This programme will give you a fundamental understanding of the issues affecting the Earth enabling you to play a vital role in devising and enacting strategies to protect and conserve the environment, both in Europe and beyond.
Human activities are recognised as having an increasingly significant effect on the Earth’s biosphere. Our use of natural resources, deforestation, soil erosion, the release of potentially toxic compounds and pathogens, and the increase in greenhouse gases are all examples of pressures that have potentially serious consequences for humanity and other life on Earth.
On this programme you will learn about the issues that face the Earth and gain an in-depth understanding of natural resource management and the processes that give rise to environmental degradation and pollution problems.
It will allow you to play a vital role in planning and putting into action strategies to protect and conserve the environment.
This programme is run in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).
This programme is affiliated with the University's Global Environment & Society Academy.
Programme structure
This programme involves two semesters of taught courses, which are a balance of lectures, seminars, workshops and visits, plus a research dissertation project of about 16,000 words.
Compulsory courses typically will be:
- Atmospheric Quality and Global Change
- Analysing the Environment
- Land Use/Environmental Interactions
- Analysing the Environment Study Tour
- Dissertation
Option courses:
You will also choose four optional courses^. We particularly recommend the following:
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Sustainability of Food Production
- Participation in Policy and Planning
- Forests and Environment
- Foundations in Ecological Economics
- Water Resource Management
- Soil Protection and Management
- Ecosystem Dynamics and Functions
- Marine Systems and Policies
- Carbon Capture and Transport
- Culture, Ethics & Environment
- Encountering Cities
- Environmental Geochemistry
- Human Dimensions of Environmental Change and Sustainability
- Principles of Environmental Sustainability
- Principles of GIS
- Project Appraisal
- Understanding Environment and Development
- Values and the Environment
- Climate Change and Corporate Strategy
- Passive Earth Observation
- Introduction to Environmental Modelling
- Political Ecology
- Ecosystem Values and Management
- Soil Science Concepts and Application
Courses are offered subject to timetabling and availability and are subject to change.
Field trip
Part of this programme is a week-long study tour in spring. Past study tours have been held in France, Greece, Portugal, Israel and Morocco.
Learning outcomes
Students will:
- develop a scientific understanding of some of the major processes which influence the quality of land, air and water resources
- acquire knowledge of the most effective methods of environmental protection
- develop expertise in the design and implementation of programmes of environmental protection
- have the opportunity to study the integrated protection and management of particular ecosystems or resources
Career opportunities
Our graduates have a solid record in finding employment in the environmental sector while some choose to further their studies through a PhD.
There are also opportunities in consultancy positions and with environmental regulators, government and NGOs.
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
Environmental Protection & Management (MSc)
page on the University of Edinburgh website for more details!
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