Planetary Health MSc, PgCert, PgDip

An innovative, interdisciplinary degree with Edinburgh Futures Institute

The different global crises that the world is facing are interconnected, and many are determined by the way that we have used the earth’s resources, and prioritised development and growth.

Planetary health is a new field of study which examines these factors and their consequences, and looks at ways in which redesigning, connecting and leveraging the interdependent health, environment and economic systems could offer new global solutions.

The challenge is how we can do this in a socially, economically and environmentally empathetic manner.

This interdisciplinary MSc programme has been developed with expertise from across the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science and the College of Science and Engineering.

It equips students with the critical and data skills required to understand and design solutions for global crises. In particular, crises at the intersection of the future health and wellbeing of people and our planet, including:

• the climate crisis
• environmental degradation
• emerging infectious diseases
• mass extinction/loss of biodiversity
• malnutrition
• extreme poverty
• digital power concentration and inequality
• conflict
• cyber insecurity
• livelihood crises

The MSc Planetary Health has a strong focus on engaging local governments, finance and industry, and in designing policies with action-oriented and context-sensitive solutions. Students will:

• develop a robust understanding of planetary health concepts
• interrogate the relationship between the socioeconomic, environmental and geopolitical determinants of health across the globe
• access support to build careers focused on tackling climate collapse, health, and other inequalities

Postgraduate study at the Edinburgh Futures Institute

This programme is part of an interconnected portfolio of postgraduate study opportunities at Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI).

The Futures Institute supports interdisciplinary teaching, learning and research that is focused on complex global and social challenges. Our programmes are taught by academic experts from many different subject areas.

As a Futures Institute student, you should be proactive and motivated. You will be supported to develop creative, critical, and data-informed thinking that cuts across traditional disciplinary boundaries. You will have the space to think deeply about questions linked to your own passions and professional goals and will develop a project based on an issue that you care about.

As well as knowledge specific to your area of study, studying at Edinburgh Futures Institute will give you the skills and understanding you need to become a creative, confident, and critical citizen in a fast-changing world.

These skills include:

• the ability to interrogate issues of global scope using perspectives from across disciplines
• creative and analytic approaches to knowledge
• core data skills
• data ethics

You can join us regardless of whether you already have experience or practical skills in the use and application of digital data.

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, in any discipline.

We will also consider your application if you have other professional qualifications or experience; please contact us to check before you apply. In particular, we welcome applications from professionals with experience (e.g. working in companies, government, or third sector organisations) designing or implementing projects, programmes, or policies that aim to diminish inequalities.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• 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 6.5 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 23 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 176 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 65 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 7 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 changing global landscape is increasingly dominated by interlinked and emerging crises, including those driven by inequalities and social, economic, and environmental risk.

All sectors are seeking to move towards sustainable and responsible ways of working. Examples of such sectors include:

• economy and business
• health
• energy
• education
• life sciences
• environment
• media

They require graduates with:

• cross-cutting skills
• demonstrable knowledge and understanding of:
  • data innovation
  • teamwork, critical and collaborative abilities

The core elements of the programme address the data and higher-order skills we know are important for the future of work, confident and critical citizenship, and a thriving, just society.

You will develop a robust understanding of data-driven decision-making and graduate ready to institute positive change:

• Through practical skillsets, you will develop critical understanding of working with data and how to develop projects focused on creating sustainable solutions.
• You will also develop a suite of core ‘soft skills’, ideal for those professionals who want to change careers, embark on new ones, or to change the institutions they are part of.

This programme will appeal to a range of students, including:

• recent graduates
• career professionals
• executives in sectors most impacted by global shifts, such as:
  • the food sector
  • energy
  • education
  • housing
  • city planning
  • banking and finance
  • companies looking to extend their ESG strategies

Career opportunities are likely to range from roles that involve change-making, policy and advocacy, strategic planning for sustainability strategies, or to roles in diverse areas such as:

• health tech
• sustainability
• inclusion
• health finance
• business development
• sectoral agenda-setting
• international and political engagement
• energy
• investment
• transport
• food and agriculture
• urban planning and development