Carbon Management (MSc)

Programme description

The MSc in Carbon Management is a landmark collaboration between the world-renowned Schools of Geosciences, Economics and the Business School at the University of Edinburgh. It provides students with expertise, knowledge and skills in the business, economics and science of carbon management.

MSc Carbon Management was recently ranked in the top 15 World’s Best Masters in Sustainable Development and Environmental Management (Eduniversal Masters Ranking 2013-14).

Carbon management is now at the heart of tackling climate change and has rapidly become a central part of the global business environment. Edinburgh has emerged as one of the most important global centres in this new discipline.

This innovative programme, taught by world-leading experts in key fields of climate change and carbon management, is for graduates who want an advanced academic qualification to launch careers in carbon and climate change management in business or government.

This programme is affiliated with the University's Global Environment & Society Academy and Energy and Society Network.

• Global Environment & Society Academy
• Energy & Society Network

Applicants receiving an offer of admission, either unconditional or conditional, may be required to pay a tuition fee deposit. Please see the fees and costs section for more information.

Programme structure

This MSc programme consists of two semesters of taught courses. Each course consists of a balance of lectures, seminars, workshops and visits. Students will then undertake individual dissertation project work.

Compulsory courses typically will be:

• Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation
• Business and Climate Change
• Carbon Economics
• Climate Change Management
• Applied Carbon Methods
• Dissertation

In consultation with the Programme Director, you will choose from a range of option courses. We particularly recommend:

• Economics for Postgraduates
• Change Management
• Global Strategic Management: Issues and Perspectives
• Baseline-and-Credit Methods and Applications
• Corporate Responsibility & Governance in a Global Context
• Low Carbon and Green Investment
• Applications in Ecological Economics
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Forests and Environment
• Water Resource Management
• Integrated Resource Planning
• Waste Reduction and Recycling
• Energy & Society II
• Energy Policy and Politics
• International Climate Change Law
• Interrelationships in Food Systems
• Novel Strategies for Carbon Storage in Soil
• Marine Infrastructure and Environmental Change
• Land Use/Environmental Interactions

Courses are offered subject to timetabling and availability and are subject to change.

If you are unable to commit to a full MSc at present, it is possible to study a postgraduate certificate by online learning:

• PgCert Climate Change Management (Online Distance Learning)
• PgCert Carbon Innovation (Online Learning)
• MSc Carbon Management (Online Learning)

Career opportunities

A key strength of our programme is the employability of our graduates.

The programme has won the PricewaterhouseCoopers award for ‘Teaching Employable Skills’ as well as providing the opportunity to conduct business carbon audits, work on placements with major industry groups such as the 2020 Climate Group, and conduct dissertation research as part of work-based projects with a wide range of external collaborators.

Our graduates are enjoying roles ranging from government advisers and NGO researchers to renewable energy project developers and commercial carbon management consultants.

See what some of our MSc Carbon Management alumni are doing now:

• MSc Carbon Management Alumni

Student experience

Would you like to know what it’s really like to study at the School of GeoSciences?

Visit our student experience blog where you can find articles, advice, videos and ask current students your questions.

• Student experience blog

Visit the Carbon Management (MSc) page on the University of Edinburgh website for more details!