Environment, Culture and Society MSc

Our MSc Environment, Culture and Society provides up-to-date knowledge of the contemporary issues and debates on the relationships between the environment, nature, culture and society.

Welcoming students from a variety of backgrounds, this exciting MSc will explore the core perspectives, concepts, and practices from the arts, humanities and social sciences needed to imagine and enact sustainable environmental futures.

The MSc will equip you to think critically across disciplinary divides, generate new knowledge related to the environment and use this knowledge to address urgent environmental challenges.

You will be encouraged and supported to develop your interests at an advanced level in an area you are most passionate about.

What will I learn?

Taught by world-leading experts, the programme draws on expertise from across the University, especially from:

• geography
• social and political studies
• landscape architecture
• literature
• archaeology
• philosophy
• theology
• science and technology studies
• development studies

It provides you with a unique critical and creative perspective on current environmental issues and possible futures.

You will learn to think critically, engage creatively and generate new knowledge related to the environment. In addition, you will be able to use this knowledge effectively to address urgent environmental challenges across a range of specialities such as:

• policy
• conservation
• education
• public consultation
• the arts

Is the MSc for me?

The programme's interdisciplinary nature is ideal if you have a background in environmental humanities, social sciences, or creative arts.

It is also suitable if you desire to understand the roots of our current environmental emergency and the possibilities for a better future.

There is a lot of flexibility in the programme, enabling you to customise your learning in areas you are most passionate about. For example, philosophy, policy, creative practice and political action.

Research networks

This programme is affiliated with a variety of University networks, including:

• School of GeoSciences Cultural and Historical Geography Research Group
• School of GeoSciences Geographies of Social Justice Research Group
• Edinburgh Environmental Humanities Network

Edinburgh Climate Change Institute

This MSc is associated with the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI).

The ECCI brings together law, business, social science, technology, and policy experts to help develop a low-carbon society.

Through the ECCI, you will have the opportunity to work and network alongside professionals and potential employers within this high-demand field.

• Visit the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute website

What is it really like to study with us?

No one knows what it is like to study here better than the students themselves.

Our students are sharing their experiences - from studying to living in Edinburgh and everything in between.

Get social with us:

• Student experience blog
• School of GeoSciences Instagram
• School of GeoSciences Tiktok

When to apply

Due to high demand for this programme, we operate a series of early application deadlines.

We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

For dates and details, please refer to Application Deadlines on this page.

You should also avoid applying to more than one degree. Applicants who can demonstrate their understanding and commitment to a specific programme are preferred.

If you plan to apply to more than one programme, you should discuss your choices with us before you submit your application.

Where possible, we may make an alternative programme offer if you have been unsuccessful in your chosen programme.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent.

We may also consider a UK 2:2 honours degree, or its international equivalent, with relevant industry experience.

Students from China

This degree is Band B.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Our graduates

Our graduates have been successful in pursuing a variety of careers, including:

• environmental policy
• conservation
• animal welfare
• corporate social responsibility
• education
• business communications
• research

Due to the diversity of the topics within the programme, you can work in a range of sectors, including government, NGOs (such as environmental charities and development organisations), the private sector and academia.

Examples of the organisations our graduates have gained employment with include:

• Conservation International
• National Forestry Commission
• Scottish Natural Heritage
• The Climate Group
• The Conservation Volunteers
• UNESCO World Heritage Centre
• Provincial Ministry of Environmental and Climate Change (Canada)
• KPMG Sustainability (Japan)
• Environmental Law Institute (USA)
• Barcelona Lab for Urban Environmental Justice and Sustainability
• American Sportfishing Association (USA)
• Clean Up Australia

Networks

Through this MSc, you will meet a range of practitioners who offer their perspectives on taught courses, or through dedicated postgraduate career activities, and potentially through collaborations during your own dissertation research.

Examples of practitioners include Creative Carbon Scotland, as well as creative practitioners in art, music and creative writing.

We also organise career events and encourage dissertations conducted in partnership with external organisations.

Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:

• tailored advice
• individual guidance and personal assistance
• internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
• access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.

• Careers Service