MSc Design Thinking for Sustainability
The Design Thinking for Sustainability University College Dublin introduces key concepts such as the circular economy, decarbonisation, and just transition. Students also learn how to embrace their creative and entrepreneurial side to lead change, embed sustainability, and address complex challenges.
Quick Facts
| Duration | 1 year full-time |
| Start Date | September |
| Tuition Fee | TBA (The fees are subject to change) |
| Location | Dublin, Ireland |
Every aspect of the global economy is changing rapidly due to the effects of climate change. As a result, employers need people who are agile and innovative, who understand sustainability challenges and crucially, are capable of taking action.
Students learn the Design Thinking process, a human centred problem solving methodology that originated in Stanford University, to create innovative, sustainable solutions to complex, real-world problems. In tandem, students develop a sustainability mindset through sustainability literacy including a working knowledge of sustainability systems, issues and tools, framed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Courses included:
- Innovation Sprint
- Entrepreneurship: Application and Mindset
- Design for User-Centric, Sustainable Solutions
- Systemic Approaches, Interdisciplinary Solutions
- Leadership for Innovation and Creativity (OL)
- Creative Thinking & Innovation
Testimonial
“This course was life changing for me. I was a change maker before doing small things when it comes to sustainability but this course has given me the connections and the skills to do bigger things and have the impact I want.” “
Ciara O’Flaherty, 2023 Graduate
“It was a fantastic experience. I came into this course feeling a bit lost, not quite sure what direction to go in but now I feel so confident going into a job in industry, in sustainability.”“
Lucy Shah, 2023 Graduate
“It’s fun, it’s challenging and it got me out of my comfort zone, I’ve seen myself grow in many ways and I couldn’t recommend the course more highly.” “
Richie Denieffe, 2023 Graduate
“I highly recommend taking this course, no matter what background you come from, because we don’t have a future if we don’t make the world a more sustainable place. When you get here, the pedagogical approach is very different; stick with it, you’ll love it. It will unfurl your creativity and allow you to develop design thinking and problem-solving skills that can be used in the context of sustainability and for many obstacles you may encounter in life.” >“
Bláithín Gallagher, 2023 Graduate
“I learned skills I could bring to the table very quickly. Almost immediately after finishing this course I was awarded a contract that I would never have had the confidence to take up if I hadn’t done the course.”>“
Jean Cox Kearns, Chief Sustainability Officer for TES – Sustainable Technology Solutions, 2021 Graduate
“We proposed to our industry partner that they create an opening for a community liaison officer. They liked the idea and created the role. In fact, they offered me the position. I got to create the job and now I’m doing it.” >“
Mae Ly Lim, 2021 Graduate
Career Opportunities
Decision makers in government, enterprise and civil society now recognise that learners must have not just the knowledge to act on sustainability, but also the skills to act quickly. The MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability is a unique programme that bridges knowledge and skills, ensuring students begin to affect change within the programme and are ready to quickly transition to new roles and opportunities upon graduation.
The Design Thinking for Sustainability University College Dublin students an opportunity to apply, test and master their learnings individually with a high degree of autonomy in a high stakes, real world context. Students must design innovative implementation plans and individually lead a complex and ambitious sustainability project, managing multiple stakeholders and competing needs to deliver an actionable solution.
As a result of the highly applied nature of this MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability, students may leverage the project for future career opportunities.
Ireland’s ‘Second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development – ESD to 2030: “Learners must acquire the knowledge, skills, values and dispositions needed to promote sustainable development.
Why study with us?
UCD is consistently ranked in the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide. In the 2022 QS World University Rankings, UCD was again named as one of the best universities globally, and was placed 173rd in the world.
UCD is the most international and diverse university in Ireland with 8,500 international students from 130 different countries. Our network of 288,000 successful and influential alumni can be found in 169 different countries around the world.
The UCD campus is one of the largest urban campuses in Europe and is situated just 5 kilometres from Ireland’s capital city of Dublin. Our students enjoy world-class teaching and learning facilities, modern and comfortable student accommodation, state-of-the art sports and fitness amenities, an Olympic sized swimming pool, a cinema, cafes and student centre all on our beautiful, nature-filled campus.