Circular Economy MSc Level: Postgraduate taught Subject: Interdisciplinary Studies Year of entry: 2026 Study options Mode of study On campus Full-time MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2026 Key facts School Edinburgh Futures Institute College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Programme website Circular Economy (EFI) Study location Central Area Accreditation Not available Apply now 19 to 21 November 2025: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Register now Overview About the degree programme This interdisciplinary programme prepares you to drive the transition towards a circular economy, giving you the tools to support communities, businesses, and policymakers to create a more sustainable and equitable future.The MSc Circular Economy explores a bold alternative vision to today’s wasteful, linear model where resources are extracted, manufactured, used, and discarded. In a circular economy, systems are designed to keep products and materials circulating at their highest value for as long as possible, prompting us to rethink how we consume and use goods and services, both locally and globally.The circular economy vision presents opportunities for creative thinking, critical research and vital action on urgent global challenges, including the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and social inequality.Core courses focus on practical and theoretical approaches helping you to:understand the principles and frameworks of a circular economydesign products, services, and systems for circularityexplore circular innovations in business and organisational contextscritically evaluate emerging research and global practices in the fieldidentify interventions supporting sustainable transformations of global and local systems.You will be able to shape your learning through option courses and an independent final project, allowing you to pursue your own circular economy interests. The programme encourages you to think critically about finite global resources in the context of a changing world and to act as an agent of change.Who is this programme for?This programme is aimed at recent graduates and early to mid-career professionals from across the globe, and from a diverse range of backgrounds, areas of study and skill sets. We are particularly interested in students that are not afraid of challenging the status quo, who are independent thinkers, and want to make a difference in their communities and organisations.This is not an economics or environmental economics programme. The focus of the programme is on understanding systems of production and consumption through concepts like circularity, sustainability, and systemic innovation. If you are primarily interested in traditional economic theories or environmental economics, you may wish to explore other economics programmes at the University of Edinburgh.Supporting your ambitionsIf you have entrepreneurial ambitions, you will be given the opportunity to explore and nurture your circular economy ideas for disrupting and rethinking how we currently design, make, and use resources in the world. The programme is designed to support student entrepreneurship, with an opportunity for you to explore your own circular business ideas through coursework and the final project. Alternatively, if your ambitions are to challenge and transform existing business and policy-domains, you will have the opportunity to engage with circular economy practitioners and organisations, learning from their experience in navigating circular transitions. Postgraduate study at Edinburgh Futures InstituteThis programme is part of an interconnected portfolio of postgraduate study opportunities at Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI). EFI supports interdisciplinary teaching, learning, and research that addresses today’s most complex global and social challenges. Find out more about studying this programme at Edinburgh Futures Institute Programme benefits Learn from world-leading experts: Study with leading academics from across the University of Edinburgh and build the creative, critical, and data-informed thinking that employers are seeking.Apply your ideas to real-world challenges: Collaborate with external organisations and apply your skills to pressing challenges, gaining valuable practical experience and professional connections.Shape your learning around your passions: Explore the questions that matter most to you, linking study to your own passions and professional goals. Your final circular economy project will allow you to tackle an issue you care about and showcase your expertise.Graduate ready to make an impact: Develop the skills to drive sustainable transformations within communities, organisations and policy environments, thinking critically about finite global resources and acting as an agent of change. Fees, costs and funding Tuition fees Tuition fees by award and duration Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year. Full-time MSc Circular Economy (1 year) tuition fees Graduate discount If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.Find out how to receive your graduate discount Deposit You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme. Costs Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.Living costs include:foodutility billstravel, clothes, books and stationeryrecreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)Living costsAccommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.University postgraduate accommodation options and costs Funding opportunities Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:borrowing moneytaking out a loanfamily supportpersonal savingsincome from workemployer sponsorshipscholarshipsExplore sources of funding for postgraduate study Search for other funding opportunities You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.Postgraduate funding opportunities Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026. Qualifications A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in any discipline.We will also consider your application if you have other professional qualifications or experience; please contact us to check before you apply. International qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed English language requirements You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:an English language testa degree that was taught and assessed in Englishcertain professional qualifications English language tests we accept We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher: IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component. Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 7 in each component. Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 145 in each component. How old your English language tests can be Tests no more than two years oldThe following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:IELTS AcademicTOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)Trinity ISEOxford ELLTOxford Test of English AdvancedTests no more than three and a half years oldAll other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality. Degrees taught and assessed in English We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.UKVI list of majority English speaking countriesWe also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).Approved universities in non-MESCHow old your degree can beIf you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. Find out more about our English language requirements Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.English language requirements Programme details What you will study Students on this MSc programme will study a range of courses to complete 180 credits, including:core courses specific to your programmea choice of option coursesa projectCore coursesYour core courses provide essential knowledge and skills specific to your area of study and provide strong foundations for the rest of your degree. In your core courses, you will explore areas such as: the fundamentals of a circular economydesigning for a circular economycircular economy in businessOption coursesAlongside your core courses, you’ll shape your degree by choosing from a wide range of EFI option courses, taught by academic staff from across the University. Our portfolio evolves each year in response to emerging trends, topics, and new research. You can choose from courses on themes such as:how the climate crisis is connected to healththe inter-relationship of place, people and nature in urban regenerationcritical perspectives on how new technologies are changing societydata, programming and research skills that build on your core expertisehow new and rapidly changing technologies and data sources are transforming the future of democracywhat the future of education might look likehow narratives drive the way we understand the worldservice design and service management in a data-driven societycurrent challenges and futures for the creative industriesThe projectYour final project brings together everything you have learned, giving you the opportunity to apply your learning in depth to a domain, issue or concern which drives you. Your final project can be:based on your own personal or professional interestsdefined by your employersponsored by one of the Futures Institute’s industry, government, or community partnersaligned to one of our research programmesYou will submit your final project as a written piece of work or combine text with other forms – for example:videovisualisationa digital artefactperformancecodeYou will begin to identify your project topic relatively early in the programme, and work on it in parallel with the taught courses. We expect you to take an interdisciplinary approach to your project to connect with the creative, data and future-orientated nature of EFI. Disclaimer We regularly review and improve our degree programmes. As part of this process, we are currently reviewing EFI’s postgraduate programmes and expect to confirm any updates in April 2026.Informed by student feedback, these improvements are designed to make your experience even better; while keeping EFI’s focus on exciting, challenge-led, interdisciplinary learning. Teaching and assessment Teaching At EFI you’ll learn in ways designed to help you think differently, work across boundaries, and tackle complex challenges. Our teaching brings together people, ideas, and perspectives from across the University, creating an environment where you can experiment, collaborate, and explore new possibilities.You will work alongside academic experts, fellow students, and external partners such as charities, cultural organisations, businesses, and public bodies on real-world projects, where you can apply your knowledge in creative and practical ways. Collaboration is central to our teaching. You’ll regularly work in small groups that bring together students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. Our approach is designed to help you develop skills in communication, teamwork, and co-creation, skills you’ll use across sectors from creative industries to data science, policy, and beyond.To support this collaborative and interdisciplinary approach, we use a variety of teaching methods, which can include:group workexpert lecturesdata skills and programming workshopsseminarsinteractive journal clubsexternal partner challengesdata visualisation exercisescreative and collaborative activitiesonline discussionbloggingpractical prototyping activities Learning outcomes On successful completion of this programme, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:the key concepts and principles of the circular economy and its diverse range of applications, from local to global scalethe societal and political landscapes in which a circular economy could operatecircular economy design, utilising a design thinking perspectivethe business landscapes in which a circular economy could operateYou will also be able to:analyse facts and situations and apply creative and inventive thinking to develop the appropriate circular economy solutionsdemonstrate analytical thinking to synthesise and appraise key issues for creating a more circular economyeffectively communicate circular economy ideas to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge and expertise Support for your studies You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need. How we support you Where you will study Study location You will be based at Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI), an iconic setting in the beautifully restored Old Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, a category-A listed landmark at the heart of the city.Our new home includes state-of-the-art teaching facilities, labs designed for innovation and prototyping, and exhibition and event spaces, making it a place where education, research, and creativity come together. Edinburgh Futures Institute Careers and further study Career opportunities As the impact of the climate crisis continues, governments, industries, and organisations are looking for employees with specialist circular economy skills and are creating roles that will help deliver a more regenerative, less resource-intensive economy. You will be well-equipped to enter the job market of this growing and diverse professional community when you graduate from this programme.Circular economy strategies are being embraced by multinational corporations, public sector and government organisations and local enterprises: all looking to embed circular economy into strategic and operational projects. The transdisciplinary nature of this programme will equip you with key skills to face the challenges of the modern world and a rapidly changing environment, providing opportunities to contribute to circular projects across sectors and scales.The core elements of the programme address the data and higher-order skills we know are important for the future of work, confident and critical citizenship, and a thriving, just society. Further study After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.Applying for research degreesMoving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service) Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. With the Careers Service, you can: access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisions Visit the Careers Service website Applying How to apply You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant. When to apply Due to high demand, this programme operates a gathered field approach to admissions, with two application deadlines as noted below.Each application round has a decision deadline, also listed below, but note that we will make as many offers as possible to the strongest candidates on an ongoing basis, in advance of the published decision deadline.We strongly recommend that you apply as early as possible, especially if you intend to apply for funding or a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand. If you are considering applying for our pre-sessional English Language programme, please make sure you apply in Round 1.Please note that for an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts. If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete.Selection deadlinesRoundApply byReceive decision by1Monday 15 December 2025Thursday 19 March 20262Monday 4 May 2026Tuesday 30 June 2026After Round 2, if there are still places available, applications will remain open. As this is not guaranteed, however, you are advised to apply by the application deadlines above. Application fee There is no fee to apply to this programme. What you need to apply We will decide which applications to offer places to on the basis of:Educational achievementProfessional experience (where relevant)Quality of personal statementYour personal statement should include why you are interested in studying on this particular programme and, if relevant, how it will support your career development. The Edinburgh Futures Institute provides a space where students can pursue projects on issues they care about, so it would also be helpful (though not essential) if you could indicate the area on which you would most like to focus during your time in EFI. As part of your online application, you will need to provide: a personal statementdetails of relevant knowledge/training skillsYou will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:copies of your degree certificates and academic transcripts that confirm your current or final marksevidence you meet the English language requirementscertified translations if your original documents are not in EnglishWhen you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.ReferencesYou do not need to provide a reference when you submit your application for this programme.There may be certain circumstances when a reference will be required, for example if we need to verify work experience. If that is the case, we will contact you after we have reviewed your application to request a reference. Apply Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for. Select programme - Select a programme -MSc Circular Economy (1 year) After you apply Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.Checking the status of your applicationWe will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.Receiving our decisionWhat to do if you receive an offer:Receiving an offerAccepting an offerSubmitting supporting documents Life at Edinburgh Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programmeaccept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 Julystudy at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in SeptemberUniversity accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaWe also offer accommodation options for couples and families.Accommodation for couples and familiesIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSport Clubs The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities that you might find useful day-to-day, including:sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include: a student counselling service a health centre (doctor's surgery) support if you're living in University accommodation dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentsHealth and wellbeing support services Disability and Learning Support Contact General enquiries Contact our enquiry team about your eligibility or how to apply. College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Admissions Office Academic contact Dr Lucy Wishart Programme Director Edinburgh Futures Institute Contact details Email: efi.education@ed.ac.uk Contact the Programme Director with questions about the academic content of the programme and how it relates to your interests.
