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.
This programme is aimed at talented graduates seeking to develop or enhance their expertise in the fields of development and environment. You will develop the capacity to critically analyse 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, from the COVID-19 pandemic to political and military tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
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 (THE analysis of REF 2021) and has an outstanding reputation for teaching and learning. It 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.
Programme structure
The programme is structured around three core units. You will also choose three optional units and complete a research dissertation.
The core programme unit is Global Development and Environment: History, Theory, Practice. You will also be required to undertake The Policy and Management Consultancy unit, which will provide you with an opportunity to develop 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. The third core unit is Sustainability, Risk and Resilience in the Urban Age, which will introduce you issues pertaining the our urbanising planet, including migration and global urban governance.
Subject to availability, students will be able to choose three optional units dealing with topics ranging from research methods to postcolonial critique, 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 Masters 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). Candidates with non-standard degree subjects plus evidence of a minimum of one year relevant work experience in the following roles will also be considered: policy-facing roles, government departments, development or environmental consultancies, multilateral organisations or NGOs.
If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. 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.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:
- evidence of relevant work experience within the last four years in policy-facing roles, government departments in UK or overseas, development or environmental consultancies, multilateral organisations, NGOs. Internships are acceptable as long as with organisations active in the development or environmental field.
- 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.
Go to admissions statementIf 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
- £14,400 per year
- Home: part-time (two years)
- £7,200 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £31,700 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
Students from developing Commonwealth countries may be eligible to apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme, University of Bristol Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship, and the School of Geographical Sciences Phyllis Mary Morris Bursaries.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
Students completing this programme typically go on to work in government, the non-profit sector, multilateral organisations and private companies including development and environmental consultancies. The intensive research training will also prepare you for further postgraduate study.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk