Data-Driven Sustainability

Data is absolutely everywhere - it is all around us and continually growing.  The gathering of data is no longer a barrier, but there is a lack of people with the specific skills and understanding to process the abundance of information available and use it to inform the best ways to tackle emerging global challenges.

Who is this for?

This programme is suitable for professionals looking to upskill across a broad range of subjects in an emerging subject area.

What will I learn?

Students will learn how to use data to inform best practise, decision making and policy relating to planetary health and sustainable futures.  The learning opportunities explore the analysis and evaluation of data and students learn how to apply their understanding to recommend data-led working practises.

Why should I study here?

The breadth of expert knowledge in veterinary and applied science within the School enables us to reach beyond clinical education and pursue how the health of our planet is affected by the interactions between humans, animals and food systems.  

PGCert, short courses

The online, part-time format of our teaching is particularly suited to students with busy lives.  The flexible learning environment can be adapted to suit individual needs and online study allows you to study at a location that is convenient for you.

The School has been teaching online taught postgraduate programmes since 2008 and online learning is treated as seriously as in-person.  Our digital teaching platform has a dedicated e-learning team to ensure the teaching runs smoothly and students have access to support and welfare staff throughout their studies.

Key features of the programme are pre-recorded lectures that you can view at any time, study guides, textbook and journal excerpts and interactive online discussions, enabling students from a range of disciplines to bring their unique perspectives to build a community of online students.

How online learning works at the University of Edinburgh

Watch "How does online learning work?" Media Hopper video

Teaching is delivered using a blend of online learning methods, supported by the University’s award-winning online learning environments.  

PG Certificate

The Certificate is awarded on successful completion of 60 credits. The Certificate is comprised of two core courses and the remaining credits can be selected from a broad range of courses, see Content tab for details. 

Individual courses

Students can take individual courses without committing to a formal qualification. Courses may have start dates throughout the academic year.  

Foundations of Nutritional Epidemiology

Credits: 10

Start: April

Cost: £1065*

An examination of the causes and prevention of diet-related health problems at the population level.

Diet and nutrition are key contributing factors for disease's short- and long-term development. Students will explore the connections between diet, nutrition and health and learn how the measurement of diet, epidemiologic methods, data and statistics can lead to a deeper understanding of the prevention of disease. Students will also gain an understanding of how findings from nutritional epidemiology are relevant to health and social care.

*fees for 2026/27 academic year

Browse courses available as standalone study from the School by subject

Making Science Relevant to Policy and Decision-making

Credits: 20

Start: January

Cost: £2125*

A practical guide to implementing policy-led science for decision-making. Discover the profound impact on economics, society and the environment when science is used to support decisions.

Good decision-making follows from knowing what is to be achieved and using science to evaluate the best way to reaching those aims. Translating policy aims into scientific questions is a particularly distinctive feature of this course. Taking a ‘science should follow policy’ approach, students will explore the benefits, and potential drawbacks, of applying this to the public, private and charitable sectors.

*fees for 2026/27 academic year

Browse courses available as standalone study from the School by subject

One Health Risk Communication and Preparedness

Credits: 10

Start: May

Cost: £1065*

An examination of risk communication at different stages of a One Health emergency cycle from preparedness to response.

This course explores risk communication, governance and emergency animal health crisis response with a focus on diseases of major veterinary and human public health concern. Students will gain skills in strategy design, strategy implementation and outbreak preparedness which takes a focus on engagement with communities and the science-policy-industry interface.

*fees for 2026/27 academic year

Browse courses available as standalone study from the School by subject

Understanding Planetary Health and Data

Credits: 10

Start: February

Cost: £1065*

An introduction to the concepts and themes that lead to a better understanding of planetary health and data.

The concept of planetary health – defined as the health of human civilisation and the natural systems on which it depends – is an exciting, and emerging, field of research and study. This course introduces students to the concepts of planetary health and invites them to assess and debate key topics through handling of relevant data sets from UN, WHO and World Bank repositories. 

Students will apply conceptual thinking to contemporary global challenges through case studies on climate change, food and nutrition security and conflict as well as be introduced to tools and methods of gathering data to make evidence-based decisions.

*fees for 2026/27 academic year

Browse courses available as standalone study from the School by subject

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a life science or social science.

We may also consider applications from candidates below a 2:1, or a degree in another discipline, where they can demonstrate relevant professional experience over three or more years.  Relevant experience should be details in the Personal Statement section of the application.

Once successfully on the programme, completion of core courses is a pre-requisite for progression to subsequent courses. 

English language requirements 

If English is not your first language, we will also need to see evidence of your English language proficiency before we can offer you a place. 

English language requirements

Fees

Data-Driven Sustainability course fees for the academic session 2026/27 are:

10 credits - £1065

20 credits - £2125

Funding

Funding postgraduate study is a big consideration, and many students use a combination of funding sources to pay their tuition fees. Fees can be paid on a course-by-course basis.

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Online application

Applications must be made through the University’s online postgraduate prospectus. 

1. Follow the apply link below
2. Scroll to Applying section
3. Select PgProfDev Data-Driven Sustainability (2 years)  

Once you have started your application, you will be asked to specify the name of the course you are applying to.

Apply

Personal Statement

Please use the Personal Statement section to outline your motivation to study this programme, the knowledge you hope to gain and how this fits with your future career plans. 

Contact 

For more information or help to complete your application, please email globalagriculture@ed.ac.uk 

The University has a strong and long-standing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to promoting a positive culture which celebrates difference, challenges prejudice and ensures fairness.