The University of Warwick is a public research university located in Coventry, England. Founded in 1965, it has quickly established itself as one of the UK's leading universities, consistently ranking in the top ten in national league tables. Warwick has a reputation for academic excellence, particularly in the fields of business, economics, engineering, and the humanities. The university is known for its international outlook and has a diverse student body, with students from over 150 countries. With a strong commitment to research and innovation, the University of Warwick is a dynamic and exciting institution that offers a world-class education to its students.

Core modules
Teaching on this course is equally split between the GSD Department and the Sociology Department

In the first you will study core GSD modules designed to provide a critical understanding of the 'three pillars of sustainable development'

Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development
Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development
Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development
You will also study the core Global Sustainable Development Project module giving you the chance to see how the principles of GSD apply to a real case affecting a local community For the Sociology half of the workload you will take four introductory core modules

History of Sociological Thought
Class and Capitalism in the Neo-Liberal World
Introduction to Social Analytics in Social Inequalities Research
Researching Society and Culture
In the second in GSD you will have the opportunity to engage with a key issue in sustainability studying one optional core module from the following

Health and Sustainable Development
Security Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Global Food System
Inequalities and Sustainable Development Inclusion and Dignity for All
You will also choose optional modules with a GSD focus from within GSD or from other departments across the University For the Sociology half of the workload you will have one core module Designing and Conducting Social Research and a choice between

Modern Social Theory
Practice and Interpretation of Quantitative Research
You will also choose second-year optional modules offered by the Sociology Department

You may choose to study abroad for part of your second at Monash University In Term One at Warwick you will study an optional core GSD module an optional module with a GSD focus a core Sociology module and an optional module offered by the Sociology Department The remaining study will consist of pre-approved modules at Monash University

In the final you will take the core GSD Dissertation module You will also study optional modules with a GSD focus from within or outside of the School for Cross-faculty Studies For the Sociology half of the workload you will choose from final-year optional modules offered by the Sociology Department

Year One
GSD
Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development
Why and how can economics address issues of global sustainable development? In this module you will learn about the relationship between economic activity social inclusion and environmental sustainability and critically analyse the economic theories that underpin sustainable development policy interventions and how those theories impact upon policy design

Read more about the Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development
This module focuses on the natural science of the world’s most pressing environmental issues We will cover well-known topics like climate change and biodiversity loss and less prominent problems like biochemical flows You will evaluate existing governance and management efforts and develop innovative responses of your own You will learn how to write a policy briefing and create a policy briefing paper and policy pitch aimed at a specific decision-making audience

Read more about the Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development
This module examines concepts that enable you to analyse and interpret social and political issues related to global sustainable development You will learn to understand and evaluate pressing social and political dimensions of sustainability at national and international levels

Read more about the Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

Global Sustainable Development Project
This is an exciting innovative and practical module It is designed to give you research and analysis skills and to enable you to apply the theories from your other first-year core modules You will learn how to research sustainability by designing and developing a group project on the topic of sustainable transport under the guidance of an academic supervisor Staff from across the GSD Department with expertise in transport policy as well as research methods teach this module

Read more about the Global Sustainable Development Project moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

Sociology
History of Sociological Thought
What holds societies together? How do societies change? And how is politics in the conventional sense affected by factors such as class status ethnicity or religion or the state of the economy? These are some of the questions with which you will engage with when you consider the history of sociological thought You will gain skills of research analysis and debate by considering the extent to which sociology may be considered a science and how the evolution of sociological thought has been shaped by events and the cultural economic and political problems of the day

Read more about the History of Sociological Thought moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

Class and Capitalism in the Neoliberal World
Protest and anger characterise the contemporary era – young people taking part in militant politics protest parties gaining more votes and even NHS doctors taking to the streets

In this module we will explore the social consequences of the economic and political transformations associated with neoliberalism that have taken place in recent decades We will ask why these changes might be responsible for the global rise in urban unrest and dissatisfaction

Topics will include growing inequality and elite power militant policing consumerism anxiety debt the destruction of industrial communities class identity the marketisation of education and the diminishing spaces of public life

Read more about the Class and Capitalism in the Neoliberal World moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

Introduction to Social Analytics in Social Inequalities Research
In the age of ever-increasing data availability which is paired with a growing sophistication of statistical techniques the opportunities for social science research are vast This module will give you an understanding of the basic elements of core descriptive statistics which will allow you not only to critically engage with quantitative findings in existing social science research but also conduct quantitative analysis yourself The module covers the topics of conceptualisation operationalisation and measurement as well as the principles of sampling and the basics of research design You will be introduced to the process of social science research and quantitative methods in one hour lectures and then explore these in extended seminars (2h) both through readings and the statistical software SPSS We will be working on real data sets such as the European Social Survey

Read more about the Introduction to Social Analytics in Social Inequalities Research moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)

Researching Society and Culture
What is society and how do you study it? Is human behaviour governed by rules similar to the natural world that you can study objectively? Or do human beings consciously act upon their environment and change the world through creativity and intelligence driven by their own understanding and motivations? These are some of the questions that this module will explore

You will be introduced to the core ideas behind sociological research and the practical tools to undertake research yourself As well as looking at some of the key qualitative methods (for example interviews ethnography and discourse analysis) you will also examine the political ethical and practical issues that social research inevitably entails

Read more about the Researching Society and Culture moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

Year Two
GSD
Health and Sustainable Development
Viable and equitable solutions in health and sustainable development require interdisciplinary and critical thinking The first part of the module will introduce you to fundamental concepts of global health governance and health systems and acquaint you with key global health priorities like drug resistance and mental health from the perspective of global sustainable development The second part of the module will focus on issues that relate to policies and behavioural change and are also applicable beyond health for example in areas like education or technology transfer

Read more about the Health and Sustainable Development moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

or

Security Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Global Food System
Goal 2 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to end hunger end all forms of malnutrition and ensure sustainable food production systems However the world population will likely increase to nearly 10 billion people by 2050 After decades of positive change the incidence of malnourishment is again on the rise global stocks of key food are contracting and it is currently more expensive to buy food than for most of our planet’s modern history

This module addresses these significant challenges by encouraging students to adopt a 'food systems approach' in responding to the imperative agendas of food security sovereignty and sustainability The module is taught in collaboration with researchers from across various disciplines at Warwick especially those involved in the University's Global Research Priority on Food

Read more about the Security Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Global Food System moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

or

Inequalities and Sustainable Development Inclusion and Dignity for All
This module focuses on how inequalities shape our societies economies environments and politics Starting with the question ‘Does inequality matter?’ you will critically reflect on the United Nations' decision to integrate inequalities into the Sustainable Development Agenda You will then explore six different dimensions of inequalities (work politics environmental justice societal discrimination automation and globalisation empowerment) and gain an understanding of the complexities of these problems Finally you will appreciate the challenges faced by today’s policy makers who aim to address issues of inequalities while taking into consideration all three pillars of sustainable development

Read more about the Inequalities and Sustainable Development Inclusion and Dignity for All moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

Sociology
Designing and Conducting Social Research
This module will teach you the core concepts and practical skills to undertake qualitative social research in academic and professional settings These include research design ethnography in-depth interviewing documents and discourse As well as practical skills you will investigate how social research has changed in recent decades considering

ethical questions when researching life online
how (and whether) you should study Twitter
effects of social media on social interactions
how to engage diverse audiences
You will also gain analytical skills to critically evaluate previous research and develop your ability to collect and analyse data using a range of qualitative methods

Read more about the Designing and Conducting Social Research moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

Modern Social Theory
This module will introduce you to the main thinkers and movements in critical social theory Topics include Marxism post-structuralism class and culture The changing conceptualisation of power and class is a focus throughout the module This helps you to see how the different theoretical approaches relate to each other and to historical and political events

Read more about the Modern Social Theory moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

or

Practice and Interpretation of Quantitative Research
Quantitative methods can help you answer questions such as

Is income inequality in the UK growing?
Does marriage improve health?
Does growing up in a poor neighbourhood affect your life chances?
Analysing representative large-scale social surveys is crucial for sociologists to understand social processes This module will introduce you to quantitative methods and how to analyse large data sets using SPSS Statistics software It will help you engage with published quantitative sociological research and to undertake your own basic quantitative data analysis

Read more about the Practice and Interpretation of Quantitative Research moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

Final Year
GSD
GSD Dissertation Long Project
In this module you will bring together all of your learning and experiences on the course – the theoretical concepts and principles and your practical know-how – in order to address a specific sustainable development problem of your own choosing This will be a problem that concerns you most and which you would like to tackle

You will be supported by an academic supervisor to devise a suitable project and to undertake research to explore the issue taking a transdisciplinary approach to your investigation in order to produce an original research output This may be a concept paper a practical project a film production a long essay an advocacy campaignuse your creativity!

You will design a strategy for disseminating your findings (for example at a conference presentation via online publication or an article in a journal or at a public meeting that you have arranged) This provides you with an opportunity to have your voice heard in a forum where it matters and could have lasting impact

Read more about the GSD Dissertation Long Project moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from to Example optional modules include

GSD modules
Managing Natural Resources
The Energy Trilemma
Human Rights and Social Justice in Latin America and the Caribbean
Realising Sustainable Development
Surviving the Apocalypse
Challenges of Climate Change
Read more about our optional modulesLink opens in a new window

Sociology modules
Becoming Yourself The Construction of the Self in Contemporary Western Societies
Commercial Cultures in Global Capitalism
Racism and Xenophobia
Punishment Justice and Control
Sociology of End Times

• The University of Warwick is a world-renowned public research university located in Coventry, England. Established in 1965, it has rapidly established itself as one of the leading universities in the UK and the world, consistently ranking in the top ten in national and international league tables.
• Academic excellence is at the heart of the University of Warwick, with a reputation for excellence in fields such as business, economics, engineering, and the humanities. The university has four faculties: Arts, Science, Social Sciences, and Medicine, with over 30 academic departments and more than 300 degree courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels.
• The Warwick Business School is one of the most respected business schools in the UK, with an international reputation for excellence in research and teaching. It offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education programs, including the highly regarded Warwick MBA.
• The university's commitment to research is evident in its world-class research facilities and centres, which focus on areas such as energy, healthcare, and digital technologies. Warwick is also home to a number of research institutes and centres, including the Warwick Manufacturing Group, the Warwick Medical School, and the Warwick Centre for Applied Linguistics.
• The University of Warwick is also renowned for its international outlook, with a diverse student body representing over 150 nationalities. It has strong partnerships with universities around the world, with opportunities for students to study abroad and for international students to study at Warwick.
• The university has a strong commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship, with numerous initiatives and programs aimed at supporting student startups and promoting innovation. The Warwick Enterprise Hub provides students with access to resources and support to develop their business ideas, while the Warwick Innovation Centre offers incubation and office space for startups and small businesses.
• The University of Warwick has a beautiful campus that spans over 700 acres and features state-of-the-art facilities, including a modern sports centre, a world-class arts centre, and numerous research facilities. The campus is located in Coventry, a historic city in the heart of England with excellent transport links to London and other major cities.
• In conclusion, the University of Warwick is a world-class institution that is known for its academic excellence, commitment to research and innovation, international outlook, and beautiful campus. With a diverse and dynamic student body, the university offers a rich and rewarding academic experience that prepares students for success in their chosen fields.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it