Course Overview

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 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 of 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. 

General Eligibility

• 3 Scottish Highers at grades BBC or above OR

• 2 A levels at grades BC or above

• At least two of these must be from the list of relevant subjects

• Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis

• You must have regular and reliable access to the internet and a computer for any online degree at UHI in order to take advantage of our full range of online learning services, which include support from your tutors and fellow UHI students as well as access to UHI’s Virtual Learning Environment and vast online learning library.

Part Time Work Details

20 hours work permit for international students

Language Requirement

• • Applicants must have an IELTS score- 6.0 or equivalent

  • English (PTE) Academic-58 average with 51 in each component

  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT4-Min 80 or above with min 18 in each section