Governments, corporate actors, and civil society are evolving in response to a range of significant large-scale issues: climate change, ecosystem collapse, and the transformation of urban systems. To learn how this is happening, we need multiple perspectives as well as analysis of what is driving policy-making in these areas.

The MSt aims to give its students a 360-degree view of climate, environmental, and urban policy. Students will leave the course able to understand the complex nature of sustainability transformations, including a variety of global and relevant causes and challenges.

The MSt covers a broad range of policy areas, including but not limited to: climate change, threats to biodiversity, energy security, natural resource distribution, global demographic changes, urbanisation, analytical frames, and data sources. The economics, regulation, and geopolitics of the environment are addressed in depth throughout the course.

The course is done part-time over two academic years, and consists of a combination of residential sessions in Cambridge with distance learning through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment. This structure allows students the flexibility to continue with their professional careers while also undertaking an academically rigorous, master’s level qualification at one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

There are three compulsory modules: one on sustainability transformations, one on the economics and public policy of sustainability, and another on the law and governance of sustainability. Complementing these are three optional modules, of which students are required to choose just one. These cover climate change, ecosystem services and urbanisation. Additionally, all students are required to take a ‘Methods and Methodology’ module that gives them research tools they can use throughout the course, especially on their dissertation, and in the real world.

The Department benefits from a cross-disciplinary faculty. We have academics who specialise in environmental law, climate change policy, environmental economics, urban policy, and sustainability. We are a small and friendly department, who can offer plenty of support to students while they study with us.

Cambridge is a world leading research institution with particular strength in sustainability science and policy. The Department is the epicentre of climate, environmental and urban policy within Cambridge and its focus on addressing real-life problems offers a unique interface between cutting-edge research and practice.

The MSt is mainly aimed at those already in an established career, but we welcome applications from diverse backgrounds. Students from government, public institutions, charities, and the private sector are all encouraged to apply. It is expected that students, once they have graduated from the course, will take their knowledge and skills and incorporate them into their role and future professional endeavours. Having said that, the MSt is a valid route into studying for a PhD, and so students may wish to pursue this after graduating.

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