Sustainability Solutions L6

FIDA’s International Sustainability Diploma (ISD) is a one-year programme of interdisciplinary, project-based learning, rooted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Students build understanding of the global challenges facing humanity and develop the skills to design the solutions of the future. This is an ambitious and innovative qualification. It offers far more than an academic exploration of sustainability. It is a transformative learning journey that cultivates critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication. It nurtures empathy for our planet and fellow human beings, and fosters global citizenship. This course is worth 24 SCQF points - the equivalent to a Higher.

As part of this course you will also complete the Powering Futures Programme worth 8 SCQF points. 

The International Sustainability Diploma comprises three Units. To achieve the award, candidates must pass all three: 

• Unit 1: Understanding Sustainability and Design Thinking (20%) 

• Unit 2: Designing Sustainable Solutions (60%) 

• Unit 3: Entrepreneurship: Ideas Into Action (20%) 

Unit 1 is the foundational Unit. It builds knowledge, skills and experience necessary to access the rest of the programme. Specifically, it explores the principles and practice of sustainability, and introduces Design Thinking as a human-centric and iterative approach to solving complex problems. In Unit 2, learners undertake two or three Global Challenge Projects which they select from a menu. Each Project involves devising a solution to a real-world problem rooted in the SDGs. The online learning resource for each Project provides structure and scaffolding to support the learning journey step by step: building foundational knowledge; gathering data to understand the problem; generating, testing and adapting ideas; and presenting a well-reasoned solution. In Unit 3 ‘Entrepreneurship: Ideas Into Action’, learners select one of their project outputs from Unit 2 to develop further as an enterprise or social enterprise proposition. This Unit is codesigned and co-delivered with the University of Stirling. 

The Powering Futures Challenge Programme is project-based, interdisciplinary learning where learners work in teams to solve real-world industry problems - set by businesses. It is continually assessed through a portfolio of evidence and learners interact with industry through support, mentorship and final presentations.

Attainment is evidenced by continuous assessment carried out by teaching staff within the Centre. There are no examinations. As candidates progress through the Learning Resource for each Unit, they will build a Portfolio of evidence.