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BA (Hons.) - Environmental & Sustainability Studies
Program Details
What is BA Environmental and Sustainability Studies?
A BA Environmental and Sustainability Studies program is an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree that examines environmental challenges through social, economic, political, cultural, and policy perspectives while preparing students for sustainability-focused careers.
Environmental and sustainability issues increasingly influence how societies manage resources, build resilient communities, respond to climate change, and pursue sustainable development. The BA (Hons.) Environmental & Sustainability Studies program at UPES provides students with strong conceptual foundations and applied skills grounded in environmental humanities, social sciences, public policy, communication, development studies, and sustainability practice.
As a contemporary undergraduate program in environmental studies, the curriculum enables students to explore how environmental change intersects with everyday life. Students examine issues such as water governance, sustainable resource management, waste practices, climate adaptation, migration, displacement, and community resilience. The program combines conceptual learning with field-based inquiry, helping students understand environmental challenges from social, cultural, political, and economic perspectives.
Transdisciplinary Learning
The BA Environmental Studies and Sustainability program bridges environmental studies with sociology, economics, anthropology, development studies, political science, ethics, and sustainability practice. Students engage with themes such as climate change, environmental justice, sustainable tourism, disaster management, migration, environmental communication, ESG governance, and sustainability reporting.
Experiential Pedagogy
Students learn through environmental audits, field visits, interviews, policy-writing exercises, communication campaigns, and community-based projects. Those interested in organisational sustainability gain exposure to sustainability reporting frameworks, ESG practices, and environmental performance assessment.
Global Exposure
The curriculum reflects global sustainability trends while maintaining a strong focus on Indian and Himalayan contexts. Students engage with global discussions around climate action, SDGs, environmental governance, adaptation planning, nature-based solutions, and sustainable development pathways.
Faculty and Academic Culture
Faculty bring expertise across environmental studies, public policy, development studies, economics, sociology, and law. The program encourages critical thinking, research capability, sustainability awareness, and effective communication skills that are increasingly valued across sustainability careers.
Program Highlights
- Human-centred, practice-oriented learning connecting environment, society, culture, and sustainable development
- Strong focus on Himalayan ecosystems, climate vulnerability, migration, and livelihood transitions
- Multidisciplinary exposure across social sciences, public policy, law, management, design, and health sciences
- Training in qualitative research, policy analysis, sustainability communication, and environmental assessment
- Applied projects focused on environmental audits, sustainability behaviour, community resilience, and resource management
- Curriculum aligned with emerging sustainability careers across public, private, research, and development sectors
Future Scope / Industry Trends
Growing climate concerns, ESG regulations, sustainability reporting requirements, and sustainable development commitments are creating new career opportunities across sectors.
Key trends shaping the future of environmental and sustainability studies include:
- Expansion of sustainability roles across government, NGOs, CSR initiatives, consulting firms, and development organisations
- Rising demand for professionals skilled in sustainability reporting, ESG implementation, environmental communication, and stakeholder engagement
- Growth in climate adaptation, disaster resilience, environmental governance, and sustainable tourism initiatives
- Increasing focus on socially responsible business practices and sustainability-led decision-making
- Strong demand for professionals who understand the social, political, cultural, and ethical dimensions of environmental change
Graduates of the BA Environmental and Sustainability Studies program are well positioned to contribute to sustainability challenges that extend beyond science and technology into policy, governance, communication, and community development.
Career Opportunities
Possible sustainability careers include:
- Environmental Consultant (Social & Policy Focus)
- Sustainability Reporting Associate
- ESG Research Associate
- Climate & Disaster Risk Associate
- Environmental Education Specialist
- Community Sustainability Associate
- Environmental Communication Specialist
- Policy Analyst (Environment & Development)
- Social Impact Associate
- Sustainability Programme Coordinator
- Research Associate (Sustainability & Development)
Fee Structure
Click here for detailed Fee Structure for BA Environmental and Sustainability Studies program.
Curriculum
The BA Environmental Studies and Sustainability syllabus combines environmental studies, sustainable development, public policy, social sciences, and sustainability practice. Students gain exposure to climate change, ESG governance, sustainability reporting, environmental communication, disaster management, sustainable tourism, environmental justice, and community development.
Semester 1
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Data in Social Sciences and Humanities | Core |
| Ideas of India | Core |
| Gender and Society | Core |
| Environmental Studies | Core/ Foundation |
| Managing Self | Core |
| Mathematical Foundations for Social & Environmental Sciences | Core |
| Sustainability Foundations: Environment, Society & Development | Core |
Semester 2
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Social Statistics | Core |
| Introduction to Environmental Problems & Solutions | Core |
| Microeconomics I | Core |
| Basics of Research & Writing for Social Sciences | Core |
| Introduction to Programming: Data Analysis in Python | Core |
| Time & Priority Management | Core |
Semester 3
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Foundations of Ecology and Ecosystems | Core |
| Climate Change & Policy | Core |
| Environmental Sociology and Politics | Core |
| Research Methods in Environmental Studies I | Core |
| Exploratory 1 | Exploratory |
| Exploratory 2 | Exploratory |
| Leading Conversations | Core |
| Social Internship | Internship |
Semester 4
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Environmental Policy and Governance | Core |
| Environmental Economics | Core |
| Research Methods in Environmental Studies II (Field Methods + Data Interpretation) | Core |
| Writing with Impact | Core |
| Exploratory 3 | Exploratory |
| Exploratory 4 | Exploratory |
| Open Elective | Elective |
Electives (Choose any to complete 7 Credits): Sustainable Development
- Migration, Development & Displacement
- Himalayan Society, Culture & Environment
- Environmental Communication & Media
- Biodiversity & Conservation
- Urban Environment & Sustainability
- Sustainability & the Circular Economy
- Environment, Health & Well-being
Semester 5
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Environmental Impact Assessment (Social, ethical & policy lens) | Core |
| Novel Data for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | Core |
| Social Impact Assessment | Core |
| Foundational Sustainability Skills & Competencies | Core |
| Leadership and Team Building | Core/ School for Life |
| Exploratory 5 | Exploratory |
| Exploratory 6 | Exploratory |
| Open Elective | Elective |
Electives (Choose any to complete 4 Credits):
- Sustainable Tourism & Pilgrimage
- Disaster Risk Reduction in Mountain Regions
- Community-based Natural Resource Management
- Environmental Law & Justice
- Climate Justice & Equity
- Environmental Humanities & Literature
- Sustainable Energy & Society
- Energy & Environment
- Environmental Ethics
Semester 6
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Natural Resource Management: Water, Forests & Wildlife | Core |
| Urban & Rural Environmental Management | Core |
| Environmental Data Analytics | Core |
| Sampling Techniques | Core |
| Deepening Self | Core |
| Exploratory 7 | Exploratory |
| Exploratory 8* | Exploratory (Optional) |
| Open Elective | Elective |
Electives (Choose any to complete 4 Credits):
- Gender, Environment & Care Work
- Participation, Governance & Environmental Movements
- Education for Sustainable Development
- Climate Finance & Green Transitions
- Corporate Environmental Responsibility
- Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)
- Environmental Ethics & Philosophy
Semester 7
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Environmental Field Project | Core |
| Internship | Internship |
Semester 8
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | Dissertation |
Eligibility
Interested students pursuing BA Environmental and Sustainability Studies must meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:
- Minimum 50% marks in Class X and XII (Any Stream)
Selection Criteria
Selection for admission to the BA Environmental Studies and Sustainability (Hons.) programme at UPES School of Liberal Studies and Media is based on CUET-UG / Personal Interview.
Further Information
Enquiry Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Environmental Studies course includes the study of humans and nature around them, and sustainability explores the methods of conservation and responsible interaction with nature. If you are passionate about responsible environmental development and innovative measures to build a human-nature relationship, you can pursue B.A. Environmental and Sustainability Studies (hons.) at UPES.
Environmental Science focuses on the understanding of environmental systems; how different elements work in the atmosphere, and different scientific methodologies. On the other hand, a BA degree in Sustainable Studies explores practical methods for sustainable practices to conserve the environment and ensure long-term ecological balance and resource management.
BA Sustainability and Environmental Studies is standard 3-year duration course. Students may opt for an additional 4th year to pursue the Honours/Research track, subject to eligibility criteria. The program offers elective choices, enabling students to specialize in areas such as biodiversity, climate justice, sustainable energy, environmental law, governance, ESG, environmental ethics, sustainability, disaster management, and community-based natural resource management.
Yes, ESG and sustainability reporting is a part of the BA Environmental Studies and Sustainability syllabus at UPES. The curriculum includes Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) as an elective subject in the 6th semester.
Yes, BA in Sustainability & Environmental Studies includes climate policy and governance subjects in the curriculum. BA Environmental Studies and Sustainability syllabus includes subjects such as Climate Change & Policy and Environmental Policy and Governance to offer students a comprehensive understanding of innovative climate policies and good environmental governance across industries and public sectors.
Yes, UPES has incorporated essential data analytical skills into the BA degree in Sustainable Studies curriculum. Environmental Data Analytics is a core subject of the BA Environmental and Sustainability Studies course, and students also explore subjects such as Data in Social Sciences and Humanities and Data Analysis in Python.
The undergraduate program in Environmental Studies and Sustainability at upes is designed to offer specialization in practical and hands-on learning of environment & sustainable development concepts through mandatory social internship, and an environmental field project. Both activities are mandatory for students to earn required credits and achieve a BA degree in sustainable studies and environmental studies.
Career prospects after completing BA Environment & Sustainability Studies expand across industries and have good demand in government as well as private sectors. Some of the exciting job roles one can pursue in sustainability careers include Environmental Consultant, Climate & Disaster Risk Associate, Community Sustainability Associate, Policy Analyst, Community Engagement Specialist, Social Impact Research Analyst, etc.
Yes, the BA Environmental and Sustainability Studies program at UPES is perfect for you if you plan to pursue a career in Himalayan regions. Being an environmentally sensitive geographical region, the scope of sustainability careers is vast and is the need of the hour for the region. The demand for professionals with understanding of environment & sustainable development is high.
