MSc in Climate, Risk and Society

Program Overview

The Climate, Risk and Society MSc at Durham University explores the impact of climate change on society and equips students with risk management strategies for resulting threats. Graduates are prepared for careers in diverse sectors, including government, NGOs, environmental consultancy, and public policy.

Program Outline

Climate, Risk and Society MSc at Durham University: A Deep Dive

Degree Overview

The program equips you with an in-depth understanding of:

• How human influence on climate creates new risks.
• Challenges and social vulnerability.
• Developing effective response strategies to natural and socio-political threats.
Targeted at individuals with backgrounds in social science, natural science, and engineering, the program delves into how individuals, governments, and organizations define and manage climate risk. You will learn how decisions are made when confronting uncertainty and threats to environments and communities globally.

Outline

The MSc spans one year full-time or two years part-time.

Core Modules:

• Understanding Risk: Provides a foundation on interdisciplinary concepts of risk involving human and environmental events.
• Risk, Science, and Communication: Covers methods used in natural, engineering, and social sciences.
• Risk Frontiers: Examines cutting-edge research and equips students with skill sets to analyze, critique, and collate emerging research.
• Climate Risk and Society: Offers an in-depth understanding of human-influenced climate change as a risk factor to society.
• Dissertation (Research or Vocational): This capstone project allows students to choose between a research-based dissertation or a vocational dissertation involving external collaborations and independent research.
• Spatial and Temporal Dimensions of Hazards: Explores theoretical and practical understanding of locations, timings, and key characteristics of various hazards.
• Hydro-meteorological Hazards: Provides fundamental knowledge of flood and drought risk, their causes, changing environmental conditions, and potential management strategies.

Assessment

Throughout the program, students are evaluated using diverse methods:

• Traditional assessments: essays, presentations, reports.
• Alternative assessment methods: podcasts, portfolios.
• Dissertation: a research-based or vocational project demonstrating learning outcomes from various modules.

Teaching

The program offers interactive and participatory learning:

• Lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and practical sessions.
• Individualized support through academic advisors and dissertation supervisors.
• Eight hours of module contact time per week during terms.
• Total expected workload: eight hours per day during the term, including assessments.

Careers

Graduates are prepared for rewarding careers in diverse sectors, including:

• Government
• NGOs
• Charity
• Property surveying
• Environmental consultancy/management
• Conservation
• Town planning
• Geopolitical risk
• Market research
• Development work
• Health
• Public Policy
• Social research
• Logistics
• Youth and community work
• Education
• Energy
• Utilities
• Tourism
• Banking
• Law
• Public Relations
• IT
• Publishing
• Journalism
• Media

Other

• The Department of Geography boasts a global reputation and top research ranking.
• Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories, equipment, and a dedicated library.

Additional Notes:

• Tuition fees and application requirements are not included in this summary.

Full Time Fees

• Tuition fees
• Home students: £13,500 per year
• EU students: £25,900 per year
• Island students: £13,500 per year
• International students: £25,900 per year

Part Time Fees

• Tuition fees
• Home students: £7,500 per year
• EU students: £14,300 per year
• Island students: £7,500 per year
• International students: £14,300 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).