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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.

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Find out more

12-18 months postgraduate studies

Interested in undergraduate study? Take a look at our BA (Hons) Sustainable Development or visit our Science, nature and the environment subject area.

6-week online upskilling short courses  

With a total of twelve 10-credit* short course professional certificates to choose from across the following subjects:

  • Environmental Impact Assessment​
  • Extreme weather 
  • GHG Auditing and Carbon Footprinting​
  • The Economics of Community Wealth Building
  • Understanding GIS for Spatial and Data Analysis​
  • Working with Communities​

* Learners should note that credits can be accumulated over time to achieve postgraduate awards.

Professional certificates >

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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.

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