Environmental Policy and Governance

Graduates of the MSc/LLM in Environmental Policy and Governance will be well placed to pursue careers in the environmental sector, including government, regulatory authorities, international bodies, non-governmental organisations, business, pressure groups and charities. Expert staff within Economics, Politics, Law and Environmental Science have come together to offer an innovative and distinctive multi-disciplinary degree which will provide graduates with developed understanding and knowledge of the key areas of environmental policy and governance.

Course objectives

This course will:

• introduce students to the topic of environmental policy and governance, and to develop students' understanding and awareness of contemporary issues in the area.
• provide a rigorous and intellectually challenging training at an advanced level in environmental issues as preparation for, or as an enhancement to, a career in this area.
• develop independent critical thought, research and writing skills to Master's level.

Entrance requirements

Applicants require a good Honours degree, or equivalent academic or professional qualification. Note that students must register for either the MSc or the LLM: the content and learning outcomes of both degrees are, however, identical.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6 (minimum 5.5 in each skill), or TOEFL: Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23, Writing 21.

Funding

information on possible sources of funding

Modes of study

For the modules on this course, students are required to attend weekly two-hour seminars for which reading will be circulated in advance. Active participation will be encouraged in class and students may be required to prepare a short presentation which is not assessed on a topic of their choice within the individual modules. Assessment will be in the form of essays and/or exams. 

Course start date

September

Structure and content

The course is multi-disciplinary and consists of seven taught modules which are delivered by staff in the Schools of Arts and Humanities, Management and Natural Sciences. A combination of specialist modules is taken in both Semesters and students will also complete a 10,000-word dissertation over the period 1 June to the middle of August.

The course will run each year as below.

Course of study – full-time

Course of study - part-time

Research

The academics involved in teaching the degree are renowned for international and world leading research in their subject areas. Their work is well represented in national and international journals, at academic conferences around the world and in the media.

Delivery and assessment

• All modules are delivered by small group learning and teaching which aims to provide opportunity for interaction with staff and to develop communication skills through discussion and presentation of key issues.
• Students are encouraged and expected to undertake independent study and to read widely from a variety of sources. The necessity of independent study culminates in the dissertation written in the summer. This piece of work provides students with opportunity to produce independent research in their chosen area.
• Modules are assessed typically by a combination of coursework and examination with the weighting varying dependent on the nature of the material taught. An integrated assessment strategy is adopted.
• Students must pass all seven modules and achieve a pass grade in the dissertation to be awarded the Master of Law (LLM) or MSc.

Module titles

• Environmental Economics (ENMP05)
• Environmental Policy and Management (ENMP04)
• Environmental Principles and Methods (ENHP11)
• Economics of Climate Change (EGMP28)
• Environmental Principles: Law and Policy (LAWPEL)
• Environmental Principles: Governance (EPGP01)
• Research Methods (EPGP02)
• Dissertation (EPGP03)

Why study Environmental Policy and Governance at Stirling?

Course Director

Dr Rebecca Zahn

RAE rating

The Stirling Law School has a strong reputation for excellence in research. In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, five percent of our research was judged to be world leading, 35 percent of international excellence, 30 percent of international quality, with the remaining 30 percent of at least national quality.

Strengths

The University of Stirling was founded on the site of the historic Airthrey Estate by Royal Charter in 1967;  the first genuinely new university in Scotland for over 400 years. Nestling beneath the Ochil Hills, our campus covers 330 acres and has a beautiful loch and 18th-century Airthrey Castle at its heart. We retain our pioneering spirit and passion for innovation and excellence in all we do. We aim to be at the forefront of research and learning that helps to improve lives.  Staff are highly motivated and are experts in their field of research. There is a particular emphasis on inter-disciplinary research drawing on the strengths across the campus.  In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, 10 percent of Stirling research was judged to be 'world leading' and a further three quarters as 'internationally excellent' and 'internationally recognised'. The University of Stirling is ranked number one in Scotland and eigth in the UK in the Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 table, which ranks the world's best 100 universities under 50 years old, and is also one of The Times Higher Education Top 100 universities in the world.  The University of Stirling was Scottish University of the Year for 2009/2010 (Sunday Times) and is consistently ranked as one of the best in the UK for a 'good place to be' (International Student Barometer).

Career opportunities

The specialist knowledge acquired in this rapidly growing sector will be invaluable in enhancing employability. This postgraduate degree also provides an excellent starting point for careers in international organisations, local and national government bodies, NGOs, 'green' businesses as well as in the field of further academic research.