The three mandatory modules are:

CEUP 1

Understanding sustainability transformations

• Analytical frames (including collective action problems, theory of externalities, systems analysis, theory of tipping points, sustainability/socio-technical transitions theory, Anthropocene).
• Sources (survey of the most authoritative sources of data, regular reports, key institutions and processes, e.g. IPCC, IPBES, UNFCCC, CBD, and state of knowledge to enable an informed opinion on climate, environmental and urban policy issues).
• Selected issues of particular relevance relating to climate change, environmental governance and urbanisation (case study-based)

CEUP 2

Economics and Public Policy of Sustainability

• This module introduces students to the field of environmental economics and its policy challenges. It explores the question: Why do people pollute or overuse natural resources?
• This includes a discussion of the complex interaction between the economic system, specifically markets, and the natural environment. The module also looks into the design and assessment of environmental regulation and policies.
• It covers both the microeconomic and macroeconomic perspectives on regulation in a variety of policy settings, each characterised by specific constraints.

CEUP 3

Law and Governance of Sustainability

• This module studies the different dimensions of environmental geopolitics, with a particular focus on the context of international legal frameworks for energy, investment, trade and environmental law. The module includes an historical component, explaining the role of law in driving or hindering the main energy transitions. Students are introduced to more complex issues such as natural resource distributions and energy security, non-conventional energy sources and their geopolitical impact, energy diversification and international conflict and cooperation.

Complementing the ‘Core Modules’, there will be three optional ‘Applied Modules’, out of which students have to select only one as their specialisation stream:

CEUP4 Climate change and the energy transformation

This module will provide an introduction to climate change, from a scientific, economic and legal perspective. Students will have an overview of the most relevant reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), with a particular focus on global energy systems. Building on the tools introduced in the ‘Core Modules’, students will be able to analyse case studies based on regional decarbonisation policies and global economic trends.

CEUP5 Ecosystems and biodiversity

This module will address the measurement, valuation and governance of ecosystem services, and how that connects with the global biodiversity threats we are facing today. The students will look at ecosystems and biodiversity in the context of broader environmental and economic challenges, with a particular focus on ‘planetary boundaries’ and sustainable development. Regional case studies, with a particular focus on developing regions, will be analysed by the students in this module.

CEUP6 Cities and the future of urbanisation

This module will study the impact of urbanisation and global demographic changes in sustainability transformations. The module will focus on cities and how innovations in design, planning, and policy can improve the environmental footprint of cities as well as urban living and quality of life. The module will combine a global perspective with local case studies.

CEUP7 Methods and Methodologies

The course includes a mandatory ‘Methods and Methodologies’ module, that will give the students access to quantitative and qualitative tools that they can use throughout the course, especially while working on their dissertation. Each student will have assigned a supervisor, who will provide face to face supervisions during the residential blocks. In addition, the students will receive online support during non-residential periods.

The Director for the MSt in Climate, Environmental and Urban Policy is Jorge Viñuales. He is available to discuss with students specific issues about the content of the MSt in Climate, Environmental and Urban Policy.

The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) known as "Moodle" is a valuable teaching and learning resource and is the main means of communication between the course team and students throughout the two-years. 

Assessment is completed via the VLE and supplementary materials, such as slides used by presenters and links to useful websites, articles, and other resources are also made available through the VLE.

There are also forums for students to participate in discussions with each other and the course team, either generally or specifically about the assignments/dissertation.

The examining schemes are approved from year to year, and are therefore liable to variation. Approved schemes will be made available at the start of the academic year.

The MSt is assessed through:

• Three cases studies
• Three critical essays
• One Dissertation methodological outline
• A dissertation of no more than 12,000 words in length.

All students who enrol on the Climate, Environment and Urban Policy Masters Programme become full members of a Cambridge University College, which provides pastoral support within a collegial academic environment.  Once a college member students remain a member of that college for life which includes some on-going opportunity to book accommodation, formal dinners and be invited to College and alumni events.

College life is an important aspect of the course and we believe that having students on the course together as members of a college helps contribute to a really positive 'Cambridge Experience'. However, if an applicant already has an affiliation with or a strong preference for a a particular college then this will be taken into consideration.

The college provides accommodation and also offers meals, although students often prefer to sample the many different types of cuisine available from the wide variety of restaurants and cafes in Cambridge, along with their course colleagues.

During the course both complimentary and optional formal dinners are held at the college and are again part of the Cambridge College experience and highly recommended.

As members of a college students have access to all the resources and facilities of the college, including leisure facilities, library, IT resources and common rooms.

General information about Cambridge colleges can be found here: http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/colleges

The MSt in Climate, Environment and Urban Economics have arrangements for students at Churchill College, and students are fully inducted and matriculated into their college during the first residential session.

Applications for our MSt programme are reviewed in batches. Candidates may be interviewed (via video call) and offered places after these reviews. Given the desire to get a diverse mix of skills and backgrounds, final decisions on most applications are not taken until after the closing date for all applications.

We advise that applications are made as early as possible, particularly non-standard applications which are likely to take longer to process.

Applicants should normally have a relevant UK first or very good upper second class honours degree or overseas equivalent. In addition, students joining the MSt course will typically have significant experience in a relevant industry or in public service and, in some cases, a professional qualification, although such additional element would not be a pre-requisite.

Those with alternative qualifications or experience will be evaluated on an individual basis. As applicants will be expected to have experience and successful track records in industry or public service, consideration may be given to candidates on the strength of their vocational experience in lieu of the normal standard entry requirements.

If English is not your first language, you will need to submit evidence to meet the University’s English language requirement, please see the Competence in English tool for further information.

• IELTS Academic: Overall score of 7.5 (a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component)
• TOEFL Internet: Overall score of 110 (a minimum of 25 in each individual component)
• CAE: Grade A or B (with at least 193 in each individual element) plus a language centre assessment.
• CPE: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200 in each individual element).

Those applicants who are subject to a language requirement are strongly encouraged to submit their language results with their initial application as failure to do so may delay the processing of applications.

The Masters in Climate, Environmental and Urban Policy is conferred by the University of Cambridge as the awarding body and students graduate from the University of Cambridge.  Graduation is organised by the student's College. Students who successfully pass the course and graduate from the University are entitled to use the letters, ‘MSt ( Cantab )’ after their name.

Most certainly.  All students are required to matriculate in order to become a member of the University, which involves signing a formal declaration agreeing to abide by the Statutes and Ordinances of the University and College. Only by signing these documents does the student become recognised as a full member of the University and College.

The Colleges administer the formal processes, including matriculation (formally joining the University and College) and all  students then attend a formal dinner, ‘the Matriculation Dinner’ to celebrate the more formal admittance to the University and College.

Absolutely, the course is designed for those working and living away from the University.  The programme is modular and delivered through a combination of distance learning, a VLE and residential sessions.  There are 8 residential weeks in 5 blocks (3 residentials of 2 weeks duration in year 1 and 2 residentials of 1 week in year 2).  We arrange college accommodation for the duration of the residentials, which are focussed more on taught sessions, collaborative work, project work, and supervisions.  Self study, theoretical work and assignments can be done between the residential periods. 

You will need to provide the details of two referees who should be senior people acquainted with your work and who are able to comment on your academic and/or professional suitability to undertake the course. Ideally one reference should be academic and one professional. If this is not possible, two professional references may be accepted.

You will be asked to provide email addresses for your referees so that they can submit their reference via the online referencing system, so it is important for you to ensure that your referee is able to provide a reference for you before you submit your application form.

You should try to advise your referees to include the following information:

• How long they have known you and in what capacity.
• Their opinion of your experience, achievements, professional interests, and the capabilities which you will bring to the course.
• Whether they believe you have the academic and analytic skills to successfully study at Masters level.
• Whether they believe you will fit well on a Master’s level course concerned with Climate, Environmental and Urban Policy, requiring both group work and individual research.
• Whether they consider you have the enthusiasm, commitment and determination necessary to complete the course successfully.

If your referees are unable to use the online referencing system, or do not have email addresses, please contact the ICE Admissions office for further assistance.

Applications for the MSt in Climate, Environmental and Urban Policy are reviewed in batches throughout the applications cycle. Whilst applications are open until May each year, we may be able to offer places and possibly fill all the places before then – so early applications are encouraged and advised, especially if you require a language test score.

You are required to complete a ‘Research Proposal’ as part of your application.  However, there is no need for a detailed proposal at this stage. There is no word limit, but just a couple of paragraphs (no more than a side of A4) is sufficient.

We ideally would like to see an interesting research question with some idea of what literature already exists related to the question and how you would go about the research e.g. what data you would need and where you might get it from and what methods you would use.  However, at this stage, all we need is an indication of ideas (that could be shaped into a more detail research proposal during the first year of the course) to illustrate your interest in doing research for this degree and that if invited for interview you can briefly talk about these ideas thoughtfully.   The course is designed to ensure students gain the necessary research skills rather than expect them to arrive with them all in place.

The MSt in Climate, Environmental and Urban Policy is a valid route to studying for a PhD Degree.  Students wishing to apply for continuation to the PhD would normally be expected to attain a minimum overall mark of 67% and dissertation 70%.