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MSc Environmental Policy

2025 Details

Programme Commencing:

September 2025

Programme duration:

12 Months

MSc Environmental Policy

Societies and governments across the globe are faced with increasingly complex environmental challenges, from climate change to local environmental quality, in our cities and regions. The MSc Environmental Policy produces graduates with a capacity to develop environmental policy choices, analyse them critically and to provide guidance in policy implementation.

Illustrative challenges addressed by the program include:

  • Climate change: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, developing low carbon futures and adapting to a warming planet.
  • Developing resilient regions, cities and neighbourhoods: capable of adapting to climate change and the increased risk of geo-environmental hazards (e.g. flooding, heatwaves).
  • Biodiversity, habitat and ecosystem protection: managing resources under threat from rapid urbanisation, resource exploitation and unsustainable agricultural methods.
  • Increased competition for land-use and environmental resources: requiring policy-makers and planners to mediate and resolve environmental conflicts.
  • The environment and social justice: with the poorest in society often the most affected by environmental change and risks.
  • Local environmental quality, health and well-being: understanding the environmental and place-based determinants of individual health and well-being.

Why UCD

UCD is highly attractive to students due to the exposure to world leading
researchers and the significant career prospects.

  • UCD is ranked in the top 1% of higher education institutes worldwide.
  • Degrees with high employability with dedicated careers support.
  • Ireland’s largest and most international university.
  • Established in 1854 with 160 years of teaching and research excellence.

what will i study?

This course is delivered as a mixture of formal lectures including in-class discussion, student presentations and guest speakers; labs which include practical examples and hands on learning; and student led research in the form of a minor thesis.

MSc Environmental Policy – Course Structure - (Total Credits: 90 ECTS)

Core Knowledge (35 credits)

  • Environmental Economics and Climate Policy
  • European Environmental Policy
  • Debates in Energy Transitions
  • Urban Environment Risk, Resilience and Sustainable Devt.

Core Skills (15 credits)

  • Research Design & Methods
  • GIS for Policy and Planning
  • Environmental Assessment

Integrated Project – application of knowledge and skills (10 credits)

  • Tools for Sustainable Development

Thesis

  • Thesis or Professional Work Experience (30 credits)


Environment
Testimonials
What past graduates have to say:
John Meehan
“I have been working on projects mainly related to renewable energy, but also on smaller projects ranging from climate finance to behavioural economics in environmental policy. I have also represented the Department [of Public Expenditure and Reform] at working group meetings in relation to the ETS Reform and Mitigation Plans. The knowledge and experience I gained from the MSc has been vital in helping me in my work here.”
Christopher Dixon O’Mara
(MSc Environmental Policy graduate 2015)

Entry Requirements:

As the MSc Environmental Policy provides both introductory and specialised modules in environmental policy, we welcome applications from students with a background in a diverse range of academic subjects including social sciences and arts, environmental sciences, law and business studies, and engineering. Applicants should hold a 2.1 primary degree, but strong 2.2 degrees may be considered.

Other courses of interest:

Master of Regional and Urban Planning MSc Urban Design and Planning

More Information:

See course details Apply Now Ms Laura Egan-O'Brien laura.egan-obrien@ucd.ie 01 716 1916 Connect with us
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