Course and degree finder

Environmental Sustainability

Apply for this Degree

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

MSc Environmental Sustainability - 1 Year (Full-time)

MSc Environmental Sustainability - 2 Years (Part-time)

MSc Environmental Sustainability - 3 Years (Part-time)

PgDip Environmental Sustainability - 9 Months (Full-time)

Information on fees & costs

Individual programme fees are linked above. For detailed information on fee status, policies, payment and funding opportunities see:

Contact information: Postgraduate Secretary
Phone: +44 (0) 131 651 7274
Email: env-sus@geos.ed.ac.uk; Dr Simon Allen (Programme Director)
Phone: +44 (0)131 650 7215
Email: simon.allen@ed.ac.uk; Address: School of GeoSciences
Centre for the Study of Environmental Change & Sustainability
King's Buildings, West Mains Road
Edinburgh
EH9 3JN

Environmental sustainability is vitally important for all of society, and is a major challenge that faces governments, regions, individuals and, increasingly, corporations.

Entry requirements

A UK 2:1 degree, or its international equivalent, in a biological, environmental or physical science, geography, social science, economics or other relevant subject.

International students

All applicants must meet our general entry and language requirements. Detailed advice for international students is available here:

Programme description

In this programme, leading academics encourage you to think across different disciplines to blend scientific, socio-economic and policy perspectives for a stronger understanding of sustainability and how it can be achieved. This wider perspective is an advantage for organisations that promote sustainable development or seek to reduce our effect on the environment.

Programme structure

This interdisciplinary MSc programme consists of two semesters of taught courses, consisting of lectures, seminars, workshops and visits.

You will also undertake a project leading to a dissertation of up to 20,000 words.

Compulsory courses

Principles of Environmental Sustainability
Management of Sustainable Development

Optional courses

Recommended optional courses may include:

Applications in Ecological Economics
Atmospheric Quality and Global Change
Culture, Ethics and Environment
Ecosystem Dynamics and Functions
Energy Policy and Politics
Environmental Governance
Environmental Impact Assessment
Forests and Environment
Foundations in Ecological Economics
Integrated Resource Management
Integrated Resource Planning
International Development
Land Use/Environmental Interactions
Participation in Policy and Planning
Project Appraisal
Soil Protection and Management
Sustainability of Food Production
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Water Resource Management

Learning outcomes

Students will be equipped to:

assess the sustainability of policies, programmes and projects at scales ranging from the local to the global
analyse environmental problems using knowledge from different disciplines, leading to well-founded and effective solutions
advocate sustainable development and engage in informed debate on current environmental controversies.

Career Opportunities

This programme trains you for a wide range of roles within environmental consultancy, national and local government, non-profit organisations, education or research. Your choice of courses and your dissertation project can be tailored towards your chosen career path.

Funding

Please see Scholarships and Student Funding Services for information about funding opportunities:

Scholarships and Student Funding Services

Further Information

This article was published on Apr 25, 2013