Master of Arts [Human Geography and Sustainable Development] From University of St Andrews

The MA (Hons) in Sustainable Development is a four-year course run by the School of Geography and Sustainable Development, with contributions from the Schools of Biology, Chemistry, and the School of Management.

St Andrews also offers a BSc in Sustainable Development, which may be more suitable for students who wish to take sustainable development alongside Science subjects. The sustainable development element within both the BSc and MA degree programmes is exactly the same.

The first two years of study illustrate the breadth of issues involved in sustainable development as well as how to move from unsustainable to sustainable development.

Alongside sustainable development, in the first year of the studies, students will be required to study an additional two subjects. 

In the second year students will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about how academic years are organised. 

The knowledge they gain will prepare them for their final two years, during which they will have the opportunity to choose from a range of modules from different Schools. These modules allow them to pursue their specific interests and explore the practice of sustainability through specific field visits. Subjects in these modules include (but are not limited to):

• climate change
• environmental management
• environmental politics
• ocean governance
• sustainable technologies
• social justice 
• urban sustainability.

During the final year, students will also carry out a dissertation module which focuses on a topic of theirr choice, with structured support from a member of staff in an appropriate school.