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Course summary

Sustainable development has come to refer to the challenges of balancing the need to reduce global inequalities with reducing threats to the planet's systems from industrialised production and consumption. But what 'sustainable development' do we have today? What is its history, how has it developed this way, and what are its possible futures? The social sciences aim to offer insight on the underlying causes of the challenges of our time, be they:

  • social
  • political
  • economic
  • technological
  • cultural
Understanding the origin of these problems can help us adapt and transform, leading the way to a more sustainable future. This is especially important, as we seek to expand environmental care in relation to:
  • climate stability
  • biodiversity
  • the renewal of natural resources
Our multidisciplinary programme addresses sustainable development – as interrelated global and local issues – to examine:
  • how societies organise social, economic and political activity
  • the social and environmental consequences of current ways of living
  • how societies relate to the natural world
  • the relationship between current and future generations
  • patterns of development
  • opportunities for social, political, economic and technological change
Throughout our programme we address many different issues and concepts, including but not limited to:
  • social and environmental justice
  • sustainable consumption
  • economic structures
  • food systems
  • energy technologies and policies
  • governance and democracy
Programme structure Students will enrol on core courses in Sustainable Development alongside core courses in a chosen disciplinary pathway subject. Alongside this, you will have access to a wide range of optional courses to complement and broaden your learning. Our programme is primarily social science although there are options for students wishing to pursue natural scientific perspectives on sustainable development. These are not compulsory.


How to apply

This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.

Application codes

Course code:
HL23
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification Requirements

Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/2023/degrees

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course

https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/2023/degrees


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5Total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.
TOEFL (iBT)92Total 92 with at least 20 in each component (including Home Edition). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English AdvancedTotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Cambridge English ProficiencyTotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISEISE II with distinctions in all four components
PTE Academic62Total 62 with at least 54 in each component.

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence. For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher: SQA National 5 at C; SQA Standard Grade at 3; GCSE at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate at C or IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests. English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website:

https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language


Unistats information

Operated by the Office for Students
96%
Student satisfaction
55%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
75%
Go onto work and study

The student satisfaction data is from students surveyed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Channel Islands £9250* Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9250* Year 1
Scotland £1820* Year 1
England £9250* Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250* Year 1
Wales £9250* Year 1
EU £24500* Year 1
International £24500* Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Additional fee information

Scotland (to be confirmed) In 2022-23 the fee level set by the Scottish Government was £1,820. The 2023-24 fee rate is expected to be confirmed by the Scottish Government in early 2023. Students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees. England/Wales/Nothern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) rate is yet to be confirmed and was £9,250 for 2022 entry. For 2023 entry this may increase in line with inflation and will be subject to government limits. Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme. The amount for 2023 entry will be confirmed in Summer 2022.
Sustainable Development at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS