Climate Change, Development and Policy

1st in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)

3rd in the UK for our research impact in Geography and Environmental Studies in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)

9th in the UK for Social Sciences (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024)

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our times. To work towards climate solutions, evidence-based policy-making is essential.

On this course, you’ll benefit from a comprehensive and interdisciplinary analysis of climate change. You’ll:

- get a knowledge basis in climate and earth systems science

- develop the skills to address the role of climate change within the wider set of today’s interconnected development and policy imperatives

- understand the social, economic and political dimensions of climate change

- gain the understanding and analytical tools necessary to contribute to evidence-based policy-making.

This MSc is taught jointly by the School of Global Studies, SPRU – Science Policy Research Unit and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS). Your teaching is underpinned by our cutting-edge research and our engagement with policy processes. You’ll benefit from diverse practitioners linking what they teach to real-world experiences. You’ll get to consider complex issues from multiple perspectives. There’s a particular emphasis on the implications of climate change and policy responses for equity and justice between – and within – countries.

We’re proud of our track record in graduate employment. Our graduates have gone on to achieve impactful careers as climate professionals in a range of sectors – from international organisations to national government ministries – creating positive change and driving forward climate action.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.