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

• Join a course which can be studied from home anywhere in the world, full or part-time to suit your circumstances
• Delivered by tutors with years of experience of teaching at a distance, offering a high level of support
• Online learning materials available 24/7 via laptops, tablets or mobiles, including reading, videos and podcasts
• Assessment on core modules is principally via course work - very few exams
• Optional modules allow you to follow your own interests in other humanities and social science subjects
• Optional study field trip to Iceland as well as opportunities for a student society residential trip in the Scottish Highlands
• Flexible study options include the opportunity to start your studies in January, study individual modules or groups of modules, or leave after 6/12 modules with a CertHE/DipHE