Sustainability-focused degrees see 45% increase in supply
Eindhoven, Netherlands, [25 March 2025] – New data from global study choice platform Studyportals shows a 45% increase in sustainability-related higher education programmes since 2020, reflecting a powerful shift in student demand and institutional priorities.
At the same time, Studyportals has become an official Signatory to the CANIE Accord, reinforcing its commitment to climate action in the international education sector.
The CANIE Accord, developed by the Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE), represents the sector’s collective commitment to climate action in line with scientific recommendations and global climate agreements. As a signatory, Studyportals joins a growing community of institutions and organisations taking meaningful steps to reduce their climate impact and promote sustainability through education.
Studyportals latest report underscores the momentum behind the rise in sustainability-related degrees.
Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes with the keywords ‘sustainable’ or ‘sustainability’ in their titles attract significantly higher student interest compared to others, with terms like “sustainable energy,” “sustainable development,” and “sustainable technology” proving especially popular.
The relative share of student interest for sustainability-focused programmes has risen by 19% (from January 2019 to February 2025).
In terms of student interest from Asia, there has been 58.7% growth in the relative share of global demand for sustainability-related programmes. For student interest from Africa, this growth stands at 48.2%.
Ainslie Moore, President of the Global Board, Climate Action Network for International Educators, CANIE says,
This report from Studyportals provides another clear demonstration of the importance that international students place on sustainability and the increasing numbers who are choosing to pursue their education and careers across a variety of disciplines with sustainability at the centre.
Edwin van Rest, CEO and Co-founder of Studyportals says,
This is great news for the world: the children are the future. Education is one of the most powerful levers we have to address the climate crisis as well as other SDGs, with lasting impact. The growth in sustainability-related programmes is not just a trend—it’s a necessary transformation, and one that students around the world are driving. It’s encouraging to see universities stepping up to meet that call, serve student demand and contribute to a better world for future generations
As Studyportals joins the CANIE Accord, it also calls on fellow international education organisations to take bold action—not only through operational change, but by fostering the next generation of climate leaders through meaningful, relevant academic programmes.
About Studyportals
Studyportals is the world’s most comprehensive study choice platform, Over 50 million students use Studyportals platforms annually to find and compare their study options across borders and select the right programme. Mastersportal, Bachelorsportal, and PhDportal are among the platforms we’ve built to help international students start their journey abroad .Our goal is to make education choice transparent, globally and ensure a future where no student will miss out on an education opportunity, because of a lack of information.
Based on the search and choice behaviour of millions of students, our Analytics and Consulting team provide real-time, forward looking market insights to the sector. Studyportals helps universities reach a global audience and diversify their student population. For more information, visit studyportals.com/about-us
About the Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE)
CANIE is a catalyst for climate action in the international education sector that concentrates efforts on action-oriented advocacy, education, and connection. For more information, visit www.canie.org. Follow CANIE on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
If you’re interested in the full report on sustainability you can access it here.
