Climate Change and Environmental Policy

When completed on a full-time basis, this 12 month Masters is split into 3 semesters.

In your semester 1, you’ll develop a grounding in the physical and social sciences – important for understanding climate mitigation and adaptation.

You’ll also examine the multiple pathways through which human-environment interaction is governed.

You’ll become familiar with appropriate research methods and gain the research skills relevant to your dissertation project.

In semester 2, your studies will give you an overview of climate change impact assessment and predictions, along with key concerns and strategies of adaptation to climate change.

You’ll explore the relative significance of main sources of greenhouse gases and the potential, technologies and strategies for reducing them.

You’ll develop an understanding of the key challenges for controlling greenhouse gas emissions, alongside the critical political issues related to mitigation.

During semester 3, you’ll propose and undertake an extended research project leading to the submission of a 12,000-word dissertation in August.

This dissertation gives you the opportunity to examine the detail of an issue of your choice.

When completed on a part-time basis, the course runs for 24 months, with each year split into 3 semesters. You will take compulsory and optional modules in each semester, followed by an extended research project leading to the submission of a 12,000-word dissertation in semester 3 of your final year.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Research Methods 15 credits
• Research Project 60 credits
• Environmental Policy and Governance 15 credits
• Climate Change: Physical Science Basis 15 credits
• Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptation 15 credits
• Climate Change Mitigation 15 credits

Optional modules

• Environmental Assessment 15 credits
• Risk Perception and Communication 15 credits
• International Relations and the Environment 30 credits
• Business, Environment and Sustainability 15 credits
• Introduction to Ecological Economics 15 credits
• Environmental Economics and Policy 15 credits
• Delivering Sustainability Through Projects 15 credits
• Introduction to Sustainability 15 credits
• Critical Perspectives in Environment and Development 15 credits
• Environment & Development International Field Course 30 credits
• Tools and Techniques in Ecological Economics 15 credits
• Terrestrial Biosphere in the Earth System 15 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Climate Change and Environmental Policy MSc Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information on typical modules, read Climate Change and Environmental Policy MSc Part Time in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

You will learn through a variety of teaching methods to help you develop both generic and subject-specific skills.

This includes lectures, practical workshops, field trips (UK and overseas), computer lab sessions, research seminars and project work (individual and group work).

Practical exercises focus around real-world scenarios and case studies to produce optimal solutions including familiarisation with state-of-the-art technical approaches, software and the regulatory regimes that companies and public sector organisations operate within.

The research-intensive environment of the School ensures that your course material is both up-to-date and research led.

You'll also learn the scientific and rational principles lying behind the practical approaches used in the world outside academia, so that your skills keep pace with changes in technology or the regulatory environment.

You also have access to the excellent research seminars and talks run by the School of Earth and Environment and its research centres, plus those organised by School of Geography and School of Politics and International Studies.

Facilities

The School of Earth and Environment’s £23m building gives you access to world-class research, teaching and facilities.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a variety of ways including both written and oral assignments, exams and poster presentations.

Student profile

“The course explores the complexity of the relationship between climate change and environmental policy and governance. It helped me understand the relationship between natural and social science.” Read more

Meihui Wang, Climate Change and Environmental Policy MSc