BA (Hons) in Sustainability Management – Full-time

Sustainability Management Course Overview

Sustainability as a perpetual topic, has become an integral part of today’s business operations and management, and the recent rise in public awareness about the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 has cultivated a strong level of interest in the subject.

The BA (Hons) in Sustainability Management programme aims to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to address global sustainability challenges, as well as creating and maintaining sustainable operations in the public, commercial and not-for-profit sectors. Moreover, the decision to align the curriculum of this proposed BA (Hons) in Sustainability Management programme with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is rooted in the recognition of the urgent need to address global sustainability challenges. By integrating the SDGs into our curriculum, we aim to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the interconnected nature of sustainability issues and empower them to contribute meaningfully to achieving the SDGs. (See Section 2.9 Table 2.9 Programme Module Alignment to SDGs).

This interdisciplinary approach allows students to explore the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainability and develop the knowledge, skills, and mindset required to tackle complex problems. By aligning with the SDGs, we ensure that our graduates are equipped with the necessary tools to make a positive impact in areas such as poverty eradication, climate action, sustainable cities, responsible consumption, and many more. We believe that by integrating the SDGs into our curriculum, we can foster a generation of sustainability professionals who are capable of driving transformative change and shaping a more sustainable and equitable future.

The Sustainability Management programme objectives are to:

• Equip learners with an understanding of the theory and principles underlying sustainability development and sustainability management in a business context.

• Advance in learners an appropriate expertise in the major aspects of sustainability, and an awareness of core disciplines.

• Develop a range of key interpersonal skills, characteristics, and attitudes to learners to work professionally, individually and in a team.

• Cultivate in learners a range of key skills, personal qualities, and attitudes essential to support progression to a career in business or to further academic study.

• Develop a learner's capacity to organise diverse information, arguments, and conclusions and present them in a clear coherent way.

• Relate sustainability principles, concepts theories and frameworks to a wide range of business and industry settings.

• Understand the various functions of sustainability management and demonstrate this awareness by producing a multi-faceted and innovative business strategy.

• Enable learners to apply their learning in their professional lives reflecting their professional and personal development.

Entry Requirements

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Leaving Certificate - a minimum of 2 H5s and 4 O6/H7, to include Mathematics and English or another language.

• A full FETAC/QQI award at Level 5 on the NFQ which includes a Distinction grade in at least three modules. FETAC/QQI Level 5 awards will be accepted in any discipline.

• GCSE - a minimum of four passes at grade C to include Mathematics and English or another language, plus two A-level passes at grade C or higher.

• BTEC - a minimum of a BTEC National Diploma in a cognate area.

• Language proficiency - International applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken previous study taught through English, must provide evidence of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language test such as IELTS, Cambridge Certificate or DBS English assessment. Test certificates should be dated within the last two years to be considered valid.

• Mathematical proficiency - a minimum of O6/H7 in Mathematics in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent.

Mature

All EU nationals aged 23 years before the 1st of January in the year of application are classified as ‘mature applicants’. Mature learners can apply directly to the college and will be assessed based on age, work experience and educational attainment as outlined in the DBS Quality Assurance Handbook (QAH).