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
The objectives of the MSc//LLM Environmental Policy and Governance are:
- to provide graduates with knowledge, understanding and skills at Masters level appropriate to environmental careers in international organisations, government, the law, NGOs and business;
- to provide graduates with a broad and clear insight into relevant scientific, economic, legal and political issues at national, regional and international levels;
- to provide graduates with an understanding of the dynamics of future environmental policy-making and governance; and
- to provide the academic foundation for progression to PhD level study.
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
Self-funding
Modes of study
Full-time, over one year.
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 the Autumn and Spring 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
| Autumn |
Environmental Economics |
Environmental Policy and Management |
Environmental Principles and Methods |
| Spring |
Economics of Climate Change |
Environmental Principles: Law and Policy |
Environmental Principles: Governance |
Research Methods |
| Summer |
Dissertation |
Course of study - part-time
| Autumn |
Environmental Economics |
Environmental Policy and Management |
| Spring |
Economics of Climate Change |
Environmental Principles: Governance |
| Autumn |
Environmental Principles and Methods |
|
| Spring |
Environmental Principles: Law and Policy |
Research Methods |
| Summer/Autumn |
Dissertation |
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.
Preparation
Contact the School of Arts and Humanities for information on your timetable and reading lists.
Module titles
- ENMP05 Environmental Economics
- ENMP04 Environmental Policy and Management
- ENHP11 Environmental Principles and Methods
- EGMP28 Economics of Climate Change
- LAWPEL Environmental Principles: Law and Policy
- EPGP01 Environmental Principles: Governance
- EPGP02 Research Methods
- EPGP03 Dissertation
Why study Environmental Policy and Governance at Stirling?
Course Director
Professor Gavin Little
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 environment is one of the most controversial policy debates in modern times. As the course is multi-disciplinary, it addresses the economic, scientific, political and legal challenges facing society and the environment and provides graduates with broad-based yet specialised knowledge and understanding. Accordingly, graduates will be equipped with a distinctive and integrated appreciation of the relevant issues which will significantly enhance their employability.
This course adopts a multi-disciplinary approach. It is therefore attractive to students wishing to expand their interest in environmental policy and governance issues, whether they are coming from backgrounds in environmental policy, law, economics, management or science.
The course is also distinctive in that students may register for the MSc or LLM, thus allowing them to select the appropriate qualification for their chosen career or academic interests.
Find out more
http://www.stir.ac.uk/schools/arts-and-humanities
Career opportunities
Graduates will have received a multi-disciplinary training in key environmental issues and areas. The degree will enhance employability and provides a starting point for careers in international organisations, government, NGOs, business and academic research.
