Ecological Economics MSc

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Sustainability

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2026
Part-time
  • MSc | up to 3 years | Start date: multiple dates

Key facts

School

School of GeoSciences

College

College of Science and Engineering

Study location

King's Buildings campus

Accreditation

Not available

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About the degree programme

From the biodiversity crisis and the climate crisis to the question of managing economies during a global pandemic, the topic of sustainability has never been more pressing.

The MSc Ecological Economics, delivered collaboratively with Scotland's Rural College, prepares you to help solve and critically analyse the root causes of real-world sustainability problems. You will learn how to integrate environmental, social, and economic systems together, focusing on the mutual dependencies between them. In short, this programme aims to equip you with a new way of seeing the world.

You will participate in sustainability problem-solving with an emphasis on application, practical experience and 'hands-on' learning.

You will experience training in a wide range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies and the associated data analysis using real-world case studies.

During your studies, you will implement a small, team-based research project. Designed collaboratively with staff members in response to a real-world sustainability problem, it will provide you with firsthand experience conducting the work of an ecological economist.

If you are ready to engage with peers from diverse backgrounds and perspectives and are willing to actively discuss complex sustainability problems both in teams and in class, then this programme is for you.

Scotland's Rural College

This programme is delivered in collaboration with Scotland's Rural College (SRUC).

You will benefit from being a fully enrolled student at the University of Edinburgh and have access to all of the complementary staff, expertise, and resources at SRUC. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded your degree by the University of Edinburgh.

Visit the SRUC website

Study options

Part-time study

Two and three-year part-time study options are available for this programme. Part-time study requires daytime weekday attendance. Therefore, we recommend living within a commutable distance from Edinburgh.

We encourage you to contact us to discuss part-time study in more detail. 

Programme benefits

  • Dive into an interdisciplinary field and study alongside students from a variety of academic backgrounds, including the natural and social sciences, and the arts and humanities.
  • Study a curriculum that is crafted to cultivate your ability to think and make decisions like an ecological economist when addressing real-world sustainability challenges.
  • Enjoy access to a wide range of academic expertise across two institutions.

Studying Ecological Economics at Edinburgh has been an inspiring journey. I was drawn to the programme for its interdisciplinary approach, and it has exceeded my expectations. I especially appreciate the sense of community among staff and students, as well as the chance to apply our learning to real environmental issues. This experience has encouraged me to pursue a career that bridges economics and sustainability.

Yijing Qiao MSc Ecological Economics, graduated 2025
Yijing Qiao, MSc Ecological Economics graduate

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
Part-time

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

If you receive an offer of admission, you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place.

  • £1,500 (this contributes towards your tuition fees)

Find out more about tuition fee deposits

Costs

Additional programme costs

Field trips and field courses

Your programme fees will cover the costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence on compulsory field trips or field courses. However, you must pay for incidental or personal expenses. You may wish to budget approximately £100 to £150 for suitable outdoor clothing and footwear for compulsory field work.

Depending on the location of the fieldwork, you may need to pay for any visa costs. However, this cost will be reimbursed.

Dissertation costs

The School of GeoSciences operates a fund to support you with activity related to your dissertation project, such as specialist software licenses or travel expenses for site visits. 

On the rare occasion that costs exceed the funding amount, you may be required to cover additional costs. This is not common, and the University is typically able to provide any resources required to undertake your dissertation project.

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:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation 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 money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) alumni discount

The SRUC alumni discount aims to encourage SRUC graduates to take up opportunities to study a taught masters (MSc). SRUC may provide a financial contribution towards tuition fees for eligible applicants for SRUC programmes delivered in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh.

SRUC will notify you if you are eligible to receive the discount on tuition fees during the application and admissions process. Please tell us if you are a SRUC graduate on your application, as this will help speed up the process. For further information, get in touch with the Programme Administrator.

Visit the SRUC website

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

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. 
 
We may also consider a UK 2:2 honours degree, or its international equivalent, with appropriate work experience.
 
Applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds are welcome to apply, but all students will be expected to engage critically with economic and environmental concepts, and will also be asked to engage in both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Students whose undergraduate degrees have not addressed one or more these areas should highlight in their applications their abilities to learn and to engage with these subject areas.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

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 test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain 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 6.0 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 20 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 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 6 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The 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 Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All 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 countries

We 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-MESC

How old your degree can be

If 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

What you will study

This MSc programme (total 180 credits) comprises:

  • compulsory and option courses (total 120 credits)
  • dissertation (60 credits)

Our courses will train you to start working on sustainability challenges as a practising ecological economist.

Compulsory courses

Our compulsory courses (80 credits) include courses such as:

  • Foundations in Ecological Economics
  • Environmental Valuation
  • Applications in Economics
  • Ecological Economics: Field Methods in Research and Practice

These courses will allow you to:

  • explore ecological economics principles, concepts and theory
  • learn monetary and non-monetary valuation methods, including how to conduct and critique them
  • learn research and analytical methods relevant to decision-making
  • conduct and communicate a research project for real stakeholders

These courses offer opportunities for you to apply concepts to sustainability challenges of your choice, giving you the flexibility to tailor the curriculum to your personal interests.

Dissertation

You will also complete an independent research project called a dissertation. This is your opportunity to explore, in-depth, a topic of your choice in relation to ecological economics.

This project is worth 60 credits and consists of:

  • dissertation project proposal
  • written dissertation paper
  • communication piece for a non-technical audience
  • short reflective piece to contextualise your dissertation within ecological economics

This work totals approximately 15,000 words.

Your project is mostly completed over a period of several months between April and August. However, the teaching team will work with you throughout the programme to help you prepare for the dissertation project.

You will prepare through a mix of compulsory courses, in which you will practise necessary skills for the dissertation, as well as group and 1:1 sessions that support you in developing and progressing your ideas. The programme will also help you connect with supervisors and identify potential topics.

Dissertations with external partners

As part of this degree, you may have the opportunity to undertake a dissertation project in collaboration with an external organisation. These projects offer the chance to apply your learning directly to real-world challenges. 

The School of GeoSciences organises events during the year to allow you to meet with external organisations, learn more about what they do, and discuss potential projects. You will be provided with support to approach an external partner for a project.

For popular projects, there may be an additional application or interview process.

Option courses

You will be able to take 40 credits of option courses.

This programme is extremely interdisciplinary and welcomes students from a range of diverse backgrounds. To help you identify the right option courses for you, the programme offers groups of recommended courses, themed by areas of interest. 

For example, courses for:

  • students who want to develop their understanding of ecosystems
  • students who want to develop social science or policy expertise
  • students who want to gain data analysis skills

These courses are pulled from a selection of courses across the School of GeoSciences.

You will receive support from programme staff to help you curate your academic journey.

Although we try to provide a wide range of option courses to choose from, these can be subject to change or cancellation at short notice. Places on option courses can be limited due to course capacity and timetabling constraints. It may not be possible to guarantee every offer holder their top choice of option courses.

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time
Part-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Disclaimer

Fieldwork course review

The School of GeoSciences is undergoing a review of its fieldwork courses. This review focuses on improving the inclusivity and accessibility of fieldwork, whilst delivering sustainable and low-carbon experiences, and maintaining pedagogical excellence.

As a result, field course locations may vary year to year, but will always align with course learning outcomes.

Field trips

Our compulsory field trips or field courses are free, including travel, accommodation and subsistence.

Through our residential field trip, linked to our Field Methods course, you will have the unique opportunity to work within a community and design and complete a research project on a sustainability problem relevant to ecological economics. 

The focus of the field trip changes depending on the location and needs of the community we work with. 

Previous field trips have explored projects such as:

  • perceptions of a just energy transition
  • women’s perspectives of rural change
  • envisioning conceptions of a good quality of life
  • attitudes to conservation and environmental management

You will complete the research design process in teams under the mentorship of our expert staff.

The research process will involve primary data collection, analysis and communication with stakeholders. You will also gain valuable experience in project design, data collection and analysis before starting your dissertation.

You may also experience shorter field trips at other points in the year, either through Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) or the courses you are taking.

Accessibility on field trips

We are committed to making our degree as accessible and inclusive as possible. In the event that you cannot attend a fieldwork trip, we will provide alternatives with comparable learning outcomes where necessary.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will experience a range of learning styles, depending on the subject matter and courses you are taking. Our courses feature flipped classroom designs, team-based learning, and problem-based learning. 

You will be asked to read or watch materials in advance of class, in order for class time to be focused on discussing and applying concepts and methods.

Through this mix of teaching approaches, you will:

  • learn core conceptual and theoretical knowledge related to ecological economics
  • gain a wide range of professional and transferable skills
  • acquire applied knowledge related to research methodologies, data analysis, and project design/implementation

Assessment

Assessment methods are varied and connected to the skills and capabilities associated with being an ecological economist.

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, such as:

  • analytical essays
  • team-based challenges
  • reflective pieces
  • multimedia pieces
  • short quizzes

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the MSc in Ecological Economics, you will have:

  • An in-depth understanding of the field of ecological economics. As a part of this, you will understand how economic and environmental systems interact with and connect to each other and how these insights can be used to progress to a more sustainable future.
  • Experience applying a wide range of research and data analysis methodologies related to ecological economics and sustainability. This includes a mix of qualitative, quantitative, and simulation approaches.
  • Completed a team-based research project focused on a real-world sustainability problem.
  • Designed, led, and completed an individual research project related to ecological economics.
  • Developed a wide range of transferable and professional skills related to:
    • teamwork
    • interdisciplinary work
    • project management
    • leadership
    • communication.

Support for your studies

Student Experience Team

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 within the School's Student Experience Team, 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

Cohort activities

You will also have access to a range of cohort activities. These are a mix of social and academic support events. 

Social events are typically student-led. Previous programme cohorts have organised activities such as cohort dinners or film nights. Academic events often include sessions to support you with planning for your dissertation project.

Our academic staff

Courses are delivered by our staff, most of whom are also active researchers. Their expertise is supplemented by guest speakers from industry, consultancy, government and other research organisations.

You will also benefit from the complementary expertise available through Scotland's Rural College. 

Where you will study

Study location

This programme is primarily based at the King's Buildings campus. Depending on the courses you are studying, you may study at various campus locations in Edinburgh, such as the University's Central campus.

SRUC is also based at the King's Buildings campus.

Academic facilities

This programme is delivered in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). Therefore, you will have access to facilities across both institutions.

University of Edinburgh

You will have access to the University's facilities across all University campuses.

For example:

  • libraries
  • study spaces (some of which are open 24 hours)
  • laboratories
  • computing facilities
  • social spaces
  • leisure facilities

You will also have access to the Masters Hub, located in the ECCI building at the Central campus.

Visit the ECCI website

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)

You will have access to SRUC’s student facilities. These include facilities at SRUC Edinburgh, which is located within the University of Edinburgh's King's Buildings campus.

SRUC Edinburgh campus

Career opportunities

Graduates of the MSc Ecological Economics have historically been in high demand.

Our graduates are working in a variety of sectors, including:

  • environmental consultancies
  • international and governmental agencies
  • non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
  • financial institutions
  • multinationals
  • environmental education and research

Additionally, around a quarter of our Masters students eventually go on to doctoral research programmes.

Graduate destinations

Examples of the organisations in which our graduates have gained employment include:

  • New Economics Foundation
  • UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre
  • Centre for European Policy Studies
  • Delta Energy and the Environment
  • Living Wage Foundation
  • Octopus Energy
  • Energise
  • LTS International
  • World Wildlife Federation (WWF)
  • NatureScot
  • University of Oxford
  • Department for Environment
  • Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
  • Carbon360
  • Conservation International
  • Mott MacDonald
  • EDF Energy
  • Scottish Water
  • Golder Associates Peru
  • Seafish
  • University of Leeds
  • ZALF
  • Price Waterhouse Coopers
  • Uganda Carbon Bureau

Professional links

Alumni network

We maintain an active alumni network where jobs, PhD studentships, other opportunities, and announcements are shared.

All new students are invited to join and this helps to connect students to a wider community of practice related to ecological economics and sustainability.

SAC Consulting

SRUC works closely with colleagues in our consulting division, SAC Consulting. In recent years, several graduates of this programme have obtained consultancy roles. 

Visit SAC Consulting

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Graduate profiles

Hear from our alumni about their experiences during, and after, postgraduate study

School of GeoSciences postgraduate alumni profiles

Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:

  • tailored advice
  • individual guidance and personal assistance
  • internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
  • access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.

Careers Service

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.

You should avoid applying to more than one degree within the School of GeoSciences. Applicants who can demonstrate their understanding and commitment to a specific programme are preferred.

If you plan to apply to more than one programme within the School, you should discuss your choices with us before you submit your application.

Where possible, we may make an alternative programme offer if you have been unsuccessful in your chosen programme.

School of GeoSciences deadlines

When to apply

Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines.

We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications may close earlier than the published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

We may make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis. However, the majority of applications will be held until the advertised deadline.

We aim to make the majority of decisions within eight weeks of the selection deadline.

If we have not made you an offer by a specific selection deadline this means one of two things:

  • your application has been unsuccessful, in which case we will contact you to let you know
  • your application is still being considered, it will be carried forward for consideration in the next selection deadline, and we will be in touch once a decision is made

The final deadline may be extended if any places remain on the programme.

If the final deadline is extended, we encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

Selection deadlines

RoundApplication deadlineDecisions made or applications rolled to the next deadline
115 December1 March
231 March31 May
331 May31 July

When to submit your supporting documents

You must submit all supporting documents by the application deadline, or we will be unable to consider your application. Regardless of when you apply, you have 28 days from submitting your application to supply any supporting documents through the Application Hub, after which we will automatically reject your application.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

For this programme, you will need to submit a CV/Resume with your application.

Find out more about applications and CVs for further study

References

You must submit one reference with your application.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

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 application

We 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 decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

What our students say

No one knows what it is like to study here better than the students themselves. Our students are sharing their experiences - from studying to living in Edinburgh and everything in between.

Get social with us:

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 programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If 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.

Societies

Sport 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

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 adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Admissions

Lines open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.

College of Science and Engineering Admissions Enquiries
Phone:+44 (0)131 650 5737

Academic contact

For programme-specific enquiries, please get in touch with the Programme Director.

Dr Corinne Baulcomb

Programme Director

Contact details

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