Study the Bachelor of Sustainability (BSust)
Connect disciplines. Build expertise. Influence what matters.
The world’s biggest challenges rarely sit within a single discipline. Climate change, food security, inequality, health, technology, global development and conservation are deeply connected.
The Bachelor of Sustainability is unique at Otago in bringing sustainability perspectives together with the opportunity to develop specialist expertise through a major of your choice from Science, Arts and Social Sciences, Commerce, or Health Sciences.
You’ll learn to understand complex challenges from different perspectives while building depth in an area that interests you. Develop critical thinking, research, communication and problem-solving skills that prepare you to work across disciplines and bring sustainability thinking to the field where you want to make an impact.
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Programme details
Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Sustainability (BSust)
Structure of the Programme
Every degree programme
- shall consist of papers worth not less than 360 points,
- shall include at least 180 points for papers above 100-level of which at least 72 points shall be for papers above 200-level,
- shall include the papers specified in Sustainability Schedule A: Part 1,
- shall include the papers specified in Sustainability Schedule A: Part 2.
- No paper above 200-level may count for both the sustainability core and major subject requirements.
Note: Students who select the Global Studies major may count ENVI 111, 211, GEOG 101, 102, 280, MAOR 202 or MAOR 204, and MATS 204 towards both the Sustainability core requirements and approved multidisciplinary papers listed for the Global Studies major subject requirements. Students should seek advice from the Director of Global Studies.
Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions
- Every programme of study shall satisfy the requirements for prerequisites, corequisites, and restrictions set out in the Prescriptions (published in the Guide to Enrolment).
- A candidate with outstanding results in a subject prior to entering University may be permitted by the Head of Department concerned to enrol for a paper at 200-level without having satisfied the normal prerequisites. In such cases the candidate shall not be credited with the prerequisite papers, but shall be exempted from including those papers in a Major Subject Requirement. A candidate may not, having passed any such paper at 200-level, enrol subsequently for any paper for which the exemption has been given.
Cross Credits
A candidate who is enrolled for the degree concurrently with another degree, or who has completed one degree and is proceeding with the other, may cross credit 100- and 200-level papers which are common to both degrees up to a maximum of 126 points where the other degree is a three-year degree and up to a maximum of 180 points where the other degree is longer than a three-year degree.
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities, or nominee) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study that does not comply with these regulations.
Built for a changing world
Employers increasingly need people who can think across disciplines, work with diverse communities, analyse complex problems, and develop practical solutions. This qualification builds critical thinking, research, communication, collaboration, leadership, and ethical decision-making skills alongside specialist subject expertise.
It is grounded in Aotearoa New Zealand contexts, with Te Tiriti o Waitangi and mātauranga Māori as important foundations, while connecting with global sustainability challenges. Graduates may contribute in sustainability consulting, environmental management, policy and planning, climate adaptation, community development, sustainable business, conservation, government, or Indigenous and community organisations. The degree also provides a foundation for postgraduate study in areas such as sustainability, planning, international development, business, public policy, environmental management, and research.
More information
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If you have questions specifically about the Bachelor of Sustainability, you can get in touch with us by email:
Email bsust@otago.ac.nz
