Sustainable Development and Politics BA (Hons)

What is special about this course?

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. Sustainable Development, from the local to the global, is essential if society is to tackle the challenges faced. The necessary changes will impact on every facet of society, culture and the economy: this is a critical moment to study sustainability. 

This BA (Hons) Sustainable Development and Politics will examine the facts about climate change, explore the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and consider potential and emerging solutions such as the Green New Deals, the concept of ‘degrowth’ and the transition to wellbeing economies, leaving you ideally placed to influence - or indeed become - one of the decision-makers. 

The degree also focuses on how communities can shape a more sustainable form of development, particularly in rural settings. Most of our teaching team are based in the Western Isles where 75% of people live on community-owned land. This sets the context for us to study community-based development, land reform, community empowerment and community energy projects, which can all contribute to a more sustainable future. 

To develop a critical understanding of the three pillars of sustainability (social, environmental, economic), you will study modules drawn from a range of social science disciplines such as geography, economics, politics, sociology, and environmental studies, as well as developing practical skills in research and working with communities. The modules take a critical approach to examining the historical context to development, whilst looking firmly to the future and drawing examples of change in action from around the globe. 

The politics modules of this joint degree will follow the four main pillars of political study; you will study International relations, Comparative politics, and Applied politics, all feeding from the central pillar of Political theory. You will also study green ideologies, such as ecoism and ecologism, as well as environmental policies and the ways they are formed. You can apply to this degree with little more than a keen interest in politics: the modules become incrementally more specialised as the semesters go on and you can choose introductory options that will develop your understanding at a steady pace. Political leaders are so pivotal to climate change and sustainable futures that the combined study of politics along with sustainable development could not be more timely. 

Delivered entirely online and available to study from anywhere in the world, you will benefit from collaborative discussions and activities with colleagues from a range of diverse backgrounds and experiences, facilitated by tutors with many years of experience in delivering online education.

Please see our FAQ sheet for further information on this course.

Special features

• This degree is delivered by tutors with years of experience of teaching at a distance, and can be studied from home, full- or part-time, to suit your circumstances
• According to the UK's Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), Geography graduates are among the most likely to find employment. More than 90 per cent are in work or further study within six months of graduating (Times Higher Education 2017)
• There is an optional residential weekend each year, usually taking place in the Highlands and Islands, which will give you the opportunity to meet practitioners, staff and other students in an informal setting 

Entry requirements

• 3 Scottish Highers at grades BBC or above or
• 2 A levels at grades BC or above
• At least 2 should be from the list of required subjects
• Additional qualifications and experiences will be considered on an individual basis

Advanced entry

• HNC Social Science (12 SCQF credits) with 3 additional SCQF credits at level 7, which is equivalent to 120 degree credit points, and at least grade C in the Graded Unit, will be considered for direct entry to year two

Year 1 - CertHE

You will study the following modules: 

• Understanding sustainable development (S1) 
• Exploring economics in a changing world (S2) 
• Ideas and ideologies in politics (S1)
• Evolving politics of the UK (S2)

You will also choose two further option modules from other humanities subjects.

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following modules: 

• Approaches to economic development (S1) 
• Empowering communities (S1) 
• History of political Ideas (S1)
• Comparative politics (S2)

You will also choose two further option modules from other humanities subjects. 

Year 3 - BA

You will normally study the following modules: 

• Globalisation and sustainable development (S1)
• Sustainable tourism and the environment (S2)  
• Modern political ideas (S1)

You will also study two of the following:

• Advanced social research methods (S1) OR Climate change (S1) 
• Advanced social research methods (S1) OR European Politics (S2)

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will complete either a Sustainable Development or Politics dissertation. 

You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject, plus three option modules from the other subject.

Modules may include:

• Geo-political development issues (S1)
• The consumerist society (S2) 
• Social enterprise and the social economy (S1) 
• Democratising Europe (S1)
• Political theory (S2) 
• Geopolitics (S1)

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of the UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status the following fees apply:

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK studying online from their home country, or living in the UK but assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:

This includes EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK and EEA and Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Additional costs

If you wish to attend an optional residential weekend, or to join other field trips, student contributions will be required towards the overall costs incurred. The cost will vary depending on the event, your location and the amount of other funding available towards the event (eg HISA contributions to the Student Society Residential weekend may reduce costs for individual students). Attendance at such face to face events is optional and not essential for completion of the course.