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2. Undergraduate
3. Courses
4. Sustainability

Course Fact File

Code	CK010
Duration	4 Years
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	BSc (Hons)
NFQ Level	Level 8

Course Outline

Under Construction:

This BSc in Sustainability aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of sustainability challenges, integrating
interdisciplinary perspectives across environmental, social and economic dimensions. It aims to equip students with the skills and competences to work with diverse stakeholders and teams to bring about change within industry, society and government towards sustainability, within local and global contexts.

The programme fosters systems thinking and practical problem-solving skills, enabling students to navigate complexity and trade offs.  The programme is built around an innovative core curriculum which introduces underpinning subjects including planetary boundaries, environmental and climate science, systems thinking encompassing food, energy and business and social science, ethics and environmental justice, law, medicine and development, and develop core competencies and skills in research, stakeholder engagement, communication, critical thinking and team-work.

This will be achieved by developing core competencies and skills in the following areas:

1. Scientific literacy: environmental, earth systems, ecological science
2. Technical skills: understanding of renewable energy, circular economy, food systems, life cycle analysis
3. Social and economic literacy: introduction to the social and economic sciences.
4. Research, programming, data handling and statistical analysis
5. Complex problem-solving: ability to synthesize, communicate and apply knowledge from multiple disciplines; interdisciplinary collaboration; systems thinking; understanding and addressing sustainability challenges holistically
6. Applying critical thinking and ethical principles in decision-making; challenging assumptions and developing innovative solutions.
7. Understanding of “bigger picture” and context relating to sustainability
8. Applying principles from many disciplines to address sustainability challenges in the real world
9. Leadership: Project management; writing and presentation for diverse audiences; translating complex concepts into accessible
   language; teamwork; advocacy skills.

 

To develop disciplinary specialisation and expertise, students will take a specialised thematic stream.

Sustainability, Science and Climate Action Stream

This stream, anchored in the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science, will develop deeper knowledge and skills in environmental and climate science; microbiology and ecology; computer and data science, and food, energy and industrial systems.

Sustainability, Society and Culture Stream

This stream, anchored in the College of CACSSS will focus on the societal, cultural and ethical dimensions of sustainability and will equip students to understand the impact of climate change on individuals and society and to gain employment in areas concerned with social policy, heritage, education, public sector, communications.

Sustainable Business and the Circular Economy Stream

This stream, anchored in the College of Business and Law will focus on economic dimensions of sustainability and more specifically how businesses can pursue more sustainable business models and practices. This stream will prepare students to gain employment in industry and voluntary sector.

 

Course Practicalities

Year 1 - Common Entry

Semester 1 - Core Modules

• SU1001 Sustainability in the context of planetary boundaries (10 credits)
• SU1002 Sustainability grand challenges: From local to global (10 credits)
• SU1003 Sustainability & Global Development (5 credits)

Semester 1 - Electives

Pre-placement

• Language
• Science
• Creative
• Humanities
• Other

Semester 2 - Core Modules

• SU1004 Ethics & Environmental Justice (5 credits)
• SU1005 Introduction to research and data analysis for sustainability (5 credits)
• SU1006 Sustainability and Climate Action (SEFs): Fundamentals of Environmental and Climate Sciences - Stream 1 (5 Credits)
• SU1007 Sustainability, Society and Culture (CACSSS) - Stream 2 (5 Credits)
• SU1008 Sustainable Business and Circular Economy (B&L) - Stream 3 (5 Credits)

Semester 2 - Electives

• Pre-placement
• Language
• Science
• Creative
• Humanities
• Other

Years 2, 3, and 4

This programme is the pathway to a distinct degree. Following completion of first year, you choose your preferred degree pathway from the following streams:

• Sustainability, Science and Climate Action 
• Sustainability, Society and Culture
• Sustainable Business and Circular Economy

Students will have the option to undertake a work placement, study abroad or complete a research  project in year 3 of study. Those who wish to study abroad in a non-English speaking environment will be required to take the necessary language modules as part of their chosen electives in Year 1 and 2.

Sustainability and Climate Action Stream

The Sustainability, Science and Climate Action thematic stream, anchored in the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science (SEFS) is designed for students passionate about scientific and technological approaches to sustainability. This stream equips students with the knowledge and skills to understand, analyse, and address sustainability challenges using scientific principles, engineering innovation, and data-driven approaches. Students take foundational modules in environmental and climate sciences, exploring biogeochemical cycles, climate systems, environmental chemistry and biodiversity, and develop a grounding in analytical, scientific and technical subjects including climate adaptation, energy systems, and ecosystems and ecology, and gain a foundation in programming through Python. Students then develop deeper skills and expert knowledge in data analytics, materials science and industry, climate adaptation, and food systems, integrating knowledge across disciplines to address sustainability challenges. They are also introduced to critical perspectives on philosophies of science in relation to sustainability.

Sustainability, Society and Culture Stream

The Sustainability, Society and Culture thematic stream anchored in the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences caters for students passionate about approaching sustainability from cultural, historical, political and psychological perspectives. It pays attention to the language of sustainability and provides a space for imaginative and creative responses to the challenges that sustainability poses for society. It provides students with an understanding of the centrality of culture to interpretations of sustainability, as well as human interactions with non-human nature, and our living and dying environment. We will also shine a light on how culture, history, heritage and language shape our responses to ecological threat and ground our identities as resilient and resistant communities. This stream explores the multiple creative ways - literature, film, theatre and other forms - can navigate the challenges of sustainability, critique prevailing orthodoxies and help to negotiate and construct safe and inclusive futures.

Sustainable Business and the Circular Economy Stream

The Sustainable Business and Circular Economy stream, anchored in the College of Business and Law, focuses in particular on the economic dimensions of sustainability. This stream covers a wide range of topics related to sustainable business and the circular economy, including: meanings of sustainability in the public and private sectors; the circular economy, sustainable production and consumption, the challenge of waste, corporate social responsibility (CSR), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Standards, schools of economic thought, growth vs degrowth, the food economy, small business and entrepreneurship. It helps students to understand how systems and resources work, and builds the knowledge, skills and practices of working in teams to understand the world of business and economics as they relate to all aspects of sustainability.

Why Choose This Course

Placement or Study Abroad Information

A limited number of students may be allowed to take the second Semester of their Third Year at an approved university in another country. This option is only available to students who

1. Obtain at least 55% in their first attempt of the First University Examination in Sustainability
2. Pass all modules and obtain at least 60% at the College Examination Board in the first semester of the Second University Examination in Sustainability.

There are two options for study abroad. Either:

• The approved host university will be in an English-speaking country or will deliver its courses through English.
• Students who wish to study in a non-English speaking country must take the necessary language modules as electives in Year 1 & 2 of study and obtain at least 60% in these modules in Year 2.

Second Year students who wish to avail of this facility in their Third Year must apply to and receive permission from the Programme Director. Applications should be submitted to the International Office (IO) in January in Second Year (contact IO for application deadline). This application should include full details of the applicant's proposed academic workload in the approved host university.

It is important to stress that the number of students who can avail of the year-abroad option will be limited by the number of places available in any given year. Where the demand exceeds the number of available places, the International Office and the Programme Directors will adjudicate on the applications.

Requirements

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements

At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English
and Irish are a requirement for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish. 

Applicants will need to meet the following requirements:

• English - O6/H7
• Irish - O6/H7
• Maths - O2/H6

EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications

EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.

Mature Students

To compete through the mature entry route, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February. The application should include a statement of interest. Applicants may also be called for interview.

Applicants must have studied a Lab Science at second level or QQI FET or demonstrate involvement with Science related areas.

Further information on applying as a mature student is available on the Mature Applicants and Mature Student Entry support pages. 

QQI FET Entry

Applicants who meet the required level of distinctions in required subjects can apply for entry to this course using specific QQI FET qualifications. Please review the Programme Requirements on our Information for QQI FET Applicants page for information on related QQI courses, and visit Access UCC’s QQI/FET Entry section for further support. 

Fees and Costs

How To Apply