Modules
Explore our Global Sustainable Development modules
You will find further information about all the core and optional modules available to you as a Global Sustainable Development (GSD) student below.
Alongside modules, we also offer a range of co-curricular certificates to help develop skills which have been identified by employers as being vital for success in the workplace.
Explore more
Year one
First-year core modules
In the first year, core modules will provide a critical understanding of the ‘three pillars of sustainable development’. In addition, the core Global Sustainable Development Project module will give you the chance to see how the principles of GSD apply to a real case affecting a local community. These modules are for all GSD students (single and joint honours):
Title |
Convenor |
CATS |
Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development | Dr Maria Gavris | 15 | One |
| Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development | Dr Katie Reeves & Dr Edwin Leung | 15 | Two |
| Dr Edward Loveman | 15 | One | |
| Global Sustainable Development Project | Dr Martin Lima | 15 | Two |
First-year optional modules
Your remaining workload will consist of approved optional modules with a GSD focus from within or outside the School for Cross-faculty Studies.
Title |
Convenor |
CATS |
Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living with Water | Dr Jonathan Clarke | 15 | Two |
| Sustainable Development: Past, Present, Futures | Dr Romain Chenet | 15 | One |
| The Three Pillars of Global Sustainable Development (Only for students based outside of the School for Cross-faculty Studies) |
TBC | 15 | Two |
| Interdisciplinary Approaches to Global Sustainable DevelopmentLink opens in a new window | Dr Elizabeth Chant & Dr Katie Reeves | 15 | One |
First-year single honours GSD students may be interested in studying the following Liberal Arts and Design Studies modules:
Year two
The second year will consist of 50% optional core modules and 50% optional modules. You may also choose to study abroad for part of your second year at either Monash University or Universitat Pompeu Fabra (single honour students only).
Second-year optional core modules
- If you are not studying abroad, you must take the optional core modules as a 30 CATS, year-long variant.
- If you are studying abroad in terms 2 and 3, you must choose optional core modules as a 15 CATS, Term One variant.
- These modules can also be taken as optional modules (second-year students only), either as a 15 or 30 CATS variant.
Title |
Convenor |
CATS |
Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Sustainable Development | Dr Camilla Audia | 15 or 30 | One and/or Two |
| Inequalities and Sustainable Development: Inclusion and Dignity for All | 15 or 30 | One and/or Two | |
| Security, Sovereignty, and Sustainability in the Global Food System | Dr Wes Lin & Dr Edwin Leung | 15 or 30 | One and/or Two |
Honours level optional modules
- GSD students: These optional modules are available for GSD students in their second or final year (*except where indicated otherwise).
- External students: all our modules are full for 24-25 and no more spaces will be made available.
Study abroad (part-year)
Studying abroad in your second year
During Term One at Warwick you will study 50% of the workload outlined above. In terms Two and Three at either Monash University or Universitat Pompeu Fabra (single honour students only), you will study modules with an approved sustainability focus. These modules will be pre-approved by the GSD Department and will be subject to the approval of your Warwick personal tutor.
Title |
Convenor |
CATS |
Terms |
| Study Abroad (Part Year) | Dr Marta Guerriero | 60 | Two and Three |
Final year
Final-year core module
In the final year you will take the core Dissertation module. You will also study optional modules from within the GSD Department and optional modules with a GSD focus from within or outside the School for Cross-faculty Studies.
Title |
Convenor |
CATS |
Term |
| GSD Dissertation/Long Project | Dr Gioia Panzarella | 30 | One and Two |
Modules only available to students based outside of the School for Cross-faculty Studies
Title |
Convenor |
CATS |
Term |
| Achieving Sustainability: Potentials and Barriers (Module Full) |
TBC | 15 | One |
| Achieving Sustainability: Potentials and BarriersLink opens in a new window Module offered through the Alliance Intensive Study ProgrammeLink opens in a new window |
TBC | 15 | Three |
We offer a range of unique certificates outside of the curriculum as a way of continuing your professional development.
In the first year, you can complete certificates in Carbon Literacy, Digital Literacy, Sustainability Consultancy (Auditing), and Professional Communication.
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.