
Global Sustainable Development BA
Department of Geography
Explore this course:
You are viewing this course for 2024-25 entry. 2023-24 entry is also available.
Key details
- A Levels AAB
Other entry requirements - UCAS code L800
- 3 years / Full-time
- September start
- Find out the course fee
- Optional placement year
- Study abroad
Course description
Take an interdisciplinary focus on global and international development, examining worldwide issues through the lens of social justice and environmental sustainability.
Explore contemporary global issues, linking current affairs, climate change and activism, and equip yourself with the skills to pursue a career in sustainable development and to become a global problem solver.
Through professional skills training, practical research experience, policy engagement and analysis, you'll be prepared for employment in the public, private or third sector. Graduates can anticipate pursuing careers in the UK and overseas to tackle pressing global sustainability and development priorities.

Modules
A selection of modules are available each year - some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. From May of the year of entry, formal programme regulations will be available in our Programme Regulations Finder - including details of the optional modules available in your second and final year.
In your first year, you'll learn the history and key debates of global development, and how challenges of environment, inequality and sustainability are addressed through local and global policy.
You'll develop your research skills and learn about critical perspectives on global sustainable development in your second year. You'll also have the opportunity to tailor your degree to your interests by taking a range of relevant interdisciplinary modules spanning economics, geography, politics and sociology.
In your final year, you'll learn more about global sustainable development on the ground and in practice. You'll develop your professional skills and also undertake independent research for a dissertation on a specialist topic of your choice, and further tailor your degree through a range of relevant optional modules.
UCAS code: L800
Years: 2023
In your first year, you'll learn the history and key debates of global development, and how challenges of environment, inequality and sustainability are addressed through local and global policy.
Core modules:
- Climate, Environment and Sustainability
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This module provides you with a foundation to develop your understanding of both the contexts for and key issues around climate, environment and sustainability policy developments. You will be introduced to a range of global and societal challenges, from both physical science and social science perspectives. Examples in the Global North and Global South will include action on biodiversity loss, climate change adaptation and mitigation, water and land-use management and food. You will explore the drivers and existing conditions of environmental issues, their impacts and responses to these, and learn how to question assumptions about environmental processes.
20 credits
This module aims to support you in developing your understanding of interconnected global and societal challenges, at a range of scales and levels, including learning about key environmental and climate issues and trends, equip you with methodological and analytical tools, to both (a) understand historical and contemporary 'solutions' to challenges; and (b) creatively identify contextually appropriate responses, engage you in reflective- and practice-based learning, including chances to conduct research and develop professional skills in exploring interconnected environmental, political, economic and societal aspects of sustainability, and actors involved therein and contribute to your self-reflexivity regarding your principles, assumptions, positionalities and aspirations relating to global sustainable development. - Understanding Inequalities: Policy Responses From Local to Global
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Through this module you will explore the extent, causes, and consequences of social and economic inequalities and how public policy may help to prevent or reduce them. The module adopts a comparative approach focusing on examples in the Global North and the Global South, beginning with a discussion of key concepts and metrics that are used to discuss and measure inequality. We then follow a life-course perspective to trace out the institutions through which inequality is structured, reproduced, and experienced such as the family, the neighbourhood, the educational system, labour markets, and the criminal justice system, attending to the roles of race, class, and gender as axes of stratification in these domains. For each institution and social stratification axis we will be looking at public policy alternatives to tackle and reduce inequalities across them using examples from the Global North and the Global South. The module will also look at the role of international institutions at shaping public policy responses to tackle inequalities worldwide.
20 credits
This module aims to, provide you with an understanding of the various dimensions of inequality worldwide, enable you to critically assess the role of public policy in tackling social and economic inequalities in a comparative perspective and help you develop good presentation, report writing and critical analytical skills. - Analysing Global Challenges
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This module introduces you to core theories and concepts in global politics and global political economy, and, in turn, their application to key issues relating to global development and sustainability. By examining the complex relationships between politics and economics, and contested explanations of them, it familiarizes you with key actors and institutions in the global system working to engender sustainable development, and the real-world battles and conflicts that occur in these arenas. By surveying both classical and critical theories, it demonstrates how different theoretical and conceptual frameworks deepen our understanding of these processes in various domains, including agriculture, energy transitions, and global climate governance. In the process, you will learn about patriarchy, imperialism, Eurocentrism and slavery as well as the class-based, race-based and gender-based nature of trade, production and finance and their ecological implications.
20 credits
The module aims to provide you with basic knowledge of the main theories and concepts used in the fields of Global Politics and Global Political Economy; enable you to apply these concepts and theories to analyse real-life Global Sustainable Development issues; equip you with presentation, writing and analytical skills. - Global Development: History and key debates
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This module provides you with a core grounding in the key historical and contemporary debates encompassing both classical and alternative approaches to international/global development. During this module you will develop an understanding of key theories and ideas which have shaped the evolution of global development as a field of scholarship and practice. Through this understanding you will learn to critically debate different schools of development thinking and the evolving history of the field, from colonialism through to efforts to 'decolonise' the field. You will consider a range of policy approaches and how these have evolved in relation to changing global priorities and debates, including the shift from a discourse of 'international' to 'global' development and its implications.
20 credits
This module aims to:
Introduce you to the concept of development and key debates over its definition and scope, build your understanding of the historical evolution of the idea of development and of associated spheres of policy and practice. Develop your capacities to critically engage with academic literature on development from a range of different perspectives and disciplines and foster your abilities to draw links between development debates and the questions of sustainability and global political economy raised in other L1 core modules. - Sustainability in Practice
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This module provides you with an opportunity to build on and apply learning from other taught modules by undertaking a locally-based group sustainability project. Working in small interdisciplinary teams, you will identify a topic of interest and learn how to focus on a specific issue related to sustainable development. You will learn how to engage with key stakeholders to develop a thorough understanding of the current situation, their aspirations for a more sustainable solution and how to develop a plan of action to achieve change. You will identify appropriate measures of success and change.
10 credits
This module aims to:
A1: Develop your knowledge and understanding of how to undertake a sustainability quality improvement study;
A2: Build your capacity to evaluate a contemporary practice with respect to specific sustainable development priorities and propose relevant responses;
A3: Enable you to investigate stakeholder perspectives on sustainability issues and to understand diverse perspectives;
A4: Provide you with experience of both conducting a small-scale sustainability quality improvement study and reporting findings and proposals to stakeholders
A5: Build your capabilities to work as part of a team, sharing and planning responsibilities equitably, communicating effectively and working to deadlines. - Knowledges, Power and Interdisciplinarity
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Through this module, you will develop an understanding of the complexities and intersectionalities at play within global sustainable development as a field of study and practice, alongside a range of key transferable, academic and research skills. These skills underpin the ability to think and work in interdisciplinary ways, to question the power behind knowledge(s) and develop critical reasoning skills. Through lectures, workshops and small group tutorials, run by academic staff, you will develop skills in finding, presenting, analysing and critically evaluating complex information, key qualitative and quantitative research methods.
30 credits
This module aims to:1. Introduce you to a range of core skills and methods used in global sustainable development research and practice2. Provide key training in finding, evaluating, analysing and presenting data and information 3. Support you in putting foundational research methods skills into practice4. Develop your skills in self-reflection and an awareness of positionality, ethics, power and social relations inherent to global sustainable development 5. Develop your skills and understanding of the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to framing and tackling key global sustainable development issues
You'll develop your research skills and learn about critical perspectives on global sustainable development in your second year.
You'll also have the opportunity to tailor your degree to your interests by taking a range of relevant interdisciplinary modules spanning economics, geography, politics and sociology.
Core modules:
- Research, Skills and Ethics for Global Sustainable Development
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Ensuring the realisation of global sustainable development requires delivering policies and practices to achieve social and environmental justice. These policies must be underpinned by reliable, robust and ethical research. This module supports you in developing understanding and skills to design, conduct, analyse and present findings from research while being attentive to ethical, moral and logistical concerns. Beginning with understanding the philosophical background to and processes involved in designing research for global sustainable development, the module provides training in key quantitative and qualitative methods (including creative and participatory methods) as well as detailed engagement with the moral, ethical and practical complexities of delivering research. This module is delivered through lectures, small group teaching and practical activities.
30 credits
This module aims to:
Equip you with the knowledge and skills to design conduct and present findings from research and fieldworkDevelop your ethical competencies and awareness in conducting research for global sustainable developmentProvide you with a methods tool kit, and understanding of the appropriateness of these methods for conducting different research activities - Critical Perspectives on Global Sustainable Development
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This module provides an opportunity for you to engage with a range of key critical debates in Global Sustainable Development and to understand diverse perspectives on the topics raised. Core topics will include areas such as Health, Education, Poverty, Social Justice, Conflict Resolution, Sustainable Cities and Climate Action. The module will be run in partnership with students and you will also be able to express preferences for additional topics to be covered, contributing to preparing resources and literature/policy reviews to support seminar activities. You will develop critical analytical skills and communication and debating skills in collaboration with peers. You will apply learning from first year modules particularly those related to history and key debates, inequality and global challenges.
20 credits
This module aims to:
A1: Develop your analytical, reading, written and debating skills to enable you to critically engage with relevant literature, policy and public discourses.
A2: Familiarise you with contrasting critical perspectives on selected core global sustainable development issues.
A3: Create opportunities for you to apply learning from first year modules in examining competing arguments and approaches to global sustainable development.
A4: Foster your critical awareness of global power relations, hegemonic discourses and counter-narratives and appreciate the complexity of global sustainable development challenges.
A5: Build literature search skills and the capacity to interpret and appraise statistical evidence. - Global Challenges: Live Policy Analysis
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Through this project-based module, you will build on your knowledge of policy and discourse derived from other L2 modules to engage in a 'live' policy analysis of a prominent global issue related to GSD. You will be supported to select an appropriate current affairs issue relevant to the themes of the course, which you then track through media analysis and investigate through academic reading and any other available data. You will engage in analysis of policy frameworks relevant to a specific problem/challenge, media representation and how this changes over time, proposed solutions and how these are contested, and the role of different stakeholders seeking to promote change in relation to this particular issue. This module aims to:
10 credits
Develop your understanding of policy processes and 'real world' debates on sustainable development issues Build your skills in autonomous working and project management Develop your skills in critically analysing different sources of information Enhance your communication skills through a range of formats - Global Sustainable Development on the Ground
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During this module you will gain substantive knowledge and critical understanding of researching global sustainable development through fieldclass-based hands-on research activities. Working collaboratively with external partners and with intensive support and guidance from academic staff you will develop skills in research design and implementation, while exploring the everyday realities and ethics of global sustainable development policies and practices. Addressing questions relating to areas such as social and environmental justice, environmental protection, poverty and power you will gain an understanding of the intersections of local and global sustainable development approaches, with particular attention to local, grass-roots perspectives.
20 credits
This module aims to:
Provide you with substantive knowledge, understanding and skills in researching global sustainable development Enhance your transferable, research, communication and employability skills through in-depth, high-quality field research practice Provide you with a structured and supported experience in addressing the ethical complexities of global sustainable development as a field of research and practice.
Optional modules are to be confirmed.
You'll be able to apply to spend a year either working in industry or studying abroad at an accredited institution outside of the UK.
In your final year, you'll learn more about global sustainable development on the ground and in practice.
You'll develop your professional skills and also undertake independent research for a dissertation on a specialist topic of your choice, and further tailor your degree through a range of relevant optional modules.
Core modules:
- Global Sustainable Development on the Ground
-
During this module you will gain substantive knowledge and critical understanding of researching global sustainable development through fieldclass-based hands-on research activities. Working collaboratively with external partners and with intensive support and guidance from academic staff you will develop skills in research design and implementation, while exploring the everyday realities and ethics of global sustainable development policies and practices. Addressing questions relating to areas such as social and environmental justice, environmental protection, poverty and power you will gain an understanding of the intersections of local and global sustainable development approaches, with particular attention to local, grass-roots perspectives.
20 credits
This module aims to:
Provide you with substantive knowledge, understanding and skills in researching global sustainable development Enhance your transferable, research, communication and employability skills through in-depth, high-quality field research practice Provide you with a structured and supported experience in addressing the ethical complexities of global sustainable development as a field of research and practice. - Dissertation for Global Sustainable Development
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During this module you will prepare and carry out your own research project on a topic relating to global sustainable development. Under the supervision of a staff member, you will produce a research report in the style and length of an academic journal article. This work will be based upon your own primary data collection and/or analysis of existing secondary datasets.
40 credits
- Professional practice for global sustainable development
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To effectively work towards the realisation of global sustainable development, it is vital to have a key toolkit of professional skills. This module provides key training in a variety of employability-related skills that will equip you to work in various sectors including the public, policy, private and charitable realms. Through the module you will develop specific professional skills, as well as the ability to reflect upon and develop your own skills and practice, and apply analytical tools and critical thinking skills to a professional practice scenario.
20 credits
This module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to work in a range of professional settings linked to global sustainable development. Develop your skills and competencies with regards to both employability and self-reflection and self-development. Develop your critical awareness of professional practice in relation to global sustainable development, including ethical challenges and develop your skills in responding to and delivering on common professional demands, such as competitive tenders and/or consultancies
Optional modules are to be confirmed.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.
Learning and assessment
Learning
You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, practice-based and fieldwork activities.
Practice-based and fieldwork activities
This course contains a mixture of practice-based and fieldwork activities, which are designed to support engagement between theoretical and conceptual ideas, complex global and local sustainable development challenges, and interdisciplinary strategies in policy, programming, planning, and practice.
Each year contains a dedicated module which engages with research and practice:
- year one: engaging with questions of ‘Sustainability in Practice’, you'll design and conduct a project in your local environment (the University of Sheffield and/or city)
- year two: undertaking a ‘Live Policy Analysis’, you'll be supported to engage with current global policy challenges, responses, and outcomes
- year three: as part of the ‘Global Sustainable Development on the Ground’ residential fieldwork experience you'll collaborate with external partners to support ongoing project activities linked with key issues in global sustainable development.
You'll also build skills in research methods, ethics and interdisciplinary teamwork through additional modules.
Assessment
You will be assessed through a combination of exams, coursework and practical assessment. The proportions of these will vary depending on the modules you choose.
Programme specification
This tells you the aims and learning outcomes of this course and how these will be achieved and assessed.
Entry requirements
With Access Sheffield, you could qualify for additional consideration or an alternative offer - find out if you're eligible.
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
AAB
A Levels + additional qualifications ABB + B in the EPQ; ABB + B in Core Maths
International Baccalaureate 34
BTEC Extended Diploma DDD in a relevant subject
BTEC Diploma DD + A at A Level
Scottish Highers AAAAB
Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels B + AA
Access to HE Diploma Award of Access to HE Diploma in a Social Science or Arts and Humanities subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 at Distinction and 9 at Merit
Other requirements-
GCSE Maths grade 4/C
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
ABB
A Levels + additional qualifications ABB + B in the EPQ; ABB + B in Core Maths
International Baccalaureate 33
BTEC Extended Diploma DDD in a relevant subject
BTEC Diploma DD + B at A Level
Scottish Highers AAABB
Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels B + AB
Access to HE Diploma Award of Access to HE Diploma in a Social Science or Arts and Humanities subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit
Other requirements-
GCSE Maths grade 4/C
You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification
Equivalent English language qualifications
Visa and immigration requirements
Other qualifications | UK and EU/international
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department.
Department of Geography

The Department of Geography at the University of Sheffield is a world leader in teaching and research. We're ranked within the top 50 universities in the world for geography according to the QS Rankings 2022, top 10 in the world for geography by the ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022 and top 10 in the UK for geography by the Guardian University Guide 2023.
We are experts in the fields of social justice and environmental change. We explore our dynamic, diverse world to address humanity’s greatest problems, from food waste to melting ice sheets. Our innovative research and practice-based learning will equip you with distinct, relevant professional skills.
We have over 30 full-time academic staff in the department. Our high staff-to-student ratio ensures that you receive excellent quality teaching and a high level of pastoral support throughout your studies.
Our BA Global Sustainable Development is a truly interdisciplinary course. It is led by the Department of Geography but incorporates modules and expertise from the Departments of:
- Politics and International Relations
- Urban Studies and Planning
- Landscape Architecture
- Sociological Studies
The Department of Geography is housed in an award-winning, purpose-built building on the edge of the beautiful Weston Park, close to the Students' Union and central libraries and lecture theatres.
Facilities
We have a well-equipped computer teaching laboratory, postgraduate and undergraduate physical geography laboratories, and image processing facilities which provide an important component for teaching and research in remote sensing and geographical information systems (GIS).
Department of GeographyWhy choose Sheffield?
The University of Sheffield
A top 100 university
QS World University Rankings 2023
92 per cent of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
Research Excellence Framework 2021
Top 50 in the most international universities rankings
Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022
No 1 Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
A top 10 university targeted by employers
The Graduate Market in 2022, High Fliers report
Department of Geography
The Guardian University Guide 2023
ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022
QS World University Rankings by subject 2022
Graduate careers
Our courses will develop your ability to analyse global problems from a range of perspectives and at different scales. As well as specialist skills and knowledge, our degrees provide you with transferable skills that are valued by graduate employers, such as handling data, communicating complex issues, and managing projects from start to finish.
Our graduates progress to careers in a variety of sectors. These include public sector roles in local government and the civil service, roles as surveyors and environmental consultants in private sector companies, research and teaching roles in the education sector and management roles in NGOs and international development organisations.
Placements and study abroad
Placement
Study abroad
Fees and funding
Fees
Additional costs
The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.
Funding your study
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.
Use our Student Funding Calculator to work out what you’re eligible for.
Visit us
University open days
We host five open days each year, usually in June, July, September, October and November. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Subject tasters
If you’re considering your post-16 options, our interactive subject tasters are for you. There are a wide range of subjects to choose from and you can attend sessions online or on campus.
Offer holder days
If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our offer holder days, which take place between February and April. These open days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.
Campus tours
Our weekly guided tours show you what Sheffield has to offer - both on campus and beyond. You can extend your visit with tours of our city, accommodation or sport facilities.
Apply
Contact us
Telephone: +44 114 222 7900
Email: geography-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
The awarding body for this course is the University of Sheffield.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.