Overview

The relationship between human societies and the planet have created many of today’s most intractable global challenges. The search for new social, spatial, and technological systems that do not require undue and increasing amounts of finite resources is known as sustainability. Over the past 50 years, Earth’s human population has doubled, to 6.8 billion people, and is projected to increase to 9.2 billion by 2050.

When multiplied by a growing per-capita rate of consumption, the resulting effect is an accelerated depletion of natural resources, loss of natural capital, worldwide water and energy shortages, pressure on global food supplies, loss of precious biodiversity, increasing global health challenges, and social upheaval. These issues threaten human well-being and the Earth's ecosystems.

Curriculum

Global Environments + Sustainability (GSVS) is a concentration or track within the pan-university Global Studies interdisciplinary major.

Students in the Global Studies - Global Environments and Sustainability program at University of Virginia study:

environmental, social, and personal behavior and ethics
earth system science, environmental sustainability, ecosystem restoration and environmental conservation
economics, development, natural capital, resource allocation and externalities
human settlement patterns, rapid urbanization, and affordable housing
fresh water and sanitation production, consumption, and infrastructure
energy production, consumption, and infrastructure
agriculture, food systems, and food security
public health challenges connected with the built environment
environmental impact of material science and production

transportation technologies and logistics

These issues threaten human well-being and the Earth's ecosystems. This integrated and interdisciplinary track provides foundational knowledge on the multifaceted aspects of both problems and solutions, and challenges participants to deepen their understanding of global sustainability issues through applied research.

Knowledge and Skills

Students develop multiple skills and competencies necessary to understand and develop strategies for solving complex environmental issues:

knowledge of historical and current environmental conditions
cross-cultural translation and comparison
statistical literacy, visual literacy and the visualization of data
systems thinking and design thinking skills to address complex, open-ended problems
applied, project-based problem-solving
research methods for collaboration across diverse disciplines (scientific, technical, social, aesthetic, economic)
communication, community engagement and leadership skills

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Mass Migration and Global Development
Critical Conceptions of the Global
Space, Place and Global Development
Global Commerce in Culture
Science, Technology, Development
Ecological Economics

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-27 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-05 00:00:00

Language

English

Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Charlottesville, United States

Disciplines

International Development Sustainable Development Environmental Sciences View 272 other Bachelors in Sustainable Development in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Other requirements

General requirements

University entry requirements

We strongly encourage all applicants whose first language is not English to participate in an English language assessment, regardless of their secondary school education.

Applicants may also submit the InitialView or Vericant evaluation. This is an opportunity to display your communication skills, reasoning abilities, and your enthusiasm for becoming a successful student at the University of Virginia.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

55436 USD / year

≈ 55436 USD / year
Out-of-State

55436 USD / year

≈ 55436 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

16258 USD / year

≈ 16258 USD / year

Living costs

Charlottesville

United States

990 - 1600 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Global Studies - Global Environments and Sustainability.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About