From equality to biodiversity: this prospectus guides students through our sustainability-focused range of programmes
The word sustainable generally brings to mind green, nature and climate, but it goes much further than that. The 2026/2027 Sustainable Study Guide gives students insight into all the subjects, minors and programmes at Leiden University where sustainability plays a role.
This is the Day of Sustainability for Education, so there is no better time to launch the 2026/2027 Sustainable Study Guide. This new edition again shows how broadly sustainability features in education at Leiden University, ranging from such themes as climate and biodiversity to wellbeing, peace, inequality, economics, technology and policy. That makes it a roadmap for students, letting them see which sustainable education – across all seven faculties – is the best match for their study programme and interests.
Collaborating across the borders of disciplines
The prospectus has been compiled together with the Leiden University Green Office (LUGO), a student-led platform that works to promote sustainability within the university. All the members of the Executive Board were present at the handing over of the first – and in the interests of saving paper, only – printed copy. ‘Sustainability requires students to recognize the choices and responsibilities that arise in their own fields’, says Rector Magnificus Sarah de Rijcke. ‘It also calls for the willingness to work across disciplines. The Sustainable Study Guide shows the wide range of opportunities already available in our education. We greatly value LUGO’s work in making these opportunities visible and in keeping us focused on what still needs to be done.’
‘Providing sustainable research and education is one of the most impactful things a university can do.’
From knowledge to practical solutions
The Sustainable Study Guide not only offers a user-friendly overview of subjects related to sustainability, but also shows how important it is that students and staff stay informed about this issue, says LUGO project officer Mabel van der Geest. ‘As a university one of the most impactful things to do, apart from being a sustainable institute themselves, is providing sustainable research and education. The knowledge will be moved into the workforce by the graduated students, turning academic knowledge into real-life applications.’
Sustainable Development Goals
The guiding principle for the prospectus is made up of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations to combat global poverty, protect the planet and promote prosperity. The goals include the more familiar sustainability themes such as climate action, more sustainable energy and nature conservation, but they also encompass economic growth, inclusive education, gender equality, safe living areas and health and wellbeing.
Every faculty at Leiden University works towards sustainable solutions for complex issues. All these different sustainability themes are highlighted each year in the Sustainable Study Guide, which offers an overview of all the degree programmes, minors, subjects and other courses that relate to one or more of the SDGs. The icons indicate the applicable goals. If there are four or more goals, the icons are replaced by a coloured circle.
‘Share your ideas!’
Student-assistant Marlena Oebel from LUGO calls on students and staff who have good ideas to get in touch with the platform. ‘Many staff and students care about sustainability but don't know where to start, or feel that one person can't change much. We'd like to show them that they can make a real difference within their own faculty.’
Climate stripes flag flying for sustainable education
To mark the Day of Sustainability for Education on 8 October Leiden University will raise the climate stripes flag. The climate stripes, also known as warming stripes, show in a very simple but powerful way how much the average global temperature has risen over the past 150 years. They symbolise the big sustainability issues on which students, lecturers and scientists from different disciplines are working.
What are your next sustainability steps?
At Leiden University we take our responsibility to create a sustainable future very seriously. Whether you are a student, member of staff or researcher, there are many ways you can get involved and make a difference:
- Join a sustainability initiative within the university, such as the Leiden University Green Office (LUGO) or the Leiden University Sustainability Network
- If you are a student, take a look at the 2026/2027 Sustainable Study Guide and choose the sustainable subject, research or programme that best matches your interests.
- Share inspiring examples or projects from your work, research or studies.
- Take part in activities and events related to sustainability.
- Contribute ideas about how education, research or operational management can be made more sustainable.
- Have you just graduated and written a master’s thesis about sustainability? If so, submit your thesis before 1 November and you could win the 2026/2027 Sustainable Master’s Thesis Award.
Banner, from left to right: Luc Sels, Timo Kos, Sarah de Rijcke, Mick Methorst (student assistent Sustainability at SAZ), Smaragda Kiose, Mabel van der Geest, Marlena Oebel (all student assistent at Leiden University Green Office)