The Sustainability with Environmental Sciences pathway has a particular emphasis on the science and technology to understand and address climate change and the degradation of our natural environment. It has a great degree of flexibility to enable you to draw on a range of relevant modules from across the disciplines of science, engineering and agriculture.

You may choose to become progressively more focused on earth sciences including climate change, environmental biology including conservation and environmental management or aspects of engineering and technology, including transport, waste management and sustainable energy solutions. You will also develop a range of attributes such as critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and ethical competency, which will be transferable to a range of settings.

The Sustainability with Social Sciences, Policy & Law course focuses on the social, legal, governance and justice dimensions of sustainability. Progressing towards sustainability to ensure a healthy planet and population requires significant societal adaptation and behavioural change. How we can encourage the required transformations to ensure that new policy and legal frameworks deliver just outcomes, and that environmental concern is coupled with quality of life considerations, is a core focus of this specialisation. If you are interested in human behaviour, social justice, wellbeing, institutions, policy, interdependence and global relations, then this is the course for you.

The Sustainability with Business & Economics course shines a light on the business and economic dimensions of sustainability – understanding how systems and resources work, and building the knowledge, skills and practices of working with people and strategy to get things done. This pathway focuses on supporting you to better understand the world of business and economics, and make interdisciplinary connections to all aspects of sustainability. It offers flexibility to enable you to draw on a range of modules from relevant disciplines in the social sciences, humanities, business and law or choose to become more focused on particular aspects of sustainability in business such as global supply chain management, design of environmental economic policies, corporate responsibility, or sustainable business practices and working in interdisciplinary teams.

• Sustainability with Environmental Sciences

Each year has a range of interesting core (compulsory) and optional modules. Indicative modules are included below:

First Year

First Year is a common experience across the three specialisations. You will take two core modules focusing on sustainability concepts and skills, along with core and option modules from subjects in each specialisation – Environmental Sciences; Social Sciences, Policy and Law; and Business and Economics. Modules include:

Introduction to Sustainability • Sustainability Challenges • Principles of Scientific Enquiry • Introductory Chemistry • Mapping a Sustainable World • Introduction to Sociology • Business in Society • Economics

Second Year

Modules include: Sustainability Research Tools • Careers & Innovation in Sustainability • Mathematics • Chemistry • Global Environmental Change • Life on Earth • Weather, Climate & Climate Change • GIS for Sustainability

Third Year

In third year, you will participate in an international field course and have opportunities including an overseas exchange for one trimester and/or a substantial internship. Modules include: Sustainability Field Trip • Working with Biological Data • Waste Management • Systems Ecology • Forests, Climate & Carbon • Geoscience for Sustainability • Environmental Law & Policy • Economics of the Environment

Fourth Year

Modules include: Internship in Sustainability • Sustainability Research Project • Global Change Ecology • Environmental Assessment • Energy Systems & Climate Change • Life Cycle Assessment • The Urban Environment

Throughout each academic year, you will be assessed through a range of continuous assessments such as essays, projects, presentations and creative outputs, terminal examinations, practical classes and fieldwork.

• Sustainability with Social Sciences, Policy & Law

Each year has a range of interesting core (compulsory) and optional modules. Indicative modules are included below:

First Year

First Year is a common experience across the three specialisations. You will take two core modules focusing on sustainability concepts and skills, along with core and option modules from subjects in each specialisation – Social Sciences, Policy and Law; Environmental Sciences; Business and Economics. Modules include: Introduction to Sustainability • Sustainability Challenges • Principles of Scientific Enquiry • Introductory Chemistry • Mapping a Sustainable World • Environmental Change & Policy • Business in Society • Economics

Second Year

Modules include: Sustainability Research Tools • Careers & Innovation in Sustainability • Human Rights & Social Justice • Introduction to GIS for Sustainability • Quantitative Research Methods • Sociology of Environment • Social Policy & Sustainable Wellbeing • Chemistry

Third Year

In third year, you will participate in Sustainability In Action – an international field course in the Autumn – and have opportunities including an overseas exchange for one trimester (Spring) and/or a substantial internship (Summer). Other modules on offer include: Environment Law & Policy • Applied Ethics • Global Risks & Resilience • Transport, Environment & Sustainability • Global Inequalities • Principles of Environmental Biology & Ecology • Economics of the Environment

Fourth Year

In your final year, you will participate in a team-based interdisciplinary research project on a sustainability challenge, mirroring a workplace environment. You will also deepen your knowledge within your specialisation and have the opportunity to focus on particular aspects of sustainability such as gender justice, environmental assessment, sustainable cities and communities, and European environmental policy.  

• Sustainability with Business & Economics

Each year has a range of interesting core (compulsory) and optional modules. Indicative modules are included below.

First Year

First Year is a common experience across the three specialisations. You will take two core modules focusing on sustainability concepts and skills, along with core and option modules from subjects in each specialisation – Business and Economics; Social Sciences, Policy and Law; Environmental Sciences. Modules include: Introduction to Sustainability • Sustainability Challenges • Principles of Scientific Enquiry • Introductory Chemistry • Mapping a Sustainable World • Introduction to Sociology • Business in Society • Economics

Second Year

Modules include: Sustainability Research Tools • Careers and Innovation in Sustainability • Introduction to Quantitative Economics • Principals of Microeconomics • Marketing: An Introduction • Foundations of Finance • GIS for Sustainability • Chemistry

Third Year

In third year, you will participate in an international field course and have opportunities including an overseas exchange for one trimester and/or a substantial internship. Modules include: Sustainability In Action (Field Course) • Intermediate Microeconomics • Economics of the Environment • Global Operations & Supply Chain Management • Business Across Borders • Managing Business Ethics • Principles of Environmental Biology & Ecology • Environment Law & Policy

Fourth Year

Modules include: Internship in Sustainability • Consumer Research – Insight and Data Planning • Business Strategy • Public Economics • Green Ventures • Entrepreneurship in Action • Responsible Marketing • The Urban Environment

• Sustainability with Environmental Sciences

An interdisciplinary education in sustainability theory, policy and practice will equip you to work in areas such as renewables, clean technology management and energy efficiency, or advise industries on social and environmental strategies.

Many opportunities also exist in international organisations such as the UN, the European Environment Agency and the European Commission, government departments and state agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Parks and Wildlife Service and in local authorities and Non-Governmental Organisations.

• Sustainability with Social Sciences, Policy & Law

Graduates from this specialisation will have highly developed analytical skills, methodological and research competency, flexibility and the ability to deal with complex problems requiring interdisciplinary solutions. These attributes are in significant demand in the public and private sector. For example, the aviation industry, private consultancy firms, banking and education, as well as in civil society organisations, state agencies and transnational organisations such as the UNDP, European Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Teagasc, and government.

Students will be well equipped to undertake further study at Masters and doctoral level in a range of disciplinary areas.

• Sustainability with Business & Economics

An interdisciplinary education in sustainability theory, policy and practice will equip you to work in areas such as renewables, clean technology management and energy efficiency within organisations, or advise industries on social and environmental strategies.

Many opportunities also exist in global professional service firms and consultancy, and international organisations such as the UN, the European Environment Agency and the European Commission, government departments and state agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Parks and Wildlife Service and in local authorities and Non-Governmental Organisations.

A wide range of graduate opportunities and pathways include further specialisation through for example MSc Business, Economics, or Sustainability Policy or Practice.

There will be opportunities to apply for exchange programmes and an international field trip is a core component of the third year experience. Students will also have the opportunity to research and apply for international internships with relevant industries and employers. Placements are secured through a competitive process.

When choosing what to study at university, I didn’t want to limit myself to a specific field but knew I wanted sustainability to be my focus. Something that drew me to this course was the freedom of choice – in only my first year, I’ve been able to take a range of interdisciplinary modules and discover interests I never knew I had. The sustainability modules encourage us to think critically and apply a future-focused lens to the wide range of subjects we study. I can’t wait to delve deeper into my chosen specialisation of Environmental Sciences over the next three years and hopefully start a career that brings about positive change.

Hannah Kerr, Sustainability with Environmental Sciences Student

As someone with strong interests in tackling social issues and preserving the environment, choosing to study Sustainability with Social Sciences, Policy & Law at UCD has been the single best decision for me. With such a wide variety of modules on offer, students are able to explore the path of study most of interest to them. Having looked at topics ranging from global justice, to education in sustainability, I have gained thoughtful insights into a whole range of climate justice issues. The interdisciplinary approach of this course has truly opened my eyes to the injustices of the world, while also helping to equip me with the necessary skills, knowledge and ambition to make a difference.

Laoise Markey, Sustainability with Social Sciences, Policy & Law Student

So far, the sustainability programme has been everything I hoped it would be. Having moved from America (Austin, Texas) I wasn’t sure how I’d get on but, after settling in and meeting people in the course, that quickly changed. A unique course, sustainability offers a very broad entry perspective when starting first year. This was very helpful for me as I was still unsure on which sustainable pathway to pursue – so having time to weigh options and experiment with different classes was great! Overall, my experience as a first year sustainability student has been worth remembering, and I highly recommend the course to anyone interested! As Niall FitzGerald once said: “Sustainability is here to stay, or we may not be.”

Cole McCue, Sustainability with Business & Economics Student