Environmental Sustainability MSc

This MSc programme comprises:

• compulsory and option courses
• dissertation

Throughout your studies, we will work with you to prepare you for the dissertation project. This will be your opportunity to explore a topic of your choice in relation to the programme and prepare a dissertation that you can use to demonstrate your work to potential employers.

Part-time study

As we are committed to helping people into education while continuing to work or managing family and personal commitments, you may study this programme part-time.

How will I learn?

You will experience a range of learning styles while studying, depending on the subject matter and courses you are taking.

You can view each relevant course for teaching and assessment methods through the ‘Programme Structure’ link under compulsory and option courses below.

Although we endeavour to provide a wide range of optional courses to choose from, these can be subject to change or cancellation at short notice. Places on optional courses can be limited due to course capacity and timetabling constraints. It may not be possible to guarantee every offer holder their top choice of optional courses.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

On completing the MSc Environmental Sustainability, you will be able to:

• assess the sustainability of policies, programmes and projects at scales ranging from the local to the global
• critically 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
• be comfortable using interdisciplinary approaches to summarise technical scientific documents for use in policy and business strategies
• speak about, and understand environmental sustainability from multiple perspectives and appreciate the complexity of development, environmentalism and sustainability

The MSc Environmental Sustainability will prepare you for a wide range of roles within:

• environmental consultancy
• national and local government
• non-government organisations (NGOs)
• non-profit organisations
• environmental agencies
• education or research at community, national or international levels

You can apply critical thinking, policy analysis and interdisciplinary environmental skills in sectors as diverse as transport, renewable energy, ecosystem planning and management, community development, technology innovation and beyond.

There is diversity within the programme, where your option courses and dissertation can be tailored to support your intended career path.

Networks

We have a host of guest speakers throughout the year, and they often have dissertation project ideas that you can undertake. Previously this has led to further employment opportunities for our students.

Our graduates

Recent graduates 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
• Marine Conservation Society
• Northumbrian Water Group
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• John Muir Trust
• The Scottish Government
• Transport for London
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC secretariat)
• World Resources Institute
• Zero Waste Scotland

I had a fantastic time, the course was interesting and challenging, and the lecturers were outstanding - very supportive and accessible. I am currently working as a trainee in Berlin. The organisation runs the global environmental disclosure system, so I am applying many of the skills I learnt during my Master's every day. I will never forget my time here. Audrey Marti, MSc Environmental Sustainability

Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:

• tailored advice
• individual guidance and personal assistance
• internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
• access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.

• Careers Service

The MSc Environmental Sustainability includes a residential field course to gain an insight into sustainable development in Scotland.

It will provide you with a grounding to the case studies discussed in class and the chance to observe and reflect on sustainable development in practice.

You can also explore sustainable energy and social sustainability programmes, including:

• environmental governance
• environmental policy
• environmental management
• consultancy
• public transport
• waste management
• eco-tourism
• community energy schemes
• eco-farming

During induction, there may also be a two-day residential field trip, providing a good opportunity for you to get to know fellow students.

There are no additional charges for compulsory field trips.

Field course locations may change for a variety of reasons, including the health and safety of our students, staff and communities, and to ensure we can maintain the highest standards for your educational experience. Where suitable, fieldwork will be relocated or rescheduled. We will also look at alternative arrangements that will ensure you achieve the quality learning outcomes of your degree. We will announce any changes as soon as possible.

Local day trips

The programme provides several opportunities for day trips to visit sustainable development programmes, showcasing a mix of rural and urban sustainability solutions.

We may also visit Historic Environment Scotland and Lothian Buses to learn about the fleet electrification programme.

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 biological, environmental or physical science, geography, social science or other relevant subject. Due to the focus of this programme, business-related degrees are not suitable for entry.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

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:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

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).

• Approved universities in 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:

• English language requirements

Deposit

If you receive an offer of admission you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place.

• £1,500 (this contributes towards your tuition fees)

Find out more about tuition fee deposits:

• Tuition fee deposits

Field trips and field courses

We do not charge extra fees for compulsory field trips or field courses. The programme fees will cover costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence on compulsory field trips. However, you must pay for incidental or personal expenses.

Living costs

You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies.

Tuition fees

Featured funding

• ScottishPower Masters Scholarships

School of GeoSciences scholarships

• See potential funding for GeoSciences students

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.

• Postgraduate scholarships and student funding

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:

• Search for funding