The UCD MSc in Sustainable Development, in partnership with SDSN's SDG Academy, offers cutting-edge, multi-disciplinary, and trans-disciplinary learning for the SDGs. Both UCD and SDSN have mandates to support the UN System through consultative status, and provide students with a unique experience in virtual classrooms with leading academics and global thought leaders. There are also opportunities for excellent placements and careers in sustainable development. The core elements of the Master's require students to study the SDGs at the national level, city level, and through an SDG project.
The programme will include a wide range of electives to cover the SDG agenda, such as social justice, climate change, industrial economics, food systems, and public health. The Master's is a one-year, full-time programme, but can be taken part-time over two years or more.
In 2015, all member nations of the United Nations adopted Agenda 2030 to mobilize the collective energies of the world to build a future where economic prosperity, planetary health, and the well-being of its people are assured. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were set to achieve this bold vision.
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) was established to bring together the world's academic and scientific institutions to support the SDGs. The SDG Academy was set up to create and curate online learning materials on the SDGs in partnership with leading global experts in sustainable development.
University College Dublin (UCD) in Ireland, the alma mater of James Joyce, was founded in 1854 and is today a research-intensive global university with purpose, drive, and ambition. The 2024 QS World University Rankings on Sustainability rate UCD as 1st in Ireland and 50th in the world. University College Dublin has been ranked 34th in the world by the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which assess universities against the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. In its new strategy, Rising to the Future 2020-24, UCD has committed to sustainable development as a strategic theme.
Lectures and assessments in this course are conducted entirely online, combining real-time sessions with self-paced study. Some lectures are asynchronous, while others take place in real time. Students enrolled in the programme are located across various time zones around the world, and all modules are designed to support flexible learning. All lectures—including live sessions—are recorded and available for playback.
Despite the remote format, there is a strong sense of community among students, who stay connected through WhatsApp and other platforms for group work.
In the video on the left, a current student, Ahmed, explains how lectures are taught and how students interact with each other.
The MSc Sustainable Development is a 90-credit programme. Students will complete 60 credits from taught modules during the Autumn and Spring trimesters. These include two core modules:
The remaining 40 credits for taught modules are obtained from option modules. During the summer, students will work on the SDG Project (30 credits).
| Trimesters | Months | Workload |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | September-December | 30 credits Taught modules |
| Spring | January-May | 30 credits Taught modules |
| Summer | June-August | 30 credits SDG Project |
| Trimesters | Months | Workload |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Year 1: September-December | 10-20 credits Taught modules |
| Spring | Year 1: January-May | 10-20 credits Taught modules |
| Summer | Year 1: June-August | No workload |
| Autumn | Year 2: September-December | 10-20 credits Taught modules |
| Spring | Year 2: January-May | 10-20 credits Taught modules |
| Summer | Year 2: June-August | 30 credits SDG Project |
| Trimesters | Months | Workload |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Year 1: January-May | 20 credits Taught modules |
| Summer | Year 1: June-August | No workload |
| Autumn | Year 2: September-December | 20 credits Taught modules |
| Spring | Year 2: January-May | 20 credits Taught modules |
| Summer | Year 2: June-August | 30 credits SDG Project |
The final assessment for this course is called the SDG Research Project. It is essentially a thesis (6,000-8,000 words), but many students in this course combine an internship with their thesis as part of their project. They undertake an internship and write a report on what they learned from the experience.
Here are some of the past examples:
Applications for the September 2025 intake will be accepted until the end of August.
Application buttons are located at the bottom of the course catalogue page.
Please see our FAQ page for entry criteria, required documents, and more.
Applications for the January 2026 intake start in October 2025.
Please see the "Application" section above for further details.
Since this is an online-only course, fees are uniform for Irish, EU, and Non-EU students. For the academic year 2025-26, the cost is €10,700 for the full-time (one-year) option and €5,360 per year for the part-time (two-year) option.
Your fees will be payable in up to three instalments (in September, January and May) with each instalment 1/3 of your total fee for the year (and the total balance payable by the end of the year).
For further information regarding fees, please contact the Student Desk directly.
A limited number of fee-waiver scholarships are offered to exceptionally high-achieving students accepted into the MSc in Sustainable Development. Examples include individuals holding a first-class honours degree with extensive work experience in a related field.
Once admitted, if you believe you are eligible, please send an expression of interest by email to the Programme Director, Professor Patrick Paul Walsh ((opens in a new window)ppwalsh@ucd.ie) in August. Outcomes will be announced in September.
Since this is an online-only course, with students based worldwide, these scholarships are often awarded to those from less developed countries.
The Programme Director, Professor Patrick Paul Walsh will be running Information sessions during the summer. Please sign up from (opens in a new window)this link.
MSc Sustainable Development Programme Handbook 2024-25 (PDF)
Please see the FAQs page for current master's students for information on assessment submission procedures, late submission policy, etc.
For the Professional Diploma in the Foundations of Sustainable Development, students complete the following two modules:
POL42080 is a core module, and PLAN40550 is an optional module in the MSc Sustainable Development.
Upon successful completion of this foundation course with merit, students are eligible to transfer to the MSc Sustainable Development to complete the remaining modules.
For further information, please use the contact form in the above link.
The last step of your application process is to send in an original transcript of your academic results. All incoming students have a ‘hold’ on their records pending the verification of documentation.
You may proceed with the Confirmation of Attendance and Module Registration before this process is completed; however, we strongly recommend that this is done as soon as possible.
Queries regarding document verification should be directed to the Student Desk.
You will need to register online and confirm attendance before you can begin your graduate studies. Registration allows you to obtain your Student Card (UCARD) and gain access to the wide range of facilities available to our students.
Your username is your application number or UCD student number (8 digits), and your password is the same one you use to log into the application portal.
If you are having trouble accessing your UCD Connect Account or email, please contact the Student Desk.
Registration for SPIRe Masters students begins on Friday, 15th August 2025 and all students are allocated a start time. You will receive an automated email to your UCD Connect account confirming your start time.
Full-time students must complete 60 credits from taught modules, as well as the SDG Research Project (30 credits).
| Trimesters | Months | Typical Workload |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | September-December | 30 credits (incl. POL42080 Global Classroom) |
| Spring | January-May | 30 credits (incl. PLAN40390 Sustainable Cities) |
| Summer | June-August | POL42370 SDG Research Project (30 credits, No lectures) |
Part-time students must complete 60 credits from taught modules, as well as the SDG Research Project (30 credits) over two years.
| Trimesters | Months | Typical Workload |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Year 1: September-December | 10-20 credits (incl. POL42080 Global Classroom) |
| Spring | Year 1: January-May | 10-20 credits (incl. PLAN40390 Sustainable Cities) |
| Summer | Year 1: June-August | No Workload |
| Autumn | Year 2: September-December | 10-20 credits |
| Spring | Year 2: January-May | 10-20 credits |
| Summer | Year 2: June-August | POL42370 SDG Research Project (30 credits, No lectures) |
If you are unsure if you have correctly registered, or need assistance, the SPIRe Graduate team are happy to help. Contact them on (opens in a new window)graduatespire@ucd.ie with your STUDENT NUMBER.
Part-time January start students must complete 60 credits from taught modules, as well as the 30-credit SDG Research Project, over a year and a half.
| Trimesters | Months | Typical Workload |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Year 1: January-May | 20 credits (incl. PLAN40390 Sustainable Cities) |
| Summer | Year 1: June-August | No Workload |
| Autumn | Year 1: September-December | 20 credits (incl. POL42080 Global Classroom) |
| Spring | Year 2: January-May | 20 credits |
| Summer | Year 2: June-August | POL42370 SDG Research Project (30 credits, No lectures) |
If you are unsure if you have correctly registered, or need assistance, the SPIRe Graduate team are happy to help. Contact them on (opens in a new window)graduatespire@ucd.ie with your STUDENT NUMBER.