MSc Society, Politics and Climate Change

What are the social and political dimensions of climate change? What impact does climate change have at local, state and international levels? How do we understand the actions of communities and international organisations in response to a changing planet?

This programme investigates the complex social and political impacts of a changing climate, and examines the ways in which we can respond to crisis. While you will be made familiar with current technical arguments about the nature of the climate crisis, the focus is on its social and political dimensions. You will explore cutting-edge approaches within the social sciences to understand framings of and responses to the climate crisis. You will engage with themes including: climate crisis and political economy; the effects of climate change on international relations; sustainability and development; resilience and disasters; green transitions; and the origin and potential of green social movements to foster social and political change.

This programme is intended for those who aspire to a professional career in addressing climate change in the public, private or not-for-profit sector. Critical skills are embedded throughout the programme to ensure that you have the requisite capacities to address social and political problems arising from our changing planet, and to help shape a more sustainable future.

You will have the option of working on a dissertation research project for a partner organisation, gaining crucial experience to further your career aspirations.

An upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in any discipline.

For applicants who are currently completing a degree, we understand that their final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades they achieve during their studies.

We will consider applicants whose interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements. We may make these applicants an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so the applicant would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of their degree.

We will consider applicants whose grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if they have at least one of the following:

• evidence of significant (6 months in a paid role) relevant work experience in sectors such as NGOs, Government Departments, Think Tanks;
• a relevant postgraduate qualification.

If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant work experience and/or qualifications.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.