Program Overview
This MSc program in Climate Change, Development and Policy equips students with knowledge and skills to address climate change issues, focusing on equity and justice. Taught jointly by multiple departments, it offers core modules in climate science, social dimensions, and policy-making. Students can customize their studies with optional modules and pursue research placements to enhance their employability in organizations working on climate change solutions.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our times. To work towards climate solutions, evidence-based policy-making is essential. This MSc is taught jointly by the School of Global Studies, SPRU – Science Policy Research Unit and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS). You’ll benefit from diverse practitioners linking what they teach to real-world experiences. You’ll get to consider complex issues from multiple perspectives. There’s a particular emphasis on the implications of climate change and policy responses for equity and justice between – and within – countries.
Objectives:
- Gain a knowledge basis in climate and earth systems science
- Develop the skills to address the role of climate change within the wider set of today’s interconnected development and policy imperatives
- Understand the social, economic and political dimensions of climate change
- Gain the understanding and analytical tools necessary to contribute to evidence-based policy-making.
Outline:
Full-time and part-time study:
- Choose to study this course full time or part time, to fit around your work and personal life.
- Modules for the full-time course are listed below.
Core Modules:
- Autumn teaching:
- Ideas and Concepts in Climate, Development, Economics and Policy
- The Science of Climate Change
- Spring teaching:
- Research Methods and Professional Skills (Geog)
- Summer teaching:
- Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- Spring teaching:
- Climate Change and Energy Policy
- Climate change: Impacts and Adaptation
- Climate Resilient Development
- Low Carbon Development
- Summer teaching:
- Research placements run for up to 12 weeks in the summer term and vacation.
- You can also write your dissertation based on your experience.
- Find an employer
- Draft an application
- Prepare for interviews.
Careers:
- We maintain an active alumni network to support you in your career development.
- International organisations and agencies (including the UN Environment Programme, the UN Development Programme, the World Food Programme, The World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development)
- National government ministries and public policy (including UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, House of Commons)
- National environment and development agencies across the world (including the German GiZ, the Ministry of the Environment in Japan, the Ministry of Forestry)
- A wide range of private-sector organisations (including energy utilities, the renewables sector, consultancy companies)
- Public-sector organisations, universities and research (including Ecofys, Stockholm Environment Institute, Overseas Development Institute).
Other:
- We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
- Climate change is Code Red for Humanity, and a pressing challenge for science and policy-makers in multiple sectors.
- Overall the experience helped my career development, not only through exposure to world-class teachers and researchers, but also the opportunity to take up research assistant posts at IDS.
University of Sussex
Overview:
The University of Sussex is a leading, research-intensive university located in Brighton, UK. It is known for its commitment to academic excellence and its focus on creating a vibrant and diverse campus community.
Services Offered:
The university offers a wide range of services to its students, including:
Accommodation:
On-campus housing options are available for students, with various types of accommodation to suit different needs and budgets.Student Support:
The university provides comprehensive support services to students, including academic advising, career counseling, and mental health resources.Careers:
The university offers career services to help students find internships, graduate jobs, and develop their career skills.Library:
The university library provides access to a vast collection of books, journals, and online resources.IT Services:
Students have access to a range of IT services, including computer labs, wireless internet, and online learning platforms.Student Life and Campus Experience:
Students at the University of Sussex can expect a vibrant and engaging campus experience. The university offers a wide range of clubs, societies, and sports teams for students to join. The campus is located in a beautiful setting, with easy access to the city of Brighton.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Research Excellence:
The university is renowned for its research excellence, with a strong focus on innovation and impact.World-Class Faculty:
The university boasts a world-class faculty, with experts in a wide range of fields.Vibrant Campus Community:
The university has a diverse and welcoming campus community, with a strong sense of belonging.Location:
The university is located in Brighton, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a thriving arts and culture scene.Academic Programs:
The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:
Arts and Humanities:
English, History, Philosophy, Music, Theatre, and more.Social Sciences:
Politics, Sociology, Economics, Psychology, and more.Science and Engineering:
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, and more.Business and Management:
Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, and more.Entry Requirements:
- Degree requirements: Normally, an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree or above is required.
- Subject-specific requirements: Your qualification should be in either the social, natural, or physical sciences; alternatively, you should have relevant professional experience or engagement.
- International requirements: Specific requirements vary by country.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- IELTS (Academic): High level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).
- Alternative English language qualifications: The text lists several alternative English language qualifications, including Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE), Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), LanguageCert International ESOL SELT, Pearson (PTE Academic), and TOEFL (iBT). Specific score requirements are provided for each qualification.
- Country exceptions: Nationals of certain countries, or those who have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in these countries, are normally exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.