MSc in Sustainable Development

Our Sustainable Development program addresses many of the most pressing developmental (environmental and social) challenges of the 21st century, equipping our students to evaluate diverse and contested ideas about what these challenges are and how best to solve them, as well as teaching the skills needed to develop these ideas in policy directions. We cover a breadth of environmental, social, and economic issues, such as climate change, development, health, energy, policy change, and conservation.

Our MSc in Sustainable Development is led by interdisciplinary critical social science. This means that we start from the scientific consensus about human impacts on climate and the environment but also with recognition that it is social and political contexts that are preventing vital change. Social science perspectives address this current gap, for example by being attentive to questions of power, knowledge, and politics. Within this, our course pays particular attention to questions of justice and equity. We commit to research-led teaching, academic rigor and teaching you the skills needed to implement research-led policy.

Course details

You will explore the tensions and synergies between different theories and approaches to sustainability, including forms of governance and decision-making. You will engage with sustainable development policy and practice at different scales (local, national, and international), and consider alternative frameworks and trajectories of sustainability - from broad-scale ecosystem approaches to decolonial agendas. Coursework components will help you to develop and demonstrate writing and analysis skills for different audiences. Optional modules allow you to explore topics such as capitalism and development, energy politics, and population change, which will further develop the interdisciplinary character of your studies.

Highlights

• Introduces different conceptualizations of sustainability and enables students to navigate a contested (and urgent) field
• Rooted in critical interdisciplinary social science, this course addresses social and political responses to climate science and offers a remarkable richness and depth compared with conventional single-subject degrees
• Core courses first use Development and then Nature as entry points into Sustainable Development. We teach you to analyze academic concepts and debates before shifting focus to research-led policy
• Our MSc focuses on the relationships between academia, policy, and society, and teaches writing for both academic and policy audiences.

The University of St Andrews has a world-class reputation and offers a wider student experience with a diverse range of social activities, including over 150 student societies and 50 sports clubs. Historic buildings are juxtaposed against the modern facilities, and the many student traditions truly make studying at St Andrews an unforgettable experience.

St Andrews is a unique and captivating place, and the University is a key part of its charm. Seven centuries of history link the students with the town, leading to the ancient and yet modern institution apparent today.

Why St Andrews

St Andrews is a unique place to study and live. Nestled on the east coast of Scotland, students may find themselves crossing golf courses on their way to class, or jogging along the beach after dinner. Not only does the University have a world-class reputation, but it also offers a diverse range of social activities, including over 140 student societies and 50 sports clubs. Historic buildings are juxtaposed against the modern facilities, and the many student traditions truly make studying at St Andrews an unforgettable experience.