MSc in Environment and Sustainable Development

About the programme

The MSc in Environment and Sustainable Development is for those intending to pursue

• careers as managers of environmental projects;
• the professional planning staff of Ministries concerned with the design and implementation of environmental policies (especially in developing countries);
• those working in this subject area in international agencies or academic and research institutes.

The diploma option

The Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development places less emphasis on research training than does the MSc programme, but will, nonetheless, provide a thorough grounding in the policy issues and techniques of analysis in this area, and will be appropriate for a range of career options in the environment and sustainable development field.

A note on entry requirements and target students

The MSc Environment and Sustainable Development is run mainly in the Department of Economics. Students should ideally hold a degree in Economics, though applicants with other backgrounds, particularly in technical subjects such as Engineering or Earth Sciences, will also be considered.

Programme structure

Students take four compulsory courses and select two elective courses from the list below. MSc candidates also write a 12,000-15,000-word Dissertation. Students are required to attend the course - Research Methods and Dissertation Training - in preparation for writing the dissertation.  Course outlines can be found on the Course index page.

Compulsory courses

• Development Policy
• Environmental Economics
• Policies for Sustainability and Development
• Theory and Principles of Sustainability

Semester 1  

Research Methods and Dissertation Training (compulsory)

Compulsory courses

• Environmental Economics
• Theory and Principles of Sustainability

Elective courses

• Basic Econometrics
• Growth and Development
• International Trade
• Money, Finance and Growth
• Project Planning, Appraisal and Implementation
• Quantitative Methods for Planning - Forecasting

Semester 2

Research Methods and Dissertation Training continued (compulsory)

Compulsory courses

• Development Policy
• Policies for Sustainability and Development

Elective courses

• Advanced Econometrics
• Aid and Development
• Economic Appraisal of Development Projects
• Financial Institutions and Markets in Developing Countries
• Globalisation, Trade and Economic Development
• The IMF, World Bank and Economic Growth
• Poverty: Concept, Analysis and Policies

April - September

• Examinations
• Dissertation

Semester 2 electives from other departments

In semester 2, courses may be taken from the following range offered by other departments provided that the timetable does not conflict with the arrangements for compulsory courses. Availability will depend on sufficient student numbers.

School of Law

• International Environmental Law

 Students may choose other relevant postgraduate courses subject to approval.