Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

The MSc programme is for learners seeking the following attributes:

Learning Agility 

• An in-depth understanding of the Design Thinking process, a human centred problem solving methodology, and the ability to apply it appropriately across a wide range of contexts and sectors, and the aptitude to continuously adapt and develop your  approach and to learn in a collegial, professional manner. 

• Sustainability literacy comprising a range of sustainability systems, issues and tools, all framed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals and underpinned by the skills for continuous and self-directed learning into the future.

Professional Adaptability 

• Well-developed intellectual curiosity, analytical and interpersonal skills to lead multi-disciplinary approaches for the successful development of creative and innovative solutions to real-world sustainability challenges across a broad range of stakeholders, sectors and disciplines.  

Globally Engaged; Ethical Leadership

• An ethical perspective to leading change – sensitive to the beliefs and values of others, able to contextualise and communicate with diverse groups in a way that engages and influences behaviour. 

• An awareness of your  own role and responsibilities as an active global citizen especially in the context of sustainability 

• An inclusive values-based approach to your life and work, appreciating the importance and benefits of diversity and equity.

UCD Innovation Academy provides transformational educational experiences for the betterment of society and the economy. We prepare learners from all walks of life to succeed in an uncertain world. We work with higher education, enterprise and the public sector, national and international, to equip learners with the mindset, tools and skills to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. We act as a catalyst for positive change, within individuals, institutions and societies.

Our approach to teaching and learning - the “IA way" is underpinned by innovation, creativity, leadership, entrepreneurial thinking and design thinking. Our unique 21st century learning pedagogy centres on experiential, challenge based learning in interdisciplinary groups. By providing learners with the tools, the skills and the mindset to enable innovation, we help people and organisations unlock their true potential.

Students who successfully completed the MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability will be able to: 

1. 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.  

2. Develop a sustainability mindset through sustainability literacy including a working knowledge of sustainability systems, issues and tools, framed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

3. Apply and cultivate teamwork and leadership skills to support effective collaboration across diverse stakeholders and within multi-disciplinary teams practising design thinking.

4. 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. 

5. 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. 

6. 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.

7. 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. 

8. Identify sustainability challenges, opportunities, and needs, and design innovative implementation plans.

9. Lead a complex and ambitious sustainability project, managing multiple stakeholders and competing needs to deliver an actionable solution.

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.

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.

Ireland’s ‘Second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development – ESD to 2030: “Learners must acquire the knowledge, skills, values and dispositions needed to promote sustainable development.

“The Irish economy will need to fill more than 20,000 jobs by 2030 just to support green economy sectors.” IDA Ireland

“Key to guaranteeing a more sustainable and secure future is ensuring we have the right green skills to power the transition to net zero” Minister for Transport, Climate, Environment and Communications Eamon Ryan, TD

View All Modules Here

The course is split into 8 core modules, totalling 90 ECTS. Some modules are configured as ‘block weeks’ – five days in a row. Some modules are split over multiple weeks. 

*If you have completed and been awarded the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability and are applying for the MSc module, you will complete IA40830: Applied Sustainability Project (30 ECTS) module only. 

For all MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability module dates, please visit our website. 

IA40310: Creative Thinking and Innovation (5 ECTS)

• Learn to see with fresh eyes and develop your teamwork skills.

IA40470: Entrepreneurship: Application & Mindset (5 ECTS)

• Gain the mindset of an entrepreneur: a bias towards action. 

IA40350: Innovation Sprint (5 ECTS)

• A hands-on and immersive deep dive into the design thinking process. 

IA40620: Sustainability: Systemic Approaches, Interdisciplinary Solutions (15 ECTS)

• Explore global problems in sustainability and consider interdisciplinary and systemic solutions. 

IA40340: Leadership for Innovation and Creativity (5 ECTS)

• Develop a leadership practice to cultivate a culture of innovation and sustainability in a future workplace or venture. 

IA40610: Design for User-Centric, Sustainable Solutions (20 ECTS)

• Apply the skillset, toolkit, and mindset gained in the first trimester to solving a real-world sustainability problem for an organisation. The module ends with a showcase event. 

IA40460: Design Your Purposeful Life (5 ECTS)

• This module provides an approach in which you will reflect upon your learning, consider your life and career goals, and make plans to reposition your career for the emerging green economy. 

IA40830: Applied Sustainability Project (30 ECTS)

• This module is a problem-based project focused on solving a real sustainability problem. The project is led on an individual level to develop a students’ mastery of the methodology - Design Thinking for Sustainability. The module asks students to apply the cumulative knowledge and skills learned to date to help a specific organisation (enterprise, non-profit, start-up) integrate sustainability into their strategy, operations, and/or governance, ensuring that sustainability will be grounded as a source of innovation for driving environmental, social and economic change. Students will work individually, with a high level of autonomy, and closely with the relevant organisation, to apply the design thinking methodology to an organisation-wide sustainability need or opportunity. 

MSc Design Thinking for Sustainability (F252) Full Time
EU          fee per credit - € 113.78
nonEU    fee per credit - € 221.67

***Fees are subject to change

Please read the information below carefully as there are two entry options available to this programme. 

Option1 - Pathway: If you are currently a full time resident in the Republic of Ireland and meet the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1 funding eligibility requirements (view here), you may apply for a funded place to the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking in Sustainability directly via the Springboard+ website and on completion, apply for the MSc module pathway option. Do not apply here via this portal. 

100% or 90% funding is available for the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability component of this programme for eligible applicants through the Human Capital Initiative (Pillar 1). 2024 /25 is the final year for this funding.

Fees: MSc final module €3,250 (EU) €6,500 (non EU).

There is currently no funding for the final MSc module for those students who choose to take it.

Please speak to one of our recruitment advisors who will explain this application route in more detail.

Option 2 - Full MSc: If you are currently not resident in the Republic of Ireland or you are resident in the Republic of Ireland but do not meet the HCI Pillar 1 funding eligibility requirements, you may apply directly by submitting an application below. Please see the Entry Requirements section for application documents required.

Fees: Full MSc (8 modules 90 ECTS) €9750 (EU) €19,500 (non-EU)

Funding options are available. Please get in touch via the ‘Ask a question’ button and a member of the team will be in touch with you very shortly.

For more information, please visit our website.

The MSc Design Thinking for Sustainability is a pathway programme Level 9 MSc (90 ECTS). Applicants to this programme must have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability (60 ECTS) to be eligible for the final MSc module (30 ECTS). You will not be eligible to apply for this Master’s programme if you have not completed the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability.

PLEASE NOTE* Priority will be given to Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability alumni from 2020/21 for the January 2024 MSc intake however we encourage all interested applicants to register their interest.

Applications will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.

If you have any further questions regarding the application process, please email sarah.westvik@ucd.ie

Student feedback from the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability class of 2022/23:

91% of survey respondents agreed/strongly agreed that the Programme's overall quality was excellent

92% of survey respondents agreed/strongly agreed that the Programme activities fit how they like to learn. Most students agreed/strongly agreed that they developed knowledge and competencies from the Programme (92%) and that they are meaningful and important (100%)

Students agreed/strongly agreed that the facilitators worked hard to make their studies interesting (91.7%), motivated them to do their best (91.7%), were extremely good at explaining things (91.7%), and made a real effort to understand difficulties students might be having with their work (100%).

93.3% of survey respondents found that the Programme has helped them to develop a sustainability mindset and literacy. The mindset transformation is manifested in students' (1) adoption of system thinking, (3) more biased to acting, (4) confidence and responsibility to address sustainability challenges;

84% said the Programme has significantly developed their ability and confidence to communicate and collaborate with diverse stakeholders and within multi-disciplinary teams. 

92% are more proficient and confident with applying creative thinking and tolerating differences in real-life problem-solving, thanks to the Programme.

About 84% are more knowledgeable and confident with leading changes to address sustainability challenges

94% of survey respondents improved their mastery and gained confidence in using Design Thinking to solve sustainability challenges in the future.

About 90% of respondents found that the Programme has been helpful to their career progression. 8.33% applied their learnings from the Programme to personal life or professional career daily, while 58.33% applied their learnings weekly.

Following the Programme, 42% of the surveyed graduates are employed, either gained a new full-time job (17%) or remaining in the same position (25%). 8% decided to Pursue further education or training.

Below are some testimonials from our Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability.

"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." Ciara O'Flaherty, 2023 Graduate 

"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." Lucy Shah, 2023 Graduate 

“It's fun, it's challenging and it got me out of my comfort zone, I've seen myself grow in many ways and I couldn't recommend the course more highly." Richie Denieffe, 2023 Graduate 

“I highly recommend taking this course, no matter what background you come from, because we don't have a future if we don't make the world a more sustainable place. When you get here, the pedagogical approach is very different; stick with it, you'll love it. It will unfurl your creativity and allow you to develop design thinking and problem-solving skills that can be used in the context of sustainability and for many obstacles you may encounter in life.” Bláithín Gallagher, 2023 Graduate 

"I learned skills I could bring to the table very quickly. Almost immediately after finishing this course I was awarded a contract that I would never have had the confidence to take up if I hadn’t done the course." Jean Cox Kearns, Chief Sustainability Officer for TES – Sustainable Technology Solutions, 2021 Graduate 

“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.” Mae Ly Lim, 2021 Graduate 

Professional Diploma in Creativity, Innovation & Leadership

Professional Diploma in Innovation for Sustainability 

Graduate Certificate in Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Graduate Certificate in Digital Transformation, Technology & Resilience 

Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability

This in-person programme will be delivered on the UCD campus in our state of the art learning facility, the Shackleton Lounge. 

When you begin a course with the Academy it will feel like nothing you’ve experienced in education before. It’s not just our state-of-the-art facilities that make us different.

Our teaching and learning team facilitate learning in a high-energy environment and encourage you to harness your creativity and work as part of a team. Through this process you may learn as much from your fellow students as you do from your facilitator.

“I enjoy the adventure of a co-leadership approach. As colleagues, we build on each other’s strengths. When we facilitate together in a shared space of creative flow, it’s exciting for students and facilitators alike.”

Eina McHugh, Entrepreneurial Specialist

The following entry routes are available:

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised

Please read the information below carefully as there are two entry options available to this programme. 

Option1 - Pathway: If you are currently a full time resident in the Republic of Ireland and meet the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1 funding eligibility requirements (view here), you may apply for a funded place to the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking in Sustainability directly via the Springboard+ website and on completion, apply for the MSc module pathway option.

Option 2 - Full MSc: If you are currently not resident in the Republic of Ireland or you are resident in the Republic of Ireland but do not meet the HCI Pillar 1 funding eligibility requirements, you may apply directly by submitting an application via the ‘How To Apply?’ section below. Please see below for application documents required.

For more information, please visit our website or send a query via the ‘Ask a question’ button and a member of the team will be in touch with you very shortly. 

Applications will be reviewed and places offered on a rolling basis until the course is full.

Below is a summary of the application procedures for this course. These are subject to change. We strongly recommend you speak to a recruitment advisor who will guide you with your application.

The full document requirements are listed below. Please read them carefully. 

Initial supporting documents

You will need to upload some supporting documents as part of your application:

1. Current CV and Letter of Motivation. 

2. A copy of your academic transcript to show that you have a minimum of an Undergraduate Honours Bachelor's Degree (NFQ Level 8). If you previously studied at UCD, please provide your UCD student number on a Word document/PDF.

3. Applicants who do not have a level 8 qualification can apply through Recognition of Prior Learning.
   
   Under UCD's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy, consideration will be given on a case by case basis to applicants who do not hold a primary degree but who can demonstrate extensive professional experience. Typically, such applicants would have five years or more experience where their role includes managing teams, leading projects, programmes or business units.
   
   If you are applying under RPL, please review your CV to ensure that it clearly demonstrates the following-
   
   a. Any experience of leadership and self-direction
   b. Any experience of management or entrepreneurship
   c. A description of employee, budget and client responsibilities
   
   RPL applicants should also upload two recently dated professional/employment references. These should be on headed paper or from an official email address and including the referees name, role and email address.

4. If English is not your first language an English language qualification is required. Click HERE for full English Language Requirements for UCD.

Visit our FAQs here.