Course Highlights

BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Development is a 4-Year Full-Time, Bachelor's Level Course, and here are the top reasons to opt for this course.

• This unique course encourages students to rise above the challenges of the environment and society. 
• It also motivates the students to focus on studying principles and practices of sustainability in an interdisciplinary environment. 
• Sustainable Development is available as both Bachelor of Science (BSc) and a Master of Arts (MA) degree with the same content. The master's degree is equivalent to an English BA. 
• Students from science backgrounds who wish to study Sustainable Development are most welcome to apply for this programme at the University of St Andrews.
• For students interested in learning Sustainable Development alongside Arts subjects, the MA in Sustainable Development is the best choice amongst all the postgraduate courses.
• Sustainable development is widely regarded as the most promising framework for addressing environmental and developmental challenges in the 21st century.
• These challenges include providing clean water, adequate sanitation, energy generation and supply, human health, food production and distribution, and the continuing threat to biodiversity.
• The School of Geography and Sustainable Development was ranked 1st in Scotland in the Guardian University Guide 2021 and 1st in Scotland in the Complete University Guide 2021 with an overall ranking of 2nd in the UK by the Guardian for two consecutive years – 2020 and 2021.
• The University of St Andrews was voted top in the UK for student academic experience in The National Student Survey 2020 for the quality of the learning and teaching experience.
• The University has secured a TEF Gold Award for the quality of teaching and the undergraduate experience.
• The School of Geography and Sustainable Development at the University of St Andrews was ranked 5th in the UK in the recent Research Excellence Framework 2014.

Course Eligibility

Key Eligibility Requirements: BSc (Hons) Sustainable Development

• Class 12: Minimum 90% average across all subjects and some faculty requirements for BSc
• IB Board- 38 (HL 6,6,6 plus SL 6,6,6)
• Candidates with relevant work experience and good academic potential are also encouraged to apply for the BSc (Hons) Sustainable Development programme.

Exams:English language requirements

• GCSE English Language at grade 4/C
• IELTS grade
• (i) For BSc sustainable development 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
• (ii) For the MA in sustainable development 7 with a minimum 6.5 in each component
• An alternative English language qualification is also acceptable. (Waiver may be applicable)

Course Fees

Course Fees: BSc (Hons) Sustainable Development

• The above values are approximate and are subject to change.
• The hostel charges may vary depending on the choice of accommodation opted by the student.
• The above mentioned fees and expenses are for 1st Year of the course duration.

Career Prospects

• Graduates with this degree have been in demand because of their keen interest in nature for building up a sustainable environment.
• Sustainable development students have a rare combination of quantitative and qualitative skills and integrate and analyze diversified data.
• It's also seen that students have a deep understanding of human-environment interactions.
• The 'Careers Centre' at the University of St Andrews also offers one-to-one advice to all students and a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills. 

 Career Pathways for Undergraduates

• Conservation
• Education
• Environmental management
• Government Organizations
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
• Impact Assessment
• Strategic Planning and Development
• Energy Sector
• Business and Finance
• Consultancy
• Scientific Research

Key Learnings

• Students are taught by experienced teaching professionals who have comprehensive knowledge about sustainable development. 
• Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teacher training also contribute to teaching laboratory classes and seminars under the supervision of the module leader.
• Along with studies in the School of Geography and Sustainable Development, ample academic support is available through practical study skills courses and workshops hosted within the university campus.
• The University’s Student Services team of St Andrews also helps students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long term medical conditions or learning disabilities.
• In addition to attending lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes, you will be undertaking field excursions and research projects along with individual and group presentations.
• During your final year, you will also carry out a dissertation module that focuses on a topic of your choice, with structured support from an academic.
• Sustainable development students may also participate in the University wise St Andrews Abroad programme for a unique learning experience.

Study Benefits

• The University of St Andrews offers an array of events and opportunities which result in a truly unique student experience.
• Students participate in a range of traditions, notably, the red academic gown and the academic family, where older students adopt first-year students as children and beneficially guide them with genuine efforts.
• These traditions and the choice of over 150 sports clubs and student societies ensures a community feel amongst the students.
• Students of this programme can join Sustainable Development Society, Geology Society, Geography Society, which provides an open place for discussing crucial topics and paves the way for all-round development.
• The School of Geography and Sustainable Development is housed within the Irvine Building, an attractive building close to the sea in the historical heart of the University of St Andrews.
• The town of St Andrews itself has lots of facilities to offer as university buildings are located throughout the city. 
• Walking around, you encounter ancient and modern facilities, parks and beaches, providing a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning.

Core Modules

1st Year

Introduction on Sustainable Development

• Thorough education about sustainable development and its components, including social justice, human well-being, inter-generational equity, and environmental stewardship.

Sustainable Development Goals

• Students are taught about the challenges and opportunities which arise while working towards building a sustainable environment.
• Experts also offer a comprehensive investigation for selecting the core issues in sustainable development alongside teaching how key players address these issues.

2nd Year

Sustainable Development

• Students explore conceptual frameworks which can be utilized (individually or together) to facilitate sustainable development.
• Students are taught how to build upon core themes from implementation frameworks and how different agents, such as governments, corporations, and individuals, enact change.

Honours

• In your third and fourth years, you would choose from a wide variety of advanced options, including modules from separate schools available in the university.

1. Governance for Sustainability
2. Green Politics: Theory and Practice
3. Home and Energy Geographies
4. The Nature of Political Ecology
5. Transitioning to Sustainability: Community, Nature and Governance

Optional Modules

• Most students at St Andrew's take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other topics as per their interest. The selection of optional modules depends entirely upon their choice.
• Alongside sustainable development, in the first year of your study, you will be required to study an additional two subjects. 
• In the second year, you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two too.
• The knowledge which you will gain will prepare you for your final two years, during which you will have the opportunity to choose from a varied range of modules from different schools. 
• These modules allow you to pursue your specific interests and explore the practice of sustainability through typical field visits.
• Subjects under this module include climate change, environmental management, environmental politics, ocean governance, sustainable technologies, social justice and urban sustainability.

Scholarships

International Undergraduate Scholarship

• For entrant undergraduate students, the International Undergraduate Scholarship will be awarded as a tuition fee with a reduction of up to £10,000 per year for each year of the student’s undergraduate studies.
• It's awarded based on the financial needs of the students.

International Excellence Scholarship

• The Internal Excellence Scholarship is a competitive award of a fee reduction of up to £10,000.
•  The selection committee seeks candidates who are typically confident, dynamic, gifted students with academic excellence. 
• The successful candidates would serve as a Student Ambassador for the university and represents it at several events.