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Sustainable Futures is focused on climate action, environmental sustainability, and achieving net zero in industry and enterprise. It aims to empower leaders to act so that humans and nature can thrive for generations to come.
Our community, collaborative environment and educational programmes will produce leaders who are equipped to lead the transition to a sustainable and net zero future. Funded by the Higher Education Authority’s Human Capital Initiative, Sustainable Futures is led by University College Cork in collaboration with Maynooth University, Atlantic Technological University and multiple industry partners.
The Higher Diploma in Sustainability and Climate Action for Enterprise (Level 8) postgraduate conversion course is focused on environmental sustainability and decarbonisation in industry and enterprise. This full-time programme is completed over 1 year and includes both on-campus and online components. Programme fees (6,000) are either free or 90% funded by the Higher Education Authority for eligible candidates. It is delivered solely by UCC.
The Online Part-time PG Certificate in Sustainability in Enterprise (Level 9) will develop highly competitive graduates with expertise in environmental sustainability, sustainability in business and management, and in systems thinking. These combined skills ensure that graduates will be able to solve complex multi-faceted sustainability challenges both now and in the future.
Thisfully online and part-time (evening lectures) programme is completed over 1 year. It is delivered by UCC, Maynooth University and Atlantic Technological University. Graduates of the PG Certificate in Sustainability in Enterprise (Level 9) can progress to complete the MSc in Sustainability in Enterprise (Level 9).
TheOnline Part-timeMSc in Sustainability in Enterprise (Level 9)will develop highly competitive graduates with expertise in environmental sustainability, sustainability in business and management, and in systems thinking. These combined skills ensure that graduates will be able to solve complex multi-faceted sustainability challenges both now and in the future.
This fully online and part-time (evening lectures) programme is completed over 2 years. It is delivered by UCC, Maynooth University and Atlantic Technological University.
Now more than ever, Sustainability is becoming a competitive advantage for your organisation, rather than a simple box-ticking exercise. Building a sustainable organisation requires a movement of change – organisations are no longer judged on their environmental policies, but rather on how their promised initiatives actually limit environmental risks.
On this programme, you will gain an understanding of the business and ethical case for sustainability, and develop the courage to drive towards change. You will leave with a peer network primed for accelerating the charge towards a sustainable organisation.
Sustainable Futures offers MicroCreds from the existing modules on our flagship Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability in Enterprise programme (CE6045: Introduction to Sustainability & the Natural Environment, CE6046: Introduction to Sustainable Enterprise, and CE6047: Systems Thinking in Environmental Sustainability). Our Micro Credentials will ensure stackable, flexible and agile Sustainability education offerings, both nationally and across the EU.
It not only addressed the knowledge gap that I had, but it opened my eyes to the numerous challenges but also significant opportunities for organisations transitioning to a sustainable business model.
Undertaking modules in a variety of disciplines provided the opportunity to adopt a holistic approach when assessing situations - something of great importance as we transition to the green economy.
Kenneth Lyons
Director, KL Communications and Co Host at the Green Room
Completing the HDip in Sustainability in Enterprise not only gave me the fundamental understanding of sustainability, it has armed me with the skills required to make a positive change in our world.
Shannen Healy
Project Coordinator - Codema, Dublin’s Energy Agency
The modules were very distinct and brought a focus onto various aspects of sustainability in enterprise that can be applied in many professional settings.
It has been a rich, rewarding experience that has already enabled me to influence the strategy of our business towards a more sustainable future and contribute to conversations in the wider community
"The PGCert in Sustainability in Enterprise has exceeded my expectations. It has not only addressed the knowledge gap that I knew that I had, but it has opened my eyes to the numerous challenges but also significant opportunities for organisations transitioning to a sustainable business model. As a result, I am now pursuing a career both in the private and public spheres, where I will be assisting both businesses and communities in their journey to a more sustainable and equitable future."
Kenneth Lyons
Undertaking the HDip in Sustainability in Enterprise at UCC was a direct result of a desire to gain new skills and knowledge in the area of sustainability coupled with the impact the global pandemic had on my career in tourism and hospitality. It was time to invest in my development and UCC provided an opportunity that truly resonated with me.
The transdisciplinary approach to the programme made it stand out from the options under consideration at the time. It appealed to me because I was keen to develop skills and knowledge in other areas that impact sustainability and improve my ability to be successful in this field. Coming from a business background, there was huge benefit in undertaking modules in environmental engineering, transportation & energy, sustainable energy and bioenergy & circular economy systems amongst others. Undertaking modules in a variety of disciplines provided the opportunity to adopt a holistic approach when assessing situations - something I believe is of great importance as we transition to the green economy. The financial support via SpringBoard+ made all the difference too.
The calibre of the academic staff at UCC, the open, inclusive, and progressive learning environment, and the peer to peer learning opportunities were stand out features of my experience at UCC. It reignited my enthusiasm for learning, it opened up my mind, and in addition to the extensive skills and knowledge obtained, there was significant personal development too. I appreciated the range of assessment types used throughout the programme from exams to online group presentations, individual assignments to online group debates , and from reflective learning logs to weekly quizzes as they kept me on my toes, kept me engaged and ensured that there was a consistency to my learning throughout.
The delivery of this programme was 100% online as a result of COVID-19, which came with its own challenges but I was impressed with how the teams at UCC were able to adapt and deliver an excellent learning experience throughout. The programme pushed me to my limits and, on occasion, beyond them and for that I am grateful . The virtual learning platform, Canvas, was utilised throughout, which was user friendly and ultimately aided the learning experience.
Upon completion of this programme, my career has transitioned to higher education where I get to work on the design of educational programmes that are industry informed and aimed at people in employment as well as undertaking work within the tourism and hospitality industry pertaining to sustainability and sustainable tourism. As a direct result of my time at UCC, I am also pursuing further learning opportunities alongside my career development. For me, it was time exceptionally well spent.
Shannen Healy
I have always had an interest in nature and how the world works. Over the past few years, I have gained an appreciation for gardening, and how everything in our world is connected. I felt responsible for my impact on the world, and aimed to learn as much as I could about how to live in a more environmentally friendly way. I wanted to bring my own beliefs into every part of my life, including my career.
In order to do so, I felt it was extremely important to educate myself on the importance of Sustainability, and all the nuisances involved in it. Completing the Higher Diploma in Sustainability in Enterprise not only gave me the fundamental understanding of this space, but it also opened a door to a huge group of people, who all had the same beliefs. While doing the course, I joined a network of like-minded people who I have no doubt will all cross paths well into the future.
Upon completion of the course, I secured a new role with Codema, Dublin’s Energy Agency, as a Project Coordinator. In this role, I am involved in the project management of the Sustainable Energy Community programme. The Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) initiative is a funding and support programme, which helps communities to work together to become energy-smart and more sustainable. In doing so, Sustainable Energy Communities aim to use less energy by improving efficiency within the community (e.g. upgrading insulation, improved lighting and heating systems), incorporating renewable energy (e.g. by installing solar panels, generating community energy) and adopting smart energy technologies, such as smart controls. I would never have been able to make this change in my career without completing the Higher Diploma in Sustainability in Enterprise.
I loved every single second of the course, and although at times it was difficult as I was also working full time, I will be forever grateful I was able to do it. This course has armed me with the skills required to make a positive change in our world.
Kevin Corrigan
“This course offered me a really good insight into Sustainability and its connection to the world of work. Being in full-time employment and with young kids, I was a little hesitant taking it on, but I needn't have worried. The workload is structured very well, and the lecturers were accessible and engaging. I found the content highly relevant to my industry (pharmaceuticals) and I know that classmates in other industries felt the same. The modules were very distinct and brought a focus onto various aspects of sustainability in enterprise that can be applied in many professional settings. If you’re interested in this area of study, I have no hesitation in recommending this course.”
Claire O'Rourke
“I found the multi-disciplinary nature and the combined breadth and depth of the material particularly suited to studying this course mid-career. The online delivery and part time structure made it feasible for me, full time campus education would not have been an option. The collaboration across three Universities has delivered a programme of very high calibre lectures. It has been a rich, rewarding experience that has already enabled me to influence the strategy of our business towards a more sustainable future and contribute to conversations in the wider community. I would recommend the programme to anyone that is curious and prepared to make the commitment to it.”
Sustainable Futures works closely with industry and enterprise to design and deliver cutting-edge climate action and sustainability solutions, and educational programmes. Find out more or learn how you can become a partner.
