Environmental Sustainability 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 world faces significant and complex challenges, from rising inequality to environmental issues. Global climate change is now affecting everyone on the planet.

Ensuring environmental sustainability is one of the most significant challenges facing humanity in the 21st century, and raises urgent questions such as:

  • What is sustainability?
  • What are the debates and challenges surrounding different models of sustainable development?
  • How can economic and energy systems be restructured to combat climate change?
  • What policies foster sustainability? What are the challenges and implications of implementing these in the ‘Global South’ and the ‘Global North’?

At this critical moment, more organisations are working to promote sustainable development, reduce human impacts on the environment, and achieve economic equity. These initiatives include the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

With the MSc Environmental Sustainability, you can explore these questions and other significant challenges affecting our present and future world.

You will be encouraged to think across different disciplines and consider scientific, socio-economic, and policy perspectives to better understand sustainability and how it can be achieved in different geographical contexts.

You can explore critical social and global issues and ways to address these to benefit individuals, communities, societies and nature.

Our programme gives you an international perspective, focusing on regions in both the ‘Global South’ and ‘Global North’.

Edinburgh Climate Change Institute

This degree is associated with the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI).

ECCI brings together the following domains to help develop a low-carbon society:

  • law
  • business
  • social science
  • technology
  • policy experts

Through ECCI, you will have the opportunity to work and network alongside professionals and potential employers within this high-demand field.

Visit the ECCI website

Programme benefits

  • The interdisciplinarity of this programme will encourage you to approach issues from different angles and draw on multiple knowledge areas. Collaboration is key for addressing issues in this disicipline.
  • The teaching style on the programme underpins the importance of collaboration in this area, with a focus on cooperation and group work.
  • Our programme gives you an international perspective, focusing on regions in both the ‘Global South’ and ‘Global North’. However, you will also look at issues from a local perspective, helping you understand the full scale and impact of issues.
  • We also have excellent relationships with a variety of organisations, providing access to potential employers and possible opportunities to collaborate on dissertation projects that provide valuable real-world experience.

The MSc Environmental Sustainability programme effectively distilled several key overlapping fields in the world of sustainability, including: the government and policy side, the necessary inclusion of the concrete environmental sciences underpinning our vastly complex global systems, the role of public-private sector collaboration in the transition towards a greener and more just future, and the private sector business opportunities that the general public can leverage for more sustainable outcomes. The programme was enriching and rigorous – buoyed by a plentiful selection of courses spanning numerous fields – culminating in the ideal ‘climate’ for a master’s level programme.

Nicholas Oribe MSc Environmental Sustainability, graduated 2024
Nicholas Oribe, MSc Environmental Sustainability 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

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, in a biological, environmental or physical science, geography, social science or other relevant subject. Due to the focus of this programme, business-related degrees are not suitable for entry.

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)

Topics

Examples of topics covered in this MSc include:

  • What is sustainable development?
  • Debates around energy transitions
  • Sustainability challenges at different governance scales
  • Ecosystem and carbon cycles
  • Introduction to ecosystem modelling
  • Qualitative and quantitative methods for applied research

Compulsory courses

You will study 80 credits of compulsory taught courses. 

The compulsory courses for this programme currently include:

  • Case Studies in Sustainable Development
  • Applied Research Skills in Environment and Society
  • Principles of Environmental Sustainability
  • Ecosystems and Global Change
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. You may also be required to write a project proposal or present on the findings from your dissertation.

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 or local community. We work with our wide network to support you with finding opportunities for these projects, enhancing the real-world relevance of your degree. 

Recent examples include projects with:

  • Edinburgh Shoreline, a community-centred initiative celebrating the coastline of the city and the surrounding area
  • Volunteer groups in Burntisland, to support the creation of regular Repair Cafes and skill-sharing workshops
  • UNESCO and the Centre for Sustainable Forests and Landscapes to understand the value of UNESCO Biosphere reserves in the UK
  • School of Geosciences staff in the UK and abroad, who had led research projects

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 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.

You will have the opportunity to participate in a unique residential field trip as part of this programme.

Through the field course, you will have the chance to observe and reflect on what sustainable development means in practice from different social, environmental and economic perspectives.

Previous field trips

On recent trips, students have explored a range of sustainable energy and social sustainability issues, including:

  • environmental governance
  • environmental policy
  • environmental management
  • environmental social enterprise
  • public transport
  • waste management
  • eco-tourism
  • community energy schemes
  • eco-farming

Previous field trips have been to central Scotland and the Scottish Highlands. We strive to deliver a low-carbon experience that also supports the local economy.

Local day trips

Our programme also provides several opportunities for day trips to visit areas where we can explore sustainability issues, such as energy transitions and sustainable development programmes, showcasing a mix of rural and urban sustainability issues.

We may visit sites in and around Edinburgh, such as Historic Environment Scotland and the National Mining Museum Scotland, to learn about energy transitions.

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.

MSc Environmental Sustainability students during a field trip to the Isle of Eigg.
MSc Environmental Sustainability students during a field trip to the Isle of Eigg.

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:

  • in-class learning
  • discussion group
  • field visits
  • use of computer software

Assessment

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

  • essays
  • group presentations
  • group projects
  • exams
  • blogs

Learning outcomes

On completing the MSc Environmental Sustainability, you will be able to:

  • Assess how sustainability is included in policies, programmes and projects at scales ranging from the local to the global.
  • Critically analyse environmental problems using knowledge from different disciplines, leading to well-founded and considered solutions.
  • Advocate sustainable development and engage in informed debate on current environmental controversies.
  • Be comfortable using interdisciplinary approaches to summarise technical scientific documents for use in policy, business strategies and other local and international initiatives.
  • Speak about, and understand environmental sustainability from multiple perspectives and appreciate the complexity of development, conservation, environmental justice and sustainability.

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:

  • quizzes with other environment programmes
  • day trips to Lauriston Farm
  • film nights

Academic events often include workshops to support you with planning for your dissertation project.

Our academic staff

Courses are delivered by staff who are active researchers in each field. Their expertise is supplemented by selected guest speakers, generally from industry or other research organisations.

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.

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

The MSc Environmental Sustainability will prepare you for a wide range of roles within:

  • environmental consultancy
  • national and local government
  • non-government organisations (NGOs)
  • non-profit organisations
  • environmental agencies
  • education or research at community, national or international levels

You can apply critical thinking, policy analysis and interdisciplinary environmental skills in diverse sectors such as:

  • transport
  • renewable energy
  • ecosystem planning and management
  • community development
  • technology innovation

There is diversity within the programme as you can tailor your option courses and dissertation to support your intended career path.

Graduate destinations

Recent graduates have been employed in sustainability-related roles in organisations such as:

  • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  • Carnegie Wave Energy
  • E.ON
  • Friends of the Earth
  • German Council for Sustainable Development
  • Global Justice Now
  • Institute for European Environmental Policy
  • International Energy Agency
  • London Borough of Camden
  • Marine Conservation Society
  • Northumbrian Water Group
  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
  • John Muir Trust
  • The Scottish Government
  • Transport for London
  • United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC secretariat)
  • World Resources Institute
  • Zero Waste Scotland

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 have a host of guest speakers throughout the year, and they often have dissertation project ideas that you can undertake. Previously, this has led to further employment opportunities for our students.

We also organise career events and encourage dissertations conducted in partnership with external organisations.

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

Video: Our student Asti, on studying the MSc

Our student Asti on studying an MSc in Environmental Sustainability.

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 Aidan Keane

Programme Director

Contact details

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