Sustainability

The Bachelor in Sustainability (BASUS) is Europe's first international joint degree focused specifically on sustainability. Designed to explore the complex social, economic, and environmental dimensions shaping today’s world, the program goes beyond slogans to offer a critical and interdisciplinary approach to sustainability challenges. It provides an immersive learning experience that combines innovative teaching methods with collaborative, intercultural study environments. BASUS equips students with both theoretical knowledge and practical tools, preparing them to address real-world issues and contribute meaningfully to sustainability transitions.

The program is a collaboration between eight leading European universities and offers a wide-ranging, in-depth perspective on sustainability. By blending academic research with applied learning, it aims to develop skilled professionals who understand the complexities of sustainability and are capable of driving systemic change. BASUS graduates are well-prepared for diverse career paths in sustainability management, policy consulting, NGOs, international organizations, journalism, and academia, with recognized access to Master’s programs across Europe.

Organisation of the study programme

All BASUS students begin their academic journey with a common introductory phase at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. This first year lays the interdisciplinary foundation for understanding sustainability from multiple angles. In the second and third years, students follow one of several specialization tracks offered by the program’s partner universities.

The University of Zurich (UZH) hosts the Social Sciences and Humanities track. This track offers a strong interdisciplinary foundation, incorporating fields such as sociology, anthropology, ethics, and finance. It focuses on critical questions including: Why do some societies successfully transition towards sustainability while others face persistent challenges? How do culture, politics, and economics shape sustainable outcomes? And how can various actors from governments to grassroots organizations—drive meaningful change?

Through research-based courses and thematic specializations, the program supports both academic and practice-oriented pathways. The curriculum encourages students to understand how social scientists collaborate with engineers, policymakers, activists, and businesses to develop effective solutions for sustainable development.