Soils and Sustainability MSc

Soil systems are a vital, non-renewable resource. They provide multiple ecosystem services and are an essential component of food production and food security globally. They are crucial in supporting delivery of services such as flood management, resilience to environmental change, and are a source of goods for infrastructure and development together with supporting a vast array of biodiversity both above and below ground.

There is global recognition of the significant and increasing pressure that soils are under, requirement for urgent action needed for sustainable soil and land management has gained increasing international attention in recent years due to both the global climate and biodiversity crisis.

Our Soils and Sustainability MSc has been developed in collaboration with industry and is an interdisciplinary programme, providing you with the essential knowledge and advanced skills to make informed decisions on sustainable land practice and soil management to help tackle some of the pressures on soils and contribute to enhancing resilience in future.

The programme encompasses the fundamentals of soil science and soil's role in wider environmental systems. In addition, you gain skills and experience in monitoring techniques to evaluate soils' role and effective management in various environmental landscapes and socioeconomic contexts.

What will I learn?

The MSc will prepare you for a range of careers in land-based management and environmental protection.

You will explore:

• Soil formation, functions and ecosystem services
• Role of soils in mitigating climate change
• Soil health and causes of degradation
• Management strategies to promote and conserve soil health and sustainable soil systems
• Practical skills in soil analysis and surveying

You will learn to interpret data and information on soil physics, biology and chemistry for the preservation and maintenance of soil health and gain a greater understanding of soil biodiversity, ecology and ecosystem services, as well as global-scale issues and threats to soil systems.

The programme places a strong emphasis on varied teaching approaches for both theoretical understanding and practical skills, such as laboratory and field-based activities.

Is the MSc for me?

If you want to explore the benefits of soils in relation to:

• food security
• climate change
• biodiversity
• human health and well-being

Then this is the programme for you.

Our programme is designed to expand your knowledge and awareness of global soil issues and solutions. While expanding your soil surveying skills, you will consider the benefits of soil management to enhance soil services and meet several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Scotland's Rural College

This programme is delivered in collaboration with Scotland's Rural College (SRUC).

You will benefit from being a fully enrolled student at the University of Edinburgh, as well as access to all of the complementary staff, expertise, and resources at SRUC. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded your degree by the University of Edinburgh.

• Visit the SRUC 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

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

We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

For dates and details, please refer to 'Application Deadlines' and 'How to apply ' on the right panel of 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, in biological science, environmental science, physical science, geography, engineering, economics or other relevant subject.

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 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 6.0 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

The need for sustainable soil systems has gained increasing attention in recent years.

Sustainable soils are rising higher and higher on the political agenda, spanning local and international governmental bodies globally. In addition, there is increased awareness across agricultural communities, land and forestry managers, commercial businesses striving for more sustainable products, food and industrial and construction sectors and other organisations.

As a graduate of the MSc Soils and Sustainability, you will be equipped with the knowledge of effective soil and land management, which is in high demand.

Graduates are sought to contribute to developing future strategies and identifying solutions for the conservation and enhancement of sustainable land-based systems under the mounting pressures of:

• increasing populations
• climate change
• food security needs
• competition for land and resources.

Soil and environmental scientists with an extensive understanding of soil, land and sustainable environmental management have a broad range of careers available to them across both the private and public sectors.

Our graduates

Our graduates have a strong record of finding employment in the environmental sector globally in roles such as:

• graduate agricultural and environmental consultants
• government and regulatory organisations and policymaking, e.g. Senior Land Use Policy Officer
• site reclamation and remediation, e.g. Senior Environmental Analyst
• environmental campaigner
• further research in academia, e.g. PhD studentships both in the UK and overseas
• Environmental Management Manager, e.g. construction

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

• Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)
• Scottish Government
• NatureScot
• Land and Forest Scotland
• Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
• SRUC
• SAC Consulting

Networks

Throughout the MSc programme, we will support you in developing professional networks across sectors to foster interdisciplinary relationships and opportunities within the current employment landscape.

British Society of Soil Science

The British Society of Soil Science provides information on soil science-based activities, events and training, as well as links to UK and international soil scientists.

• Visit the British Society of Soil Science website

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