Frontiers of Sustainability Science

Course details

Key objectives of the discipline are to develop an understanding of the dynamics of human-environment systems; to facilitate the design, implementation, and evaluation of practical interventions that promote sustainability in particular places and contexts; and to improve linkages between research, innovation, policy and management.

The course will provide you with a detailed knowledge of the subject, as well as enabling you to develop advanced literature-based research, evaluation and reporting skills, and application of knowledge to solve problems.

Key themes of the course include:

• Introduction to sustainability science
• Context: environmental change and population growth
• Earth system science
• Complex systems
• Resilience
• Critical loads
• Ecological footprinting
• Limits to growth
• Consumption
• Common property
• Transitions to sustainability.

Academic assessment (optional)

In addition to the short course itself you have the option of undertaking further study and completing an academic assessment (an additional fee applies). On successful completion of this assessment you will gain 20 academic credits at postgraduate level (Level 7).

If you choose to take the academic assessment option for this course, it will take roughly four months to complete (from your enrolment through to the submission deadline for your assessment). There is an additional fee of £200 for the Master's level assessment

Fees and funding

The fee for this unit/short course: £600.00.

Additional fee: £200 if you wish to take the academic assessment.

With this type of course (ie. a short course) you will find that the cost of studying is already broken down into smaller, more manageable amounts (in comparison to a full degree, whether at postgraduate or undergraduate levels).

Additional funding help may sometimes be received from your employer given the relevance to your chosen career, if you are a previous student of BU you will receive a discount on your course fees, but other funding options are limited and postgraduate loans will not be available when studying individual CPD units.

See our fees and funding section for more information. 

How to apply

If you have any further questions about the course and for information on how to apply, please email [email protected].