SDG Courses

Humanity’s Greatest Challenges

An interdisciplinary educational experience open to all University students, integrating sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the curriculum.

The SDG Courses integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into students’ academic pathways, promoting an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and addressing sustainability challenges. Offered across different faculties and campuses, they make education for sustainable development accessible to all undergraduate and master’s students. The initiative has also been recognised by the United Nations as a good practice in higher education..

This innovative pedagogical model delivers all SDG Courses online, complemented by in-person assessment, ensuring that students across all Universidade Católica Portuguesa campi can participate regardless of their location or field of study. The model is also open to students from partner universities within the Transform4Europe Alliance, fostering knowledge-sharing and the exchange of best practice.

Impact

100%

in the scientific fields

+ 200

students enrol annually

120

hours of learning per student each year

SDG Course Offering

The SDG Courses constitute an interdisciplinary educational offering developed by academic staff from different faculties across university and delivered online, enabling students from all Católica campi and from partner universities in the Transform4Europe alliance to take part.

ODS 3 | Good Health and Well-being
5 ECTS | Online | English | Syllabus

Delivered by ten lecturers from eight faculties, this interdisciplinary course explores topics including communicable and non-communicable diseases, health promotion, health communication and the sustainability of healthcare systems, with a particular focus on contemporary global health challenges.

ODS 4 | Quality Education
3 ECTS | Online | English| Syllabus

Delivered by ten lecturers from university faculties, this course addresses themes such as inclusion, global citizenship, lifelong learning, education policy and the sustainability of educational institutions.

ODS 10 | Reduced Inequalities
5 ECTS | Online | English | Syllabus

This interdisciplinary course brings together ten lecturers from different academic disciplines and explores topics related to inclusion, equal opportunities, governance, social cohesion and institutional integrity.

ODS 13 | Climate Action
3 ECTS | Online | English| Syllabus

Delivered by five lecturers from faculties across university, this course examines the challenges associated with climate change and the role of institutions and citizens in advancing sustainability and climate action.

ODS 14 | Life Below Water
5 ECTS | Online | English | Syllabus

Delivered by ten lecturers from eight faculties, this course focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources, promoting a multidisciplinary approach to the challenges of the blue economy and the sustainability of marine ecosystems.

ODS 16 | Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
3 ECTS | Online | English | Syllabus

Delivered by five lecturers from faculties across university, this course encourages critical reflection on governance, justice, transparency, institutional integrity and the strengthening of democratic institutions.

"Our aim will be to ensure that higher education provides the country with more than technically qualified professionals, but that it trains people with a broad vision of society's problems, with critical thinking, aesthetic sensitivity and the capacity to act as citizens in order to bring about a Portugal that aspires".

"The courses provide students with an integrated and holistic approach to the challenges facing the different dimensions of human life using the universal language of the SDGs. It gives them a clear understanding of the urgent call to action for humanity."