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Global Environment Challenges Certificate (Online distance learning)

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PgCert Global Environmental Challenges (Distance Learning) - 9 Months (Part-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: Certificate Director
Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4917
Email: osbert.lancaster@ed.ac.uk; Postgraduate Secretary
Phone: +44 (0) 131 651 7274
Email: rachel.chisholm@ed.ac.uk; Address: School of GeoSciences
Drummond Street
Edinburgh
EH8 9XP

The Postgraduate Certificate in Global Environment Challenges is an online distance learning programme for people working, or considering a career, at the intersections of policy, real-world practice and/or research in a range of sectors, including government, international agencies, NGOs, private sector and academia.

Entry requirements

A UK 2:1 degree, or its international equivalent, in any subject. Professional experience will also be taken into account.

Applicants are encouraged to use their personal statement in the application to describe their interests in the programme and what they would bring to the programme as well as provide details on any relevant work experience.

International students

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

Programme description

Drawing from the University’s unique breadth of expertise in many related areas, this programme takes an interdisciplinary approach in helping students understand in depth the environmental challenges faced by humanity, and how human activity, intentional or not, drives environmental change.

Programme structure

This certificate is delivered as an online distance learning programme, comprising 60 credits, split into the following 20-credit taught courses:

Global Environment Challenges (offered from September to December): this course introduces the nature and relevance of key environmental challenges.
Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation (offered from January to March): this course provides a high-level understanding of climate change impacts and adaptation at global, national and local scales.
Ecosystem Values and Management (offered from March to June): this course considers the roles that ecosystems play in providing a range of ‘services’, including climate regulation, water, food, shelter as well as cultural and spiritual values.

The courses are delivered through a mix of online modes, including video lectures that draw upon expertise from across the University, study guides, selfdirected and guided reading, and a range of interactive online reflection and discussion activities.

Learning outcomes

Students will be equipped to:

understand the challenges for society relating to sustainability, human wellbeing and environmental change
critically evaluate local and regional environment-related issues, initiatives and projects within a global context
apply theories and insights from scholarly research to support the development of appropriate responses to such issues through practice and policy

Career Opportunities

These programmes will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need for work with governments, NGOs, international aid organisations, United Nations agencies, the private sector, universities, other research institutions and elsewhere.

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