Programme Overview
Understand the structure of our Climate Change Policy and Politics MSc, including module options, exams and the dissertation.
About this degree
The Climate Change Policy and Politics MSc is an advanced social sciences degree based in the disciplines of political science and public policy that emphasises the role of political actors, interests, institutions and ideas in the design, adoption and implementation of climate change policy.
You will learn:
• policy options for addressing climate change
• the multilateral and domestic political processes through which climate policy comes to fruition (or not)
• how to evaluate the political feasibility of climate policy options, in addition to the normative desirability, economic efficiency and environmental effectiveness
• strategies for designing politically-intelligent climate policy
• political science and public policy theory
• cutting-edge research methods (quantitative and qualitative)
Teaching and Learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars, and is taught by scholars who have carried out theoretical and empirical research in the field. Students are assessed in various ways, including essays, policy briefs, take-home exams, portfolio work and a dissertation.
Example of time spent if a Full-time Student versus Part-time Student
Full-time: Students study for 40 hours per week. Additionally students retaking a year will be deemed Full-time, when retaking more than half of the activity of the year.
Part-time: Students study at a structured rate per week, normally half the rate of Full-time study. Additionally students retaking a year will be deemed Part-time when retaking half or less of the activity of the year.
Funding
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.
GREAT Scholarship
Value:
£10,000 (one year only)
Eligibility:
Overseas
Criteria:
Academic excellence and financial need
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
Countries around the world have set ambitious targets to reach net zero by 2050 – requiring a seismic shift across global economies and industries to change the way we live. Both governments and businesses require personnel with the skills to drive this green transition further and faster.
We expect our graduates to go on to a range of roles both nationally and internationally related to the green transition, including in:
- Government
- Think tanks, NGOs and social movements
- Private sector, including consultancies
- Further academic study at UCL or elsewhere, especially in political science or public policy
- (Graduate Outcomes survey 2017-2022)
Students receive high-quality training in climate change policy and politics, political science and public policy theory and research methods, and undertake independent and original research. More broadly, they are exposed to thinking and ideas at the cutting edge of climate policy both in the classroom and at events at UCL and across London.
Taken together, this training and experience provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to be leaders in their chosen sectors.
Application
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 here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught-degrees/applying-graduate-taught-study-ucl.
Climate Politics Research Cluster
The Climate Politics Research Cluster’s mission is to lead in the study of climate change and environmental politics as a world-class centre of research. Watch to find out more about their vision and work.
UCL: The Climate Podcast
Tune into UCL’s Generation One: The Climate podcast - where a collective of people committed to positive climate action discusses urgent climate issues.
Stay in touch
- Register interest in your chosen subjects
- Receive notice of graduate open days, events and more
Events and Open Days
Browse our Events and Open Day page to see new and upcoming events that might interest you.
Living in London
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SUBJECT AREA
FACULTY WEBSITE
Social and Historical Sciences
LEGAL STATEMENTS