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Global Sustainable Development and Business Studies BASc (L8N1)

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Explore our Global Sustainable Development and Business Studies degree at Warwick

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GSD (Single Honours and Joint Courses)

88.6% Overall satisfaction for Global Sustainable Development students at Warwick (The National Student Survey 2021)

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We have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

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L8N1

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Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (BASc)

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3 years full-time or 4 years full-time with intercalated year

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26 September 2022

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Global Sustainable Development

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University of Warwick

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Harness your passion for Business Studies and apply it to answering the Big Questions of our time by studying the subject in combination with Global Sustainable Development (GSD).

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Today, economic growth and business expansion must answer to critical concerns about environmental sustainability, biodiversity loss, and human exploitation. On this degree you will grapple with these debates and reconcile them with your Business Studies modules.

You will be challenged to consider current problems of sustainability from different perspectives, understand their complexity and use a variety of approaches to think creatively about potential solutions.

The holistic approach taken with GSD will complement and challenge your studies within Warwick Business School (WBS), which has a worldwide reputation for its expertise in Business and Management.

You can enhance your skills and studies through optional work placements, study abroad, and certificates.

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Teaching on this course will be equally split between the GSD Department and WBS.

In the first year you will study core GSD modules designed to provide a critical understanding of the ‘three pillars of sustainable development’:

You will also study the core Global Sustainable Development Project module, giving you the chance to see how the principles of GSD apply to a real case affecting a local community. The Business Studies half of the workload will include optional first-year modules offered by WBS.

In the second year, in GSD you will have the opportunity to engage with a key issue in sustainability, studying one of the following optional core modules:

You will also choose optional modules with a GSD focus from within or outside of the School for Cross-faculty Studies. The Business Studies half of the workload will consist of second-year optional modules offered by WBS. Please note, there may be pre-requisites for some WBS modules.

You may choose to study abroad for part of your second year at Monash University. In Term One at Warwick you will study an optional core GSD module, an optional module with a GSD focus, and optional modules offered by WBS. The remaining study will consist of pre-approved modules at Monash University.

In the final year, you will take the core GSD Dissertation module. You will also choose optional modules with a GSD focus from within or outside the School for Cross-faculty Studies. The Business Studies half of the workload will consist of final-year optional modules offered by WBS. Please note, there may be pre-requisites for some of the WBS modules.

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A level typical offer

AAA. You will also need grade B or grade 6 in English and Mathematics at GCSE.

We make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances at AAB, plus grade B or grade 6 in English and Mathematics at GCSE.

A level contextual offer

General GCSE requirements

Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept. We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

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IB typical offer

38 to include English and Mathematics.

IB contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 36. If you do not have a grade B in GCSE Mathematics, you will need a grade 5 in Higher Level Mathematics or 6 in Standard Level Mathematics. See if you're eligible.

General GCSE requirements

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We welcome applications from students taking BTECs alongside one or two A levels.

You will also need grade B or grade 6 in English and Mathematics at GCSE.

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Year One

Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development

This module aims to introduce you to various economic concepts and perspectives related to global sustainable development. In particular, you will consider the relationship between economics and policy, and you will become familiar with the way in which economists address real-world dilemmas.

Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development

This module allows you to investigate a range of perspectives on Sustainable Development from the perspective of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary Environmental Studies. It aims to equip you with the capacity to engage in academically-grounded and critical discussion of the world’s most pressing environmental issues, as well as associated policy responses at a range of geographical scales. Furthermore, it aims to establish skills for the creation and the persuasive presentation of environmental policy to key decision makers specifically through the creation of a Policy Briefing paper and a Policy Pitch.

Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development

This module addresses the social and political principles of GSD. Its teaching methods range from Stimulus to Simulation in order to allow students to engage with theoretically complex concepts through practical activities. It is taught in a combination of lectures and seminars and involves group activities as well as online collaboration.

Global Sustainable Development Project

This module requires students to engage actively in understanding the real-life application of the theories they studied in their first year modules. The problem we investigate is sustainable transport: this is obviously a broad area of study, and one that has a wealth of qualitative and quantitative data to be examined / critiqued. The module aims to provide students with opportunities to examine the Economic, Environmental and Social arguments that have been advanced in relation to the case.

Year Two

Health and Sustainable Development

Viable and equitable solutions in health and sustainable development require interdisciplinary and critical thinking. The first part of the module will introduce you to fundamental concepts of global health governance and health systems, and acquaint you with key global health priorities like drug resistance and mental health from the perspective of GSD. The second part of the module will focus on issues that relate to policies and behavioural change, and are also applicable beyond health, for example in areas like education or technology transfer. Alongside the module content, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your analytical skills to make independent, critical, and constructive contributions to Health and Sustainable Development.

Security, Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Global Food System

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agreed in 2015, commit the international community to a set of 17 goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity. Of these, Goal 2 specifically aims to end hunger, end all forms of malnutrition, and ensure sustainable food production systems by 2030.

The pressing need for such initiatives is stark: we inhabit a world where at least 800 million people are chronically undernourished. The world population is projected to increase to a staggering 10 billion people by 2050, yet who will be responsible for ensuring all these mouths are fed? And can we ever produce and consume food for so many people without causing an unsustainable impact on our environment?

Food security, sustainability and sovereignty are thus crucial issues confronting the world today, and it is these issues which this module seeks to introduce and evaluate. The module is taught in collaboration with active researchers from across various disciplines at Warwick, especially those involved in the University’s Global Research Priority on Food.

Inequalities and Sustainable Development: Inclusion and Dignity for All

This module focuses on how inequalities shape our societies, economies, environments and politics. Starting with the question ‘does inequality matter?’, you'll critically reflect on the UN's decision to integrate inequalities into the Sustainable Development Agenda. You’ll then explore six different dimensions of inequalities (work, politics, environmental justice, societal discrimination, automation and globalisation, opportunities and empowerment) and gain an understanding of the complexities of these problems. Finally, you’ll appreciate the challenges faced by today’s policy makers who aim to address issues of inequalities while taking into consideration all three pillars of sustainable development.

Final Year

GSD Dissertation/Long Project

In this final-year module you’ll bring together all of your learning and experiences on the course – the theoretical concepts and principles and your practical know-how – in order to address a specific sustainable development problem of your own choosing. This will be a problem that concerns you most and which you’d like to tackle.

You’ll be supported by an academic supervisor to devise a suitable project and to undertake research to explore the issue, taking a transdisciplinary approach to your investigation in order to produce an original research output. This may be a concept paper, a practical project, a film production, a long essay, an advocacy campaign etc. – use your creativity!

You’ll design a strategy for disseminating your findings (for example at a conference presentation, via online publication or an article in a journal or at a public meeting that you’ve arranged). This provides you with an opportunity to get your voice heard in a forum where it matters and could have lasting impact.

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Optional GSD modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

See a full list of optional modules offered by the GSD Department.

Optional WBS modules

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gsdstudyabroad

Study abroad

Although it is not compulsory, we encourage you to study abroad during your degree.

Option 1: Part of your second year abroad

Spend part of your second year at Monash University, home to the Monash Sustainable Development Institute. You will learn to appreciate the different concerns and priorities for sustainable development, including different approaches to tackling global issues.

Your academic achievements abroad will count towards your degree awarded by Warwick.

Find out more about studying abroad for part of your second year.

Option 2: Year abroad

You may choose to apply for an intercalated year spent either studying abroad or on a work placement (subject to you meeting departmental academic requirements). This will mean extending your course to four years.

Warwick has partnerships with universities across the world. You will spend your first and second years at Warwick, studying abroad in your third year before returning for final year.

Your year abroad will not count towards your overall final mark, giving you the freedom to choose modules outside of your comfort zone.

Learn more about spending a year abroad.

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