Sustainability, Energy and Development

Program Overview

Durham University's MSc in Sustainability, Energy and Development equips students with an interdisciplinary understanding of global challenges like climate change and inequality. Through core modules and optional courses, students develop skills in research, analysis, and problem-solving to promote sustainable solutions. The program's research-led approach, collaboration opportunities, and expert faculty provide a strong foundation for careers in development, policy, research, and other sectors.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Focus:

Global challenges of climate change and inequality

Objectives:

Develop students' understanding of the processes and practices contributing to climate change and inequality, and provide them with the skills and knowledge to promote sustainable solutions.

Program Description:

• Interdisciplinary approach focusing on the social, political, and economic aspects of sustainability and development.
• Emphasis on understanding the role of local and indigenous knowledge, community action, and the actions of national and international actors in tackling these challenges.
• Taught by an active team of researchers involved in world-class research on energy, sustainability, and development issues.
• Collaboration opportunities with various organizations to address real-world challenges.

Outline:

Core Modules:

• Anthropology and Development: Examines the subject-specific knowledge central to development anthropology through seminars, readings, and presentations.
• Society, Energy, Environment and Resilience: Analyzes the relationships between humans, energy needs and uses, and the environment from anthropological and other social science perspectives.
• Context and Challenges in Energy and Society: Explores the social, political, economic, and geopolitical implications of energy throughout history and in the modern world.
• The Field Study: Examines the practicalities of transitioning the UK's energy structure, researching energy challenges, identifying key participants, and considering energy needs in a global context.
• Dissertation: An independent research project conducted under the supervision of a tutor with expertise in the chosen area.
Students are expected to write a literature review, collect data, conduct data analysis, and facilitate a discussion of their findings.

Optional Modules:

• Anthropology of Global Health
• Society, Health and Wellbeing
• Interrogating Ethnography
• Thinking Anthropologically
• Understanding Society and Culture
• Renewable Energy Law
• Renewable Energy Technologies 4
• Future Vehicles 4
• Electrical Energy Conversion 4
• Risk, Science and Communication
• Innovation and Technology Management
• Advanced Studies in Anthropology, Art, and Experience
• Advanced Studies in Mediterranean Connections
• Advanced Studies in the Social Anthropology of Hormones
• Advanced Studies in the Anthropology of Sport
• Advanced Studies in Anthropological Skills for Climate Change Survival
• Advanced Studies in Capitalism in Ruins
• Advanced Studies in the Anthropology of Data and Quantification
• Advanced Studies in Power and Governance
• Advanced Studies in Violence and Memory
• Advanced Studies in Food Security, Nutrition and Sustainable Livelihoods
• Advanced Specialised Aspects in Social Anthropology
• A language module offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Studies

Assessment:

• Mixture of coursework assignments and project work throughout the program.
• Rigorous dissertation requiring the design, development, and implementation of an independent research project.

Teaching:

• Combination of interactive lectures, seminars, workshops, field studies, and field trips.
• One-to-one dissertation supervision.
• Approximately 6-8 hours of formal teaching and learning contact per week, supported by independent study.
• Attendance at weekly departmental research seminars.

Careers:

• Graduates are well-placed to pursue research careers or seek professional opportunities in various sectors, including development, health, government, policy, social research, culture, heritage, consultancy, education, and media.
• Recent graduates have secured roles in organizations such as Save the Children, HM Prison Service, UK Civil Service, Durham University, VSO, Office for National Statistics, National Graduate Development Programme, and NGOs like Concern Universal and Kenwa.

Other:

• The program is research-led, with teaching content informed by the latest developments in the field.
• Students have the opportunity to join an active research group and conduct world-class research under the guidance of expert staff.
• The department houses state-of-the-art facilities, including laboratories, field stations, and a material culture collection.
• Top 30 in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2023.
• Top 10 in The Complete University Guide 2024 and The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
• 6th in The Guardian University Guide 2024.
• 45% of research rated world-leading in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

Full Time Fees

• Tuition fees
• Home students: £12,500 per year
• EU students: £26,500 per year
• Island students: £12,500 per year
• International students: £26,500 per year

Part Time Fees

• Tuition fees
• Home students: £6,900 per year
• EU students: £14,600 per year
• Island students: £6,900 per year
• International students: £14,600 per year
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).