Our BSc Global Sustainability (including foundation year) course will be suitable for you if your academic qualifications do not yet meet our entry requirements for the three-year version of this course and you want a programme that improves your skills to support your academic performance.
This four-year course includes a foundation year (known as Year Zero) which is delivered by our Essex Pathways Department, followed by a further three years of study in our School of Life Sciences. During Year Zero, you study three academic subjects relevant to your chosen course as well as a compulsory academic skills module, with additional English language for non-English speakers. After successful completion of Year Zero, you progress to complete your course with our School of Life Sciences.
Your three years with our School of Life Sciences focuses on solving real-world problems and you will develop solutions to sustainability challenges. This is an innovative, highly relevant and interdisciplinary degree for the future.
You will study the interaction of humans and nature at the local, regional and global level, whilst acquiring the data handling skills needed for a future career in sustainability. You will be trained with the knowledge and skills to tackle the most complex problems we face for the future of our planet.
After Year Zero you will be based in our School of Life Sciences, but this course cuts across disciplines. There will be contributions and optional modules from other subject areas including economics, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and politics. We harness the diverse and world-leading expertise across the University of Essex to provide you with the tools to really make a difference in our future society.
The grand challenges we will tackle include the interacting climate, biodiversity and nature crises, as well as pollution, inequality and social justice.
Together, we will understand appropriate responses to, and management of, these challenges. You will study the relationship between the environment, human cultures and values, while working with stakeholders in the analysis, resolution and communication of complex issues.
This diverse expertise offers a huge range of opportunities for study and work, and at Essex we give you the flexibility to shape your degree to suit your interests.
Sustainability at Essex
To learn about the initiatives and actions the University of Essex is taking to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises, visit our sustainability page.