Education is one of the precursors of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in and of itself; quality education leads to significant sustainable development benefits for individuals, communities, and countries. We, Universiti Malaya, believe that education is a critical means of supporting and accelerating glocal (global and local) capacity to implement the SDGs.
SDG4 Quality Education is a call to action to provide 'inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all'.
Here are several examples of academic programs offered at UM related to sustainability:
Undergraduate Programs Related to Sustainability
The table below presents selected examples of undergraduate academic programs at UM that incorporate sustainability-related content. For instance, the Bachelor of Environmental Studies includes courses such as Environmental and Human, Concepts and Issues in Sustainability, and Weather and Climate, which provide students with foundational understanding of environmental systems and sustainability challenges. Similarly, the Bachelor of Geography covers subjects like Climatology and Human–Environment Interaction in Field, highlighting the relationship between human activities and natural processes. In the Bachelor of Science with Education (Biology) programme, courses such as Ecology and Sustainable Development introduce students to biological principles that support sustainable practices. Meanwhile, the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management offers courses including Environmental Monitoring, Integrated Waste Management, and Applied Ecology, alongside elective options such as Key Issues in Climate Change, Energy Saving Culture, and Disaster Management. Together, these programmes demonstrate UM’s integration of sustainability principles across multiple disciplines, although the list provided is not exhaustive.
| No. | Program: | Faculty: | Link: |
| 1 | Sarjana Muda Pengajian Alam Sekitar / Bachelor of Environmental Studies (minimum semester: 7) | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences UM | HERE |
| 2 | Sarjana Muda Geografi / Bachelor of Geography (minimum semester: 7) | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences UM | HERE |
| 3 | Sarjana Muda Perancangan Bandar dan Wilayah / Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (minimum semester: 8) | Faculty of Built Environment UM | HERE |
| 4 | Sarjana Muda Sains Seni Bina / Bachelor of Science in Architecture (minimum semester: 6 + 2 special sem) | Faculty of Built Environment UM | HERE |
| 5 | Sarjana Muda Kejuruteraan Awam / Bachelor of Civil Engineering (minimum semester: 8 + 1 special sem) | Faculty of Engineering UM | HERE |
| 6 | Sarjana Muda Sains dengan Pendidikan / Bachelor of Science with Education (minimum semester: 8 semester + 3 special sem) | Faculty of Science UM | HERE |
| 7 | Sarjana Muda Sains Ekologi dan Biodiversiti / Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Biodiversity (minimum semester: 8) | Faculty of Science UM | HERE |
| 8 | Sarjana Muda Sains Pengurusan Alam Sekitar / Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management (minimum semester: 8) | Faculty of Science UM | HERE |
| 9 | Sarjana Muda Ekonomi / Bachelor of Economics | Faculty of Business & Economics UM | HERE |
| 10 | Sarjana Muda Sastera Antropologi dan Sosiologi / Bachelor of Arts Anthropology and Sociology | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences UM | HERE |
| 11 | Sarjana Muda Sains Geologi Gunaan / Bachelor of Science Applied Geology | Faculty of Science UM | HERE |
Postgraduate Programs Related to Sustainability
The table below highlights selected examples of postgraduate academic programmes at UM that incorporate sustainability-related perspectives across diverse disciplines; however, the list is not exhaustive. For instance, the Master of Architecture includes courses such as Green & Sustainable Technology, Building Conservation, and Landscape Architecture, which emphasize environmentally responsible design and heritage preservation. The Master of Safety, Health, and Environment Engineering covers subjects including Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Hazardous Waste Control, and Air Pollution Management and Control, reflecting the importance of environmental protection and risk management. In the Master of Sustainability Science, students engage with courses such as Sustainability and Strategic Thinking, Policy and Management of Science for Sustainable Development, and Critical Thinking for Sustainability, which promote interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable development. The Master of Renewable Energy offers courses including Energy and Sustainable Development, Energy Policy, and Energy Efficiency and Management, highlighting the transition toward cleaner energy systems. Additionally, the Master of Gender Studies incorporates sustainability through courses such as Gender & Sustainable Development, Gender, Migration & Diaspora, and Gender, Traditional Local Knowledge & Community Engagement, demonstrating the social dimensions of sustainability. Collectively, these programmes illustrate the breadth of sustainability integration at the postgraduate level across UM.
| No. | Program: | Faculty: | Link: |
| 1 | Master of Project Management (Coursework) | Faculty of Built Environment UM | HERE |
| 2 | Master of Facilities and Maintenance Management (Coursework) | Faculty of Built Environment UM | HERE |
| 3 | Master of Architecture (Coursework) | Faculty of Built Environment UM | HERE |
| 4 | Master of Public Policy (Coursework) | Faculty of Business and Economics UM | HERE |
| 5 | Master of Safety, Health, and Environment Engineering (Coursework) | Faculty of Engineering UM | HERE |
| 6 | Master of Public Health (Coursework) | Faculty of Medicine UM | HERE |
| 7 | Master of Sustainability Science (Coursework) | Faculty of Science UM | HERE |
| 8 | Master of Science in Crop Protection (Coursework) | Faculty of Science UM | HERE |
| 9 | Master of Environmental Management Technology (Coursework) | Faculty of Science UM | HERE |
| 10 | Master of Renewable Energy (Coursework) | Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS) UM | HERE |
| 11 | Master of Gender Studies (Coursework) | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences UM | HERE |
| 12 | Master of Built Environment (Research) | Faculty of Built Environment UM | HERE |
| 13 | Master of Education (Coursework) | Faculty of Education UM | HERE |
| 14 | Master of Science Education with Information Technology (Coursework) | Faculty of Education UM | HERE |
| 15 | Master of Humanities Education (Coursework) | Faculty of Education UM | HERE |
| 16 | Master of Educational Leadership & Management (Coursework) | Faculty of Education UM | HERE |
| 17 | Master of Physical & Health Education (Coursework) | Faculty of Education UM | HERE |
| 18 | Master of Philosophy (Research) Areas of Specialization: Arts / Science / Power Energy / Photonics / Ocean and Earth Sciences | Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS) UM | HERE |
This section is provided by UM Sustainable Development Centre (UMSDC) in coordination with Corporate Rankings Centre (CRC). All information on academic programs is retrievable from the respective websites of academic faculties, academies, and centers, and centralized to Study@UM website.
Disclaimer: the list provided is not exhaustive and will be updated annually following the most current academic year of Universiti Malaya.
All text, images and photographs are copyright of Universiti Malaya. If you are reposting our images on social media, always credit the source. Any commercial redistribution or resale of photography, files or content is strictly prohibited. Do not use as part of commercial displays, editorials and events without license and written permission.
Last Update: 30/03/2026