Online course 'Introduction to ESD – Education for Sustainable Development'
Photo: Cecilia Lundberg
This is a chance to increase your knowledge about Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The online course will provide you with an introduction and background to the field of ESD and how it is linked to transformative learning, learning for change, and sustainability competencies. The course runs between 15 September and 7 December 2026.
The course is held via Åbo Akademi University/Sustainability Studies, and there are seven free places available for applicants from BUP participating universities. During the course, you get the opportunity to present ESD in practice at a university or institution, and at the same time hear about the situation at other universities.
The course has a study load of 5 ECTS and will run between 15 September and 7 December 2026 and is held at the bachelor's level. Studies will be held online (Moodle) and will be both individual and teamwork; there will also be an examination report and presentation.
After finishing the course is the student will:
- Understand what ESD is and how it broadens the holistic and interdisciplinary understanding of sustainable development.
- Understand how competencies like critical thinking, future scenarios skills, and collaborative decision-making are promoted by ESD.
- Understand the role of ESD in both formal and informal learning.
- Get an insight into the state of ESD at their own, or other, university.
The course has a maximum of seven places for participants via the BUP free of charge (otherwise the course has a cost of 60 euros through the Open University at Åbo Akademi University). To divide the places evenly between participants from different countries and universities, apply for one of the places by sending an e-mail with your contact information and a short motivation (max 50 words) to: Cecilia.lundberg@abo.fi before the deadline. Cecilia will be in contact with all applicants, and those who will be selected for the course will get further instructions for a formal application.
The deadline for applications was 8 September 2026.