Location:

Dublin, Ireland

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Master

Specialty:

Environmental Policy

Program Overview

Program Description:

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. Within this context, there is a growing demand for graduates with a capacity to develop environmental policy choices, to analyse them critically and to provide guidance in policy implementation. The aim of the MSc in Environmental Policy is to provide students with the professional knowledge, skills and tools to equip them for a career in the environmental field while contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future. The MSc provides both introductory and specialised modules in Environmental Policy, and as such we welcome applicants from a diverse range of academic backgrounds including social sciences and arts, environmental sciences, law and business studies, and engineering. What will I learn? The MSc in Environmental Policy is designed to develop professional knowledge, skills and tools for environmental problem solving and for a successful career in the environmental field: Professional Knowledge: environmental processes and change, policy and legal frameworks, social movements and the environment; Professional Skills: leadership, problem-solving, team-working, research methods, communication and media skills, project management, strategic planning; Professional Tools: policy analysis, GIS, environmental assessment, cost benefit analysis, environmental mediation, public participation, risk management. How will I benefit? The MSc in Environmental Policy will provide you with the skills and knowledge to understand environmental challenges and to provide innovative, creative and socially just solutions for managing environmental change. Within the degree programme you will develop practical and transferable skills including environmental assessment, policy evaluation, GIS, project management and strategic planning skills. The programme aims to combine theoretical knowledge and professional skills development and this is reflected in our teaching approach, which draws on lectures, seminars, project-based learning, lab-based instruction and independent study with experienced academic staff and input from policy-makers and industry. What is the programme about The MSc Environmental Policy is specifically aimed at those people wishing to gain expertise in relation to contemporary environmental challenges and potential policy solutions. You will gain insights into understanding a range of environmental issues at different spatial scales including: At the global scale: debates surrounding climate change and transitioning to a low carbon future; At the city and regional scale: challenges in developing more sustainable and resilient cities and regions, the management of environmental risks and the relationship between the environment and quality of life; At the ecosystem scale: issues surrounding the management of land-use, natural resources, biodiversity and habitats. You will develop an understanding of the practical dimension of policy-making, implementation and evaluation, and gain an ability to apply cutting edge policy solutions to range of environmental challenges. This includes understanding key legal and governance frameworks for environmental policy, environmental economics, applying concepts of environmental justice, and public participation and environmental mediation. Key features of the MSc include the transfer of leading edge research into our teaching and the development of an interdisciplinary learning environment to provide you with a holistic and integrated perspective on environmental policy-making. You will also have the opportunity to develop and produce a piece of independent research based on your own particular interests in the form of the programme's minor thesis component. How long is the programme? 1 Calendar year (from September to August) Why UCD? Top Ranking, We’re ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide Global, Ireland’s largest and most global university with over 26,000 students Flexibility, Highly flexible and diverse curriculum Advising, Comprehensive academic advising & career counselling On-campus housing, Range of on-campus housing options Facilities, Cutting-edge sports and campus facilities Please enquire for details on funding opportunities

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

NFQ Level 9 (Major Award)

Financial Aid:

No

Requirements:

- Graduate degree in any academic field. As the MSc 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. - At a minimum applicants should have a second class honours degree (2.2) or equivalent (your transcript should include grades for each subject taken). As a guideline for US based students, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher would generally be considered competitive in most given years, though a lower cumulative GPA may be considered, depending on other factors (quality of applications generally, relevant professional experience etc.)

International Requirements:

Students whose first language is not English, and who have not completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in an institution where the language of instruction is English are required to have passed, within the last 2 years, either the IELTS (minimum required standard 6.5 overall with no less than 6 in any one category) or TOEFL (minimum 95 on the Internet based TOEFL examination