MPhil in Environmental Policy

MPhil courses offered by the Department of Land Economy share a number of common aims:

1. Enable students of a high calibre to pursue their education at an advanced applied level drawing on the primary disciplines of economics, planning and environmental policy, with additional specialisms in finance and law.
2. Provide students with opportunities both to build on and develop material which they may have studied at undergraduate level as well as to broaden their knowledge base.
3. Equip students with the necessary skills to pursue careers at a high level in a range of areas, including business and finance, civil service, public service, property professions, environmental agencies and organisations, national and international agencies and further study.
4. Provide opportunities for education in a multidisciplinary environment so as to advance the understanding of cognate disciplines and their applications.
5. Provide opportunities for learning with colleagues from different social, economic and legal systems.
6. Provide students with appropriate skills and experience to enable them to use information and resources critically and to equip them with the means to undertake their own research.
7. Provide an educational environment with a strong research ethos that brings together students from a wide variety of backgrounds and fosters an international approach to common problems.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course, students will have acquired the following skills:

1. Knowledge and understanding of the subject matter of the various components of their course.
2. Intellectual skills: the ability to study steadily, assimilate issues and large amounts of literature swiftly, evaluate countervailing positions and to produce succinct arguments to tight deadlines and to engage with those with whom they disagree. Particular methodologies used include data evaluation, case evaluation, legal analysis, textual analysis, the convergence of theory and empirical data and advanced critical evaluation.
3. Practical skills: identification and use of bibliographic materials, via libraries and electronically; taking notes effectively, thorough IT skills.
4. Transferable skills: the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; to work to deadlines and under pressure; to manage time; to set priorities; to formulate an argument; to work independently and with initiative; basic IT skills (email, data analysis and internet use); critical analysis; to present material in a seminar context; skills of analysis and interpretation; self-discipline, self-direction; and respect for other views. The ability to develop and present a major piece of written work.
5. Research skills: the ability to locate, utilise and organise a wide range of materials independently, on paper and electronically. The ability to assess and evaluate such material, to develop and pursue a critique of existing material. The ability to develop, structure and sustain a line of argument. The establishment of relationships with researchers in related areas. The ethical use of research material.
6. Communication skills: the ability to marshal arguments and present them succinctly and lucidly. The ability to effectively criticise the views of others powerfully but fairly. The presentation of written material in a persuasive and coherent manner.
7. Interpersonal skills: the ability to work with others in seminars and smaller groups towards common goals. The ability to share research data ethically. The ability to respect the views of others and to acknowledge deficiencies in one's own argument.

Teaching

Candidates study a research methods module, two pathway core modules, three optional modules, and complete a dissertation of not more than 12,000 words. 

The modules offered for this course are confirmed on an annual basis but may include the following:

• Research methods
• Dissertation, research design and structure
• International environmental law
• Environmental economics
• Environmental values
• Energy and climate change
• Rural environment: property, planning and policy
• Economic development and land use policies
• Climate change policy and land development

These will be complemented by optional modules from other taught MPhil courses offered by the Department of Land Economy.

Feedback

Feedback and guidance is given to assist students in developing and drafting the dissertation research project. Feedback is also given on module essays that are not part of the formal assessment process. Feedback sessions are arranged by module leaders following examinations. 

Assessment

_Thesis

A dissertation of between 10,000 and 12,000 words. As part of the dissertation module, students also submit an assessed dissertation proposal before submission of their final dissertation.

_Essays

Assessment of subject modules varies and includes written examinations, essays, individual and group project work. Some modules may be assessed in more than one format.

_{Written examination}

Assessment of subject modules varies. Written examinations are used for some modules; these will normally be two-hour papers.

Funding Opportunities

There are no specific funding opportunities advertised for this course. For information on more general funding opportunities, please follow the link below.

General Funding Opportunities

Apply using the Applicant Portal

The Apply Now button on the right will take you to the Applicant Portal, where you can create and submit your application and supporting documents, and request references.

An application is only complete when:

1. you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal
2. you have paid the £60 application fee
3. your referees have provided their references.

If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.

Those applicants who are subject to a language requirement are strongly encouraged to submit their language results with their initial application; failure to do so can delay the processing time.

Selection Process

Applications are considered on a rolling basis (in other words, when they are received). Applicants should expect to hear whether or not they have been successful within about eight weeks of submitting their completed application and required supporting documents.

Further information on How To Apply

Visit the MPhil in Environmental Policy page on the University of Cambridge website for more details!