Curriculum

Supporting transformative and future-focused student learning

Higher education has a vital role in preparing future graduates to shape sustainable futures. Western Sydney University builds on a decades-long commitment to sustainability to embed sustainability education across the student learning experience.

Through curriculum development, teaching, co-curricular activities and student engagement, academics and educators enable students to:

build sustainability knowledge and literacy through evidence, key concepts and real-world challenges;
identify how their discipline and future profession can contribute to sustainable development;
apply sustainability perspectives to decisions and problems in authentic contexts; and
develop key capabilities like critical and creative thinking, collaboration, reflection, action and civic responsibility.

At Western, recognise three distinct yet complementary educational approaches: education about, towards and for sustainability. Together, they support the development of our Sustainability Graduate Attribute (SGA), which aims to equip all of our students and graduates with the knowledge, skills and disposition to contribute to a more sustainable, socially-just world.

Education for Sustainability

Education for sustainability (EfS, or Education for Sustainable Development as it is referred to globally) is distinguished not only by what is taught, but how students learn and what they are able to do with their learning. EfS is the pedagogical approach that encompasses transformative learning, values and worldviews, systems and complexity thinking, envisioning a better future, and becoming change-makers (Bedi & Germein, 2016). Learning for EfS is transdisciplinary, collaborative, participatory and action-oriented.

Pedagogies that create sustainability capabilities are part of the curriculum across all programs, working towards developing our university's sustainability-literate graduates.

Education about sustainability

Education about sustainability focuses on developing students' foundational knowledge and understanding of key concepts, issues, frameworks and challenges. This can include global frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This type of content engagement is ‘learning about sustainability’. It allows our students to recognise the 17 SDGs (or at least those that specifically relate to their discipline) and to learn about and understand their larger global framework and purpose, as well as the complexity of what this entails at a global and national level.

Education towards sustainability

Distinct to Western Sydney University, this educational concept directly connects our programs and specific learning activities that contribute to the intent of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or a singular SDG.

Education towards sustainability focuses on developing the disciplinary knowledge and skills needed to contribute to sustainability within the discipline. Rather than learning about sustainability as a topic, students learn how sustainability is connected to their future profession, field of practice or area of expertise. Study sustainability.

Explore how these concepts can be developed, shaped and evidenced through your own teaching practice on Education HQ (requires a Western Sydney University login). You can also download a copy of Western's sustainability teaching and learning guide (PDF, 1871.97 KB) designed to support academics and educators from any School or discipline.

Addressing the SDGs

Our curriculum work is aligned to SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.

Study Sustainability

Students talking in group

Find out what programs and specialisations are available to our students at Western and study the SDGs

Teaching and Learning

Group of WSU students at Bankstown City in small teaching room

Find out how your teaching and learning can equip students to contribute to an equitable and sustainable future

Graduate Attribute Framework

Westrrn student graduates on graduation day

What do we mean by sustainability literacies? Learn more about our new graduate attribute

Sustainability Literacy Survey

Group of western sydney students talking and using computer

We assessed our students' sustainability literacies and knowledge. Learn more about what they know to improve your teaching.

Red background with head, heart and hands

Equip yourself with the knowledge, skills, and tools to tackle global sustainability challenges. Enrol now in our microcredential, Sustainability: Think, Care, Do. Open to all!

Group of WSU students at Bankstown City in small teaching room

We're developing students (and a curriculum) who have sustainability capabilities to excel in a rapidly changing world.

See what is available

Cover Image of Sustainability T&L Guide

Educators Guide for Sustainability Teaching and Learning
(PDF, 1871.97 KB)

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