Sustainability is a way of thinking about the future in which environmental, social and economic dimensions intertwine.  The Sustainability with Business & Economics pathway shines a light on the business and economic dimensions of sustainability – understanding how systems and resources work, and building the knowledge, skills and practices of working with people and strategy to get things done.

This pathway focuses on supporting you to better understand the world of business and economics, and make interdisciplinary connections to all aspects of sustainability.  It offers flexibility to enable you draw on a range of modules from relevant disciplines in the social sciences, humanities, business and law or choose to become more focussed on particular aspects of sustainability in business such as global supply chain management, design of environmental economic policies, corporate responsibility, or sustainable business practices and working in interdisciplinary teams.

First Year: 

First Year is a common experience across the three specialisations. You will take two core modules focusing on sustainability concepts and skills, along with core and option modules from subjects in each specialisation – Business and Economics; Social Sciences, Policy and Law; Environmental Sciences.

• Introduction to Sustainability
• Sustainability Challenges
• Principles of Scientific Enquiry
• Introductory Chemistry
• Mapping a Sustainable World
• Introduction to Sociology
• Business in Society
• Economics

Second Year: 

• Sustainability Research Tools
• Careers and Innovation in Sustainability
• Introduction to Quantitative Economics
• Principals of Microeconomics
• Marketing: An Introduction
• Foundations of Finance
• GIS for Sustainability
• Chemistry

Third Year: 

In third year, you will participate in an international field course and have opportunities including an overseas exchange for one trimester and/or a substantial internship.

• Sustainability In Action (Field Course)
• Intermediate Microeconomics
• Economics of the Environment
• Global Operations & Supply Chain Management
• Business Across Borders
• Managing Business Ethics
• Principles of Environmental Biology & Ecology
• Environment Law & Policy

Fourth Year:

• Internship in Sustainability
• Consumer Research – Insight and Data Planning
• Business Strategy
• Public Economics
• Green Ventures
• Entrepreneurship in Action
• Responsible Marketing
• The Urban Environment

For detailed information on subject content click here

There will be opportunities to apply for exchange programmes and an international field trip is a core component of the third year experience. Students will also have the opportunity to research and apply for international internships with relevant industries and employers. Placements are secured through a competitive process.

An interdisciplinary education in sustainability theory, policy and practise will equip you to work in areas such as renewables, clean technology management and energy efficiency within organisations, or advise industries on social and environmental strategies. 

Many opportunities also exist in global professional service firms and consultancy, and international organisations such as the UN, the European Environment Agency and the European Commission, government departments and state agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Parks and Wildlife Service and in local authorities and Non-Governmental Organisations.

A wide range of graduate opportunities and pathways include further specialisation through for example MSc Business, Economics, or Sustainability Policy or Practice.

• A-Level/GCSE
• Other EU Applicants
• Non-EU Applicants
• QQI FET Entry Routes
  
• Mature Entry Route
• HEAR
• DARE

Dr Darren Thomas Baker,
Programme Co-Director,
UCD Lochlann Quinn School of Business

Tel: +353 1 716 2389
email: sustainability@ucd.ie