BSc Hons Sustainability with Social Sciences, Policy and Law

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University College Dublin

Program Overview

This interdisciplinary degree explores how societies, governments, and legal systems respond to sustainability challenges such as climate change, inequality, and social wellbeing. It’s ideal for students who want to understand sustainability beyond science alone and are interested in shaping policy, law, and social change.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Understanding Sustainability and Society

You start by building a broad foundation in sustainability thinking and the social sciences. Early modules introduce sustainability concepts alongside social and legal perspectives, helping you understand how human behaviour, institutions, and laws influence environmental and social outcomes.

Year 2 – Policy, Law, and Governance

In second year, the focus shifts to how sustainability is shaped through public policy and legal frameworks. You explore how governments design environmental and social policies, and how law is used as a tool to address climate change, inequality, and development challenges.

Year 3 – Applied Analysis and Research

This year develops your analytical and research skills. Through interdisciplinary coursework and projects, you learn how to evaluate sustainability policies, assess social impacts, and apply evidence-based thinking to real-world sustainability problems.

Year 4 – Specialisation and Capstone Project

In your final year, you bring everything together through advanced topics in sustainability governance and a major project. This capstone allows you to apply social science, policy, and legal approaches to a sustainability issue you care about, preparing you for professional or postgraduate pathways.

Focus areas

Sustainability and governance, social sciences, public policy and law, social justice, environmental decision-making

Learning outcomes

Strong understanding of sustainability challenges, ability to analyse policy and legal responses, research and critical thinking skills, confidence in communicating solutions for social and environmental change

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Delivered across UCD’s social sciences and law disciplines, this programme equips graduates with skills valued in policy, sustainability, public service, NGOs, and international organisations.

Reputation (Employability & Standing)

UCD is internationally recognised for sustainability and social science education, with graduates well regarded for their interdisciplinary thinking and real-world problem-solving skills.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At University College Dublin, this degree is designed to help you do sustainability, not just study it. You’ll develop practical skills through applied projects, research-led teaching, and collaborative work that reflects how sustainability challenges are tackled in the real world. Learning happens both in and beyond the classroom, with strong support from UCD’s facilities, researchers, and sustainability-focused initiatives:

Applied projects and group work that bring together social science, policy, and legal perspectives, helping you learn how to work collaboratively on complex sustainability problems
Research methods training, giving you hands-on experience in analysing social data, evaluating public policy, and assessing the legal dimensions of sustainability challenges
Field-based learning opportunities, where you explore sustainability issues in real communities and policy contexts, linking theory with practice
Engagement with sustainability practitioners and researchers, through guest lectures and seminars led by experts working in policy, governance, and social change
Access to UCD’s extensive libraries, including digital databases and research collections that support sustainability, policy, and social science study
Connection to UCD’s sustainability research community, allowing you to learn in an environment shaped by active research on climate action, governance, and social transformation

Together, these experiences help you graduate with strong analytical skills, confidence working in teams, and the practical understanding needed to contribute meaningfully to sustainability-focused careers or further study.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BSc (Hons) Sustainability with Social Sciences, Policy and Law at University College Dublin go on to work in roles that directly influence how societies respond to climate, social, and policy challenges. Many build careers as sustainability policy analysts, environmental consultants, public sector advisors, or community development professionals, applying their interdisciplinary training across government, NGOs, and industry:

Career support from UCD Careers Network, available throughout your degree, including personalised career planning, CV and interview coaching, skills workshops, and recruitment events focused on sustainability, public policy, and social impact roles
Strong graduate outcomes, with UCD recognised nationally and internationally for employability, and graduates valued for their ability to combine social science insight with policy and governance understanding
Meaningful engagement with employers and organisations, through placements, field-based learning, and collaborations with public bodies, NGOs, and sustainability-focused organisations
Long-term value of an interdisciplinary degree, equipping you with transferable skills that remain relevant across sectors such as policy, sustainability consulting, social research, and international development
Flexible graduation pathways, allowing graduates to move directly into employment or progress into further professional or academic study

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this programme, many students choose to deepen their expertise through postgraduate study. Popular pathways include Master’s degrees in sustainability, environmental policy, international development, public policy, or law, as well as research-based programmes for those interested in academic, policy, or consultancy-led careers.