BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Development

What is special about this course?

The world is facing the prospect of a climate emergency, with decision-makers grappling with how to understand and respond to the pressures on our environment and society. Sustainable Development, from the local to the global, is essential if society is to tackle the challenges faced. The necessary changes will impact on every facet of society, culture and the economy; this is a critical moment to study sustainability.

On this BA (Hons) Sustainable Development degree you will learn the facts about climate change, explore the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and consider potential and emerging solutions such as the Green New Deals, the concept of ‘degrowth’ and the transition to wellbeing economies, leaving you ideally placed to influence, or indeed become, one of the decision-makers.

This degree also focuses on how communities can shape this more sustainable form of development, particularly rural communities. Most of our teaching team are located in the Western Isles, where 75% of people live on community-owned land, which sets the context for you to study community-based development, land reform, community empowerment and community energy projects, which can all contribute to a more sustainable future.

To develop a critical understanding of the three pillars of sustainability (social, environmental, economic), you will study modules drawn from a range of social science disciplines, such as: geography; economics; politics; sociology; and environmental studies, as well as developing practical skills in research and working with communities. The course takes a critical approach to examining the historical context to development whilst looking firmly to the future, drawing examples of change in action from around the globe.

You will benefit from collaborative discussions and activities with colleagues from a range of diverse backgrounds and experiences, facilitated by tutors with many years of experience in delivering online education.

Special features

• Delivered entirely online, by tutors with years of experience of teaching at a distance, and can be studied from anywhere in the world, full or part-time to suit your circumstances

• To ensure a high-quality student experience, numbers enrolled on the course are currently limited to a maximum of 25 students per year so you will receive a high level of support during your studies

• All assessment on core programme modules is in the form of coursework

• Recent graduates have careers in community economic development, managing rural development initiatives, working for UN agencies, and working on international renewable energy projects

• There is an optional residential weekend each year, usually taking place in the Highlands and Islands, which will give you the opportunity to meet practitioners, staff and other students in an informal setting

• You may choose to leave after 6/12 modules with a CertHE/DipHE, while individual modules and groups of modules are available to study as continuing professional development (CPD) awards

(You may also be interested in our BSc (Hons) Geography course)

About Us

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is an integrated university encompassing both further and higher education, the only one in Scotland and one of only a few in Europe. We are not a traditional university. We are different.

Based in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, we are a distinctive partnership of 10 independent colleges and research institutions. Our reputation is built on our innovative approach to learning and our distinctive research and curriculum – all enriched by the people, natural environment, economy, culture and heritage of the Highlands and Islands and its communities.

We have 36,000 students at the heart of our university partnership and we are measured by their success.

We're a little different...

The University of the Highlands and Islands gives you the chance to do something different, something special.

We offer a diverse range of courses, many taking advantages of our region's unique environment, landscape and culture.

Learn online from wherever you are

The university has some of the best online learning technologies meaning you can study many of our courses from home or work, wherever you are in the world.

Go on to achieve great things

Our close connections to local businesses will help you get into the industry you're passionate about. We work closely with employers (including SSE and NHS Scotland) to develop courses to secure your future success.