Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Sustainable Futures (progression year)

Overview

The BSc (Hons) Sustainable Futures course provides a level 6 progression route from relevant level 5 study and as such, it is a multidisciplinary course that reflects the needs of our time.

The recent global pandemic has provided an insight into what can happen environmentally if human activity is reduced within it. It is now clear that we are equally a vulnerable species and that nature can and does bite back: but also that the natural world can recover given time, and that a slower more mindful pace of life can be both fulfilling and sustainable. This course delivers the knowledge and skills that will be vital to create a more sustainable future for humanity and nature by exploring rewilding, carbon management, zoonotic diseases and data analysis. These disciplines will enable the student to enter a wide range of career pathways, providing them with cutting edge knowledge and vocational analytical skill sets. The course is suitable for anyone with an enquiring mind wishing to play a part in creating sustainable futures for nature and humanity alike.

Whist this is a full-time course, typically this course generally only requires 1-2 days on campus attendance, supported by self-directed study. This means you can continue to work alongside your studies and balance other commitments.

Course Modules

Dissertation

The dissertation provides the opportunity to develop an area of personal scientific interest arising from individual or course-based experiences. The dissertation will be a research-focused study, which will centre on the generation and testing of a hypothesis. It will enable students to utilise practical, intellectual and decision-making skills in new and different situations. The dissertation provides a mechanism for the development of autonomy and self-direction whilst undertaking a problem-solving approach to a research topic.

Rewilding for a Sustainable Future

This module explores rewilding; the most modern, dynamic and perhaps controversial of ecological restoration strategies lauded by many as the way forward to large-scale ecological recovery, future proof ecological resilience, economic stability and also as a vehicle for the enhancement of human wellbeing. You will study and critically evaluate this method in all its forms; from its diverse theoretical basis to practical applications, whilst exploring and reviewing small and large scale implementations both global and local, many of which are in the early stages in the Eastern region.

Applied Data Science

The ability to collect, store, manage, clean, analyse and visualise both numeric and spatial data is a highly sought-after skill set across nearly all employment sectors, but is especially useful to wildlife, conservation environment and sustainability science and industries. Skills gained in this module can be utilised across all others on the programme and will be invaluable in the understanding and evaluation of scientific and professional literature.

Zoonoses

Social, Environmental and Economic Impacts – Zoonoses are diseases that can cross the species gap. Approximately 60% of emerging human pathogens are zoonoses. Climate change, human population increase and the degradation of the natural environment have played a significant role in the transmission of zoonoses and these diseases have had wide-ranging impacts upon human populations across the millennia. You will explore the causes, transmission pathways, environmental, social and economic impacts and implications of zoonoses, beginning with the historical, and moving forward.

Carbon Management for a Sustainable Future

CO2 and the associated climate shift have far-reaching impacts on human health, environment, wildlife and economics. You will study these impacts and the mitigation strategies (present and future) implemented to reduce emissions. The discipline of carbon management is a highly sought-after vocational skill across all sectors from agriculture to management. You will learn how to perform carbon footprint plans (CFP) and carbon reduction plans, and gain skills in online delivery of professional science-based webinars.

Entry Requirements

UK Academic Requirements

• Foundation Degree such as Environment and Sustainable Energy or Wildlife Conservation and Animal Management at ECC.
• Or a Foundation Degree or similar equivalent course of 240 Level 4 and 5 credits in a Science related discipline containing environmental/conservation/wildlife and sustainability content.

International Requirements

• IELTS 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) where English is not the students' first language.
• Applicants whose first language is not English but who have been living in the UK for 2 years or more will be expected to hold GCSE English at Grade C or above, (grade 4-9 for the new GCSEs) or the relevant Level 2 equivalent (if applicable).

Transferring Credit

• If you have previously studied at higher education level before you may be able to transfer credits to a related course at the University of Suffolk and reduce the period of study time necessary to achieve your degree.

Career Opportunities

• Wildlife
• Conservation
• Environment
• Sustainability
• Green energy

Post-graduate study opportunities could include:

• Ecology and Conservation

Fees and Funding

2025/26

• UK Full-time Tuition Fee: £9,535 per year
• UK Part-time Tuition Fee: £1,589 per 20 credit module
• International Full-time Tuition Fee: £15,090 per year

2026/27

• UK Full-time Tuition Fee: £9,535 per year
• UK Part-time Tuition Fee: £1,589 per 20 credit module
• International Full-time Tuition Fee: £15,090 per year

Further Information

At University of Suffolk, your tuition fees provide access to all the usual teaching and learning facilities that you would expect. However, there may be additional costs associated with you course that you will need to budget for.