Global Sustainable Development (MSc)

Our Global Sustainable Development programme addresses many of the most pressing sustainability challenges of the 21st century, equipping our students to evaluate diverse and contested ideas about what these challenges are and how best to solve them, as well as teaching them the skills needed to develop their ideas in policy directions. We cover a breadth of environmental, social and economic issues, such as climate change, development, health, energy, policy change and conservation.

Our MSc in Global Sustainable Development is led by interdisciplinary critical social science. This means that we start from the scientific consensus about human impacts on climate and environments but also with recognition that it is social and political contexts that are preventing vital change. Social science perspectives understand these contexts, for example, by being attentive to questions of power, knowledge and politics. Within this, our course pays particular attention to questions of justice and equity. We commit to research-led teaching, academic rigour, and teaching our students the skills needed to implement research-led change.

>> HOPE: We look at sustainable development broadly and critically defined.

So we think about it, yes, as a global project and a set of defined goals, but we also think more broadly to think about the different ideas, politics, contested logics that get put in that term, sustainable development.

>> RACHAEL: I didn't just learn from the staff, the talented, taught leaders who come around to teach us in the academic field, but I also learned from a whole range of different professionals from different parts of the world.

What are my peers saying?

How is it applicable to their own context?

And how can I look at mine and think about an intersection?

Why? The how? The when?

It's about questioning, you know, curiosity and then be reflexive enough to say, hey, I can take some best practices from what they do and then bring it back to my professional interests.

>> We're within the Graduate School, which is an interdisciplinary home for our master's students, and it puts them in touch with other people studying interdisciplinary masters at the University of St Andrews.

>> SHEARER: It's a small town environment, which means that you can easily get to know lots of different people.

And then within the Graduate School itself, there's that place, there's that opportunity to really make the most of it.

You have the opportunities and the support to develop seminar series, to develop a journal, to come up with ideas for conferences.

And we want to see that happen.

We want to see students flourish.

>> Our global challenges facing us around the environment and development are serious,
and there are so many existing policies out there and so much global momentum to challenge it, and it's still not working.

And what we need is people to come into universities and think critically about the ideas and logics that are behind different initiatives and start to really understand the contested politics within sustainability issues so that they can take that really grounded, skilled knowledge and learning out into the world to really do things that are going to work.

So what we offer you is a really exciting, tailored, research led frontier programme in sustainable development taken broadly and critically.

But what we also offer you is a chance for you to come to us with your own trajectory and career trajectory and really see that through.

Entry requirements

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

• A CV that includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date
• A personal statement explaining:
  
  • why you have applied for this course
  • how the course relates to your personal or professional ambitions
  • how your academic and professional background show you have the skills needed to work effectively at postgraduate level
• A sample of your own, single-authored academic written work, such as an extract from a previous project, essay, or undergraduate dissertation (maximum 1000 words)
• Two original signed academic references on headed paper
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

After your degree

Careers

The University of St Andrews’ global reputation makes its graduates highly valued by employers. The MSc in Global Sustainable Development provides subject knowledge and applied skills for a fast-growing sector.

Our MSc is relevant to a range of career paths in government and public bodies, non-governmental organisations and charities, and the private sector. We have dedicated careers support built into the course.

In addition to broadening your subject knowledge and applying established techniques of research and enquiry, you will develop and demonstrate essential skills such as:

• critical thinking and creativity
• analysis and appraisal
• writing for different audiences
• problem solving and decision making
• personal leadership and project management
• interpersonal communication and team-working

The University also offers two awards for all students, known as the Saints Skills Awards. You can develop a range of skills through the Skills Builder Award or learn how to articulate them effectively through the Skills Spotlight Award. These skills are highly valued by employers and the awards are a good addition to your CV.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Further study

St Andrews offers a vibrant and stimulating research environment. One of the great strengths of a St Andrews research degree is the collegiate atmosphere which enables access to expertise beyond your formal supervisors and the ability to conduct interdisciplinary research.

Research students are supported by a supervisory team throughout their studies and are assessed by means of a substantial thesis of original research.