M.Tech. in Sustainability
The Master’s in Sustainability programme aims to prepare industry-ready professionals and innovative researchers who can address pressing global sustainability challenges.
M.Tech in sustainability overview
To develop engaged professionals capable of solving real-world sustainability challenges through education, research, innovation and collaboration. This vision aligns with the Centre for Sustainability at Mahindra University, which aims to build a more equitable world where human societies live in harmony with nature.Students will learn to:
Collaborate effectively
in multidisciplinary teams and engage stakeholders through clear and impactful communication.
Analyse the interconnected nature
of climate change, ecosystems, energy systems, built environments and public policy to support environmental, social and economic prosperity.
Evaluate complex sustainability challenges
and design evidence-based strategies using systems thinking and cross-sectoral perspectives.
Apply sustainability knowledge
through fieldwork, case studies, internships and global learning opportunities.
Programme details
Why choose M.Tech in Sustainability at Mahindra University?
World-class faculty: Learn from globally experienced faculty and visiting experts in climate science, green infrastructure, sustainable business and policy.
Hands-on experience: Gain practical exposure through laboratories, fieldwork, internships and real-world projects with industry and community partners.
Interdisciplinary curriculum: The curriculum integrates technical, scientific and social perspectives to address complex sustainability challenges. Courses incorporate tools such as simulations, life cycle assessment, AI/ML applications and systems thinking.
Research opportunities: Participate in applied research with Mahindra University’s centres and laboratories, collaborate with external partners and contribute to research publications.
Focus on employability: Designed to meet the needs of the green economy, the programme emphasises project-based learning, industry exposure and innovation-driven coursework to develop job-ready skills.
Expected career pathways
Graduates of the programme may pursue careers across multiple sectors, including:
- Consulting firms – sustainability strategy, ESG reporting, climate risk assessment and sustainable operations.
- International non-profit organisations (NPOs) – climate adaptation, sustainability programmes and global development initiatives.
- Industry – sustainable manufacturing, environmental compliance, green product development and corporate sustainability.
- Think tanks and research institutions – sustainability policy research, climate modelling and evidence-based policy recommendations.
- Academia – teaching, interdisciplinary research and knowledge dissemination.
Programme focus areas
The programme offers foundational courses along with specialised learning across four key areas.
Sustainable ecosystems
This focus area addresses environmental and ecological sustainability challenges such as water resource management, biodiversity conservation and the relationship between demography and business sustainability. It also examines themes including nature-based solutions, climate communication, climate justice and equity, and climate policy, politics and law.
Sustainable energy systems
This track explores the transition to cleaner and more resilient energy systems. Students learn about renewable energy technologies, energy footprint analysis and energy policy frameworks. The curriculum integrates engineering principles with sustainability goals and prepares graduates to lead innovations supporting the global energy transition.
Sustainable built environments
This area focuses on designing and managing environmentally responsible and climate-responsive buildings and urban systems. Topics include building performance simulation, urban land-use dynamics, urban microclimates, green building rating systems and air quality management. Students learn to design climate-resilient built environments using data-driven methods and integrated systems thinking.
Social sustainability and policy
This focus area examines the social dimensions of sustainability, including governance, social justice, community wellbeing and inclusive planning. Students learn participatory methods, stakeholder engagement strategies and policy evaluation frameworks to design equitable and resilient development pathways.
Total credits required to graduate: 67 credits
Total instructional hours: 1,120 hours (14 hours per credit)
| S. No. | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to sustainability | 2 |
| 2 | Research methods for sustainability | 3 |
| 3 | Programming for sustainability | 4 |
| 4 | Environmental economics and sustainable finance | 3 |
| 5 | Climate solutions | 3 |
| 6 | Carbon accounting, climate risk and reporting | 4 |
| 7 | Systems thinking | 3 |
| S. No. | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Circular economy and life cycle assessment (LCA) | 4 |
| 2 | Energy systems | 3 |
| 3 | Sustainable water resource management | 3 |
| 4 | Business and climate communication | 2 |
| 5 | Climate policy, politics and law | 3 |
| 6 | Sustainable manufacturing and supply chain | 3 |
| 7 | Geospatial analytics for environment | 3 |
Summer internship
Students select three electives from the focus areas below.
| Focus area | Credits |
|---|---|
| Social sustainability | 3 |
| Sustainable built environment | 3 + 3 |
| Sustainable energy systems | 3 + 3 |
| Sustainable ecosystems | 3 + 3 |
| Project / pre-thesis | 4 |
Students complete a master’s thesis or extended internship, focusing on applied research or real-world sustainability challenges.
Career roles
- Sustainability consultant
- Sustainability manager
- Environmental scientist
- Environmental specialist
- Sustainability solutions specialist
- Energy specialist
- Energy manager
- Life cycle assessment (LCA) specialist
- Policy advisor
- Research associate
Eligibility
Applicants from any undergraduate discipline are welcome, provided they are interested in sustainability and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
Requirements include:
- A full-time undergraduate degree of three or more years from a recognised university or institute.
- A minimum aggregate score of 60% or an equivalent grade.
- A minimum CGPA of 6.0 on a 10-point scale or equivalent.
- Candidates in their final semester of undergraduate study are also eligible to apply.
Admission process
- Applicants with a three-year undergraduate degree must have a minimum aggregate of 60% and a qualifying score in GATE, CUET (PG) or another recognised national or state-level postgraduate entrance examination.
- Shortlisted candidates from all eligibility routes will be invited for a personal interview as part of the final selection process.
FAQs
The programme is a two-year full-time postgraduate degree consisting of four semesters. It includes coursework, electives, internships and a final thesis or research project.
Students from any undergraduate discipline can apply, provided they have a minimum of 60% marks or a CGPA of 6.0 on a 10-point scale. Final-year undergraduate students are also eligible to apply.
Students can pursue advanced learning through focus areas such as sustainable ecosystems, sustainable energy systems, sustainable built environments and social sustainability & policy.
Yes. The programme includes a summer internship or industry project, along with research opportunities and a final thesis or extended internship in the fourth semester.
Graduates can pursue careers in sustainability consulting, environmental research, energy management, ESG and climate policy advisory, as well as roles in industry, international organisations, think tanks and academia.
