Study Sustainable Development
Sustainability is arguably more important than ever before.
The world is facing the prospect of a climate emergency, with decision-makers grappling with how to understand and respond to the pressures on our environment and society. The necessary changes will impact on every facet of society, culture, and the economy, so this is a critical moment to study sustainability.
Whether you are looking to enhance your climate knowledge or apply your learning to your chosen career, our sustainability courses will provide you with the skills to conserve our planet's natural resources and support its future wellbeing.
Find out more
Postgraduate Masters MSc / PGDip / PGCert awards (SCQF Level 11)
12-18 months postgraduate studies
- Aquaculture, Environment and Society
- Extreme Weather
- Net Zero Communities
- Sustainable Energy Solutions
- Sustainable Mountain Development
- Sustainability and Rural Regeneration
Interested in undergraduate study? Take a look at our BA (Hons) Sustainable Development or visit our science, nature and the environment subject area.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Awards (SCQF Levels 7-9)
Three module awards – 60 credits*
* Learners should note that while these can be studied as discrete awards, credits can also be accumulated over time to achieve undergraduate awards or as a bridge to more advanced study.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) (SCQF Level 11)
Short online study modules – 10-20 credits*
September to December (Semester 1):
- Energy, Climate and Carbon
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Renewable Energy Technologies
- Sustainable Land Use
- Water Resources in a Changing Climate
January to May (Semester 2):
- Developing a Community Energy Project
- Energy Modelling for Buildings
- Extreme weather
- Net Zero Society
- Sustainable Deer Management
- The Economics of Community Wealth Building
- Tidal, Wave and Future Energy
- Understanding GIS for Spatial and Data Analysis
- Working with Communities
* Learners should note that while these courses can be studied independently, credits can also be accumulated over time to achieve postgraduate awards.
Undergraduate
- College Certificate Sustainability and the Environment SCQF 5 (Online Virtual Classroom)
- BA (Hons) Sustainable Development (Online Virtual Classroom)
- BA (Hons) Sustainable Development and Archaeology (Online Virtual Classroom)
- BA (Hons) Sustainable Development and History (Online Virtual Classroom)
- BA (Hons) Sustainable Development and Literature (Online Virtual Classroom)
- BA (Hons) Sustainable Development and Politics (Online Virtual Classroom)
- BA (Hons) Sustainable Development with Gaelic Studies (Online Virtual Classroom)
- BA (Hons) Sustainable Development, Culture and Heritage (Online Virtual Classroom)
Why study with us
Our lecturers are all involved in different ways in their own local communities, from membership of local community organisations to run their own community interest company, to involvement in Gaelic culture or crofting, and we bring these experiences, as well as our academic skills in climate change, geography, economics, rural development, politics and public policy, to our teaching and research.
As UHI’s first-ever degree programme and its first fully online programme, our team are highly experienced in offering online education, with most having been teaching online for over 10 years. Our courses rely on electronic library resources which you can access from anywhere. Our Student Services, Library and Registry team are also experienced in working with online students and are ready to assist you throughout your course.
We have alumni who work across the Highlands and Islands, Scotland, and the world, in sustainable and rural development. We draw on these contacts to provide opportunities for our current students, such as through
- Guest webinars
- Sharing job opportunities
- Networking events at our annual (optional) residential weekend which takes place each May in the Highlands and Islands
Despite being online and spread across many different locations, our students are very much part of our own Sustainable Development community and our staff are here to support them every step of the way.
