Our work on SDG Goal 4: Quality Education
Learn about our recent progress and updates on how we're contributing to SDG 4: Quality Education.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted in 2015 by all United Nations member states. It provides a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
Find out more about our work across all the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
About Quality Education
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Research
Stirling Centre for Research into Curriculum Making
The Stirling Centre for Research into Curriculum Making (SCRCM) develops and undertakes original research into curriculum making, engages in knowledge exchange with policymakers and practitioners to develop the curriculum across education systems, and disseminates research through face-to-face events and free webinars.
Since October 2023, the SCRCM has hosted four in-person seminar events which have brought together over 150 participants including teachers, teacher educators, policymakers and researchers exploring themes such as decolonising the curriculum, children’s rights and agency and inclusive education.
In addition, a series of online seminars, including contributions by internationally respected researchers, have engaged a further 620 practitioners, policymakers and researchers from across the world. These professional learning opportunities have better equipped researchers, policymakers, teachers and educators in other settings in relation to curriculum making and development which is a fundamental aspect of ensuring high quality education systems.
Towards justice-oriented climate change and sustainability education
Research by Professor Lizzie Rushton, explores how teachers are incorporating Climate Change and Sustainability Education (CCSE) into their classroom practice. Drawing on survey responses from over 300 teachers, the research highlights that CCSE is often driven by committed individuals who embed sustainability into the curriculum through knowledge-rich, action-oriented, and community-focused approaches.
However, the study also reveals that systemic support is lacking and calls for stronger leadership and policy change to ensure CCSE becomes a shared responsibility across all schools. This research connects directly to SDG 4 by supporting that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.
Outdoor environmental education: turning back to the environment at a time of climate and nature emergency
Outdoor learning plays a key role in delivering inclusive, high-quality education. An important research project led by Professor Greg Mannion at the University of Stirling, funded by NatureScot, found that while early years settings in Scotland are increasingly embracing outdoor play and learning, primary schools have experienced a sharp decline in outdoor learning time.
The research also uncovered gaps in professional development and confidence among educators. These insights point to an urgent need for policy reform and enhanced support for both pre-service and in-service training. By promoting equitable access to nature-based learning and strengthening Learning for Sustainability, this work makes a vital contribution to SDG 4: Quality Education.
Learning and teaching
2030 Strategy
The University of Stirling’s 2030 strategic plan, published in 2024, sets out its commitment to advancing SDG 4 by fostering personal and academic growth in a diverse, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.
With a strong emphasis on experiential learning, the University equips students with the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to thrive in their careers and communities.
Through a demand-informed curriculum, work-based learning opportunities, and a focus on lifelong development, Stirling ensures that students from all backgrounds can realise their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
Learning and Teaching Conference
The Learning and Teaching Enhancement team continues to annual host the University’s Learning and Teaching Conference.
In 2024, the theme of the conference was “The Futures of Learning and Teaching at Stirling” with the programme covering a range of topics from Equality, Diversity and Inclusion to Student Engagement and AI in Learning and Teaching. Inspiring keynotes from Professor Bugewa Apampa and Simon Varwell got each day off to an excellent start, followed by a wide range of sessions from Stirling colleagues that provided rich evidence of the high-quality practice taking place across the campus.
The conference celebrated over 100 colleagues achieving Advance HE fellowships, reinforcing the University’s commitment to SDG 4: Quality Education through professional development, inclusive practice, and global collaboration.
Education courses
Our Teaching and Education courses prepare students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in a wide range of careers. Many of our degrees lead directly into roles in early years, primary, secondary, further education, or TESOL. Our Primary and Secondary Education degrees are accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), enabling graduates to apply for provisional teacher registration.
For those already working in education, our postgraduate degrees support career progression into leadership and management. The MSc Educational Leadership course is also GTCS-accredited, helping professionals take the next step in shaping inclusive, high-quality learning environments.
Lifelong learning
The University of Stirling offers a wide range of flexible, accessible Continuing Professional Development (CPD ) and lifelong learning opportunities designed to support career development, personal growth, and sector innovation. These include:
- Short courses and modular programmes across disciplines such as health sciences, education, sport, business, aquaculture, and data science.
- Flexible delivery options including part-time, distance, and blended learning to suit diverse learner needs.
- Tailored CPD courses for professionals in nursing, coaching, social care, and more, often developed in partnership with industry and public sector organisations.
These opportunities empower individuals to upskill, reskill, and progress in their careers, while promoting inclusive and equitable access to education. By fostering lifelong learning and professional development, Stirling directly contributes to SDG 4 by ensuring learners of all ages can access quality education and opportunities for advancement.
Find out more about our CPD and short courses.
University operations
Psychology Kindergarten
The Psychology Kindergarten at the University of Stirling offers high-quality early years education for children aged 2 years 9 months to 5 years, laying the foundation for lifelong learning through play, outdoor exploration, and emotional wellbeing. As a partner provider with Stirling Council, it offers funded places and contributes to research in child development. Importantly, the kindergarten also supports student mothers, enabling them to pursue their own education while their children benefit from a nurturing and stimulating learning environment. In 2024, 1,170 hours of care was available through the Stirling Kindergatern. This dual impact directly advances SDG 4 by promoting inclusive, equitable education for both children and parents.
Student Support Services and ethical careers
The Careers Service and Work-Based Learning and Employer Engagement Teams at the University of Stirling are embedding sustainability into every stage of the student career journey. From reducing printing and switching to eco-friendly materials, to launching digital platforms like the Careersphere podcast, they promote low-impact, high-value engagement. They’ve also published sustainability guidance for employers and led the way nationally by becoming the first Scottish university to sign the Sustainable Recruitment Alliance pledge and launch an Ethical Careers Policy, prioritising partnerships with responsible employers.
Their efforts were recognised with a national win in the ‘Sustainability in Talent and Education’ category at the 2025 Target Jobs Awards, celebrating their commitment to ethical, future-focused career development. Initiatives like the Jobs of the Future event series, the Green Leaf award, and a Professional Clothing Bank further support students in accessing meaningful opportunities. These actions directly advance SDG 4 by ensuring students are equipped for inclusive, sustainable, and lifelong learning and employment.
Contextual admissions
Stirling’s contextual admissions approach as part of our Widening Access Strategy supports SDG 4: Quality Education by promoting fair and inclusive access to higher education. By considering applicants’ personal and educational circumstances alongside academic achievement, the University ensures that students from underrepresented backgrounds have equitable opportunities to succeed.
This approach - fully implemented since 2019 - reduces barriers to entry and reflects Stirling’s commitment to selecting students based on merit, transparency, and consistency. It helps create a diverse learning environment where all students can thrive, aligning with SDG 4’s goal of inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Civic engagement
National Learning for Sustainability Framework
Professor Lizzie Rushton, Professor of Education at the University of Stirling, leads national efforts to embed Learning for Sustainability (LfS) in teacher education. As the Scottish Council of Deans of Education (SCDE) lead for LfS, she coordinated the development of a new national framework in partnership with organisations including Education Scotland, the General Teaching Council for Scotland, and Learning for Sustainability Scotland, alongside all 11 Scottish universities offering Initial Teacher Education.
This collaborative initiative ensures that future teachers are equipped to integrate sustainability into their practice from day one, supporting Scotland’s goal of transforming every school into a Sustainable Learning Setting by 2030.
Engaging local students to combat environmental challenges
Through the Young Pathfinders programme, the University of Stirling is advancing SDG 4 by engaging pupils from Stirling and Clackmannanshire in hands-on environmental education. Led by Scotland’s International Environment Centre (SIEC), the initiative empowers young people to identify and solve real-world sustainability challenges in their schools and communities.
In 2023-24 and 2024-25, 56 pupils participated in the programme with 7 local schools participating in 2024. The SIEC also hosted 10 unique events throughout 2024 including Online Green Champions, Enterprise Day and Healthy Landscapes Tree Planting.
Recent winners from Lornshill Academy and Stirling High developed innovative projects - from expanding a uniform swap shop to creating sustainable art from waste - demonstrating how outreach can foster critical thinking, creativity, and civic responsibility. This programme equips students with the knowledge and skills needed for lifelong learning and active citizenship in a climate-changed world.
40 Faces campaign
Two University of Stirling students who beat an unconventional path to university feature as part of Universities Scotland’s 2024 campaign, 40 Faces. University of Stirling history student and sports scholar Scott Meenagh and Stirling graduate, now University employee, Toni Rodgers are both part of the 40 Faces campaign which gives students and graduates who accessed university through a non-traditional route a platform to share their stories as Scotland’s universities head towards a 2030 goal of fair access targets.