Empowering sustainability leaders of tomorrow

In partnership with Teesside University, an Ofsted Outstanding apprenticeship provider, the Sustainability Business Specialist Apprenticeship blends real-world practice with academic expertise. Participants will master environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic sustainability. This programme equips apprentices to address challenges such as climate change and resource efficiency while building impactful sustainability strategies, fostering stakeholder engagement, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Who is this programme for?

This programme is ideal for:

  • Experienced professionals transitioning into sustainability roles or aspiring to leadership positions in sustainability.
  • Senior staff responsible for creating and implementing sustainability strategies across diverse functions.
  • Organisations in sectors like manufacturing, construction, retail, professional services, public sector, and finance, seeking to optimise resources, reduce environmental impact, and adapt to evolving regulations.

What will they learn?

Through this programme, participants will develop key skills to:

  • Build and refine ESG strategies while engaging stakeholders effectively.
  • Lead sustainable business initiatives and manage impactful projects.
  • Develop innovative solutions to minimise environmental impact.
  • Anticipate trends and leverage emerging technologies in sustainable practices.
  • Monitor sustainability performance, manage environmental data, and ensure compliance with regulations.

Key facts

Level
7
Qualification
Masters in Sustainability
Duration
18 Months (+6 months End Point Assessment)
Provider
Teesside University in partnership with Grant Thornton
Entry requirements
The apprentice must be employed in a relevant job role with agreement from their employer. This includes committing to a minimum of 6 hours off-the-job training a week. You must meet the standard entry requirements for Masters level study eg an honours degree or equivalent experience.
Schedule
There are five modules which each run for ten weeks.  Within each module there will be broadly one day of study per week. This course intakes start in January, May or September.  In addition, modules can be accessed separately and on demand.
Delivery
A blend of interactive online sessions with peer collaboration, complemented by self-guided study. Participants will also attend in-person events, including a summer session and a field trip to Teesside University’s Net Zero Centre, designed for networking and hands-on learning. Comprehensive support is provided by apprenticeship tutors, course directors, and module leaders.
Assessment
Learners are assessed through a mixture of assignments and a final end point assessment that involves an independent research project.
Fees and funding
£11,000 fully funded by the Apprenticeship Levy.

Key benefits

Develop your future sustainability leaders

Apprentices master leadership and communication to implement effective ESG strategies and sustainability goals.

Drive impactful change

Equip your workforce to meet ESG and sustainability objectives while tackling complex challenges.

Developed by academia and industry

Co-designed with Teesside University, this course blends theory with Grant Thornton’s practical insights.

Frequently asked questions

This module focuses on innovative strategies for organisational transformation. Key topics include:

  • Corporate social responsibility
  • Ethical leadership
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • How businesses can thrive while embracing sustainability 

Learners delve into sustainable value and supply chain management. They also explore tools such as: 

  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
  • Value Chain Analysis (VCA)

These tools are used to identify operational improvements and manage environmental impacts.

This module provides a deep understanding of sustainability regulations at the international, European, and UK levels. Learners will focus on how businesses can adhere to these frameworks to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

This module covers:

  • Key sustainability theories and policies
  • How to assess climate-related risks
  • Effective data reporting tools for reporting on sustainability impacts 

This module focuses on the intersection of sustainability, finance, and legislation. Learners will examine:

  • The role of sustainable finance in driving businesses toward resilience
  • How finance and legislation support the transition to a low-carbon economy 
Our Partnership with Teesside University

Innovative collaboration for future-focused learning

Our partnership with Teesside University is designed to bring you cutting-edge training programmes that equip your organisation for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. 

By combining Teesside University’s reputation for academic excellence with Grant Thornton’s practical expertise and industry networks, we deliver a learning experience that’s innovative, impactful, and tailored to your needs. 

Why Teesside University? 

  • Home to the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre (NZIIC)
    A £13.1m facility focusing on research and knowledge exchange to address global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges. Teesside is at the forefront of the UK’s green industrial revolution. 

  • A commitment to responsible leadership
    As a signatory of the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative, Teesside integrates sustainable and responsible leadership principles into its curricula, preparing learners to lead with purpose. 

  • Digital leadership
    As an Adobe Creative Campus, Apple Distinguished School and Microsoft Innovative Educator, apprentices build valuable digital skills alongside their academic development.
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    Hear from our learners

    Grant Thornton and Teesside University Celebration Event 

    We hosted a Sustainability celebration event at our London office, bringing together passionate learners and changemakers from the Level 7 programme. Hear firsthand from participants as they share their reflections and takeaways.

    The video is playing. This video is playing in mini-player mode.
    Being able to do an apprenticeship through Teesside University in a really flexible way, has been one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life! My cohort are really supportive, the lecturers have been absolutely fantastic and the content has been helped to affirm my sustainability knowledge, although every day is a learning opportunity. I'm really lucky to have a fantastic supportive employer and I’m really appreciative of all the opportunities that Teesside and Grant Thornton have been able to give us.
    Jessica Wilkes-Ball Head of Sustainability & Net Zero, Mills & Reeve LLP

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