Climate Change is a growing issue for environmental policy makers at the international, national and sub-national levels, as well as for environmental managers and experts in public, private and non-profit making organisations.
This course provides you with a unique combination of training on the physical, social and policy aspects of climate change and on broader environmental policy and governance.
You’ll receive a solid foundation in the physical and social science of climate change and its impacts, including adaptation to, and mitigation of, climate change.
You’ll develop a critical understanding of the policy tools available to promote environmental protection.
This Masters combines modules taught at the School of Earth and Environment, with optional modules from the School of Geography and the School of Politics and International Studies.
Our teaching draws on the latest cutting-edge research and is delivered by experts and world’s leading researchers on climate change policy (e.g. IPCC lead authors, and a DEFRA UK lead advisor) to give you in-depth knowledge and guidance.
No other UK university can offer the same level and breadth of expert teaching in climate change and environmental policy.
Course highlights:
Be taught by three lead authors of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which advises world governments on the evolving and complex issue of climate change, and a lead advisor to the UK's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA). All academics have won teaching awards.
Engage with some of the world's leading researchers from the Priestley International Centre for Climate (PICC), the ESRC-funded Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy (CCCEP) and the RCUK-funded UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC). They have published high profile papers with past students.
Attend excellent seminars and talks run by the School and its research centres, where you will access the latest, cutting-edge research delivered by leading climate policy makers and advisors. Plus, attend other seminars run by the School of Geography and School of Politics and International Studies. Ideal if you want to build, or extend your network to enhance your career.
In addition to a free field course to East Yorkshire, choose an optional overseas field course to Tanzania, which provides an opportunity for you to gain practical experience and apply classroom-based learning first-hand in a developing country context. Ideal if you are considering working in an international capacity in this field.
When completed on a full-time basis, this 12 month Masters is split into 3 semesters.
In your semester 1, you’ll develop a grounding in the physical and social sciences – important for understanding climate mitigation and adaptation.
You’ll also examine the multiple pathways through which human-environment interaction is governed.
You’ll become familiar with appropriate research methods and gain the research skills relevant to your dissertation project.
In semester 2, your studies will give you an overview of climate change impact assessment and predictions, along with key concerns and strategies of adaptation to climate change.
You’ll explore the relative significance of main sources of greenhouse gases and the potential, technologies and strategies for reducing them.
You’ll develop an understanding of the key challenges for controlling greenhouse gas emissions, alongside the critical political issues related to mitigation.
During semester 3, you’ll propose and undertake an extended research project leading to the submission of a 12,000-word dissertation in August.
This dissertation gives you the opportunity to examine the detail of an issue of your choice.
When completed on a part-time basis, the course runs for 24 months, with each year split into 3 semesters. You will take complusory and optional modules in each semester, followed by an extended research project leading to the submission of a 12,000-word dissertation in semester 3 of your final year.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
You will learn through a variety of teaching methods to help you develop both generic and subject-specific skills.
This includes lectures, practical workshops, field trips (UK and overseas), computer lab sessions, research seminars and project work (individual and groupwork).
Practical exercises focus around real-world scenarios and case studies to produce optimal solutions including familiarisation with state-of-the-art technical approaches, software and the regulatory regimes that companies and public sector organisations operate within.
The research-intensive environment of the School ensures that your course material is both up-to-date and research led.
You'll also learn the scientific and rational principles lying behind the practical approaches used in the world outside academia, so that your skills keep pace with changes in technology or the regulatory environment.
You also have access to the excellent research seminars and talks run by the School of Earth and Environment and its research centres, plus those organised by School of Geography and School of Politics and International Studies.
Facilities
The School of Earth and Environment’s £23m building gives you access to world-class research, teaching and facilities.
You will be assessed through a variety of ways including both written and oral assignments, exams and poster presentations.
Visit the Climate Change and Environmental Policy MSc page on the University of Leeds website for more details!
