Education Studies and Global Sustainable Development

Education studies and global sustainable development is a combination of two disciplines that are increasingly understood to be inseparable. Education is not simply a vehicle for transmitting knowledge; it is a fundamental tool for enabling the social, economic, and environmental transformations that sustainable development requires. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals explicitly recognise this, with Goal 4 dedicated to quality education, and UNESCO's international Education for Sustainable Development agenda placing education at the centre of global sustainability efforts.

At the University of Warwick, this three-year programme examines the relationship between education and sustainable development and the associated challenges facing the education sector both in the UK and overseas. You will engage with questions about how education systems are designed and governed, what they teach and for what purposes, and how they can be reformed to serve sustainable and equitable futures. The global dimension is central: you will study education in international comparative contexts, developing an understanding of how different societies approach the challenge of education for sustainability.

The programme includes a sandwich placement year and a year abroad, alongside embedded work placement opportunities, giving you professional experience in educational, developmental, or sustainability contexts.

Graduates go on to work in international development organisations, NGOs, educational policy bodies, teacher education, school leadership, UNESCO and similar agencies, environmental education, and research. The combination of educational understanding and sustainability focus is particularly valuable in roles that require working across sectors and national boundaries to address shared challenges. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in education, development studies, environmental policy, or international relations.