We recognise the crucial role of universities in equipping students to address the climate and biodiversity crises while fostering peace and prosperity around the world. We want to give all our graduates the knowledge and skills to work and live sustainably.

We want them to contribute to and impact on the world in inclusive, ethical and sustainable ways. We want them to reflect on their own practice and make decisions consistent with the principles of sustainable development.

Embedding sustainability in the curriculum

In 2021 we started a five-year Education for Sustainability Project to strengthen the focus on sustainability in all our undergraduate courses.

Taking inspiration from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which pursue planetary health, economic development and social justice, we are developing curriculum that explores sustainability in relation to diverse disciplines and professional practice.

We want to give our graduates an understanding of both the broad sustainability agenda and how sustainability relates to their specific field or industry.

Deep dive into sustainability

We offer a range of degrees, majors, minors and units that explore particular aspects of sustainability in depth. You can study subjects such as fashion sustainability, food citizenship, disaster management, corporate sustainability, environmental law, global justice and human rights.

Here are some of the courses with a significant focus on sustainability:

News

Architecture students go for green, clean and affordable

Three second year QUT architecture students have designed demonstration green hydrogen powered houses for TAFE Queensland, one of which may be built on its Eagle Farm campus.

A big welcome for a small SHED

More than 200 students from different disciplines have been involved in concept planning, design and construction of the SHED (Sustainability in Higher Education) which is located on the QUT Gardens Point campus.

Research graduate training

Our e-Grad School offers a 5 week online module on Global Sustainability to graduate research students from QUT and other universities as well as to QUT staff.

The module explores the key concepts, problems and pathways of sustainability, spanning the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development.

Capacity building in developing countries

We deliver international development projects that build capacity in areas such as health, education, governance, business and entrepreneurship.

We have delivered more than 200 projects in communities around the world, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.