Qualification
The UCD MSc Design Thinking for Sustainability is a Level 9 MSc (90 ECTS).
How it's delivered
In-person at UCD.
Classroom based with independent work, group work and an applied sustainability project with a partner organisation for the final module.
Duration
12 months
Fees & Funding
€11,000 (EU)
€23,000 (Non-EU)
Read more on page 18
Requirements
A minimum honours degree (Level 8) qualification or equivalent
Letter of motivation & CV
An English language qualification if English is not your first language
Non-EU students must submit 2 references (academic or professional)
Rea
The course is split into eight core modules, totalling 90 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).
IA40310 Creative Thinking & Innovation
Learn to see with fresh eyes and develop your teamwork skills.
IA40470 Entrepreneurship: Application and Mindset
Gain the mindset of an entrepreneur: a bias towards action
IA40350 Innovation Sprint
Explore a product/business/service challenge using Design Thinking. Student teams explore and surface creative, disruptive ideas and solutions for a host organisation or company from either the public or private sector.
IA40620 Systemic Approaches, Interdisciplinary Solutions
Explore global problems in sustainability and consider interdisciplinary and systemic solutions.
Class of 2024 at the Abbey Theatre as part of IA40350 Innovation Sprint
Class of 2025 Host Compan
IA40610 Design for User-Ce
Scan to read about more the Host Company Projects module and read our booklet featuring more student projects
“We did a design sprint with ESB, then we got to do a group project with NCAI, and then an independent project which I’m continuing to do. [The MSc Design Thinking for Sustainabillity] was more professional driven rather than something that was purely academic or theoretical.”
Vivaan Sharma, 2025 MSc graduate (India)
Why Choose Us?
Gain an internationally recognised qualification from the top 1% of universities in the world.
Leave with both the knowledge and skills ready to apply immediately to the next step your career.
Develop a lifelong peer network of likeminded change makers. Demand for green skills and knowledge is outstripping supply - leave with highly sought after qualifications that will set you apart from others.
Receive tailored mentoring to help you translate your MSc experience into actionable next steps in your career.
Enjoy a life-changing year in Ireland’s capital city, Dublin.
“The Irish economy will need to fill more than 20,000 jobs by 2030 just to support green economy sectors.” - IDA Ireland
“Globally, only one in eight workers has one or more green skills. Between 2022 and 2023, the share of green talent in the workforce rose by a median of 12.3% while the share of job postings requiring at least one green skill grew twice as quickly, by a
The course was such a refreshing format — so much more engaging and real-life focused. One of the things that really drew me in was how creative and collaborative it was. It’s completely different from big lecture halls, long essays, and tests. Instead, I was part of a dynamic, flourishing group of people with facilitators from various backgrounds and expertise - it’s so dynamic. I’d never considered pursuing a graduate program before, and coming here is truly a testament to the course’s format.
Jessica Lagreid, MSc 2024 Alum, International Student (USA) Founder, Make It Feision - Upcycled Irish Dance
The amount of [learning] how to approach problems in sustainability, working with people within sustainability, it has taught me so many valuable skills which are going to become the status quo for everyone no matter where they are in their jobs. We’re getting the skills five, maybe even ten years ahead of where it’s going to become regular for other people. It’s a major game changer.
Aidan Watts, MSc 2025 Alum (Ireland)
How to Apply
Applications to the UCD MSc Design Thinking for Sustainability are made directly on the UCD website
If you’re ready to apply here are the steps: Click here to apply Alternatively, scan the QR code on the left
Click the yellow “Apply Now” button
Complete and submit the application and upload the required supporting documents detailed on the next page. Please ensure all personal details and general questions are completed before submitting your application.
You must submit a copy of your academic transcript to show that you have a minimum of an Undergraduate Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8) in any subject. Please note a degree certificate alone will not fulfill UCD requirements - a full transcript is required. If you previously studied at UCD, please provide your UCD student number on a Word document/PDF.
Under UCD’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy, consideration will be given on a case by case basis to applicants who do not hold a Level 8 primary degree. Scan the QR code to the right to read our full RPL policy. RPL applicants should contact innovation.academy@ucd.ie before submitting an RPL application.
International Applicants
Domestic Applicants
Shackleton Scholarships
UCD Innovation Academy will directly fund 90% of EU fees for two students who display a demonstrable commitment to sustainability Applicants must fulfill the basic MSc entry requirements and must qualify for EU fees. Scan the code for more information and the full eligibility criteria Contact innovation.academy@ucd.ie for further information.
UCD and Irish government scholarships
Scan the QR code to the left for information about scholarships and grants available to applicants applying from Ireland. This hub includes information about UCD scholarships, national scholarship schemes, and the Student Grant Scheme (SUSI). Contact details for the relevant administrative offices are available on the pages for each scholarship or funding option respectively.
UCD Global offers two key scholarships to non-EU students:
International Student Scholarship: All offer holders are automatically considered for this scholarship on the basis of academic merit. A percentage of fees will be covered. Global Excellence Scholarship: 100% or 50% funding. Applicants must submit an application and will be evaluated on academic merit and the submitted materials.
A number of other scholarship options are available for international students. Scan the QR code to visit UCD Global’s scholarship page, which includes a filter to view options available per country of citizenship. All international scholarship queries should be direct to UCD Global.
My experience on the Design Thinking for Sustainability course has been truly life-changing. After 25 years in a structured corporate environment, I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone into a more flexible, hands-on setting. The diverse cohort and immersive, practical learning style where we immediately apply theory with real-world projects have made this experience transformative. Working with external organisations also gives us a safe way to put our design thinking and sustainability skills into practice.
Oscar Carolan, MSc 2024 Alum (Ireland) Co-Founder, Green & Blueprints
"I left class every day feeling inspired. [...] It showed me what I wanted to do with my life and showed me the value of really believing in your work and feeling passionate about something bigger than yourself.”
Seneca Lent, MSc 2025 Alum, International Student (USA)
I learned skills I could bring to the table very quickly. Almost immediately after finishing this course I was awarded a contract that I would never have had the confidence to take up if I hadn’t done the course.
Jean Cox-Kearns, Grad Dip* 2021 Alum (Ireland) Product End of Life Manager, Lenovo
Prior to [this MSc] I would’ve felt that my actions would’ve been only tiny ripples in a pond but it feels way more like you’re actually making a splash and you really have the power to change things, and not only can you change things but you can also do it in a a very upbeat, lovely manner and your community really exists out there, and even if you don’t always feel like you belong, you do.
Madeleine Schmidt, MSc 2025 Alum, International Student (USA) Artist in Residence at UCD Greenacre
This course was life changing for me. I was a change maker before doing small things when it comes to sustainability but this course has given me the connections and the skills to do bigger things and have the impact I want.
Ciara O'Flaherty, Grad Dip 2023 Alum (Ireland)
If I could summarise in three words, I’d say the course is collaborative, creative, and insightful. I’m learning a lot, and it’s not just academic or theoretical it’s life skills. It’s shaping the way I think and work and I can see myself using what I’ve learned, whether in my job o when solving a problem. It’s something I can apply both professionally and personally.
Vivaan Sharma, MSc 2025 Alum, International Student (India) Sustainability Project Coordinator, shareclub
It was a fantastic experience. I came into this course feeling a bit lost, not quite sure what direction to go in but now I feel so confident going into a job in industry, in sustainability.
Lucy Shah, Grad Dip 2023 Alum (Ireland), Active Travel Project Coordinator, An Taisce
In the event space, we all know now that sustainability has to be at the heart of what we do.
As part of of the course I got to work on a project with Convention Centre Dublin who I knew had a team that was dedicated to sustainability. They were, at that very time, prepping for an international award in sustainability. I was lucky enough to be there as they built their pitch.
Alan Feeney, Grad Dip 2022 Alum (Ireland) Production Manager,
