Program Overview

Our BSc Global Sustainability course is focused on solving real-world problems and will enable you to develop solutions to sustainability challenges. This is an innovative, highly relevant and interdisciplinary degree for the future.

You will study the interaction of humans and nature at the local, regional and global level, whilst acquiring the data handling skills needed for a future career in sustainability. You will be trained with the knowledge and skills to tackle the most complex problems we face for the future of our planet.

Based in our School of Life Sciences, this course cuts across disciplines. There will be contributions and optional modules from in other subject areas including economics, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and politics. We harness the diverse and world-leading expertise across the University of Essex to provide you with the tools to really make a difference in our future society.

The grand challenges we will tackle include the interacting climate, biodiversity and nature crises, as well as pollution, inequality and social justice.

Together, we will understand appropriate responses to, and management of, these challenges. You will study the relationship between the environment, human cultures and values, while working with stakeholders in the analysis, resolution and communication of complex issues.

This diverse expertise offers a huge range of opportunities for study and work, and at Essex we give you the flexibility to shape your degree to suit your interests.

Placement year

Alternatively, you can spend your third year on a placement with an external organisation. This is usually focused around your course, and enables you to learn about a particular sector, company, or job role, apply your academic knowledge in a practical working environment, and receive inspiration for future career pathways.

If you complete a placement year you'll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.