Environment and Development 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 Environment and Development, you will:

• be able to critically analyse the multiple, contested relationships between development and the environment, and underlying questions of power and responsibility
• be able to appreciate the value of understanding multiple ideologies and agendas on environment and development issues, emphasising minority and oppressed voices.
• be familiar with key theories and debates within political ecology and critical development studies and their agendas for social and environmental justice and decolonising development
• be comfortable using a range of tools and approaches commonly employed by environment and development practitioners in different sectors, including NGOs, consultancies and government agencies
• develop the capacity to critically reflect upon your own positioning, privilege and power in transformations towards social and environmental justice, considering the ethics of engagement in an unequal world

As a graduate of the MSc Environment and Development, you can seek roles in a variety of sectors, including:

• international and national development agencies
• state agencies
• think tanks
• non-government organisations (NGOs) and civil society
• environmental and development consultancies
• the private sector

Our students are also well-placed to progress to PhD research and academia. For example, recent graduates have progressed to doctoral studies focusing on marine governance in southeast Asia and conservation practice in east Africa.

Networks

Through this MSc, you will meet a range of environment and development practitioners who offer their perspectives on taught courses, or through dedicated postgraduate career activities, and potentially through collaborations during your own dissertation research.

Our graduates

Examples of where our recent graduates have secured positions include:

• United Nations
• Oxfam
• Edinburgh-based consultancies and environmental certification organisations
• a range of smaller NGOs and home-country government departments around the world

It was clear from the start that I wanted to work in international development, and doing this MSc was one of the essential steps to get there. I started applying for jobs around Easter of my Masters year, with some excellent support from the University Careers service. I am now in Dublin working for Oxfam Ireland as a Programme Quality Officer, supporting long term development programmes across Eastern and Southern Africa. The work I do is very rewarding, and I feel like I am constantly learning, so I am happy and grateful. Rosa Brandon, MSc Environment and Development

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

Field trips are an excellent way to explore the factors and forces that shape our world and enable you to put valuable skills into practice.

Through our residential field trip, you can meet with a range of people from government, development agencies, non-government organisations (NGOs), grassroots organisations, research institutions and local communities who can introduce you to a variety of projects and practices.

Previous students have explored:

• water management
• community forestry
• adaptations to climate change
• biodiversity conservation

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.

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.

We may also consider a UK 2:2 honours degree, or its international equivalent, with relevant work experience, a strong personal statement and supportive reference.

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