Features : What's on offer: Environmental policy

Written by Jordan Butler, Editor, Graduate Prospects, November 2012

With the future of the global environment fast-becoming an imperative issue, opting to study an environmental degree could be one of your brightest ideas

Hale stones the size of tennis balls, animal species meeting extinction and the polar ice caps melting; these are all causes for global concern. But as our concern grows, so does the 'green' sector, as governments attempt to halt environmental decline.

Study options

'An MSc in environmental management is for students who want to play a part in finding solutions to environmental and sustainability issues,' says Dr John Rose, course leader for MSc Environmental Management at Sheffield Hallam.

'To ensure learning is interesting and relevant to the workplace, we use various teaching methods including case studies based on real life scenarios, field visits and role playing,' said Dr Rose. The MSc even offers a module that gives students the opportunity to work as a consultant for a real client in the professional sector.

Opportunities for study also exist in more niche areas. Take for example, the Environmental Planning and Policy MSc at Cardiff University.

Lecturer Richard Cowell states that their MSc was set up over 15 years ago in order to support the demand for professional skills in the analysis, development and implementation of environmental policy, across the public and private sectors.

'One strong feature of the course is the balance between core and option modules, enabling students to tailor their learning,' said Cowell. 'Another is the emphasis on knowledge creation, which stems from the school's high reputation research.'

Cowell explains that there is always sustained interest in the course, from both UK and international students, 'because jobs linked to environmental regulation and climate change have been more resistant to the downturn'.

Career paths

When it comes to graduates finding employment the news is positive. 'The demand for environmental and sustainability professionals remains high even in difficult economic times, because organisations have to respond to global and national policies and legislation,' confirms Dr Rose.

The course at Sheffield Hallam allows students to specialise in different forms of environmental management, perhaps focusing on wildlife and landscape conservation or maybe international resource management. This lets Dr. Rose's graduates go on and work in a variety of jobs.

Students have ended up in government agencies, national park authorities and local authority countryside services, environmental consultancies and voluntary conservation organisations, such as the RSPB and the County Wildlife Trusts. 'One of our graduates is even working as a marine biologist in the Cayman Islands,' adds John.

Jan Williams is the pro-vice chancellor and dean of the School of Health and Social Sciences at Middlesex University. She echoes Dr Rose's comments and thinks the environmental sector is actually lacking skilled workers.

'Jobs are constantly being created through green economy initiatives here in the UK as well as by environmental governance initiatives globally. This presents a good opportunity and we are seeing interest growing with this need,' says Jan. 'Interestingly, I think many potential students underestimate the career opportunities in this area.'