Postgraduate study

Carbon Management (Online Learning) MSc

Awards: MSc

Study modes: Flexible

Accreditation

Online learning

Funding opportunities

Are you ready to confront the challenges of global climate change?

Carbon management is now at the heart of tackling climate change and has rapidly become a central part of the global business environment.

Our MSc Carbon Management (Online Learning) will provide you with high-level knowledge, skills and training in the business, economics and science of carbon management.

You will be taught by world-leading experts in key fields of climate change and carbon management. Our programme also has excellent relationships with relevant employers and a strong alumni network around the globe.

This online MSc is a ground-breaking development of our award-winning campus-based MSc Carbon Management. Our online programme utilises a blend of interactive content, videos, virtual case studies and discussions to explore some of the most complex issues facing our future.

If you are passionate about climate change and its global impact, this programme is for you.

Online learning

Our programme is delivered 100% online and part-time, enabling you to study flexibly and at your own pace. You will benefit from interaction and engagement with our expert staff, as well as your peers around the world.

Accreditation

This online programme is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA).

IEMA is the global professional body for individuals and organisations working in environment and sustainability. A programme accredited by the IEMA ensures that graduates leaving environmental programmes have the right knowledge, skills and tools to deliver value in a global economy. Students enrolled on an IEMA approved are equipped with the expertise and understanding they need to secure a job in environment and sustainability and ultimately, lead change.

Students enrolled in our MSc Carbon Management (Online Learning) are eligible for free IEMA Student Membership, underpinning their studies with an invaluable toolkit of resources.

(Revised 10 February 2023 to add in accreditation information)

This is a 100% online part-time programme. It enables you to study flexibly and at your own pace, wherever you are in the world.

Our supportive online environment enables you to meet students from all over the world. Each week you will meet online to discuss issues, questions and ideas with the group.

You will learn from academics working at the leading edge of carbon management and climate change. Our tutors will regularly interact in group scenarios, as well as one-on-one online meetings.

The programme is delivered through a range of unique online teaching and assessment modes such as:

  • online lectures
  • virtual group meetings with the course organiser and tutor
  • online readings
  • online role-play based exercises
  • interactive slides
  • online discussions
  • virtual case studies
  • reading resources and links

Additionally, you may watch short video clips and interviews with climate change experts.

All of these techniques will allow you to investigate the subject in-depth, and to promote extensive discussion of the best ways to tackle this key global challenge.

As a student of one of our online learning programmes, you will:

  • have the flexibility to study when most convenient for you
  • be able to study from anywhere with an internet connection
  • have access to all University services and relevant academics
  • become part of a rich and varied online community of people in your field
  • learn the latest developments from people working at the leading edge in your field
  • be able to balance your studies alongside employment and personal commitments
  • study for an internationally-recognised Masters qualification

This MSc programme comprises:

  • compulsory and option courses
  • dissertation

By successfully completing the MSc Carbon Management (Online Learning), you will be able to:

  • demonstrate an understanding of key issues relating to global, regional and local carbon management, specifically: the science of climate change; the economics of climate change; the business response to climate change
  • be familiar with carbon auditing methodologies, as well as the tools used for climate change impact assessment and adaptation planning
  • develop and demonstrate an integrated view of mitigation and adaptation by businesses, NGOs and governments
  • possess in-depth knowledge and understanding in more specific climate change management related areas and obtain an understanding of how to undertake research and apply this knowledge in the context of a major study (dissertation)
  • demonstrate skills in interdisciplinary analysis, drawing upon different empirical sources, analytical perspectives and sub-disciplines within carbon management studies
  • conduct research into carbon management issues that require familiarity with a range of data, research sources and appropriate methodologies

A key strength of our programme is the employability of our graduates.

Our graduates have been very successful in securing employment in the carbon and climate change sector around the world.

Types of roles include:

  • renewable energy project developers
  • commercial carbon management consultants to companies large and small
  • central, regional and local government civil servants delivering a wide range of climate and decarbonisation policies
  • climate policy advisors to parliaments
  • NGO climate policy researchers and executives
  • PhD research and subsequent academic career path

Networks

The MSc in Carbon Management (Online Learning) has excellent relationships with relevant employers, as well as an alumni network covering more than 25 nations. This network provides you with unique opportunities to link up on research projects and find new positions in the field of carbon management.

Our graduates

Our graduates work in hundreds of organisations around the world within the climate change field.

Examples of the organisations our graduates have gained employment with include:

  • Deutsche Bank
  • Forestry Department Malawi
  • The Carbon Trust, Deloitte
  • 2020 Climate Group
  • Japanese Ministry of Education
  • China Beijing Environmental Exchange
  • WindPower Nepal
  • Department of Energy and Climate Change

These entry requirements are for the 2023/24 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2024/25 academic year will be published on 2 October 2023.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant subject such as environmental sciences, management, social sciences, energy, sustainability, earth sciences, physical sciences, geology, geography, economics, biology, health sciences, engineering, business administration, or finance.

We may also consider degrees in other disciplines if you can demonstrate how it is relevant to the programme, or if you have relevant work experience in a related field.

We may also consider a UK 2:2 honours degree, or its international equivalent, if you have substantial, related professional experience.

Please provide information on any relevant experience in your personal statement when you apply.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

Read our general information on tuition fees and studying costs:

Online Learning scholarships

The University offers several scholarships specifically for online, part-time postgraduate programmes.

School of GeoSciences scholarships

See potential funding for students studying a postgraduate degree with the School of GeoSciences:

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.

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • School of GeoSciences
  • Geography Building
  • Drummond Street
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 9XP

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

Failure to submit all required documents will prevent the Admissions team from considering you for a place on the programme. It may also delay the decision on your application beyond the stated deadline.

We advise you do not apply to more than one programme. Where possible, we may make an alternative programme offer if you have been unsuccessful in your chosen programme.

More details are available on the College website:

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • School of GeoSciences
  • Geography Building
  • Drummond Street
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 9XP