Why study Environmental Sustainability at Edinburgh?
- Within this programme, you will be encouraged to think across different disciplines and consider scientific, socio-economic, and policy perspectives to better understand sustainability and how it can be achieved in different geographical contexts.
- We have a wide diversity of students on this programme each year, including those with backgrounds in engineering, international relations, ecology, geography, marine science, computer science, and social and political sciences.
- Edinburgh is a hub for organisations seeking to influence national and international environmental sustainability debates, giving you access to exciting case studies and opportunities for networking.
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This MSc Environmental Sustainability is associated with the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI), bringing together consultancy, law, business, social science, technology, and policy experts to help develop a low-carbon society.
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You'll benefit from our excellent relationships with a variety of organisations, providing access to potential employers and opportunities to collaborate on dissertation projects that provide valuable real-world experience.
Online events
We're running a series of online events for applicants and offer holders.
These events will give you a unique opportunity to ask questions and find out more about studying with us at Edinburgh.
Back to the applicant website
Pre-arrival reading list
Your courses
This MSc programme comprises:
- compulsory and option courses
- dissertation
Courses are delivered by staff who are active researchers in each field. Their expertise is supplemented by selected guest speakers, generally from industry or other research organisations.
You can find out more about compulsory and optional courses on the Degree Programme Tables.
Read more about selecting optional courses on the applicant website.
Our student Asti on studying the MSc
- Video: geos-video-environmental sustainability-Asti-study an MSc
- Our student Asti shares her experience of studying MSc Environmental Sustainability at Edinburgh.
Your dissertation
Students can choose their dissertation topic and will get guidance from the Programme Director and their supervisors in choosing it.
Students can pursue desk-based research or conduct fieldwork for their dissertations.
Possible topics around Environmental Sustainability in the Global North and South include:
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Energy Transition, Sustainable Food Production, Environmental Justice, Waste Management, Climate Change Policy Processes, Climate Change Adaptation, Environmental Change, Disaster Risk, Resilience and Vulnerability, Agriculture and Sustainability, Just Transitions to Sustainability.
We have links with local and international organizations with whom students could pursue their dissertation research. For example, Dr. Armijos Burneo has links with local practitioners and universities in Latin America and the Caribbean with whom students could pursue research on issues relating to Disaster Risk Reduction, Environmental Change, and Environmental Justice for their dissertations.
The process to access these projects is competitive and is not guaranteed to all students.
Where will you be taught?
For the MSc Environmental Sustainability programme, most of your compulsory courses will be taught on the Central Campus in the city's historical centre. Occasionally, you may also have classes at the King's Buildings campus. Depending on the option courses you choose, you may study at various campus locations in Edinburgh. Students in this MSc will also have access to the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) Masters Hub.
Future of your subject
International and national sustainability requirements are becoming more important. Despite what people might think, things are improving in many areas. Perhaps not quickly enough but progress is being made. Increasing numbers of companies are striving for ‘carbon neutral’ status and integrating it into future business models.
There is an increased appreciation by employers of the needs for qualitative approaches and methods to be integrated with technical skills such as statistical computing and Geographic Information Systems in technology. These multi-disciplinary skills are the way the discipline is going into the future and we are at the forefront of teaching these.
Field trips/excursions
There is a welcome week trip to the Botanic Gardens and day trips during Semester 1. In Semester 2 a field trip as part of Case Studies in Sustainable Development students go to the Isle of Eigg, a small island in the Scottish Inner Hebrides.
On this trip, students will observe ‘real-world’ examples of sustainable development in local and national government, private businesses and NGOs, and local community partnerships across Scotland.
We strive to deliver a low-carbon experience that also supports the local economy. Our compulsory field trips or field courses are free, including travel and accommodation.
Scholarships
School of GeoSciences scholarships
Scholarships and student funding
You can find funding opportunities, tuition fees and costs of living for prospective UK and international postgraduate students on the University website.
You are also encouraged to undertake your own research into the range of potential scholarships and other funding outside the University for which you may be eligible.
Your programme director and cohort lead.
Find out more about your programme director and cohort lead.
Dr. Teresa Armijos Burneo
The programme director and cohort lead for this programme is Teresa Armijos Burneo. Teresa is a social scientist, with more than 10 years of experience in interdisciplinary research that critically explores the intersection between the environment and development. Her research combines approaches from Geography, Political Ecology and Development Studies to understand disaster risk, climate change impacts and the politics of resource management. Teresa’s research applies participatory methodologies and the creative arts to co-produce knowledge with those most affected by environmental change and disasters. She has worked in several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, St. Vincent, Montserrat and Guatemala. Teresa is currently working on different interdisciplinary Research Projects in Latin America and opens opportunities for students to do their dissertations as part of those projects.
Careers
We are proud of our graduates, and many have been employed in sustainability-related roles in organisations such as:
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Carnegie Wave Energy
- E.ON
- Friends of the Earth
- German Council for Sustainable Development
- Global Justice Now
- Institute for European Environmental Policy
- International Energy Agency
- London Borough of Camden
You can find a comprehensive list on the degree finder under 'Career opportunities'.
Alumni
We have a thriving global network of alumni living and working around the world. As well as individual MSc programme networks, the School of GeoSciences has a large alumni network, which you can join after graduation. You'll have the opportunity to engage with and learn from like minded individuals who can offer advice about shaping your career path.
You can read our alumni profiles to find out more about our graduates experiences throughout their studies and beyond on our website:
If you prefer to watch a video, you can watch our alumni interviews on YouTube: