Postgraduate courses
MPhil in Environmental Policy
(Economics and law of the environment)
An intensive ten month taught programme combining the perspectives of environmental economics and environmental law on the design, implementation and assessment of environmental policy.
Introduction
As human population expands, economic development proceeds and new technologies arise, society faces more complex and previously unknown environmental problems. These problems need to be addressed in the context of an increasingly globalised economy where significant differences of environmental quality and quality of life persist. Already existing regulatory structures add another layer of complexity.
Successful environmental policy depends on the ability of its makers to bring together scientific information, analytical thinking and an awareness of the legal, social and political realities of environmental regulation. There is an increasing need for experts with sophisticated analytical skills, a profound understanding of the current nature of regulatory structures and a sound knowledge of the trends in the changes that environmental regulation is currently undergoing. These experts will be required by governments, international organisations, companies and non-governmental organisations in order to identify environmental problems, assess their nature and scale and to provide solutions.
The MPhil in Environmental Policy involves an intensive ten month period of full-time study from the beginning of October to the end of July each year. The programme has been designed to provide training in environmental economics and environmental law to equip students with the tools that will help them successfully design, implement and assess environmental policy in a variety of settings, at national and international level. The programme combines modules in environmental and ecological economics with modules in environmental law, as well as providing core quantitative and research skills. This particular cross-disciplinary focus distinguishes the degree from other environmental policy programmes offered elsewhere.
The programme is aimed at giving a solid foundation and upgrading the skills in environmental policy of those with prior experience in a related field or for those who are looking to commence a career in this area. It is suitable for students who want to pursue careers in public policy, consultancy or companies where issues of environmental impact and its management are at the fore. Applicants should have a good first degree. Training in economics or law is an advantage but not essential. Experience in environmental issues is very helpful.
Tuition in the programme is based around classroom lectures, case studies, seminars and supervised policy research to ensure students can apply the theoretical concepts taught. The programme may also serve as an entry point into PhD training for those interested in pursuing research in environmental policy in greater depth. Students are also exposed to cutting-edge research and professional practice in environmental policy through the departmental seminar series which often features leading academics working on current environmental problems. Environmental Policy MPhil students further benefit from feedback from and exposure to the state-of-the-art research that is being undertaking within the Department’s Environmental Economy and Policy research group (EEP). The Department also fosters an active graduate student research community with weekly seminars where students and Department members can further interact.
Course objectives
The programme’s core objective is to closely integrate concepts in economics and law with an understanding of the nature of environmental problems. It ensures that students are equipped with the analytical foundations, the specific skills and the area knowledge that they will need to provide up-to-date analysis and solutions in a policy setting. This solution could be the design of new environmental incentive schemes in a particular country or the strategic response of a company to anticipated or actual changes in environmental regulation. Whatever the context, we believe that three components are essential for practitioners of environmental policy:
- suitable analytical and quantitative skills;
- understanding of the nature of environmental problems, of successful solutions and of the current trends in environmental regulation;
- sensitivity to the economic, social and political realities of environmental regulation.
The course also focuses on developing students’ heuristic skills to approach policy questions in a methodical and informed manner.
Course structure
The MPhil in Environmental Policy is modular. To complete the course students are required to complete four modules in each of the first two terms and to submit a compulsory dissertation of between 10,000 to 12,000 words in the third term. In all cases students on this course must take a quantitative or mixed research methods module as well as other compulsory modules. Assessment of each module is by way of a written examination paper, project or essay work, or a combination of these methods. More information on modules offered.
In addition, all students are expected to attend the Department’s Research Management Programme that supports the development of projects for the dissertation as well as covering issues of data collection and ethics.
Progress to the PhD
MPhil candidates wishing to pursue a PhD with the Department may apply to continue as a Graduate Student via the Board of Graduate Studies. Each application is considered carefully by the Department and by the Degree Committee. Approval of an application will depend on three criteria:
- availability of a supervisor;
- the approval by the Degree Committee of a research proposal; and
- the achievement of a minimum of 67% in the MPhil examination.
Full details of the application procedure for continuing students are given on the Board of Graduate Studies website. Students wishing to continue are advised to apply early in the academic year and to be aware that funding deadlines are also often early in the applications cycle. In all cases, approval to continue is subject to the final examinations results and approval from the Degree Committee.
Professional accreditation
The MPhil in Environmental Policy is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The RICS is an international organisation with over 100,000 members and membership of the RICS conveys a number of benefits. Graduates of the Planning, Growth and Regeneration course are eligible to enter the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), successful completion of which entitles full membership of the RICS. The RICS also offers free membership to students whilst they are taking accredited courses. Information about the RICS, the APC and the benefits of membership can be found at: www.rics.org
Academic and Language requirements
The academic requirements for entry to the MPhil in Environmental Policy are at least the minimum expected by the University. Details of these requirements are given in the University of Cambridge Graduate Studies Prospectus.
The English language requirement for both MPhil and PhD courses is as follows:
IELTS: Overall 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in each element
TOEFL ibT: Overall 110, with a minimum of 25 in each element
TOEFL paper based: 637 overall, 5.5 in TWE
Course Director
The Course Director for the MPhil in Environmental Policy is Dr Andreas Kontoleon (ak219@cam.ac.uk). Dr Kontoleon is available to discuss with students specific issues about the content of the MPhil in Environmental Policy.
Further information
More information on funding
More information on how to apply