Global Environment, Politics and Society MSc
Awards: MSc
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Global Environment, Politics and Society
This programme provides a social science-based, practice-oriented understanding of global environmental challenges and solutions.
Understanding issues such as climate change, sustainable development and biodiversity requires knowledge about the political, moral and societal dimensions of environmental problems and solutions.
Students will develop the knowledge and analytical tools to address questions such as:
- Are meaningful environmental agreements possible in a system of sovereign states?
- Is the environment more than an economic resource for human exploitation?
- What drives groups, individuals or institutions to take action on environmental issues?
- What is the effect of such mobilisation?
- What does environmental justice look like and is it achievable?
This programme is affiliated with the University's Global Environment & Society Academy.
Teaching methods will include:
- seminars
- group work
- lectures
- presentations
- guided independent study
You will be assessed through:
- coursework
- seminar assessment
- presentations
You will also undertake a supervised research dissertation, or may apply to complete a project-based report with an NGO, government department, political party or business over the spring and summer.
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.
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | 1 Year | Full-time | Programme structure 2022/23 | |
MSc | 2 Years | Part-time | Programme structure 2022/23 |
You will:
- develop a critical understanding of the key concepts, actors and dynamics characterising global environmental problems and solutions
- engage critically with different disciplinary and theoretical perspectives on environmental issues
- assess competing claims and make informed judgements about current global environmental problems
- develop their ability to present - in written and verbal form - coherent, balanced arguments
- use a range of research skills to plan and execute a significant project of research on a major global environmental challenge
You will acquire an advanced, multidisciplinary understanding of the major contemporary environmental challenges facing the world, and the different disciplinary and theoretical perspectives (from politics, international relations, ethics and sociology) used to explain them.
You will graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess competing claims and make informed judgements about current global environmental problems and possible solutions.
Such knowledge and skills are sought after by a wide range of public and private employers in the fields of environmental policy, consultancy and advocacy.
These entry requirements are for the 2022/23 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2023/24 academic year will be published on 3 October 2022.
A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent in social science, humanities or environmental science, or relevant work experience in the environmental field.
Students from China
This degree is Band C.
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.
(*Revised 17 November 2021 to add accepted PTE Academic qualifications.)
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.
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:
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees | |
MSc | 2 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.
The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your tuition fee status
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5074/1560
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr Elizabeth Cripps
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4248
- Contact: elizabeth.cripps@ed.ac.uk
- Graduate School of Social & Political Science
- Chrystal Macmillan Building
- 15A George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9LD
- Programme: Global Environment, Politics and Society
- School: Social & Political Science
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
MSc Global Environment, Politics and Society - 1 Year (Full-time)
MSc Global Environment, Politics and Society - 2 Years (Part-time)
Programme start date | Application deadline |
---|---|
12 September 2022 | 4 July 2022 |
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.
References are not usually required for applications to this programme.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5074/1560
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr Elizabeth Cripps
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4248
- Contact: elizabeth.cripps@ed.ac.uk
- Graduate School of Social & Political Science
- Chrystal Macmillan Building
- 15A George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9LD
- Programme: Global Environment, Politics and Society
- School: Social & Political Science
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences