Global Sustainable Development

If you want to explore the world’s biggest challenges, help build a fairer, more sustainable future, and prepare for a career that makes a meaningful impact, this is the subject for you.

Studying global sustainable development helps you understand processes of global change in a world where environmental, social and economic sustainability are vital to our future. If you want to reduce poverty and understand how to create a better life for people, this is a great place to start.

Explore critical contemporary issues regarding the sustainability of the planet's resources, food systems, conflict, and pressing issues of inequality. Address real-world, complex global problems relating to economic growth, social change and political transformation – and critically engage with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Our courses offer a mix of natural and social sciences, quantitative and qualitative analysis, transferable skills, and regular experience of the challenges in global sustainable development. These topics are relevant to a range of careers in business, charities, aid agencies, government departments and research institutions.

For those working in global sustainable development, it is typical to build up a portfolio of work, volunteering and experience to enhance employability and career options. This is why we encourage placements, provide a dedicated Exploring Professional Practice module, and enable you to write a research dissertation based on a real-world practical or policy issue.

Organisations are increasingly looking for graduates with good practical knowledge of diverse global contexts and a critical understanding of key development challenges. Our degrees provide this, together with a range of key skills that enhance your employability.

You will also have the opportunity to study a language, to undertake a placement as part of your course, and to apply to study abroad.