Foundations of Sustainable Development University College Dublin

Overview

The Foundations of Sustainable Development Prof.Dip from University College Dublin will equip students to solve some of the most pressing issues of our times. Students who complete the programme will emerge with a holistic understanding of the core tenets of sustainable development across the four pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals —economic, social, and environmental, and governance.

The stability of the Earth as a system is currently at risk as five of the nine planetary boundaries - describing the environmental limits within which humanity as a species may continue to thrive - have now been exceeded. The practice of sustainability is crucial to our management of life under water, life on land, the environment, and for societal health and wellbeing now and in the future.

Key facts

• The programme is flexible and delivered online and it provides students who complete the programme with a pathway for entry onto UCD’s online MSc Sustainable Development programme.
• This programme can be completed over 1 trimester (Sept start only) or over 2 Trimesters (Sept & Jan start) giving the student lots of flexibility.
• Lectures for module 'Global Classroom' is available as live and also recorded. The second module 'Fundamentals of Sustainability' is on demand, this gives the student a lot of flexibility to learn.
• The programme utilises the best available online sustainability education resources from global experts and is delivered in partnership with the UNSDSN SDG Academy (https://sdgacademy.org/)
• Assessments are through continuous assessment. 

• Once they complete the Diploma, students can continue into UCD’s online Master’s of Science (MSc.) in Sustainable Development—offsetting 20 academic credits.

Career Opportunities

• As a sustainability expert in corporate entities

• Almost all NGOs now require expertise in sustainability

• Environmental corporate governance (e.g. ESG)

• Education for sustainable development careers

• Sustainability consultant

Testimonial:

Prof Patrick Paul WalshModule CoordinatorThe global labour force needs to re- and upskill at speed to put the world on a pathway to sustainable development, and professionals need to understand the intersection of science, policy, and practice. That's why University College Dublin and the SDG Academy have created thisinnovative online Master’s pathway for all learners across government, corporates and civil society to earn a Professional Diploma in Foundations of Sustainable Development. You can enter the pathway with or without professional experience in the field of sustainable development, and emerge ready to take part in the transition to a sustainable future.