- Advanced knowledge and systematic understanding of the sciences, engineering sciences and technologies underpinning the concept of environmental sustainability,
- The ability to identify, formulate, and critically analyse processes and technologies for implementation of sustainability,
- The ability to apply knowledge to quantify the environmental sustainability of products, process and systems using analysis and interpretation of relevant data,
- An understanding of the need for high ethical standards in the practice of engineering, including the responsibilities of the engineering profession towards people and the environment,
- The ability to work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary settings, and to act as a change agent within organisations to integrate and lead sustainability implementation initiatives,
- The ability to communicate effectively on complex sustainability challenges and opportunities within organisations and with society at large.
Sustainable Development Goals
This course is available through the following application route(s)
Sustainability is on the agenda for many sectors. All sectors are responding to sustainability goals, with many organisations setting targets to be achieved by 2030 for compliance, consumer or market retention purposes. Consultation with a range of industry stakeholders has identified that there is a deficit of expertise in the market to address the implementation of sustainability agendas, however the scale and speed of the change required is urgent.
Drivers of this demand are the National Sectoral Emissions Ceilings, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (2021) Act, Future Jobs initiative 'Transition to low carbon economy', Ireland's National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility, and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions reporting).
This full-time Level 9 Graduate Diploma equips students with the core skills to quantify the sustainability of a product, process or system, identify areas for improvement and devise and manage measures for implementation to improve sustainability.
- The Graduate Diploma in Environmental Sustainability Implementation comprises 60 credits of Modules (10 modules). These modules are offered across the Spring and Autumn Trimesters.
- All synchronous lectures, tutorials and practicals are delivered during normal working hours in Ireland and recorded to allow asynchronous engagement.
- It is possible for students to complete the programme entirely online. However, for those who want to attend campus, students enrolled in the programme are free to attend timetabled face-to-face lectures and practicals on campus if they wish.
The programme is designed to be suitable for people working in any sector in Ireland.
As most modules can be done either in real-time or via recordings – this gives workers flexibility in managing their learnings around their work hours.
Pathway: This 60 ECTS Graduate Diploma is a Pathway programmes that can build to a Masters degree award. Students who complete the Graduate Diploma have the option of completing a 30 ECTS project which builds to a Masters degree award. The fee for the additional 30 ECTS project is 3000 euro.'
Module Information:
Under the "What modules can I take?" section below you will see general module information, for a more detailed description including module selection rules click here.
About This Course
There is very significant industry demand for engineers and scientists with knowledge on methods to quantify sustainability for internal benchmarking, process improvement, and reporting purposes. In January 2023 there were mopre than 2000 sustainability-related jobs advertised in Ireland (based on data from LinkedIn).
Upon completion of this Graduate Diploma, graduates will have the skills needed to lead the sustainability agenda for a company either individually or as part of a team.
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 |
BSEN30360 | Life Cycle Assessment | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40480 | Sustainable Energy & Environment | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40820 | Carbon Footprinting | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40210 | Green Technologies Project | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40720 | Carbon & Sustainability | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40620 | Biorefinery Process & Tech O/L | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40810 | GHG Accounting | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40890 | Renew Energy Syst Analysis O/L | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ENVB40380 | Managing the Interface between Science and Policy (On-line) | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
MEEN40310 | Project Management | Spring | 5 |
Sustainability is on the agenda for many sectors. All sectors are responding to sustainability goals, with many organisations setting targets to be achieved by 2030 for compliance, consumer or market retention purposes.
This full-time Level 9 Graduate Diploma equips students with the core skills to quantify the sustainability of a product, process or system, identify areas for improvement and devise and manage measures for implementation to improve sustainability.
Seán Douglas - Business Development Manager, BiOrbic, Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre
Sustainability has become a significant issue for companies across various industries. It is now a necessity for businesses to integrate sustainable practices into their operations, including for reputational, mandatory reporting, and risk-management reasons. The Graduate Diploma in Environmental Sustainability Implementation recognises this increased need by companies to measure and improve their sustainability profile and provides graduates with the technical expertise to implement a company’s sustainability goals.
BiOrbic, Ireland’s national Bioeconomy Research Centre, works with companies across all sectors of the economy to help them to decarbonise and optimise the value of their biological resources. Our partner companies are increasingly recognizing the benefits of adopting sustainable practices.
Through the use of science-backed measurement and reduction protocols offered in the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Sustainability Implementation, companies can gain a strategic advantage by reducing their environmental impact, optimise their resource usage, and enhance their social responsibility.
The Graduate Diploma in Environmental Sustainability Implementation aims to deliver a much needed skill set to students that companies desire. Companies are actively seeking professionals who can navigate the complex landscape of sustainability and translate sustainable principles into tangible actions.
The Graduate Diploma in Environmental Sustainability Implementation can help to meet the needs of industry by equipping graduates with a unique knowledge and experience to quantify and reduce a company’s footprint. Through this program, companies can access a talent pool of sustainability professionals who are poised to lead the way in creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for businesses and society as a whole.
Pranav Padmanabhan - Class of 2023/2024
My educational background is in Electronic Engineering (bachelors) and IT Management (masters) and I'd been working in the software sector for over 6 years prior to my starting this course.
I’m pursuing a postgraduate diploma in Environmental Sustainability Implementation at UCD. I’d been keen on exploring the sustainability space for a while and Springboard+ offered a great gateway to properly upskill before exploring a career in the sustainability space. Climate and environment are becoming increasingly relevant topics in the broader global sense so having the chance to get an academic foundation before starting a career in the space via Springboard+ has been truly amazing.
The course has been very well structured and really useful in imparting targeted technical knowledge which seems to be very relevant and applicable in the industry, it also provides exposure across a wide variety of subjects such as renewable energy, bioeconomy, carbon sequestration, etc.. My plan is to successfully pivot my career into the sustainability sector and help companies build strategies to reduce their environmental footprint.
Graduate Diploma in Environmental Sustainability Implementation (T390) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 8730
nonEU fee per year - € 13780
***Fees are subject to change
EU fee per year - € 8730
nonEU fee per year - € 13780
***Fees are subject to change
Funding: A limited number of funded places are now open through www.springboardcourses.ie
The target market are candidates who are recent graduates, jobseekers or are in full time employment, with a Level 8 Honours degree with minimum 2:1 award (NFQ level 8) or international equivalence in disciplines which include strong mathematical, technological and analytical skills. Examples of acceptable disciplines are engineering, physical science, geography and planning, architecture and environmental related degrees.
Those without a Level 8 honours degree in a relevant subject but with >5 years relevant professional experience in a relevant field will be considered.
Minimum English language requirements will apply. The English language requirements for degree courses at UCD are listed here
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes
The target market are candidates who are recent graduates, jobseekers or are in full time employment, with a Level 8 Honours degree with minimum 2:1 award (NFQ level 8) or international equivalence in disciplines which include strong mathematical, technological and analytical skills. Examples of acceptable disciplines are engineering, physical science, geography and planning, architecture and environmental related degrees. Those without a Level 8 honours degree in a relevant subject but with >5 years relevant professional experience in a relevant field will be considered.
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Graduate Diploma in Environmental Sustainability Implementation:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to | Application Type | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | T390 Graduate Diploma in Environmental Sustainability Implementation Graduate Diploma |
Full-Time Commencing 2024/2025 September |
Graduate Taught | Apply |
* you can change options at the top of the page