MSc Sustainable Development

This programme aims to fulfill the following:

1. Comprehensiveness: The program will need to teach the full range of issues that define Agenda 2030, drawing an explicit link with the global agenda; covering social, economic, environmental and governance pillars of Sustainable Development, grounded in the context of global, regional and local implementation.


2. The Knowledge-Implementation Spectrum: the program will need to expose students to the latest global knowledge on issues related to the SDGs, but will also need to train them on how to move from knowledge to policy diagnosis and solutions for implementation on the ground. Knowledge will be grounded in dynamics of associated change theories, with a focus on using behavior change science to understand the knowledge-policy-practice continuum. Diagnostics and solutions will be a cornerstone of each course, ensuring the transfer from theory to practice. Thus, the program will need to balance academic, peer and practice learning as part of its core design.


3. Interconnectivity: The SDGs define a framework of separate but deeply interconnected goals; understanding Agenda 2030 therefore requires the ability to both, get deep sectoral expertise on individual SDGs, but equally to have an analytical framework to understand the relationships, positive and negative, between the various SDGs. The Program will emphasize how to use systems thinking and other analytical tools to find integrated pathways of implementation that translate the individual goals into a cohesive program of implementation.


4. Local and Global Relevance: The SDGs are a global agenda, and Agenda 2030 provides a universal framework for implementation. At the same time, the issues represented by the goals manifest in different ways in different parts of the world. A program of study of the SDGs needs to recognize this duality and provide a global perspective while also equipping learners to apply these perspectives in their immediate contexts.


5. Flexibility: The SDGs are a rapidly evolving agenda; the fields of study that underpin the SDGs viz. natural and applied sciences (ecology, environmental studies, physics, material sciences, agronomy, public health), social studies (economics, sociology, political sciences), and fields of public management, finance, leadership, and administration, are continually evolving, and any program of study needs to be flexible enough to absorb these developments. Second, students of the SDGs are often working professionals, who will need to learn and update their skills while in their work environments- this requires the program to be available in different formats, with a focus on learning through different mediums and formats. Finally, the inter-disciplinarity of the fields of study will be a core pillar of the program design, allowing students also to specialize in fields of study through electives while absorbing the common underpinnings of sustainable development. The understanding of issues concerning peace and conflict is vital to the broader understanding of issues of war, peace and conflict resolution in the world.  This programme develops that understanding on the part of students and familiarises them with cutting edge debates on the issues from various parts of the world. The vision of this programme is to nurture people capable of constructively intervening on these debates - either as practicitooners or as academic/policy specialists.

Knowledge and understanding

• Understanding core concepts of sustainable development

• Understand the role of sustainable development in the economy, society, environment and governance

• Gain knowledge of the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) and relevance to public policy

Applying knowledge and understanding

• Apply knowledge of the inter-connectedness of the SDG

• Apply knowledge of sustainable development to policy diagnosis and associated solutions for practical implementation

• Apply appropriate data analysis and scrutiny techniques for valid data-driven investigations for SDG implementation

Making judgements

• Compare methods, tools and models for developing effective sustainable development solutions

• Evaluate the range of sustainable development solutions available for public policy implementation

• Determining the appropriateness of different theoretic and/or analytic approaches to a variety of problems

• Selecting appropriate concept/theories and empirical techniques to investigate sustainable development issues

Communication and working skills

• Develop presentation, research and writing skills throughout their time on the programme

• Enhance communication skills via the interaction with academics, peers and non-specialists

• Develop a series of transferrable skills that will be important for future employability in the broad area of sustainable development practice

Graduates of our Master’s programme in Sustainable Development go on to work across a wide range of sectors, from international organisations and government to the corporate sector, NGOs, and consultancy.

International organisations and development agencies: A number of graduates have secured positions within leading multilateral bodies, including UNICEF, UNDP, the UN World Food Programme, and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, where they contribute to global efforts on poverty reduction, climate action, and sustainable growth.

Government and public bodies: Graduates have taken up roles across Irish government departments and international public bodies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Finance, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), working on sustainability policy, development finance, and international cooperation.

Consultancy and advisory services: Several graduates have moved into consultancy, joining firms including Deloitte, Grant Thornton Ireland, Grant Thornton LLP, and Rud Pedersen Public Affairs Germany, advising clients on sustainability strategy, ESG performance, and policy compliance.

Corporate sustainability and private sector: The programme’s focus on the SDG agenda has made graduates attractive to major multinationals with sustainability commitments. Alumni have taken up roles at Unilever, Nestlé, Novartis, Macquarie Asset Management, and BNY Mellon, working on ESG integration, responsible investment, and corporate sustainability programmes.

NGOs and civil society: Graduates committed to direct impact have joined organisations including Trócaire, CoolPlanet, and the Palestinian Institute for Climate Strategy, working on climate resilience, environmental justice, and sustainable development in communities around the world.

Roles held by graduates span a broad spectrum, from Sustainability Analyst and Climate Policy Adviser to Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Development Officer, and SDG Researcher. Others have gone on to doctoral programmes or taken up positions in think tanks, renewable energy organisations, and the international development sector.

There will be placement and Internship opportunities across the UN SDSN  

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:

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. 

• A primary degree with at least Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2H1). 2H1 is equivalent to 60 per cent, B minus or 3.08 GPA - in American system: B or 3.00 GPA.
• English language requirements: applicants whose first language is not English should have met TOEFL, IELTs, or computer-based TOEFL requirements (600, 6.5, or 250 respectively), or the Cambridge English Test (Certificate in Advanced English at a minimum of Grade B, or Certificate of Proficiency in English at Grade C). Applicants who obtained a previous degree from an English-speaking university may be exempted from this requirement.
• Your application will be considered on its individual merits and relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.
• Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information: https://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/int%20pmp/
• These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes

The applicants should have earned an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject  such as political science, international relations, social science, sociology, history, geography, economics, global studies, public policy, development studies, EU studies, law/international law , medicine,  planning, engineering ng   with at least Upper Second Class Honours, or its equivalent (an overall GPA of 3.0 (B) or higher in the American system). Relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.

The following academic staff from various schools teach modules in the programme:

UCD College of Science

• Emmanuel Reynaud,  School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science

UCD College of Social Sciences and Law

• Patrick Paul Walsh, UCD School of Politics and International Relations


• Conor Galvin, UCD School of Education


• Ciara Whelan,  UCD School of Economics


• Frank Walsh,  UCD School of Economics


• Graham Finlay,  UCD School of Politics and International Relations


• Andrew Jackson, UCD Sutherland School of Law

UCD College of Engineering and Architecture

• Enda Murphy,  UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy

UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences

• Paddy Mallon, School of Medicine


• Cliona O’Sullivan,  School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science


• Aifric O'Sullivan,  UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science