Entry requirements

Masters (MSc) level entry applicants must have one of the following:

Minimum of 2:2 honours degree or equivalent in a related subject area, preferably in an Earth or Environmental Science or general science qualification. A more diverse UG/PG background will also be possible.
For postgraduate conversion courses, non-related degrees will be considered.
Corporate (or chartered) membership of relevant professional institutions will also be considered.

PG Diploma level entry applicants must have an ordinary degree in a related subject area and relevant post qualification industry experience.

Candidates who do not meet the above entry requirements or have no formal academic qualifications will be considered individually based on their CV and possibly interview. Admission via this route will be at the discretion of the Director of Recruitment.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required with all elements passed at 6.0 or above. Please refer to English language requirements for further details.

Some applicants may be asked for alternative evidence in line with UKVI recognised English speaking countries. Applicants who have previously successfully completed courses delivered in the medium of English language may be considered and will be required to provide documentary evidence of this. Examples would be secondary school education or undergraduate degree. A minimum of at least one year of full time study (or equivalent) in the medium of English language will be required.

All evidence of English language needs to be dated within two years of the commencement of study.

We also offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your master's programme:

20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)

Months of entry

September

Course content

MSc Global Environmental Change and Policy equips those of you with a bachelor-level graduate degree in earth and environmental science, or related degree, with the multidisciplinary skills necessary to be able to understand and tackle complex global issues associated with climate change, societal challenges, and policy development. You’ll gain the highly integrated level of fundamental, applied, and communication-based knowledge needed to identify, characterise, and effectively find solutions to a range of challenges related to climate change.

You’ll understand the principles of environmental and earth system science, including a detailed knowledge of the earth system, and be able to make informed decisions on the future. You’ll also consider strategic environmental assessment, policy, legal, ethical and health and safety issues of concern in the marine environment. 

This career-focused master’s programme will develop your technical, scientific, and managerial abilities, relevant for a marine science career in academia, industry, government and non-governmental organisations.

You will learn at our Edinburgh campus and benefit from teaching and research at the Lyell Centre, a leading centre in earth, marine and ecosystem sciences, and a collaboration between the British Geological Survey and Heriot-Watt University.

We work closely with industry to ensure our course content is up-to-date and reflects the current and emerging needs of industry and employers. You’ll gain the right blend of knowledge, practical skills, and soft skills to set you up for life after graduation. 

The Earth Sciences project is often undertaken in collaboration, through co-supervision, with one of several world-leading research-based organisations within Edinburgh including:

British Geological Survey
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
Scottish Parliament Information Centre
Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth
Natural Museum of Scotland

Scottish Natural Heritage
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Fees and funding

See University website

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

MSc
full time
12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name: Admissions Office
Email: studywithus@hw.ac.uk

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Global Environmental Change and Policy