Documentation of courses based on the SDGs

At the start of the winter semester in 2025/26, the University of Augsburg will introduce a new system for assigning courses to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This will highlight the wide variety of sustainability-related courses available and document them in a structured way.

The project is part of the comprehensive sustainability strategy adopted by the University of Augsburg at the end of 2024. This strategy firmly establishes the SDGs as an internationally recognised framework for sustainable development.

Purpose of the measure

Integrating the SDGs into teaching is more than just a technical assignment – it is a visible commitment to social responsibility on the part of universities. It makes it clear that sustainability is not a marginal issue, but rather at the heart of university education and development.

Teachers are given the opportunity to demonstrate how their courses contribute to addressing global challenges. Students gain orientation and access content that prepares them for responsible professional and social action. Administration and departments contribute to embedding sustainability structurally.

All members of the university community – lecturers, students and staff – are invited to play an active role in shaping this approach. In the spirit of a ‘whole institutional approach’, this creates a university that not only teaches sustainability, but also lives it: in research, teaching, operations and in collective thinking and action.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

With immediate effect, all lecturers responsible for module handbooks in Digicampus can choose to assign their courses to one or more SDGs. This feature will be made available for the first time as part of the process of updating module handbooks for the winter semester of 2025/26.

The University of Augsburg aims to promote the development of skills, ways of thinking and practices that are crucial in addressing the challenges of social sustainability.
The SDG classification makes sustainability-related teaching content more transparent and visible.
Students receive better guidance when choosing socially relevant courses.
Systematic recording supports the development of sustainability across the university and provides data for reporting, strategy and public relations purposes.

The classification is aimed at:

Teachers from all faculties who manage their courses in the module handbook
Students who are interested in courses related to sustainability
Subject coordinators and programme directors who wish to further develop curricula specifically in line with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

This classification is carried out as part of the regular maintenance of the module handbook in Digicampus.
Lecturers can select one or more SDGs for courses that cover related content.
The SDGs are accompanied by short descriptions and thematic keywords to facilitate this selection process.
A detailed overview of all 17 SDGs can be found on the university's SDG website: SDG-Overview with examples from research, teaching and operations

The new feature is part of a comprehensive SDG presentation that transparently shows the university's contribution to implementing the 17 sustainability goals. This includes:

an SDG-based evaluation of scientific publications from Scopus (2021–2025),
a continuously expanded presentation of SDG-relevant projects and activities,
and, starting in the winter semester 2025/26, a public overview of SDG-related courses.

Overview of SDG research at the University of Augsburg

To assist lecturers with classification, the university offers:

clear brief descriptions of each SDG
a selection of relevant thematic keywords
examples from teaching practice to facilitate orientation
a first point of contact via the university's Green Office

Instructions for SDG classification

Here you will find click-by-click instructions on how to use the new function in Digicampus. It explains step by step how you can assign your own courses to the SDGs.

Download here