MSc Global Development and Environment
- MSc
Overview
More of the world's extreme poor now live in middle-income than in low-income countries. These changing socio-economic dynamics, alongside processes such as climate change, transnational migration and globalisation, demand a global consideration of the state of the planet. Reflecting these trends, concepts of 'development' have evolved away from an understanding of something that takes place in the 'Third World' or 'Global South' and towards notions of global 'Sustainable Development.'
Contemporary global challenges demand the linking of environmental issues to conventional foci of development (like health, urbanisation, poverty, food security and migration). They also demand an understanding of how the world's resources (such as water, energy, land, minerals, demography) are allocated and managed, and how contestations over these distributions play out.
The MSc Global Development and Environment programme is aimed at talented graduates seeking to develop or enhance their expertise in the fields of development and environment.
We welcome a diverse array of students from different subject backgrounds interested in the large-scale drivers of environmental consumption and stewardship, and how these interlink with and produce developmental outcomes.
You will explore the relationship between international, environmental and developmental concerns and current socio-political events. You will gain a perspective that is at once global and interdisciplinary while also paying attention to locality (place) and people's agency in forging a just and sustainable future.
The School of Geographical Sciences is ranked first in the UK for 'Geography and Environmental Studies' research (Times Higher Education analysis of REF 2021) and has an outstanding reputation for teaching and learning.
This programme builds upon Bristol's existing research strengths in these fields, with links to the University's Cabot Institute, Perivoli Africa Research Centre, Elizabeth Blackwell Institute, Jean Golding Institute, and Bristol Poverty Institute.
As a student on our MSc programme, you’ll join a lively School and University community. We host invited speakers in weekly seminars organised by our School’s academic research groups. These events are open to all and offer you the opportunity to meet leading specialists in a range of subjects. Research groups may also host social events, run specialist workshops and organise reading groups you are welcome to join. We also organise get-togethers for MSc students across our programmes to mark major milestones and celebrate your success.
Programme structure
The foundational programme unit is Global Development and Environment: History, Theory, Practice. You will also be required to undertake a policy-focused unit, developing your practical skills by working in small teams to address real-world policy and management challenges facing external clients including public agencies, private organisations and NGOs.
A third core unit, Sustainability, Risk and Resilience in the Urban Age, will introduce you issues pertaining to our urbanising planet, including migration and global urban governance.
Subject to availability, you will choose three additional units dealing with topics ranging from research methods to postcolonial critique, feminist geographies. environmental policy, GIS and remote sensing.
Unit availability can only be confirmed on an annual basis, therefore any choices made by part-time students at the outset of the programme for their second year of study will be provisional.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc Global Development and Environment.
Please note this master's programme requires group work and regular class presentations.
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in Biology, Botany, Ecology, Forestry, Microbiology, Zoology, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, Anthropology, Communication Studies, Criminology, Economics, Geography, Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or professional degrees (Medicine, Architecture, Planning or Engineering).
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional relevant work experience or qualifications. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing:
- evidence of relevant work experience in: Policy facing roles, Government departments in UK or overseas, Development or environmental consultancies, Multilateral organisations, NGOs.
- a relevant postgraduate qualification in Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences or Professional Degrees (public health, planning or engineering).
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £14,800 per year
- Home: part-time
- £7,400 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £32,600 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
Depending on eligibility, applicants may be able to apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme, University of Bristol Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship, Bristol Master's Scholarship, or the School of Geographical Sciences' own Phyllis Mary Morris Bursaries.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
An MSc from Bristol greatly enhances your employment prospects.
Our graduates go on to work for a range of employers in the UK and around the world, in government and in the charitable and corporate sectors.
They find that their degree from Bristol gives them an advantage on the job market, and they move to a diverse range of jobs after they graduate, including in government, the non-profit sector, multilateral organisations and private companies including development and environmental consultancies.
The intensive research training on this MSc will also prepare you for further postgraduate study and some of our graduate continue to further study on a PhD.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk