Global Sustainable Development

Global sustainable development addresses one of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century: how humanity can continue to reduce poverty and improve quality of life while respecting the ecological limits that make life on earth possible. It is an inherently interdisciplinary field, drawing on economics, political science, environmental science, development studies, and ethics to examine the causes of global inequality, the mechanisms of environmental degradation, and the policies and practices that might lead towards a more just and sustainable world.

At Glasgow the MA Global Sustainable Development engages you with the full complexity of these questions, asking not only what the problems are but why they persist and what kinds of knowledge and action might begin to address them. You will study development theory, political economy, environmental governance, climate policy, biodiversity, and the social dimensions of sustainability, engaging with debates that span the global North and South and that involve international institutions, governments, businesses, civil society, and local communities. The programme is offered part-time, making it accessible to students who are working or who need flexible study arrangements, and it is designed for those who want to understand and contribute to systemic change.

Graduates pursue careers in international development organisations, NGOs, government, environmental policy, social enterprise, research, and multilateral institutions. The combination of analytical depth and ethical seriousness that the programme develops is valuable in any role that involves engaging with questions of justice, environment, and global change. Many students continue to postgraduate study or go on to work with the UN and other international agencies, national governments, and the growing landscape of organisations committed to sustainability.