Undergraduate 

Global Sustainable Development (Dumfries campus) MA

This exciting degree programme explores the economic, environmental, and social challenges and opportunities arising from the need to reduce global inequalities while limiting threats to the planet’s life support systems. The MA Global Sustainable Development is perfect for those who are looking to play their part in protecting the planet.

Choosing to study Global Sustainable Development at the University of Glasgow gives you the unique offering of many fieldwork trips throughout the entirety of your degree. Examples of fieldwork trips may include visits to afforestation projects, energy infrastructure and brownfield redevelopment sites in rural and urban areas.

  • September start
  • Session dates
  • Global Sustainable Development MA: D400 4 year degree

Register your interest for more information

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Dumfries campus

Set in 85 acres of historic parkland, The University of Glasgow Dumfries Campus is situated in South-West Scotland. Combining idyllic surroundings with world class teaching and outstanding placement opportunities, this is the perfect setting to give you an incredible student experience.

This close-knit community is typically made up of students and staff from over 40 countries. Friendly residences and small class sizes will help you to get to know students and staff from all disciplines. You will be taught by academics who are among the top researchers in their fields, and who have a progressive vision for interdisciplinary teaching and research.

Creative and picturesque, Dumfries has a lively arts and festival scene, strong cultural heritage and a wealth of outdoor activities including hiking and cycling trails, rivers and lochs. Enjoy stunning views of the Solway estuary and hills, proximity to hiking and cycling trails, rivers and lochs, and a walk or short bus ride to the historic town centre. With excellent transport links, the rest of the UK is within easy reach; Glasgow and Edinburgh are just under two hours away, while Carlisle is under an hour.

Discover the many ways to get involved with the wider student community and Dumfries and Galloway; find out more about life at the University of Glasgow, read our Student Stories, chat with current students, and find out all you need to know with blogs from those who know best, our students.

Programme structure

This degree supports you to establish a foundational understanding in theories and concepts of sustainable development and examine their application from local to global levels, in both urban and rural contexts. You will develop a knowledge of the interrelated nature of economic, environmental, and social systems when addressing global sustainable development, drawing on disciplinary insights from anthropology, political economy, business studies, human geography, philosophy and environmental science.

You will be equipped with a range of professional and technical skills in sustainable development including impact assessment, environmental social and governance (ESG) frameworks, concept notes, data analysis and agile project management. The knowledge and understanding gained through lectures and seminars will be enhanced through case studies, field visits and independent project work.

Year 1 

You will be introduced to the key concepts and theories of sustainable development. The core courses in year 1 are: 

  • Introduction to Sustainable Development
  • Introduction to Global Environmental
  • People, Power & Place
  • Energy, Waste & Pollution: Options for Sustainability.

Year 2

You will develop a deeper understanding and explore specific subject areas. Core courses in year 2 are:

  • Global Perspectives on Health & Human Development
  • Ethics: Environment & Development
  • Political Economy of Globalisation and Development
  • Politics and the Environment
  • Environmental Communication & Behaviour Change.

Year 3

As well as the core courses in year 3, you will have the opportunity for a UK-based or international placement experience which will allow you to put the theory you have learned into action.

  • Advanced Texts in Sustainable Development
  • Innovation & Enterprise for Sustainability
  • Research Methods for Social Science
  • Placement or Dissertation.

Some examples of placement opportunities include:

  • Natural capital promotion, development, investment, and monitoring
  • Community climate action
  • Role of cultural and creative sector in sustainable development.

Year 4

With the field course and research project, you have the freedom to pursue a specialism or career path you are passionate about, culminating in the presentation of your insights to practitioners.

  • Sustainable Development Field Course
  • Honours Action Research Project
  • Migration & Development
  • Water resources: Policy & Governance.

Course details

Year 1

Core courses

Year 2

Core courses

  • GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES ON HEALTH & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
  • ETHICS: ENVIRONMENT & DEVELOPMENT
  • POLITICAL ECONOMY OF GLOBALISATION & DEVELOPMENT
  • POLITICS & THE ENVIRONMENT
  • ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATION & BEHAVIOUR CHANGE

Year 3

Core courses

  • ADVANCED TEXTS IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
  • INNOVATION & ENTERPRISE FOR SUSTAINABILITY
  • RESEARCH METHODS FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE

Optional courses

Year 4

Core courses


Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Our international links

This programme gives you the opportunity to study abroad as well as completing an international placement. See Study abroad

Entry requirements

for entry in 2025

Summary of entry requirements for Global Sustainable Development

SQA Higher entry requirements (by end of S6)

  • BBBB Higher

SQA Higher adjusted entry requirements

  • No Adjusted Higher Requirements.

A-level standard entry requirements

  • BBB – CCC

IB standard entry requirements

  • 32 (5,5,5)

Admissions guidance

English language

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

English language requirements

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

  • 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
  • IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

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Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

  • 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

  • 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

  • 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

  • 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

  • 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Tests

  • Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

  • Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

School Qualifications

  • IGCSE English First Language, grade C
  • IGCSE English Second Language, grade A
  • A Level English, grade C
  • International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
  • International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
  • SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
  • SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C

International School Qualifications

  • Brunei: O-Level English Language 1120 grade B and above
  • Denmark: Studentereksamen English at 7
  • European Baccalaureate: English as Language 1 pass, if taken as Language 2 grade 7, if taken as Language 3 grade 7.5
  • Finland: Ylioppilastutkinto / studentexamen English grade C or 4
  • France: International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) / Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) grade 12
  • Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone: West African Examination Council (WAEC) / Senior Secondary School Certificate English grade C6
  • Germany: German Abitur English Grade 11
  • Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
  • India: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) / All India School Certificate (ISC) English at 80%
  • Kenya: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English grade B
  • Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) grade 7
  • Norway: Vitnemal English grade 4 or above
  • Singapore: Cambridge International O Level English Language (1128 Singapore only) at Grace C; Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language at grade B
  • South Africa: National Senior Certificate (NSC) / Independent Exam Board (IEB) Grade 4 (English as Home Language) OR Grade 4 (English as First Additional Language)
  • Sweden: Avgangsbetyg / Fullständigt Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan English grade VG
  • Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at English at Ordinary Level grade C

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Alternatives to English Language qualification

  • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
  • Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

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Pre-sessional courses

We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

  • direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
  • essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
  • flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

  • Heriot Watt
  • Kingston Upon Thames
  • Middlesex University
  • Manchester University
  • Reading University
  • Edinburgh University
  • St Andrews University
  • UCL
  • Durham

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FAQs

What do I do if...

my language qualifications are below the requirements?

The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.

my language qualifications are not listed here?

Please contact External Relations

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:


Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

Further information about English language: School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study


Career prospects

This degree will equip you with the interdisciplinary knowledge, analytical tools, research skills and professional ethos to become a subject specialist.

You will be ready to address the challenges and opportunities of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in career pathways as diverse as the development and humanitarian sectors; local and national government, and inter-governmental agencies such as the United Nations; the private sector, innovation and enterprise; risk management and consultancy; environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG); campaigning and advocacy; media and journalism; and research. 

Some of these career paths include: 

  • Environmental consultant/specialist
  • Environmental policy analyst
  • Sustainability consultant
  • Sustainability analyst
  • Sustainability director
  • Corporate social responsibility specialist

Find out more about careers paths and opportunities.

Degrees and UCAS codes

When applying you will need to know the UCAS code for the subject or subject-combination that you wish to apply to:

MA

Global Sustainable Development: D400 (4 years)
Apply to D400

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details.

Scholarships

The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That's why we've invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding in recent years.

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

How to apply

Full-time students must apply through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). 

SQA applicants who are eligible for our Widening Participation programmes are encouraged to participate in one or more of these programmes, including Summer School, to support your application and the transition to higher education.

International students to Arts, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences can also apply using The Common Application: however, if applying to more than one UK university, we recommend using UCAS. Applications to Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine must be made through UCAS.

Application deadlines

  • 15 October: if including Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or also applying to Oxford or Cambridge
  • 29 January: all other UK applicants (unless otherwise stated on the UCAS website)
  • 30 June: international students.

We do not usually accept any applications after these deadlines.

It's your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your application before submission. Requests to correct application content, change degree programme or change college of entry, will not be accepted after these deadlines. This policy is in place to ensure fairness and consistency to all applicants, and no exceptions will be made.

How to apply for Advanced Entry

Apply for year 2 (Y2) on your UCAS application. If the specific subject is unavailable for Advanced Entry or your application for year 2 entry is unsuccessful, you will be automatically considered for year 1 entry. You do not have to submit a separate UCAS application.

Apply via UCAS

Subject ranking

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World top 100

QS World University Rankings [Social Sciences & Management]

Related programmes

Environment & Sustainability

Dumfries Campus

Related links

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