environmental and Sustainability Management from OTHM (UK government-recognized, equivalent to a Master’s degree in the UK ENIC/NARIC Band 12).
- Master of Environmental and Sustainability Management from SIMI Swiss.
- A Bachelor’s qualification in Majors from accredited universities; or a Level 6 EQF diploma or an equivalent qualification from organizations that are authorized to issue qualifications and have been accredited.
- English proficiency must be at least CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) level B2 or IELTS 5.5
The programme is delivered through a real-time online Live Class model, where learners study and interact directly with SIMI Swiss lecturers via a live training platform.
It follows the SIMI Swiss Direct™ model — meaning learners study directly with SIMI Swiss, without any partnerships, franchising, or intermediaries. This ensures full access to the original programme content, without modification, while eliminating third-party risks and issues related to unauthorised local training.
Accredited & Recognized
- Strong dual recognition: Swiss Private Degree + UK RQF National Qualification + UK FHEQ National Qualification.
- Enhanced employability in Switzerland and the UK within the field of Environmental and Sustainability Management.
- Eligible for the UK Skilled Worker Visa, based on the RQF Level 7 qualification officially recognised by the UK Government.
- International recognition through compatibility between FHEQ/RQF/EQF frameworks and other national qualification systems(*). See more HERE
- UK Sustainability Business Specialist Standard: Easily demonstrate professional competence and meet job requirements with an average salary of £36,336 per year. See more HERE
- Expanded opportunities for further study at the next academic level internationally(*).
(*) All qualification recognitions, top-ups, or transfers under the Swiss and UK education systems are subject to the specific policies of the receiving institution or relevant authority — verification should be conducted in advance where applicable.
About the Swiss Information and Management Institute (SIMI Swiss)
SIMI Swiss is a SwissUK™ Higher Education Institute that unites the excellence of Swiss Private Higher Education with the nationally recognised qualification framework of the United Kingdom Government, regulated by Ofqual (UK.Gov). SIMI Swiss holds full international accreditation and awards dual qualifications, combining a Swiss Private Degree with a nationally recognised qualification from the United Kingdom, upholding globally recognised academic standards.
References:
About the awarding body – OTHM, an Ofqual-regulated UK Government Awarding Organisation
- Institutional recognition: OTHM is regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), the official education regulator of the UK Government. Ofqual recognition number: RN5284. View the official recognition information HERE.
- Programme recognition: The OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Environmental and Sustainability Management is Ofqual-regulated under qualification code 610/3662/6. View the official recognition information HERE.
References:
- How to verify OTHM regulation and recognition: HERE
The SwissUK™ Master of Environmental and Sustainability Management Dual Qualification programme from SIMI Swiss integrates the UK Government-regulated national competency framework for the Sustainability Business Specialist role (see more HERE). This integration not only enables learners to obtain a UK Government-recognised Level 7 national qualification but also offers the following advantages:
- Learn the competencies employers need: Beyond theory, students develop full KSBs (Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours) aligned with the UK Government occupational standard.
- Easier competency verification for employment: Each Learning Outcome (LO) is mapped to professional criteria, enabling employers to assess and trust graduates’ abilities from the recruitment stage.
- Enhanced opportunities for early management roles: Competencies are standardised to postgraduate-level management standards, preparing learners for entry-level management and supervisory roles.
- Globally competitive earnings: Sustainability Business Specialist roles have an average salary of £36,336 per year in the United Kingdom.
- Internationally recognised employability profile: Competency standards are applied in multinational organisations, supporting global career mobility.
- Reduced unemployment and career-misalignment risks: Learners can enter employment early through the staged recognition and awarding of national qualifications.
- A strong advantage over traditional Master programmes: While many graduates struggle to define their professional capabilities, SwissUK™ students graduate with a clear, internationally validated competency profile — and can fully evidence it.
Key advantage over traditional Master’s programmes: While many graduates struggle to find direction after completing their studies, SwissUK™ students graduate with clearly defined professional competencies and the ability to demonstrate them confidently to employers.
The programme awards two qualifications:
- Level 7 Diploma in Environmental and Sustainability Management – awarded by OTHM (United Kingdom)
- Master of Environmental and Sustainability Management – awarded by SIMI Swiss (Switzerland)
These two qualifications are fully integrated, creating maximum strength and value for graduates upon completion.
Yes.
- The OTHM qualification is regulated by Ofqual (UK Government), ensuring national standards of quality, transparency, and compliance in the United Kingdom.
- SIMI Swiss is an international higher education institute operating under the Swiss Private HEI model, registered and governed in the Canton of Zug. It is responsible for the academic value of its Private Degree programmes in accordance with Swiss law.
The UK Qualification Reference Statement issued by an authorised representative of the UK Department for Education is the highest-level document confirming the status of a graduate’s qualification, serving to authenticate and recognise:
- Verification that the qualification is recognised in the United Kingdom.
- Recognition of the qualification’s level and position within the UK national qualification frameworks, including all three frameworks:
- The Regulated Qualifications Framework of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (RQF)
- The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
- The Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW)
Example: A qualification recognised by the UK Department for Education with the notation UK Framework Levels – RQF Level 7 / SCQF Level 11 / CQFW Level 7 means that the qualification is classified at the MASTER’S level across the entire United Kingdom and holds academic validity in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- Confirmation that the awarding institution is recognised by the UK Government.
- Confirmation of the entry requirements for obtaining the qualification.
- Confirmation of the assessment and examination procedures.
- Confirmation of the graduate’s competency and employability.
- Confirmation of progression opportunities for further study within the UK National Education System after completing the qualification.
Yes.
The SwissUK degree awarded by SIMI is recognised for employment in Switzerland without any additional procedures, as the position of Environmental Scientist belongs to the group of occupations that do not require a professional licence.
The Governments of Switzerland and the United Kingdom have signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement on Professional Qualifications, effective from 01/01/2025. Under this agreement, professional qualifications issued in either country may be submitted for recognition when applying for a professional licence in the other country, including professions that fall under the professionally regulated category—those requiring a licence to practise.
As a result, qualifications within the SwissUK™ education system—particularly programmes awarded by Ofqual Awarding Bodies—are eligible to be submitted as part of the initial application for recognition or for obtaining a new professional licence in Switzerland, in accordance with the mechanisms defined in the agreement.
References:
- Swiss–UK Mutual Recognition Agreement on Professional Qualifications from the UK Government: HERE
- Swiss–UK Mutual Recognition Agreement on Professional Qualifications from the Swiss Government: HERE
- List of approximately 200 regulated professions requiring a professional licence under the Swiss–UK Mutual Recognition Agreement (qualifications within the SwissUK™ system—including those from Ofqual Awarding Bodies—are eligible for initial assessment according to the agreement): HERE
UK ENIC benchmarks RQF Level 7 at Band 12, which is equivalent to a Master’s Level. See more details HERE
Yes.
According to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), RQF Level 7 is aligned with EQF Level 7. See more details HERE
Yes. It may be evaluated as equivalent to a Master’s degree or Master-level, depending on the individual application, through:
- CICIC (Canada)
- WES (USA/Canada)
The final outcome depends on the purpose of the evaluation and the independent assessment conducted by these agencies. See more details HERE
Yes.
The qualification integrates the competency standards for the Sustainability Business Specialist – Occupational Code OCC0748 under the UK occupational framework. See more details HERE
According to labor market data from the United Kingdom, the average annual salary for the Business and administration group (which includes manager roles aligned with this programme) is £36,336 per year. See more details HERE
Yes.
According to the Statement of Changes to the UK Immigration Rules (effective 2025), the minimum qualification level for the Skilled Worker Visa has been raised to RQF Level 6.
A qualification at RQF Level 7 exceeds the mandatory academic requirement.
- See more details HERE
Yes. Learners are eligible to apply for postgraduate programs such as:
- Doctor of Education (EdD) in Environmental Education and Sustainable Development, including Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
- Doctor of Management / Doctor of Leadership in Environmental Management, Sustainable Development, or ESG Leadership
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Management, Sustainable Development, Environmental Policy, Climate Change Studies, Sustainability Science, or related disciplines
Reference: Recognition of RQF/EQF Level 7 as a Master’s degree under international education standards. See more details: HERE
All qualification recognitions, top-ups, or transfers under the Swiss and UK education systems are subject to the specific policies of the receiving institution or relevant authority — verification should be conducted in advance where applicable.
Yes.
- SIMI Swiss provides consular legalization services for its qualifications. See more HERE.
- OTHM offers an online qualification verification system via QR Code. See more HERE.
- The UK Department for Education confirms that OTHM qualifications (including those bearing the SIMI name) are officially recognised by the UK Government and mapped to RQF Level 7 / SCQF Level 11 / CQFW Level 7 (PGD/Master Level).
Information relating to the programme, the qualification, its accreditation status, and any associated recognition frameworks is derived from official publications issued by the UK Government, statutory regulatory authorities, and other competent bodies. All information is accurate as of the date of publication; however, it may be amended, revised, or withdrawn at any time without prior notice, pursuant to updates in applicable policies, regulations, or statutory instruments.
Although recognition, cross-recognition, and equivalency frameworks are established on transparent, objective, and verifiable criteria, each country, ministry, governmental department, professional body, or receiving institution retains sole discretion and full adjudicatory authority to determine whether a qualification is recognised, accepted, or deemed equivalent under its internal regulations and legal jurisdiction. Accordingly, learners bear full responsibility for verifying recognition requirements directly with the relevant authority or institution before relying on the qualification for any legal, academic, or professional purpose.
In accordance with principles of transparency and jurisdictional compliance, SIMI Swiss, UKeU®, OTHM, and all related parties do not make any commitment or representation regarding qualification recognition, equivalency, immigration status, or professional licensing in any country, ministry, department, or regulatory body.
This information is provided to ensure accuracy and transparency in public communication, consistent with international standards and best practices in academic disclosure.