This course is available through the following application route(s)
INFORMATION EVENTS:
The MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability is a unique programme that bridges sustainability knowledge and skills, ensuring students begin to affect change within the programme and are ready to quickly transition to new roles and opportunities upon graduation.
Every aspect of the global economy is changing rapidly due to the effects of climate change. As a result, employers need people who are agile and innovative, who understand sustainability challenges and crucially, are capable of taking action.
Students learn the Design Thinking process, a human centred problem solving methodology that originated in Stanford University, to create innovative, sustainable solutions to complex, real-world problems. In tandem, students develop a sustainability mindset through sustainability literacy including a working knowledge of sustainability systems, issues and tools, framed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability, introduces key concepts such as the circular economy, decarbonisation, and just transition. Students also learn how to embrace their creative and entrepreneurial side to lead change, embed sustainability, and address complex challenges.
Everything students learn is into practice with a project to look at a real-world sustainability challenge. This will be set by one of our industry partners, who have previously included ESB, Oxfam, Dublin City Council, and SuperValu. In the final component of the MSc students apply their learnings to a project of their own choosing - an opportunity to lead a project with real world impact, offering an ideal springboard for the next step in your career.
By the end of this MSc students are ready to reposition their career for the emerging green economy.
Students who successfully completed the MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability will be able to:
Apply the Design Thinking process to create innovative, human-centric, sustainable solutions to complex, real-world problems. The five-stage process includes skills in (a) insight gathering, (b) analysis, (c) ideation, (d) prototyping, (e) iterative design and testing.
Develop a sustainability mindset through sustainability literacy including a working knowledge of sustainability systems, issues and tools, framed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Apply and cultivate teamwork and leadership skills to support effective collaboration across diverse stakeholders and within multi-disciplinary teams practising design thinking.
Communicate persuasively, both individually and in teams, proposed solutions, ideas and concepts, using supporting evidence, insights and an awareness of assumptions, to influence different stakeholders, decision-makers and a wider general audience.
Adopt and apply an entrepreneurial mindset - a way of thinking that creates value by recognising and acting on opportunities, making decisions with limited information, and remaining adaptable and resilient - in the design and implementation of sustainability solutions.
Practise reflective techniques to enhance decision-making, draw insights to inform future approaches and enable self-directed learning into the future in the fast changing field of sustainability, among others.
Apply the Design Thinking methodology to design learners’ own careers and vocations, using practical career skills to identify and navigate relevant and possible career and life pathways.
Identify sustainability challenges, opportunities, and needs, and design innovative implementation plans.
Lead a complex and ambitious sustainability project, managing multiple stakeholders and competing needs to deliver an actionable solution.
“We did a design sprint with ESB, then we got to do a group project with NCAI, and then an independent project which I’m continuing to do. [The MSc Design Thinking for Sustainabillity] was more professional driven rather than something that was purely academic or theoretical.”
- Vivaan Sharma, 2025 MSc graduate (India), Sustainability Project Coordinator, shareclub
Decision makers in government, enterprise and civil society now recognise that learners must have not just the knowledge to act on sustainability, but also the skills to act quickly. The MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability is a unique programme that bridges knowledge and skills, ensuring students begin to affect change within the programme and are ready to quickly transition to new roles and opportunities upon graduation.
“Shifting global trends in technology, economy, demographics and the green transition are projected to generate 170 million new jobs by 2030, while displacing 92 million others.”
- Future of Jobs Report, World Economic Forum
The MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability offers students an opportunity to apply, test and master their learnings individually with a high degree of autonomy in a high stakes, real world context. Students must design innovative implementation plans and individually lead a complex and ambitious sustainability project, managing multiple stakeholders and competing needs to deliver an actionable solution.
As a result of the highly applied nature of this MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability, students may leverage the project for future career opportunities.
Where is the Class of 2025 working now?
“The Irish economy will need to fill more than 20,000 jobs by 2030 just to support green economy sectors.”
- IDA Ireland
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
IA40350 | Innovation Sprint | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
IA40470 | Entrepreneurship: Application and Mindset | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
IA40610 | Design for User-Centric, Sustainable Solutions | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 20 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
IA40620 | Systemic Approaches, Interdisciplinary Solutions | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 15 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
IA40430 | Creative Thinking & Innovation | Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
IA40460 | Design your Purposeful Life | Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
IA40830 | Applied Sustainability Project | Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate) | 30 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
IA40820 | Leadership Development Sustain | Spring | 5 |
UCD is strongly committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement. Sustainability principles are integrated into this programme, ensuring students graduate equipped to address global challenges. UCD’s leadership in this area is internationally recognised, ranking 47th globally and 27th in Europe in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2026. UCD also leads impactful research in areas such as climate action, clean energy, and social equity, supported by a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy focused on reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering a sustainable campus culture.
Here are the SDGs which align more visibly with this programme:
Sustainability can be a vague concept. So we promote a mindset which uses SDGs to define sustainability. Each SDG is like an ingredient for achieving wellbeing. The ingredients are used in different proportions depending upon the context.
The MSc Design Thinking for Sustainability is a UCD accredited programme and a Level 9 MSc (90 ECTS).
Ciara O'Flaherty, 2023 Graduate (Ireland):
"This course was life changing for me. I was a change maker before doing small things when it comes to sustainability but this course has given me the connections and the skills to do bigger things and have the impact I want."
Lucy Shah, Grad Dip 2023 Alum (Ireland) | Active Travel Project Coordinator, An Taisce:
"It was a fantastic experience. I came into this course feeling a bit lost, not quite sure what direction to go in but now I feel so confident going into a job in industry, in sustainability."
Alan Feeney, Grad Dip 2022 Alum (Ireland) | Production Manager, Button Factory:
"In the event space, we all know now that sustainability has to be at the heart of what we do. As part of of the course I got to work on a project with Convention Centre Dublin who I knew had a team that was dedicated to sustainability. They were, at that very time, prepping for an international award in sustainability. I was lucky enough to be there as they built their pitch."
Mae Ly Lim, 2021 Graduate | Executive planner, Declan Brassil & Company:
“We proposed to our industry partner that they create an opening for a community liaison officer. They liked the idea and created the role. In fact, they offered me the position. I got to create the job and now I’m doing it.”
Read more student stories HERE.
Unsure if you are eligible for EU fees? Read more about EU fees and whether or not you should complete an EU fee assessment.
Non-EU applicants are automatically considered for UCD’s International Student Scholarship upon successful admission to the programme.
Other scholarships for International applicants require completion of an application. Some opportunities are listed below:
Applications are OPEN. Please see important deadlines below:
For more information, consult this comprehensive page from UCD Global which will allow you to filter by your country of citizenship to evaluate eligible opportunities.
Here is some helpful information on cost of living from UCD Global. Stay tuned for more insights from UCD Innovation Academy.
EU applicants have a number of options offered directly by UCD Innovation Academy, by other funders within UCD, and by external funders. See the links below for more information.
It is also advised to consult this page which contains links to a number of scholarship options in UCD. It also contains onward links to external funding opportunities including information on SUSI grants and national scholarship schemes.
Here is some helpful information on cost of living from UCD Global. Stay tuned for more insights from UCD Innovation Academy.
A minimum honours degree (Level 8) qualification. Please provide a copy of your academic transcript. If you have previously studied at UCD, please provide your UCD student number on a Word document / pdf. If you do not have a Level 8 you may be eligible to apply under Recognition of Prior Learning. Please contact innovation.academy@ucd.ie first for further guidance.
Letter of motivation & CV
An English language qualification if English is not your first language.
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
Learning Agility
Professional Adaptability
Globally Engaged; Ethical Leadership
Participants in the programme have included:
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Design Thinking for Sustainability:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | F252 Design Thinking for Sustainability Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught |
