Sustainability University of British Columbia

Overview

The Sustainability programme at the University of British Columbia offers an interdisciplinary approach to tackling the most pressing environmental and social challenges of the modern era. Students engage with complex issues such as pollution, climate change, and socio-economic inequality through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application.

This degree is designed for socially conscious individuals who wish to develop the diverse skill sets required to influence positive change at local and global scales. By integrating perspectives from the arts, sciences, and social sciences, the curriculum ensures graduates are equipped to navigate a complex future with professional expertise.

Why Sustainability at the University of British Columbia?

The University of British Columbia provides a unique setting for this degree, as the Okanagan campus serves as a living laboratory. Students have immediate access to diverse urban, agricultural, and wilderness environments, which are utilised for experiential learning activities that are rarely available elsewhere.

As one of the few dedicated sustainability degrees in Canada, the programme benefits from the university's global reputation for research excellence. Students gain access to world-class facilities and can apply for Undergraduate Research Awards to pursue original investigations into environmental and social topics.

The curriculum is highly flexible, allowing students to tailor their education through specific concentrations. These pathways include Environmental Analytics, Environmental Conservation and Management, Environmental Humanities, and Green Chemistry, ensuring that every student develops specialised technical knowledge alongside their core studies.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: CAD 51041 per year
• National fee: CAD 6079 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum combines core sustainability units with specialised subjects chosen from the student's selected concentration. Modules may include:

Year 1

• Studies in Composition
• Indigeneity: Ways of Knowing
• Sustainability: People, Place, and Process
• Environmental Humanities

Year 2

• Application, Practice and Management Approaches
• Community Service Learning
• Creative Communication and Engagement
• Sustainability Economics

Year 3

• Achieving Sustainability at the Regional Scale
• Place-based Methods for Interdisciplinary Research
• Community Service Learning

Year 4

• Capstone Project in Sustainability

Careers with Sustainability

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of professional roles in sectors dedicated to environmental protection, resource management, and social policy. The diverse skill set acquired during the programme is highly valued by organisations seeking to implement sustainable practices and solve ecological challenges.

Potential career paths include roles in environmental consultancy, government agencies, non-profit organisations, and corporate social responsibility departments. The hands-on experience gained through community-based learning and research projects ensures that students are ready to enter the workforce as effective problem solvers.