Sustainable Development and Politics (Hons) University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Overview

The Sustainable Development and Politics BA (Hons) from The University of the Highlands and Islands degree also focuses on how communities can shape a more sustainable form of development, particularly in rural settings. Most of our teaching team are based in the Western Isles where 75% of people live on community-owned land. This sets the context for us to study community-based development, land reform, community empowerment and community energy projects, which can all contribute to a more sustainable future. 

The politics modules of this joint degree will follow the four main pillars of political study; you will study International relations, Comparative politics, and Applied politics, all feeding from the central pillar of Political theory. You will also study green ideologies, such as ecoism and ecologism, as well as environmental policies and the ways they are formed. You can apply to this degree with little more than a keen interest in politics: the modules become incrementally more specialised as the semesters go on and you can choose introductory options that will develop your understanding at a steady pace. Political leaders are so pivotal to climate change and sustainable futures that the combined study of politics along with sustainable development could not be more timely. 

Special features

• This degree is delivered by tutors with years of experience of teaching at a distance, and can be studied from home, full- or part-time, to suit your circumstances

• According to the UK's Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), Geography graduates are among the most likely to find employment. More than 90 per cent are in work or further study within six months of graduating (Times Higher Education 2017)

• There is an optional residential weekend each year, usually taking place in the Highlands and Islands, which will give you the opportunity to meet practitioners, staff and other students in an informal setting

Career opportunities:

Once you have successfully completed this BA (Hons) Sustainable Development and Politics, you might like to consider careers in: 

• Government departments and development agencies 

• Economic development departments of local authorities 

• Community enterprises and community energy groups 

• Community land initiatives 

• Natural and rural heritage organisations 

• Voluntary sector development posts 

• International non-governmental organisations 

• Independent consultancy on sustainability 

• Political and economic departments of local authorities

• Uniformed services

• Electoral administrations

• Assisting politicians

• The trade union movement

• Political party administration

• Parliamentary work

• The civil service

• Researcher

• Think tank work

• Teaching