Purpose: Higher educational institutions, such as universities of applied sciences, have a significant role in promoting progress towards a sustainable future as defined by the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs). This paper aims to identify how the UN SDGs are featured in master's theses set in work-life contexts. Design/methodology/approach: Using a descriptive review and content analysis, this study identified the number of SDGs appearing in 31 master's theses. Sustainable development (SD) and corporate social responsibility were reflected using the approaches and models in the literature. Finland's eight objectives for committing to SD were used to examine the commitments made by the business school of the university of applied sciences to achieve Agenda 2030. Findings: Emphasising the value of higher education for SD, this study found that SDGs three, eight and 12 appeared most frequently in the theses. Sustainable and responsible dimensions reflected several issues concerning both the worlds of business and industry among the firms and organisations investigated by the master's degree students in the business school at the Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences. Practical implications: This research holds practical and pedagogical value, serving to encourage master's and PhD students to further explore research on SDGs and to shape public policy. Originality/value: Sustainability was looked at in a new way as investigated by the theses. Ways to integrate the SDGs into management degree programmes and conduct research in the fields of business administration, tourism and hospitality management were identified.