Why you should choose an MBA programme focused on sustainability and social responsibility

Sponsored by Alliance Manchester Business School 

No matter what your chosen career path post-MBA, it’s likely that issues surrounding sustainability and social responsibility will be high on the agenda. This is why many leading business schools are incorporating these topics into their curriculum, to ensure their graduates have the skills required to fully maximise their opportunities. 

At Alliance Manchester Business School, part of the University of Manchester, the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework is integral to the MBA curriculum. On their programme, ranked tenth in the world for ESG and 1st in the UK for their carbon footprint by the Financial Times in 2024, students participate in a not-for-profit project, where you’ll provide consultancy for a third-sector client, enabling them to make a positive impact on the world while you learn. 

Inside the social impact project 

Alliance Manchester’s social impact project is the first practical task you will face on their MBA programme.  

This live consultancy project will be the first opportunity to work in a team alongside fellow students and introduce you to the nature of consultancy work, tackling real issues on behalf of real clients. 

The project itself will broaden your perspective and put you in challenging environments, while allowing you to use your skills and acquired knowledge to give something back to the community. Recent projects have included work for: 

• Action for Sustainable Living 

• Age Concern 

• Air Ambulance 

• Foundation for Peace 

• National Trust 

• Prison Advice and Care Trust 

• Royal Commonwealth Society 

• YMCA 

Watch the video below to learn more about the project.

Placing ESG at the heart of the curriculum 

As well as the project, MBA students at Alliance Manchester will also cover vital ESG topics within core modules. For example, in the first element of Leading & Managing in a Global Environment students will explore the transition to a net zero economy, and the changing purpose of business, with firms switching focus from maximising shareholder value to serving all stakeholders and being driven by ESG principles. 

This focus ensures you enter the post-MBA job market with skills that are increasingly in demand, but which aren’t yet widely held, empowering you to be a global leader as the world adapts to urgently tackle issues related to environmental and social sustainability. 

Why sustainability and social responsibility matter 

By choosing an MBA education focused on sustainability and social responsibility, you’re taking a step towards being part of the solution to pressing global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and social inequality, promoting responsible stewardship of resources. 

It’s vital for businesses to improve and enhance their commitment to sustainability, not only to enhance their reputation and attract socially conscious customers and investors, but also to foster long-term profitability. 

ESG frameworks encourage innovation, driving businesses to develop eco-friendly technologies and solutions that benefit society while reducing operational costs. Ultimately, integrating sustainability and ESG factors into business strategies aligns with evolving societal expectations, demonstrating corporate commitment to ethical behaviour, resilience, and sustainable development, which are integral for long-term business success and the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants. 

Take a look at how the work you do on a not-for-profit project at Alliance Manchester can help a business achieve these goals, with this video testimonial from Big Birthday Appeal, who had a group of the school’s MBA students work with them on a project.