Ecological Economics focuses on how to make sustainability and environmental management work in practice by applying economic principles.
This programme is run in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). Graduates with postgraduate training in this area are in greater demand than ever before in business, industry and government.
This programme is affiliated with the University's Global Environment & Society Academy.
Programme structure
You will learn through lectures, group work, informal group discussion and individual study, as well as the spring study tour. After two semesters of taught courses, you will begin work on your individual dissertations. You will be able to choose from a wide selection of option courses to suit individual interests and career goals.
You will learn through lectures, group work, informal group discussion and individual study, as well as the spring study tour. After two semesters of taught courses, you will begin work on your individual dissertations. You will be able to choose from a wide selection of option courses to suit individual interests and career goals.
Compulsory courses typically will be:
- Foundations in Ecological Economics
- Applications in Ecological Economics
- Ecological Economics Field Methods in Research and Practice
- Dissertation
Option courses previously available include:
In consultation with the Programme Director, you will choose from a range of option courses^. We particularly recommend:
- Principles of Environmental Sustainability
- Marine Systems and Policies
- Understanding Environment and Development
- The Ecology of Ecosystem Services
- Political Ecology
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Participation in Policy and Planning
- Water Resource Management
- Forests and Environment
- Human Dimensions of Environmental Change and Sustainability
- Principles of GIS
- Energy & Society I; Key Themes and Issues
- Atmospheric Quality and Global Change
- Introduction To Spatial Analysis
- Climate Change and Corporate Strategy
- Frameworks to Assess Food Security
- Soil Protection and Management
- Encountering Cities
- Development: Principles and Practices
- Further Spatial Analysis
- Sustainability of Food Production
- Interrelationships in Food Systems
- Case Studies in Sustainable Development
- Introduction to Environmental Modelling
- Marine Infrastructure and Environmental Change
- Ecosystem Service Values
^Courses are offered subject to timetabling and availability and are subject to change
Field trip
To experience and understand conflict between ecosystem conservation and human development needs at ground level, this programme typically includes a unique 7-10-day study tour, usually overseas and in the developing world (previous destinations have included South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania).
Career opportunities
Being able to identify ecological economic problems, and apply economic principles and methods to solve these problems is increasingly valued by employers.
Our graduates are working in a variety of sectors, including environmental consultancies; international and governmental agencies; NGOs; financial institutions; multinationals; environmental education and research.
Additionally around a quarter of our masters students go on to doctoral research programmes.
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.
Visit the
Ecological Economics (MSc)
page on the University of Edinburgh website for more details!
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