Climate Change Management (Online Learning) MSc

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. Many students continue to work full-time and partake in the programme.

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

You will learn from academics working at the leading edge of climate change management. Our tutors will regularly interact in group sessions 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 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
• 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

Studying online with the University of Edinburgh

Find out more about the benefits and practicalities of studying for an online degree with us:

• Postgraduate Online Learning

This MSc programme (total 180 credits) comprises of:

• compulsory and option courses (total 120 credits)
• a dissertation (60 credits)

Topics

You will be taught various topics and themes across the required courses, including:

• climate science
• climate change risk
• mitigation and adaptation
• policy
• business
• climate justice

Dissertation

Your teaching team will work with you throughout the programme to prepare for the dissertation project. This will be your opportunity to explore a topic of your choice in relation to climate change and carbon management. You can even use the dissertation to explore your own business idea for tackling climate change through the business plan dissertation option.

We also work with our wide network to find opportunities for dissertation projects with external organisations, enhancing the real-world relevance of your degree. Examples of previous organisations we’ve collaborated with include:

• Forestry & Land Scotland
• Scottish National Heritage
• Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh
• Plan Vivo
• Ecometrica

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

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.

Changes to teaching and learning

We are committed to offering high-quality education to all our students. However, please be advised that there may be changes to course options and delivery. All decisions are made to ensure we can provide the highest standards for your educational experience.

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.

By successfully completing the MSc Climate Change 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 and 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. We have an active and growing alumni group on LinkedIn, which is a testament to the success of graduates working professionally in this field.

Our alumni are working throughout the world in national and regional government departments, NGOs, consultancy and other business organisations. Some progress to completing a PhD.

Our graduates have been very successful in securing employment in the carbon and climate change sectors 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

Our graduates

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

Examples of the organisations in which our graduates have gained employment include:

• Deutsche Bank
• Forestry Department Malawi
• Scottish Government
• The Carbon Trust, Deloitte
• AECOM
• Mott MacDonald
• World Bank
• 2020 Climate Group
• Japanese Ministry of Education
• Climate Bonds Initiative
• China Beijing Environmental Exchange
• WindPower Nepal
• UBS
• Department of Energy and Climate Change
• Edinburgh Climate Change Institute

Examples of roles our graduates have gone onto include:

• Sustainability Compliance Delivery Manager
• Climate & Sustainability Analyst
• Senior Manager, Climate Change
• Carbon trader
• Forestry Carbon Project Development and Management
• PhD candidate
• Senior Policy Advisor at Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
• Headteacher

Networks

The MSc in Climate Change Management (Online Learning) has excellent relationships with relevant employers, as well as an alumni network covering more than 35 nations. This network provides you with unique opportunities to link up on research projects and find new positions in the field of carbon management.

Many of our alumni have come back to give guest lectures or workshops which adds to the real-world relevancy of the programme.

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

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

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.

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

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

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. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• 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 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 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 five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

You will need to have access to a computer and the internet in order to participate in this programme.

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money

  • taking out a loan
  • family support
• personal savings
• income from work
• employer sponsorship
• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Featured funding

Mastercard Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships

Scholarships are available for this programme. The postgraduate study scholarships for the 2025/26 academic year will accept applications from 1st October 2024 at 10:00 AM until 8th November 2024 at 5:00 PM (UK Time). Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in a Sub-Saharan African country.

For more information and how to apply, visit:

• Mastercard Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships

Please note: If the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is the only scholarship you are interested in applying for at the University of Edinburgh, please apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship only. If you receive a scholarship offer from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you can then apply for the academic programme.

Online Learning scholarships

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

• Online Learning Scholarships

School of GeoSciences scholarships

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

• School of GeoSciences postgraduate funding

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