Modules

Welcome to the postgraduate modules section of the Global Sustainable Development (GSD) department at the University of Warwick. This page outlines the core, optional, and capstone modules available to students enrolled in both our postgraduate taught and research programmes.

We are continually updating our modules to reflect the latest research and expertise within our Department.

MPhil/PhD core module

In the first year of your MPhil/PhD, you will have the opportunity to undertake 20 CATs of postgraduate module(s) and establish a personal development plan in collaboration with your supervisors. Please see below for modules you may want to consider from within the GSD Department.

MASc core modules

Code	Title	Convenor(s)	CATS	Term
GD908-20	Leading Transformation in the Anthropocene View the 2026-27 module page	Dr Romain Chenet	20	1
GD909-20	Global Challenges and Transdisciplinary Responses View the 2026-27 module page	Dr Jess Savage	20	1
IP901-20	Creating Knowledge for Change: Foundations of Transdisciplinary Research View the 2026-27 module page	Dr Lauren BirdLink opens in a new window	20	1

MASc students on campus looking at soil samples

MASc students in the labs on campus looking at soil samples

GSD students on campus looking at soil samples

Above: GSD students examining soil samples on campus as part of the Global Challenges and Transdisciplinary Responses module.

MASc optional core modules

Code	Title	Convenor(s)	CATS	Term
GD904-10	Qualitative Approaches to Knowledge Generation View the 2026-27 module page	Professor Christoper Dolan	10	2
GD905-10	Quantitative Approaches to Knowledge Generation View the 2026-27 module page	Dr Marta Guerriero	10	2
GD906-10	Policy, Governance and Sustainable Development View the 2026-27 module page	Dr Nicholas Bernards	10	2

MASc capstone projects

Code	Title	Convenor	CATS	Term(s)
GD901-60	Research Dissertation View the 2026-27 module page	Dr Martin Lima Velazquez	60	3 and summer
GD902-60	Workplace Project View the 2026-27 module page	Dr Edwin Leung/Bodrun Nahar	60	3 and summer
GD903-60	Practice-based Project View the 2026-27 module page	Dr Jonathan Clarke	60	3 and summer

Discover some of the exciting capstone projects undertaken by our MASc students.

MASc optional modules

The module list below is an indicative rather than an exhaustive list of possible optional modules. If you wish to take other optional modules from across the university, please discuss with your Personal Tutor and the Programme Director.

Please note that if any optional modules run in Term 1, you will need to consider the impact of an unbalanced workload. Please ensure that you discuss this with your personal tutor and the programme director prior to enrolling so we can discuss feasibility and how to support you.

Code	Title	Department	Convenor	CATS	Term(s)
GD910-15	World of Work: Global Perspectives on Labour and Livelihoods (PGT Variant)Link opens in a new window View the 2026-27 module pageLink opens in a new window	GSDLink opens in a new window	Dr Nicholas BernardsLink opens in a new window	20 or 30	TBC
GD914-20/30	Critical Perspectives on Business and Global Sustainable Development View the 2026-27 module pageLink opens in a new window	GSDLink opens in a new window	Dr Nicholas BernardsLink opens in a new window	20 or 30	2
GD916-20/30	Dimensions of the Climate Crisis View the 2026-27 module page	GSDLink opens in a new window	Dr Katie Reeves	20 or 30	2
EN9B5-30	World Literature in the Anthropocene View the 2026-27 module page	English and Comparative Literary Studies	Dr Nick Lawrence	30	TBC
EQ930-30	Education for Sustainable Development View the 2026-27 module page	Education Studies	Dr Nicholas Lee	30	TBC

Certificate

Title	Convenor	Term(s)
Climate Literacy Training		1, 2, or 3

Please note: Module availability and staffing may change year on year depending on availability and other operational factors. The School for Cross-faculty Studies makes no guarantee that any modules will be offered in a particular year, or that they will necessarily be taught by the staff listed on these pages.

Not running in 2026-27

Code	Title	Department	Convenor	CATS	Term(s)
GD912-20/30	Popular Movements and Sustainable Change	GSDLink opens in a new window	Dr Ed Loveman	20 or 30	2
GD911-20/30	Sustainable Urbanisation: from Risk to Resilience	GSDLink opens in a new window	Dr Jonathan Clarke	20 or 30	2
GD913-20/30	Care-ful Sustainability: Place, Culture and Value	GSDLink opens in a new window	Dr Xiaodong Lin	20 or 30	2
GS915-20/30	Taboo Topics: Unpicking the Silences within Global Challenges	GSDLink opens in a new window	Professor Chris Dolan	20 or 30	2