MSc Design Thinking for Sustainability

Who Should Apply?

Full-Time option suitable for:

• Domestic (EEA) applicants: Yes
• International (Non-EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region: Yes

The MSc program is for learners seeking the following attributes:

Learning Agility

• An in-depth understanding of the Design Thinking process, a human-centered problem-solving methodology, the ability to apply it appropriately across a wide range of contexts and sectors, and the aptitude to continuously adapt and develop your approach and to learn in a collegial, professional manner.
• Sustainability literacy comprises 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, and 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 contextualize and communicate with diverse groups in a way that engages and influences behavior.
• An awareness of your role and responsibilities as an active global citizen especially in the context of sustainability
• An inclusive values-based approach to your life and work, appreciating the importance and benefits of diversity and equity.

Stage 1 Core Modules

• Innovation Sprint
• Entrepreneurship: Application and Mindset
• Design for User-Centric, Sustainable Solutions
• Systemic Approaches, Interdisciplinary Solutions
• Leadership for Innovation and Creativity (OL)
• Creative Thinking & Innovation
• Design Your Purposeful Life
• Applied Sustainability Project

Students who completed the MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability will be able to:

• Apply the Design Thinking process to create innovative, human-centric, sustainable solutions to complex, real-world problems. The five-stage process includes skills in (a) insight gathering, (b) analysis, (c) ideation, (d) prototyping, (e) 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 practicing design thinking.
• Communicate persuasively, both individually and in teams, proposed solutions, ideas, and concepts, using supporting evidence, insights, and awareness of assumptions, to influence different stakeholders, decision-makers, and a wider general audience.
• Adopt and apply an entrepreneurial mindset - a way of thinking that creates value by recognizing and acting on opportunities, making decisions with limited information, and remaining adaptable and resilient - in the design and implementation of sustainability solutions. 
• 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.
• Apply the Design Thinking methodology to design learners’ careers and vocations, using practical career skills to identify and navigate relevant and possible career and life pathways.
• Identify sustainability challenges, opportunities, and needs, and design innovative implementation plans.
• Led a complex and ambitious sustainability project, managing multiple stakeholders and competing needs to deliver an actionable solution.

Decision makers in government, enterprise, and civil society now recognize 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 program that bridges knowledge and skills, ensuring students begin to affect change within the program and are ready to quickly transition to new roles and opportunities upon graduation.

The MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability 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.

As a result of the highly applied nature of this MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability, students may leverage the project for future career opportunities.

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