New Course in Sustainable Development

The University of East London is launching a new course in Sustainable Development and Social Change, 20 years on from the first course in International Development with NGO Management. 

The new course reflects the dramatic shifts that have happened in the world, and the new skills our graduates will need to work in it.

Our world is inter-connected and all of us have an interest in development, wherever we live. NGOs are still major players in development, but other types of organisations and movements play an important part in social change. Climate change is a major priority as is our quest for a development that is sustainable and does not put at risk the wellbeing of future generations.

Exciting new modules are on offer from for September 2023, such as: Becoming an Activist, Environmental Justice and Digital Sociology.

Existing modules such as: Human Mobility and Forced Migration; Conflict, Intervention and Development; African Politics; Health, Community and Activism will also form part of the course. 

There are opportunities to work and study abroad, too. Current student Grace Thomson is now studying Human Rights and Democracy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in her final year. 

A core part of our course is the opportunity to do a 20-day work placement – this has led to students being offered roles in organisations such as Plan International and Pump Aid.

Our newly updated course got the seal of approval from past students now working in the sustainable development arena too.

Zac Bull, now working as senior manager, climate change and resilience at DAI said,

It is important that any teaching on climate change is not presented as additional to other development challenges, but of the same ecosystem of how we create fairer societies, and how to study and approach attempts at a just transition."

Alumna Courtney McGrath is now working as a sustainability recruitment and development officer at Change Agents UK as well as studying an MA in international social policy.

"The quality of teaching, high level of engagement in lectures and seminars, and the interesting and thought-provoking topics and conversations I had throughout the course at UEL is greatly appreciated. I have referred back to and utilised what I learnt a lot. I may not have fully appreciated it at the time, but, for sure do now. It was a stand-out part on my CV and a major interest point and conversation driver in my interview with my new employer – thank you UEL!"

Find out more about the course