Environmental Policy and Society MSc

Program Overview

The MSc Environmental Policy and Society program equips students with critical skills and insights to tackle global environmental challenges. Focusing on environmental justice, climate change policy, and sustainable development, the program provides a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues and policymaking. Through interdisciplinary teaching, research skills development, and a practice-based dissertation, graduates are well-prepared for careers in sustainability, environmental protection, and policy development.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Objectives: The MSc Environmental Policy and Society program aims to equip students with the critical skills and insights necessary to tackle global environmental challenges.
It focuses on developing a deep understanding of issues like climate change, ecological destruction, and environmental inequality.
• Program Description: The program explores the concept of environmental justice, its achievement, and its benefits for environmental policy at global, national, and local levels.
It emphasizes the challenges faced by policymakers at a transnational level and equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to understand and influence policy decisions impacting the environment and society.
• Key Focus: The program provides a comprehensive understanding of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, their role in shaping a sustainable future, and the potential consequences of failing to meet them.
• Learning Environment: Students join a vibrant postgraduate community at the Penryn Campus and benefit from research-led teaching by experts in the field.

Outline:

• Interdisciplinary Approach: The MSc Environmental Policy and Society is an interdisciplinary program that highlights the importance of the humanities and social sciences in tackling global challenges.
• Versatile Toolkit: The program equips students with a versatile toolkit to navigate complex environmental issues and formulate solutions considering factors like climate change, ecological destruction, environmental inequality, and socio-ecological injustice.
• Research Skills Development: The program includes optional modules that allow students to develop their research skills and tailor the program to their career aspirations.
• Practice-Based Dissertation: The final term includes a practice-based dissertation, allowing students to integrate their knowledge and skills into a project with the potential to impact environmental policymaking.
The dissertation also provides opportunities for students to establish connections with potential employers.
• Modules: The program offers a range of modules, including:
• Environmental Justice:
This module explores the concept of environmental justice, its historical development, and its application to contemporary environmental issues.
• Climate Change Policy: This module examines the science of climate change, the policy responses to it, and the challenges of implementing effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
• Environmental Governance: This module explores the different levels of governance involved in environmental policy, including international, national, and local levels.
It examines the role of different actors, such as governments, businesses, and civil society organizations, in shaping environmental policy.
• Sustainable Development: This module examines the concept of sustainable development, its history, and its application to different sectors, such as energy, agriculture, and transportation.
It explores the challenges of achieving sustainable development and the role of different stakeholders in promoting it.
• Environmental Law: This module provides an overview of the legal framework governing environmental protection, including international law, national law, and European Union law.
It examines the different legal instruments used to regulate environmental issues, such as pollution control, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.
• Environmental Communication: This module explores the role of communication in shaping public understanding of environmental issues and influencing policy decisions.
It examines different communication strategies and their effectiveness in promoting environmental awareness and action.
• Environmental Economics: This module examines the economic dimensions of environmental issues, including the costs of environmental degradation, the benefits of environmental protection, and the economic instruments used to promote environmental sustainability.
• Environmental Ethics: This module explores the ethical dimensions of environmental issues, including the relationship between humans and the natural world, the rights of future generations, and the responsibilities of individuals and societies to protect the environment.

Assessment:

• Diverse Assessment Methods: The program utilizes a variety of assessment techniques, including:
• Essays
• Presentations
• Project and group work
• Policy memos
• Research posters
• Reports
• Practice-based dissertation

Teaching:

• Research-Led Teaching: The program is taught by expert staff who are active researchers and can provide invaluable insights into the latest research findings.
• Real-World Applications: The program offers opportunities to apply academic learning in various real-world environmental contexts.
• Learning Environment: The vibrant learning environment combines traditional forms of delivery (lectures, seminars, and tutorials) with practice-based learning, including workshops, guest speakers, and debates.

Careers:

• Career Opportunities: Graduates of the MSc Environmental Policy and Society program are well-equipped for a diverse range of careers in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), public, and business sectors.
• Relevant Fields: The program prepares graduates for roles in sustainability, environment, social impact, policy development, governance, and regulation.
• Career Support: The University of Exeter provides excellent career support through the Career Zone, offering careers training, events, advice, and mentoring to help graduates succeed in finding employment in their chosen field.

Other:

• Graduate School of Environment and Sustainability: Students become part of Exeter's Graduate School of Environment & Sustainability, a vibrant and supportive postgraduate community based at the Penryn campus in Cornwall.
The Graduate School brings together experts from various disciplines, including earth and life sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and business. Students interact with other MSc students and explore issues from different perspectives, benefiting from an interdisciplinary experience.
• Focus on Solutions: All programs are designed with a focus on developing solutions to global challenges and creating a better future for the planet and its people.

2024/25 entry UK fees per year: £12,000 full-time International fees per year: £24,300 full-time