Sustainable Development

In September 2015, the United Nations adopted Agenda 2030, an ambitious agenda to promote people, planet, and prosperity. Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted as part of Agenda 2030, setting forth an ambitious framework of action for countries around the world.



UCD has worked with the SDG Academy since its foundation. Prof Patrick Paul Walsh has served on her Academic Oversight Committee since 2012. UCD and the SDG Academy have identified a clear need and demand to offer a formal online Masters in Sustainable Development. The SDG Academy is the online education platform of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), a global initiative for the United Nations. UCD is ranked 14 in the Times Higher World Impact Ranking 2020 for SDG Partnerships (SDG 17) with clear focus on sustainability in the new strategic plan, rising to the future.



The online Masters in Sustainable Development brings together the best of online resources in the SDG Academy, UN SDSN academic “stars” and experts, with her partner UCD, a leading University in the area of Sustainable Development.



This MSc programme will be the first online, global programme of its kind, drawing on the expertise, credibility and network of its host institution to offer cutting edge, global, multi-disciplinary learning for the SDGs.



The course has the unique ability to address the large range of issues covered by the SDG agenda that will equip students to solve some of the most pressing issues of our times. Both organizations, with mandates to support the UN system through consultative status , are well-suited to establish and administer such a programme and provide students with a unique experience in access to global taught leaders, opportunities for excellent placements and careers in Sustainable Development.

Module Trimester Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

POL42080 Global Classroom Autumn 10

PLAN40390 Sustainable Cities Spring 10

POL42370 SDG Research Project Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:

ENVB30130 and DEV40010 are recommended to be taken together.MEEN40900 and ENVB40380 are recommended be taken together

BSEN40480 Sustainable Energy & Environment Autumn 10

DEV40010 One Planet, One Ocean (SDG 14) Autumn 5

ECON42690 The Market for Labor, Land & SDGs Autumn 10

EDUC42940 Development & Societal Transition in complex, post-conflict situations Autumn 10

ENVB30130 Ecology & its Application (On-line) Autumn 5

LAW40120 Foundations of Environmental Law Autumn 10

LAW42230 Natural Resources Law Autumn 10

MEEN40900 Energy, Climate and Sustainability (online) Autumn 5

PLAN40550 Fundamentals of Sustainability Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

BSEN40790 Carbon & Sustainability Spring 10

ENVB40380 Managing the Interface between Science and Policy (On-line) Spring 5

LAW41090 Climate Change Law and Policy Spring 10

MEDN40080 Global Health Spring 10

A primary degree with at least Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2H1). 2H1 is equivalent to 60 per cent, B minus or 3.08 GPA - in American system: B or 3.00 GPA.



English language requirements: applicants whose first language is not English should have met TOEFL, IELTs, or computer-based TOEFL requirements (600, 6.5, or 250 respectively), or the Cambridge English Test (Certificate in Advanced English at a minimum of Grade B, or Certificate of Proficiency in English at Grade C). Applicants who obtained a previous degree from an English-speaking university may be exempted from this requirement.



Your application will be considered on its individual merits and relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.



Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information: https://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/int%20pmp/



These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time online.

Commencing January 2025

Careers & Employability

Transforming our World, the UN 2030Agenda for Sustainable Development has defined stakeholders to implement the agenda in the following : Paragraph 52. "We the Peoples" are the celebrated opening words of the UN Charter. It is "We the Peoples" who are embarking today on the road to 2030. Our journey will involve Governments as well as Parliaments, the UN system and other international institutions, local authorities, indigenous peoples, civil society, business and the private sector, the scientific and academic community – and all people. Millions have already engaged with, and will own, this Agenda. It is an Agenda of the people, by the people, and for the people – and this, we believe, will ensure its success.



Graduates can expect careers pathways in the academy, governments, state agencies, non-governmental organisations and in the private sector.