Environmental Economics and Environmental Management - MSc

You'll develop the skills needed by today's environmental managers, policymakers and scientists to tackle environmental issues at local, regional and global levels. You'll be prepared for a wide range of careers across the public and private sectors. This Masters also provides a good basis for further study at PhD level.

The core modules will provide you with knowledge in Environmental Economics and a appreciation of the challenges to which economic analysis can be applied. You'll also be equipped to incorporate environmental feedback into economic decision making in a way that satisfies both ecological managers and economists.

This Masters is suitable for students from a wide range of backgrounds, including economics, human geography, business, sociology, politics, environmental science and more. You'll be taught by a range of interdisciplinary staff with varied Environmental research interests.

Course content

You'll learn about the economics and management of natural resources and develop your critical and analytical skills in these areas. You'll gain both theoretical and practical experience of issues in environmental economics and management. You will be trained in suitable research methods and relevant ethical and legal issues. You'll develop your research skills and experience through completing a large research project.

Modules

For the Masters you will need to take a 100 credits of taught modules.

Core modules

• Current Research in Environment, Economics and Ecology (10 credits)
• Applied Environmental Economics (10 credits)
• Biodiversity Conservation and Protected Areas (10 credits)
• Research Skills and Statistical Methods (20 credits)

Option modules

Choose 50 credits from:

• Business and Environment (10 credits)
• Economics for Natural Resources and Environmental Management (20 credits)
• Environmental Governance (10 credits)
• Environmental Impact Assessment (10 credits)
• Marine Ecosystems (10 credits) 
• Spatial Analysis (10 credits)

Dissertation

• Dissertation (80 credits)

You will complete an 8,000 word dissertation as part of this MSc. This dissertation can either be York based, or as a placement with an external partner. 

Teaching and assessment

You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.

Teaching format

This Masters combines formal lectures, practicals, seminars and field trips.

• Guest lecturers from external organisations, including other universities and environmental organisations, provide a view of the current state of Environmental Economics and Environmental Management.
• You'll use the University's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to supplement lectures and practicals with additional material.
• Some modules offer optional drop-in help sessions.

Our teaching and research span the natural social and economic sciences in an integrated way. Postgraduate teaching is informed by our research which includes work in areas as diverse as coral reefs, tropical rain forests, atmospheric science, pollution, biodiversity conservation and wildlife management. 

• See some of our recent research

Facilities

Our state-of-the-art building contains purpose-built labs, lecture theatres and seminar rooms.

Teaching location

You will be based in the Department of Environment and Geography on Campus West.

Most of your contact hours will be in the Department with some additional teaching on Campus West.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.

Assessment and feedback

Types of assessment in this course include:

• Essays of around 3,000 words
• Models, maps and accompanying reports
• Presentations
• 8,000 word dissertation.

Formative assessment as you study modules will allow you to receive feedback on your progress and understanding.

Careers and skills

You'll develop the skills and knowledge you will need to follow a career in an environmental organisation in both the public and private sectors. The Masters in Environmental Economics and Environmental Management also provides an ideal basis to progress to further study at PhD.

Career opportunities

Graduates have gone on to work in a range of public sector bodies, including Defra, the Food Standards Agency, the Environment Agency and the OECD. Graduates also work in environmental consultancies, non-governmental organisations and research agencies.

Transferable skills

You'll develop a range of transferable skills during the course, including:

• Geographic and Information Systems skills
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Qualitative and quantitative methods
• Design of protected areas
• Practical experience designing and conducting field-based surveys
• Econometric analysis of natural resource management.

Visit the Environmental Economics and Environmental Management - MSc page on the University of York website for more details!