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Contact: College of Humanities & Social Science Undergraduate Admissions Office

Email: hssug@ed.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3565

Web: www.sps.ed.ac.uk/undergrad

Introduction

Sustainable development refers to the challenges of reducing global inequity and poverty, and improving well-being, while reducing threats to the Earth’s systems from industrialised production and consumption.

Effective environmental care in relation to climate stability, biodiversity and renewal of natural resources requires the examination of how societies organise social, economic and political activity, how they relate to their surroundings and how they ensure the renewal of natural resources for future generations.

The Sustainable Development programme addresses these global issues primarily through multidisciplinary social science teaching, focusing on the social consequences of current patterns of development and opportunities for change. You will develop understanding of the key scientific debates and the ability to evaluate scientific knowledge and practices concerning sustainable development.

Students study a range of courses in their first two years and then specialise in two areas from a choice of social science and humanities subjects.

What you'll study

Year 1

You will study two core courses. The first will introduce the concept of sustainable development, focusing on debates about definitions, principles and measurement of sustainability. It provides an integrated introduction to a range of disciplinary perspectives on the concept of sustainability. The second core course will examine in more depth the relationships between science and society, focusing on nature and the environment.

You will also choose courses from two further disciplines within social science and humanities subjects.

Year 2

You will study two further core courses in this year, one in each semester.

In the first semester, you will explore in more depth some of the key topics and issues pertaining to the concept of sustainable development from an interdisciplinary perspective. You will build on these in the second semester by examining key environmental resource issues relevant for sustainable development. For your two other subjects you will select from a range of courses in your relevant chosen disciplines.

Year 3

You will specialise in sustainable development optional courses drawn from one of the two disciplines that you studied in-depth in the first two years, as well as undertaking a course on case studies in sustainability, which will be fieldwork based. Students will be asked to contribute to the costs of undertaking this fieldwork. You will also begin preparation for a 40-credit dissertation on a sustainable development issue.

Year 4

As year 3.

Learning and assessment

You will be taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials. You will also receive one-to-one supervision for your dissertation.

The programme is assessed through exams, coursework and project work.

Careers

Graduates of this programme are likely to work in the growth areas of corporate social responsibility, environmental education, environmental management, environmental auditing, environmental politics, risk management, sustainable citizenship and sustainable development.

Our facilities

Teaching is primarily based at facilities in the centrally located George Square campus although there will be opportunities to take courses in other parts of the University, including the Kings’ Buildings site. You will have access to the University’s computer facilities and libraries.

Study abroad

There may be opportunities to study abroad through the University’s International Exchange Programme.