Entry requirements

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or non-UK equivalent in a subject such as earth, marine or environmental science. Proficiency in numeracy is an advantage.

Degrees with evidence of understanding conservation, ecology, biology, geology, chemistry or microbiology will also be considered.

Months of entry

January, 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

Information for international students

If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.

The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.

If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.

Please see our detailed English language requirements.