Higher Education
BA (Hons) Sustainable Futures:
Arts, Ecology, and Systems Change
Our undergraduate programme is franchised and awarded by Prifysgol Metropolitan Caerdydd / Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Created as a response to the climate and ecological emergency, our degree is designed to foster confidence, creativity, critical thinking and emotional intelligence.
The foundation of the BA is learning how to learn about the natural world and human societies in order to become an agent of change. You will gain the ability to communicate and collaborate with peers in order to imagine – and deliver – fundamental changes to current systems.
Course Overview
BA (Hons) Sustainable Futures: Arts, Ecology and Systems Change is an interdisciplinary programme combining a grounding in theories of change, creative practice based on artistic methods, ecological thinking, political economy and sociotechnical systems.
Our programme invites you to develop the ‘futures-making skills’ necessary for making sense of a rapidly changing world: critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, and compassion. We help you find your talents and then apply them in service of a more equitable world within planetary limits. This involves practical skills and arts-based training in creativity and design thinking alongside traditional activities such as critical reading and academic writing, scientific experiments, and theory.
Location
Talgarth
Tuition Time
3 days per week, from September to May
Course Length
3 years
Minimum Age
18 years (no maximum age)
Entry Requirements
We have an open admissions policy designed to encourage the widest possible access and participation for those who would like to enter higher education
Cost
£9790 per year, funded via Student Finance
Kit Requirements
Warm waterproof clothing and shoes for working outdoors.
Core Team
Guest Lecturers
Hanna Poikonen
David Helfand
Kirstie Simson
Owen Griffiths
Vandana Shiva
Ambreena Manji
Jojo Mehta
Chris Smaje
Laurie Laybourn
Thomas Duggan
Emma Cardwell
Keri Facer
Owen Sheers
Morag Colquhoun
James Dyke
Downloads
teaching model
Classes are three days a week in intensive ‘blocks’ in year one, meaning you study one topic at a time. This gives you the chance to really delve deeply into an area. We focus on teaching excellence above all else.
Teaching is research-informed and led by experts in the topics you are studying. All our teaching staff are passionate about their subjects and the radical approach of Black Mountains College.
Because we know that students learn best in small groups, our seminars are capped at 20 students
You will connect with nature through learning outdoors in the spectacular Bannau Brycheiniog.
how to apply
Applications are now open for the cohort starting in September 2026.
We have designed and will continue to refine our admissions process to welcome expression and ambition in a range of formats. We want to focus on potential and passion for creating sustainable futures, not just past achievements. Admission is based on portfolios and interviews, not grades alone. We look for potential to contribute to change, not prior achievement.
Apply Direct
We can support you in completing your application form directly, or if you’re ready and know that BMC is for you, please fill in a direct application form:
Apply Direct
We can support you in completing your application form directly, or if you’re ready and know that BMC is for you please fill in a direct application form below:
You will need to submit a reference alongside your application – your reference should be provided by someone who knows you academically or professionally (not a friend or relative) and can comment on relevant skills, experiences, and attributes. Click here to download a reference form
Interested to learn more? Speak to one of our dedicated Student Support team.
Visit us
We have a number of Open Days and Campus Tours running throughout the year. These are a great opportunity to explore the campus, ask lecturers and current students any questions you may have.
Travel Bursaries
At Black Mountains College, our rural location is part of the magic – nature and the Welsh countryside are woven into our teaching. But that also means that our campus can be a bit harder to reach, and we know that travel costs can be high.
To ensure everyone can access our unique setting, we’re offering travel bursaries for those exploring our degree programme – BA(Hons) Sustainable Futures: Arts, Ecology and Systems Change.
You can claim £40 toward your travel costs when you visit us for:
🍃 HE Open Day 10th October
❄️ HE Campus Tour 16th December
Listen to our CEO, Ben Rawlence, giving an overview of our degree course:
Useful Links
The BMC Prospectus
Download the Black Mountains College prospectus for an overview of our courses, campuses, and vibrant student life
Visit us
Come along to one of our Discovery Days or Campus Tours to explore our campuses and meet your tutors