Key facts
Qualification
The MSc Design Thinking for Sustainability is a Level 9 MSc (90 ECTS)
This is a pathway programme. Students must successfully complete the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability (60 ECTS) to be eligible for the final MSc module (30 ECTS).
Students who successfully complete the MSc module will gain a Masters qualification (90 ECTS)
How it's delivered
In person at UCD Innovation Academy.
Students will work individually, with a high level of autonomy, and closely with the organisation they partner with for their final module, to apply the design thinking methodology to an organisation-wide need or opportunity.
Students will be provided with touchpoints with their Masters class during the trimester to enable peer learning and reflection, and to learn from a variety of subject matter experts relevant to the projects including from enterprise and sustainability.
Guidance for the projects will include a series of meetings organised by the module facilitator(s) to promote reflection and peer learning, and input from relevant experts within UCD Innovation Academy.
Students should plan on the following sessions (check for the specific dates):
- Project Kickoff for Cohort (2 hours)
- 3 x Group mentoring sessions 9:30-16:30
- Presentation Day 9:30-16:30
Duration
12 months total (9 month Grad Dip and 3 month final MSc module)
MSc module: June – August 2024
Funding
MSc final module €3250 (EU) €6500 (non EU)
100% or 90% funding is available for the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability component of this programme for eligible applicants through the Human Capital Initiative (Pillar 1).
There is currently no funding for the final MSc module for those students who choose to take it.
Requirements
Students may progress onwards to the MSc module if they pass the Graduate Diploma, and meet the following criteria:
- Submission of a proposal by or before May ‘24 for the Applied Sustainability Project including evidence of a secured partnership, or similar, to enable the project; and review and acceptance of that proposal by a panel chaired by the Programme Director.
- An interview with, and presentation by, the candidate.
It is not necessary to have an MSc proposal to undertake the Graduate Diploma.
Eligibility
Students who have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability are eligible to apply for the MSc final module. Students must complete the MSc final module within five years of commencing their Graduate Diploma. For example, a student who began their Graduate Diploma in 2020 and successfully completed it in 2021 has until 2024 to complete their MSc module.
*Please register your interest above for an information session on Wednesday September 27th at 1pm*
Who is it for?
The MSc module is available to all students who have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability. Priority for the June to August 2024 intake will be given to students who completed the Graduate Diploma in 2020/21 and 2023/24.
The MSc is only available as a pathway programme currently.
The MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability will build on the Graduate Diploma to deepen the skills of learners and accelerate the application of those skills to the workplace.
The MSc programme is for learners seeking the following attributes:
Learning Agility
- An in-depth understanding of the Design Thinking process, the ability to apply it appropriately across a wide range of contexts and sectors and the aptitude to continuously adapt and develop their approach and to learn in a collegial, professional manner.
- Sustainability literacy comprising a range of sustainability systems, issues and tools, all framed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals and underpinned by the skills for continuous and self-directed learning into the future.
Professional Adaptability
- Well-developed intellectual curiosity, analytical and interpersonal skills to lead multi-disciplinary approaches for the successful development of creative and innovative solutions to real-world sustainability challenges across a broad range of stakeholders, sectors and disciplines.
Globally Engaged; Ethical Leadership
- An ethical perspective to leading change – sensitive to the beliefs and values of others, able to contextualise and communicate with diverse groups in a way that engages and influences behaviour.
- An awareness of their own role and responsibilities as an active global citizen especially in the context of sustainability
- An inclusive values-based approach to their life and work, appreciating the importance and benefits of diversity and equity.
Course Structure
In the first part of this programme (nine month Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability) participants will gain a foundation (toolkit, mindset, and skillset) introducing key concepts in Creative Thinking, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Design Thinking through immersive activities and hands-on sustainability challenges. See the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability for full information.
Students who pursue the masters option after completing the Graduate Diploma can take a 30 ECTS Applied Sustainability Project. The Applied Sustainability Project is undertaken on an individual level to develop a student’s mastery of the topic – Design Thinking for Sustainability. The Applied Sustainability Project asks students to apply the cumulative knowledge and skills learned to date to help a specific organisation (enterprise, non-profit, start-up) integrate sustainability into their strategy, operations, and / or governance, ensuring that sustainability will be grounded as a source of innovation for driving environmental, social and economic change.
The onus is on students to organise a project topic / host organisation. Supervision of the projects will include a series of meetings with the module coordinator, input from relevant experts within UCD Innovation Academy and regular interaction with the host company.
Students will work individually, with a high level of autonomy, and closely with the relevant organisation, to apply the design thinking methodology to an organisation-wide need or opportunity. Students will be provided with touchpoints with their Masters class during the trimester to enable peer learning and reflection, and to learn from a variety of subject matter experts relevant to the projects including from enterprise and sustainability.
The project will focus on leading an innovative and creative approach to affecting change with an emphasis on practical and applicable recommendations and solutions.
- Why choose us
- Learning outcomes
- How to apply
- Assessment
- Who leads this course?
- Career opportunities
Decision makers in government, enterprise and civil society now recognise that learners must have not just the knowledge to act on sustainability, but also the skills to act quickly. The MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability is a unique programme that bridges knowledge and skills, ensuring students begin to affect change within the programme and are ready to quickly transition to new roles and opportunities upon graduation.
Ireland’s ‘Second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development – ESD to 2030: “Learners must acquire the knowledge, skills, values and dispositions needed to promote sustainable development.”
“The Irish economy will need to fill more than 20,000 jobs by 2030 just to support green economy sectors.” IDA Ireland
“Key to guaranteeing a more sustainable and secure future is ensuring we have the right green skills to power the transition to net zero” Minister for Transport, Climate, Environment and Communications Eamon Ryan, TD
The MSc learning outcomes, outlined below, build towards the final MSc module when learners will lead a complex and ambitious sustainability project, managing multiple stakeholders and competing needs to deliver an actionable solution.
- Apply the Design Thinking process to create innovative, human-centric, sustainable solutions to complex, real-world problems. The five stage process includes skills in insight gathering, analysis, ideation, prototyping, iterative design and testing.
- Develop a sustainability mindset through sustainability literacy including a working knowledge of sustainability systems, issues and tools, framed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Apply and cultivate teamwork and leadership skills to support effective collaboration across diverse stakeholders and within multi-disciplinary teams practising design thinking.
- Communicate persuasively, both individually and in teams, proposed solutions, ideas and concepts, using supporting evidence, insights and an awareness of assumptions, to influence different stakeholders, decision-makers and a wider general audience.
5. Adopt and apply an entrepreneurial mindset – a way of thinking that creates value by recognising and acting on opportunities, making decisions with limited information, and remaining adaptable and resilient – in the design and implementation of sustainability solutions.
6. Practice reflective techniques to enhance decision-making, draw insights to inform future approaches and enable self directed learning into the future in the fast changing field of sustainability, among others.
7. Apply the Design Thinking methodology to design learners’ own careers and vocations, using practical career skills to identify and navigate relevant and possible career and life pathways.
8. Identify sustainability challenges, opportunities, and needs, and design innovative implementation plans.
Students who wish to complete the MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability must first apply to, and successfully complete, the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability.
If you have already completed the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability and wish to participate in the final MSc module to gain a Masters qualification, please register your interest above. An information session will be hosted in September. Note that students must complete the MSc module within five years of commencing their Graduate Diploma and priority will be given to students from the 2020/21 intake as a result.
Assessment of the MSc Applied Sustainability Project, the final module of the MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability will comprise three parts:
- Reflective Essay: an individual reflective essay submitted mid-way through the trimester allowing the opportunity for feedforward feedback.
- Presentation: Presentation of work undertaken, results and recommendations presented to a panel of relevant experts including representatives from the partner organisation, experts from within the wider UCD community and UCD Innovation Academy.
3. Report: A report to be submitted at the end of the project outlining the response to a real world organisation’s sustainability challenge, need and / or opportunity. The format of this report is flexible given the varying approaches students may want or need to adopt however the output will be commensurate with the scope and complexity required.
Dr Thomas Macagno, Education Innovation Lead and Programme Lead for the MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability
Dr Eileen Diskin, Education Innovation Lead and Programme Designer of the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability
The MSc offers students an opportunity to apply, test and master their learnings individually with a high degree of autonomy in a high stakes, real world context. Students must design innovative implementation plans and individually lead a complex and ambitious sustainability project, managing multiple stakeholders and competing needs to deliver an actionable solution.
The Applied Sustainability Project is undertaken on an individual level to develop a student’s mastery of the topic – Design Thinking for Sustainability.
The Applied Sustainability Project asks students to apply the cumulative knowledge and skills learned to date to help a specific organisation (enterprise, non-profit, start-up) integrate sustainability into their strategy, operations, and / or governance, ensuring that sustainability will be grounded as a source of innovation for driving environmental, social and economic change.
As a result of the highly applied nature of this capstone MSc module, students may leverage the project for future career opportunities.
The project will focus on leading an innovative and creative approach to affecting change with an emphasis on practical and applicable recommendations and solutions. This is the only new module needed to be created for the Master in Design Thinking for Sustainability.