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Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The world faces huge challenges from climate change and environmental damage. Our economies and our energy systems need to transform. We need highly qualified professionals with the expertise to analyse these complex inter-related issues, and to evaluate solutions. UCL's Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment MSc trains you in the economics, policy, and modelling skills that you need to be part of the global solution.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£19,300
£9,650
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
£17,200
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 31 May 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (economics, economics-plus, a science or engineering subject) or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. A non-quantitative degree may, however, be considered provided that some aptitude, e.g. at A level, has been demonstrated for quantitative analysis. These requirements may be relaxed for students who can demonstrate considerable and relevant aptitude and experience, for example, in business or government. Please clearly state in your personal statement how your educational or employment background (including any internships or projects) relates to the programme and what you aim to achieve through your studies.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment MSc is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to become a sustainability leader and innovator in business, policy-making or research. You will gain a deep understanding of different economic and policy approaches to the urgent environmental and resource problems that face our global community, with an emphasis on the critical issues of energy and climate change. You will learn how to apply a variety of interdisciplinary analytical methods to resolve these problems, applied to a broad range of practical contexts. This advanced degree programme will give you an in-depth understanding of:

  • Environmental and resource economics
  • Energy-economic models, methods and scenarios 
  • Environmental measurement, assessment and law
  • Planetary economics and the political economy of energy and climate change
  • Research concepts and methods to develop critical analysis and research skills

Who this course is for

This course is best suited for:

  • Graduates with a background in economics looking to develop policy expertise in the areas of energy and the environment
  • Science and engineering graduates who want to diversify skills into energy and environment
  • Graduates with largely non-quantitative degrees, such as geography, politics or international relations, who can demonstrate an aptitude for quantitative analysis, and who wish to develop quantitative skills in economics
  • Professionals with experience working in industry, consultancy, finance or public and third sectors looking to expand their skillset and learn the latest in energy and environmental economics and policy.
Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The core of the course focusses on economics and policy, building specialist skills in quantitative analysis and critical thinking. In addition, UCL’s multi-disciplinary depth allows us to provide a range of disciplinary perspectives that complement this core knowledge, delivered through optional module choices. This gives you the opportunity to follow your own interests, whilst building a rounded and in-depth knowledge of global energy and environment issues. Depending on your optional module choices, you can choose to further your depth and breadth in quantitative economics and modelling skills, or diversify into policy, industry and social science perspectives. 

As a student you will benefit from:

  • A world leading, multidisciplinary learning environment
  • Education from leading academics who boast a long-standing track-record of excellence in energy and environmental research
  • Our well-established relationships with key figures in industry, policy and academia, who often give guest lectures at our Institute
  • Access to our extensive alumni network, many of whom now work within influential international organisations concerned with energy and the environment
  • An inclusive environment that promotes global citizenship, and an ethos of equality and diversity
  • Studying in London, a city of culture at the heart of UK's seat of government and finance

All modules are taught by our world-class faculty at The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources – home to four specialist sustainability-focussed institutes in The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment. The Bartlett is a multidisciplinary hub for education and research, uniquely positioned to tackle some of the most crucial issues facing society and our planet. The QS World University Rankings (2023) places The Bartlett as #1 for Built Environment studies in the world, and #1 in the UK for the ninth year in a row. The Bartlett's research received the UK's most world-leading ratings for Built Environment research in the most recent Research Excellence Framework.
 

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Our alumni have gone on to work at numerous influential organisations such as International Energy Agency, United Nations, Orsted, European Commission, OECD, Ofgem, Forum for the Future, McKinsey, Bloomberg, KPMG, Deloitte, BlackRock, CDP, Climate Bonds Initiative and more. We also have alumni with successful careers in national government, or who go on to further graduate study and research. 
Alumni stories

"My MSc was pivotal in forging my current career path. It had been a long-standing dream of mine to become an environmental economist – the technical specialisation provided by this MSc, together with the calibre of education provided at UCL, made it possible for me to realise that dream. In particular, I believe the interesting selection of optional units on offer allowed me to gain a competitive edge."
Shanali Pethiyagoda, Environmental Economist Consultant to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

"The benefits of having a specialised MSc from a world-class university has given me a competitive edge when applying for jobs related to my area of expertise. My degree, combined with a few years of work experience, has given me the credentials needed to successfully apply for intermediate-level jobs rather than starting in an entry-level position.”
Shaun James Micallef, Senior Economist - Cambridge Econometrics

Read more alumni and student stories.

Employability

Graduates will be equipped to become leaders and entrepreneurs in their chosen area of specialisation, whether in terms of policy-making, economics consultancy, the business management of sustainability issues, energy system modelling or their understanding and application of innovative systems

Sustainability has become an important consideration across all sectors. The uniquely interdisciplinary nature of this Master's provides students with transferable skills that are in demand by employers from a variety of sectors including business, consulting, government, think tanks, NGOs, universities and research institutes. 

Networking

During the degree a broad range of guest speakers representing business, policy and/or academia will contribute to the programme, sharing their expertise and experiences on topics relating to energy and the environment.
 

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and project work.

Assessments are tailored to the learning outcomes of each module, and collectively promote a diversity of skills across the programme as a whole. Assessments comprise written and oral examinations (including presentations), essays other coursework and an in-depth research dissertation. Students may be required to work individually or as a team to complete assessments. The balance of an individual’s assessment types and timing will depend on the optional modules selected.

In Terms 1 and 2 full-time students can typically expect between 8 and 15 contact hours per teaching week through lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. The balance depends on the subject-specific requirements, and occasionally we may run additional events or tutorials. In Term 3 students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.

Outside of lectures and other contact time, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using this remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

Modules

Our Term 1 compulsory modules are designed to provide distinctive introductions to core knowledge in economics, policy and modelling. They also interlink, reinforcing key concepts whilst allowing you to view problems through different lenses, stimulating you to think creatively. 

The four core modules introduce: 

  • environmental and resource economics, including theory and practical calculations
  • environmental policy and law, introducing foundational concepts and key debates
  • modelling methods and scenarios, introducing approaches and types of energy-environment models and their applications
  • planetary economics which addresses the geopolitical context of energy and climate, and the political economy of potential solutions. 

These modules build the foundations of your knowledge in this complex area of energy and environment, and of your economics and policy analysis skills.

You select three optional modules in Term 2, allowing you to refine your knowledge of energy and the environment. You may choose to dive deeper into quantitative economic and modelling approaches to energy and environment, growing your knowledge from Term 1. You can also choose to diversify your knowledge by selecting modules with different disciplinary perspectives or specialised topic areas. Our selection of optional modules enables you to find your own path, shaped by your interests and career aspirations.

Our compulsory research concepts module is a vital element of the course, facilitating your critical analysis skills in Term 1 and which you can apply across the whole course. In Term 2, this module prepares you to develop practical research skills and a proposal that lays the groundwork for your dissertation.

In Term 3 and the summer, you will complete assessments for Term 2 modules and those modules with unseen written examinations. You will also work on your dissertation. This is an opportunity to pursue in-depth, innovative research on a topic of your choice within the field of energy and environment, with guidance of your supervisor.

As a part-time student, you will take half of the taught modules in the first year. In your second year you will take the remaining taught modules in Term 1 and Term 2, plus the dissertation module in Term 3. 

Our compulsory modules are designed to provide distinctive introductions to core knowledge in economics, policy and modelling. They also interlink, reinforcing key concepts whilst allowing you to view problems through different lenses, stimulating you to think creatively. 

The four core modules introduce: 

  • environmental and resource economics, including theory and practical calculations
  • environmental policy and law, introducing foundational concepts and key debates
  • modelling methods and scenarios, introducing approaches and types of energy-environment models and their applications
  • planetary economics which addresses the geopolitical context of energy and climate, and the political economy of potential solutions. 

These modules build the foundations of your knowledge in this complex area of energy and environment, and of your economics and policy analysis skills.

You select three optional modules, allowing you to refine your knowledge of energy and the environment. You may choose to dive deeper into quantitative economic and modelling approaches to energy and environment. You can also choose to diversify your knowledge by selecting modules with different disciplinary perspectives or specialised topic areas. Our selection of optional modules enables you to find your own path, shaped by your interests and career aspirations.

Our compulsory research concepts module is a vital element of the course, facilitating your critical analysis skills in and which you can apply across the whole course. This module also prepares you to develop practical research skills and a proposal that lays the groundwork for your dissertation.

Your dissertation is an opportunity to pursue in-depth, innovative research on a topic of your choice within the field of energy and environment, with guidance of your supervisor.

The flexible option allows you to complete your studies within five years.

Our compulsory modules are designed to provide distinctive introductions to core knowledge in economics, policy and modelling. They also interlink, reinforcing key concepts whilst allowing you to view problems through different lenses, stimulating you to think creatively. 

The four core modules introduce: 

  • environmental and resource economics, including theory and practical calculations
  • environmental policy and law, introducing foundational concepts and key debates
  • modelling methods and scenarios, introducing approaches and types of energy-environment models and their applications
  • planetary economics which addresses the geopolitical context of energy and climate, and the political economy of potential solutions. 

These modules build the foundations of your knowledge in this complex area of energy and environment, and of your economics and policy analysis skills.

You select three optional modules, allowing you to refine your knowledge of energy and the environment. You may choose to dive deeper into quantitative economic and modelling approaches to energy and environment. You can also choose to diversify your knowledge by selecting modules with different disciplinary perspectives or specialised topic areas. Our selection of optional modules enables you to find your own path, shaped by your interests and career aspirations.

Our compulsory research concepts module is a vital element of the course, facilitating your critical analysis skills in and which you can apply across the whole course. This module also prepares you to develop practical research skills and a proposal that lays the groundwork for your dissertation.

Your dissertation is an opportunity to pursue in-depth, innovative research on a topic of your choice within the field of energy and environment, with guidance of your supervisor.

Compulsory modules








Optional modules












Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

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All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: UCL Energy Institute

Whether your ambition is to design better buildings, plan better cities, build sustainable communities or help meet the challenge of climate change, The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment could be a big step towards it. This will be a joint session focussing on the master's programmes offered by the UCL Energy Institute: Smart Energy and the Built Environment MSc, Energy Systems and Data Analytics MSc, Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment MSc.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources

Whether your ambition is to design better buildings, plan better cities, build sustainable communities or help meet the challenge of climate change, The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment could be a big step towards it. Join this session to learn about the master's courses offered by the UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources: Sustainable Resources: Economics, Policy and Transitions MSc, Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment MSc and Business and Sustainability MSc.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Environmental Design and Engineering

Whether your ambition is to design better buildings, plan better cities, build sustainable communities or help meet the challenge of climate change, The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment could be a big step towards it. Find out more about our courses within the Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering: Health Wellbeing and Sustainable Buildings MSc, Light and Lighting MSc, Environmental Design and Engineering MSc, Smart Buildings and Digital Engineering MSc.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £19,300 £9,650
Tuition fees (2024/25) £34,400 £17,200

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

Beyond owning your own laptop, there is no requirement to purchase specific books or equipment for this programme. Sometimes certain books or reading resources may be recommended, but not required.  If you are concerned by potential costs , please get in touch with the programme administration team by e-mailing bseer-studentqueries@ucl.ac.uk.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

UCL offers a range of financial awards aimed at assisting both prospective and current students with their studies.

In our faculty, The Bartlett Promise Scholarship aims to enable students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue master's studies. Please see the UK Master's scholarship and Sub-Saharan Africa Master's scholarship pages for more information on eligibility criteria, selection process and FAQs.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Masters Scholarship

Deadline: 3 April 2024
Value: Fees, stipend and other allowances (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Bartlett Promise UK Master's Scholarship

Deadline: 31 May 2024
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,364 maintenance/yr (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Brown Family Bursary

Deadline: 20 June 2024
Value: £15,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment
  • why you want to study Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment at graduate level
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme at The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree and how this programme meets these needs

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate why you are suited to this programme.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources
Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources

bseer-studentqueries@ucl.ac.uk

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