Study and learn
The University of York offers a wide range of sustainability-related undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, elective modules and lifelong learning courses. Explore the options available to you below, and put sustainability at the heart of your learning experience.
Studying modules and courses relating to sustainability lets you broaden your knowledge and skills, make unique academic connections and boost your employability.
Sustainability-related modules
New for 2023/24, Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY) is offering a suite of sustainability-related York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs) available to undergraduate and postgraduate students from all Departments and Schools (subject to timetabling availability). These modules will allow you to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary groups to solve local, regional and global sustainability challenges.
Postgraduate courses
MSc Environmental Sustainability Education & Communication
Effective education and communication are crucial in addressing contemporary environmental challenges such as the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY) is offering an exciting new postgraduate programme that will empower you to lead, educate and communicate on the most important environmental issues of our times.
Drawing on teaching from the Department of Education and Environment and Geography, this programme will equip you with the skills needed to lead change and take action on issues relating to the environment.
This course is suitable if you are looking to pursue a sustainability-related career in the business, charity or education sectors.
MA Sustainability Studies
This programme takes an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability, allowing you to specialise in a particular area such as ecosystems, communities, landscapes, heritage, or a focus on the interactions between them.
MSc Sustainability Science
You will use interdisciplinary perspectives, such as ecology, geo-science, social science and humanities, to develop an understanding of the world, and create sustainable solutions to contemporary environmental and social problems.
MSc Sustainable Business
Gain the knowledge, skills and experiences you need to lead on sustainability-related initiatives and change within a business setting. Opportunities to undertake projects with external organisations will allow you to apply your skills to real-world problems.
Environmental Doctoral Group in Education
Are you a PhD student or early career researcher working on climate, environmental or sustainability education? We meet monthly online to share our ideas and work.
To join, contact esay@york.ac.uk
Lifelong learning courses
Climate questions: 21 October, 10am - 4.30pm
What is the climate crisis, why should we care, and how should we respond?
Our course will introduce you to the causes and consequences of climate change. As a group, we will use a range of interactive and creative approaches to engage emotions, promote dialogue with others, and to encourage you to think about key concepts such as justice, disaster and equity and what these mean for our lives beyond the course.
This course has been co-created by staff and students of the University of York.
Climate conversations: Starts 4 October (6-week course, 7pm-9pm)
In this course we will examine the causes and consequences of climate change and identify the actions needed at all levels to respond to this crisis. We will draw on texts from The Climate Book edited by Greta Thunberg to examine what climate change means for people and the planet, what can be done about it, and what is needed of us right now. Working collaboratively and through informed discussion, we aim to imagine and co-create a more positive future.
This course has been co-created by staff and students of the University of York.
Training and accreditations
The University offers a number of sustainability-related accreditation programmes that can be completed alongside your studies. Find out how we can help expand your knowledge and build a career in sustainability.
Green Impact
Green Impact is a sustainability accreditation programme that recognises and rewards sustainable actions within colleges and departments. Get involved by working as a Green Impact Auditor or a Green Impact Project Assistant.
Carbon Literacy Training
Get Carbon literate with our free training, open to both students and staff. Attend workshops and complete an individual action plan to receive the Carbon Literacy accreditation from the Carbon Literacy Project.