Environment and Sustainable Development

The degree involves studying courses to the value of 12 units over three years, plus LSE100. 

This degree is designed to develop core knowledge and skills, while also allowing you to follow particular interests in environmental and development studies. It includes some exposure to natural science concepts in the course Environmental Change: Past, Present and Future. The other environment-related courses build upon this understanding of the natural world but adopt a social science perspective. These environment-related courses include some economic analysis, particularly in the course Applied Environmental Economics.

There is the option of a fieldtrip (normally overseas) as part of the second-year course Field Methods in Geography and Environment (see Fees and Funding section for details of costs). You will also have the opportunity to undertake your own individual research project in the final year.

First year

In the first year of the programme, you will take two courses which deal with the natural environment and with global issues relating to environmental change and sustainable development, a third course on contemporary geographical issues. You will choose a fourth course from within the Department, or an approved outside option, and will also take LSE100. 

(* denotes a half unit course)

Environmental Change: Past, Present and Future
Explores the forces responsible for our dynamic environment and the changes that shape all life on Earth, our species, and society.

Sustainable Development
Examines how the natural world is affected by development decisions and how these decisions shape human development across geographical regions and socioeconomic groups.

Introduction to Geography
This course provides students with an introduction to Geography at LSE, including human, economic and environmental geography.

LSE100*
A half unit, running across Michaelmas and Lent Term in the first year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students, and is designed to build your capacity to tackle multidimensional problems through research-rich education.

Either
One approved geography and environment option
Or
One approved outside option

Second year

In the second year, you take an international development course, an environment course and an environmental economics course. You will also take another course from an approved list of geography and environment and outside options.

Introduction to Global Development
Deals with analysing global development, focussing on key development, theories, strategies, problems and trajectories

Environment: Science and Society
Examines debates concerning the nature, cause, and effects of, and alternative solutions to, the key natural environmental degradation and pollution problems faced by human societies.

Courses to the value of two units from a range of options.

Third year

In the third year you study geography and environment options to the value of four units, one of which may be an independent research project (i.e. Dissertation).

Geography and environment courses to the value of four units

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page. 

Where regulations permit, you may also be able to take a language, literature or linguistics option as part of your degree. Information can be found on the Language Centre webpages.

You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up-to-date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the updated undergraduate course and programme information page.

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Geography and Environment

Median salary of our UG students six months after graduating: £28,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Financial and Professional Services
• Accounting and Auditing
• Education, Teaching and Research
• Information, Digital Technology and Data
• Real Estate, Environment and Energy

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2018-19 were the second group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Recent graduates have gone on to work in all areas of environmental policy and economics at the local, national and international level, whether in the public sector for government departments and agencies, in the private sector for industry and environmental/management consultancies, or in the NGO sector for pressure groups and think tanks. A number of recent graduates have also gone on to further study at graduate level. 

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the support available to students through LSE Careers.