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At the University of St Andrews, sustainability is a core part of how we educate our students for the world they will shape. Learning for sustainability is about equipping every student with the knowledge, skills and confidence to understand global environmental challenges, engage with questions of fairness and responsibility, and take meaningful action throughout their lives and careers.

Through our Environmental Sustainability Strategy, the University is committed to embedding sustainability across the curriculum, supporting interdisciplinary learning, and ensuring that all students graduate with a shared foundation in environmental sustainability and climate justice.

Embedding sustainability across the curriculum

Sustainability is woven into teaching and learning across disciplines — from science and policy to arts, humanities and professional programmes. Staff are supported to integrate sustainability into curricula in ways that are relevant, critical and discipline‑appropriate, ensuring students can explore environmental challenges from multiple perspectives.

This work is supported through the Sustainability in the Curriculum Committee, which brings together staff and students to:

• Identify where sustainability is taught across Schools
• Support curriculum development and innovation
• Recognise excellent practice through initiatives such as the Golden Dandelion Award
• Strengthen alignment with sector expectations for education for sustainable development

Together, this approach ensures that sustainability learning is not confined to a single subject, but is a shared academic endeavour across the University.

Training in Environmental Sustainability Action (TESA)

A key part of the University’s approach is Training in Environmental Sustainability Action (TESA) — a mandatory online module for all students, completed as part of matriculation.

TESA provides every student with a common grounding in environmental sustainability, climate justice and local action. The course introduces practical ways to get involved in sustainability at St Andrews, from low‑carbon travel and the circular economy to community initiatives and local food growing.

By making TESA mandatory for all students, the University ensures that sustainability literacy is a shared starting point for the entire student community — creating a foundation that students can build on through their studies, co‑curricular activities and future careers.

Shaping learning together

Students play an active role in shaping learning for sustainability at St Andrews. Through dialogue with staff, representation roles within Schools, and participation in committees and projects, students help influence how sustainability is taught and embedded across the curriculum.

This partnership approach reflects the University’s belief that learning for sustainability is most powerful when it is collaborative, inclusive and grounded in lived experience.