BA Global Sustainable Development
About this course
BA in Global Sustainable Development, a geography degree centred on international development, environmental issues and social justice. Core topics include Data Analysis, Statistics, Research Methods, Fieldwork, Project Management, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, Design & Creative Practice, Global & Comparative Perspective. The curriculum is delivered over three undergraduate years. The first year covers foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Global Development: History and Key Debates, Knowledges, Power and Interdisciplinarity, Global Challenges, Environment in Action, and Knowledges in Practice, alongside optional choices like Exploring Human Geographies or Earth, Wind, Ice and Fire. The second year advances learning with compulsory modules including Research Skills and Ethics for Global Sustainable Development, Interventions: Goals, Policy and Advocacy, Global Sustainable Development on the Ground, and Social Justice and Environmental Challenges, plus optional modules such as Culture, Space and Difference or Sustainable Development and Global Justice. Later stages incorporate compulsory independent research through the Dissertation for Global Sustainable Development, as well as practical training in Professional Practice for Global Sustainable Development. Optional modules across various stages allow further study in areas like Environmental Justice at a Time of Crisis, Economic Analysis of Inequality and Poverty, and Creative Geographies.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: AAB IB: 34; 33, with B in the extended essay
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What students say
Based on about 14 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 84%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 15 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction Professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Natural and social science professionals: 5%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 5%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 100%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 175 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 17%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 16%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 11%
- London: 31%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 4%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 70 students who started
- A levels: 96%
- Baccalaureate: 3%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Dissertation for Global Sustainable Development
- Professional Practice for Global Sustainable Development
- Environmental Justice at a Time of Crisis
- Economic Analysis of Inequality and Poverty
- Creative Geographies
- War, Peace and Justice
- Global Politics of Forced Migration
- Education Economics
- Planning, Policy and Housing Challenges
- Sociological Futures: Creating change beyond the academy
- Global Development: History and Key Debates
- Knowledges, Power and Interdisciplinarity
- Global Challenges
- Environment in Action
- Knowledges in Practice
- Exploring Human Geographies
- Earth, Wind, Ice and Fire
- The Changing Landscape
- Global Political Economy
- Economic History of Britain and the Modern World
- Research Skills and Ethics for Global Sustainable Development
- Interventions: Goals, Policy and Advocacy
- Global Sustainable Development on the Ground
- Social Justice and Environmental Challenges
- Culture, Space and Difference
- Sustainable Development and Global Justice
- Dynamics of Social Change and Policy
- Statistics and Econometrics
- Understanding the Climate System
- Urban Theory
- Migration and World Politics
- Landscape Planning for a Changing World
- Cities, Violence and Security
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Global Sustainable Development at University of Sheffield earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £34,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,500 and £44,000. The £34,000 median after five years is £500 less than the UK median for Human geography.
What do graduates of BA Global Sustainable Development at University of Sheffield do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Global Sustainable Development at University of Sheffield?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Global Sustainable Development at University of Sheffield?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 157 UCAS points.
Does BA Global Sustainable Development at University of Sheffield include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Global Sustainable Development at University of Sheffield?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.