Environment and Development 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

Key facts

School

School of GeoSciences

College

College of Science and Engineering

Study location

Central Area

Accreditation

Not available

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About the degree programme

Our MSc Environment and Development enables you to critically evaluate the interrelationships between development and the environment, with a strong emphasis on social and environmental justice. 

You will learn about issues that are inherently transboundary, multi-generational and multi-faceted. Our approach to understanding these issues will centre on questions of justice and inequalities.

Attempts to understand and address interconnected issues such as climate justice, gender and social equity, and biodiversity conservation must pay close attention to their contested, political and ideological nature, and how they differ across places and scales. 

That is why our MSc foregrounds the inherent link between society and nature, the relevance of historical contexts to current debates, and global capitalism as an underlying force of change. It will consider the increasingly diverse set of actors, practices and processes driving environment and development issues, and question the power of these to direct agendas and actions.

The MSc has relevance in both the 'Global South' and 'Global North', drawing attention to relationships of inequality and marginalisation as they occur for particular environments and sections of society worldwide.

You will explore societal and environmental issues through different theoretical and conceptual lenses, examining the interplay of:

  • sociocultural perspectives
  • economics and governance
  • development debates
  • ecological dynamics

There is diversity in what you can study and conduct research on. Our flexibility enables you to develop your interests in an area you are most passionate about. We will challenge you to cultivate reflective, critical thinking that is cross-cutting and globally relevant.

Programme benefits

  • This programme is suited to students from a variety of undergraduate disciplines, from the environmental and natural sciences to the social and political sciences and humanities. It will also suit you if you have practical experience in the broad field of environment and development, either as a practitioner, volunteer or activist.
  • Justice is a core focus for this programme. The MSc provides a strong basis for engaged citizenship in the world, enabling you to contribute to world debates and actions for reducing inequalities and working towards social and environmental justice and more sustainable practices.
  • By the end of the programme, you will be able to analyse the multiple, contested relationships between development and the environment, and the underlying questions of power and responsibility.
  • The interdisciplinary nature of the programme provides you with a unique critical perspective, drawing on expertise from across the University, especially from development geography, social and political sciences, and environmental studies.

This programme expanded my understanding of environmental challenges and provided an atmosphere of care at every step of the way. Our programme director and lecturers fostered a community of reciprocity, and our field experience in Nepal was invaluable to my professional development. I will be forever grateful for this programme, and would highly recommend it to anyone considering this pathway.

Callista Wilson MSc Environment and Development, graduated 2025

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

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

Mastercard Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships

Scholarships are available for this programme. The postgraduate study scholarships for the 2026/27 academic year will accept applications from 1 October 2025 at 10am until 7 November 2025 at 5pm (UK Time). Applicants must be citizens of an African country and residents in an African country. Applications from refugees and displaced people who have left their African home country to live elsewhere on the continent are welcome.

Mastercard Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships

If the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is the only scholarship you are interested in applying for at the University of Edinburgh, please apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship first. 

If you receive a scholarship offer from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you can then apply for the academic programme.

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 relevant work experience, a strong personal statement and supportive reference.

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)

The programme helps you develop:

  • critical reflective skills
  • strong research and critical analysis capabilities
  • professional skills tailored to environment and development sectors
  • a deep understanding of social and environmental issues

Topics

You will learn about issues that are inherently transboundary, multi-generational and multi-faceted. Our approach to understanding these issues will centre on questions of justice and inequalities.

Some issues you may explore:

  • gender and social equality
  • environmental justice
  • international development and justice
  • critical sustainability
  • climate justice
  • diminishing natural resources
  • biodiversity conservation
  • disaster vulnerability and adaptation

You can explore other environmental issues through option courses and your dissertation.

Compulsory courses

The compulsory courses for this programme currently include:

  • Environmental Justice and Development
  • Professional Skills in Environment & Development
  • Development and Justice
  • Environment and Development in 'the field'

Our Professional Skills in Environment & Development course is co-designed with professionals working in the environment and development sector, bringing real-world insight to complement the academic focus of other courses.

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 the programme. You can use the dissertation to demonstrate your work to potential employers.

This is worth 60 credits and typically consists of producing a written paper of 10,000 to 15,000 words. However, this will vary depending on your work and the topic you are exploring. 

Other examples of dissertation projects for this programme include:

  • fieldwork
  • a social survey
  • case study analysis
  • participant observation research

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.

Dissertations with external partners

You may also have the option to complete a dissertation project in partnership with an external organisation. We work with our wide network to find opportunities for these projects, enhancing the real-world relevance of your degree.

This option is not guaranteed and may require an interview, depending on the popularity and competitiveness of the project offered by the external organisation.

Option courses

You will take 40 credits of option courses. 

You can use these to specialise and align with your personal interests and career goals. You will be able to choose from a wide selection of courses from across areas such as the School of GeoSciences, School of Social and Political Science, and SRUC.

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

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

Disclaimer

Future programme changes

This programme is undergoing changes which will impact this MSc programme from September 2027 onwards. Details of new programmes can be expected in Autumn 2026. 

These upcoming changes are not expected to impact you if you are applying for entry in September 2026.

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 and accommodation.

Field trips encourage you to think about how to engage ethically with the world. As part of this programme, you will have the opportunity to participate in a residential field trip. This will allow you put the valuable knowledge and skills you have learnt throughout the year into practice.

During the field trip, you will work to design, develop and conduct small group research projects, facilitated by staff and external partners.

Through the field trip, you will have the chance to observe and reflect on the challenges of working as a development practitioner and your own experiences conducting research, including consideration of research and professional ethics of engagement.

You can meet with a range of people who can introduce you to a variety of projects and practices. 

They may be from:

  • government
  • development agencies
  • non-government organisations (NGOs)
  • grassroots organisations
  • research institutions
  • local communities
Previous field trips

Previous field trips have included locations such as Nepal, partnering with the local research organisation, Southasia Institute of Advanced Studies.

Southasia Institute of Advanced Studies (SIAS)

On recent trips, students have explored topics such as:

  • water management
  • community forestry
  • adaptations to climate change
  • biodiversity conservation
  • food and agriculture
  • gender

Topics are guided by the needs of the location the trip is focused on in any given year.

MSc Environment and Development students taking part in field work during a field trip to Nepal.
MSc Environment and Development students taking part in field work during a field trip to Nepal.
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.

Teaching for this programme will typically involve a mix of:

  • lectures
  • interactive group activities during class
  • tutorials to discuss reading materials
  • class discussions on films or other materials
  • guest talks with Q&A

Learning will also take place outside of class when you work on group assignments, reflect on your learning, engage in conversations with groupmates, and attend talks.

Our teaching approach encourages you to reflect upon your role as both researchers and professionals in transformations towards social and environmental justice, considering the ethics of engagement in an unequal world.

Assessment

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

  • essay writing
  • project report writing
  • group assignments
  • presentation skills
  • reflective writing
  • writing for different audiences, such as blog posts

Learning outcomes

On completing the MSc Environment and Development, you will:

  • Develop the capacity to critically reflect upon your own positioning, privilege and power in transformations towards social and environmental justice, considering the ethics of engagement in an unequal world.
  • Be able to critically analyse the multiple, contested relationships between development and the environment, and underlying questions of power and responsibility.
  • Be able to appreciate the value of understanding multiple ideologies and agendas on environment and development issues, emphasising minoritised and oppressed voices.
  • Be familiar with key theories and debates within political ecology and critical development studies and their agendas for social and environmental justice and decolonising development.
  • Be comfortable using a range of tools and approaches commonly employed by environment and development practitioners in different sectors, including NGOs, consultancies and government agencies.
  • Develop the ability to work independently, to build accountability and ownership of your own learning journey, and to work collaboratively with partner organisations and in student groups.
  • Be able to convey complex ideas through writing and verbal presentations for a range of audiences.

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:

  • a walking tour of Leith with a social activist
  • quizzes with other MSc programme cohorts
  • film nights
  • cohort dinners
  • day trips to a local bird sanctuary
  • climate listening circle with a local network

Academic events often include workshops to support you with planning for your dissertation project. These take place throughout the year to support you with the design and development of your dissertation project.

We also coordinate networking opportunities with external organisations.

Our academic staff

You will be taught by world-leading researchers and experienced practitioners working in environment and development fields in various sectors, such as non-government organisations (NGOs), consultancies, and state organisations.

Guest speakers and teaching staff will provide insights into real-world applications.

Where you will study

Study location

The majority of your teaching will take place at the Central campus. Depending on your choice of option courses, you may need to travel to our King's Buildings campus.

Many community and networking events take place in the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI). 

Visit the ECCI website

Academic facilities

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

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

Career opportunities

As a graduate of the MSc Environment and Development, you can seek roles in a variety of sectors, including:

  • international and national development agencies
  • state agencies
  • think tanks and foundations
  • non-government organisations (NGOs) and civil society
  • environmental and development consultancies
  • activist and community groups
  • the private sector

Our students are also well-placed to progress to PhD research and academia. For example, recent graduates have progressed to doctoral studies focusing on marine governance in Southeast Asia and conservation practice in East Africa.

Graduate destinations

Examples of where our recent graduates have secured positions include:

  • government agencies in countries worldwide
  • local governments
  • international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), such as Oxfam and Fauna & Flora International
  • environmental consultancies and environmental certification organisations
  • a range of smaller NGOs, knowledge and research institutes, and home-country government departments around the world

Our recent graduates are in roles such as:

  • Policy Advocacy
  • Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer
  • Community Development Facilitator
  • Environmental/ Sustainability Consultant
  • Disaster and Resilience Project Manager
  • Researcher
  • Partnerships Advisor
  • Green Cities Programme Manager
  • Livelihoods Programme Officer
  • Certification Analyst

Professional links

Networks

Through this MSc, you will meet a range of practitioners who offer their perspectives on taught courses. You can also meet practitioners at dedicated postgraduate career activities, and potentially through collaborations during your own dissertation research.

We hold a careers session as part of a compulsory course and support you in linking your career goals to network development as part of your dissertation.

Research networks

One of the compulsory courses for this programme is co-developed and co-taught with external practitioners. 

You can join the Edinburgh Environment and Development Network to meet professionals working broadly in the field.

Edinburgh Environment and Development Network

There is also the opportunity to attend other research events and networks through the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI).

Visit the ECCI website

Alumni networks

This programme benefits from an active alumni network. You will be encouraged to join our networking group to allow you to hear about and share opportunities during and after the programme.

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

Rosa Brandon

Rosa smiles for the camera in front of a mountainous landscape

Degree: MSc Environment and Development

Year of graduation: 2019

Current work: Programme Quality Officer, Oxfam Ireland

It was clear from the start that I wanted to work in international development, and doing this MSc was one of the essential steps to get there. I started applying for jobs around Easter of my Masters year, with some excellent support from the University Careers service. I am now in Dublin working for Oxfam Ireland as a Programme Quality Officer, supporting long term development programmes across Eastern and Southern Africa. The work I do is very rewarding, and I feel like I am constantly learning, so I am happy and grateful.

Rosa's profile

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

School of GeoSciences postgraduate alumni profiles

Video: Our student Natalie, on studying the MSc

Our student Natalie on studying an MSc in Environment and Development, graduated 2022

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 Clare Barnes

Programme Director

Contact details

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