Introduction
With the growing political, financial, and social attention around the causes, impacts and solutions to climate change, there has never been more demand for interdisciplinary approaches to the world’s biggest challenge.
Our MSc Climate Politics and Policy is an interdisciplinary, multi-disciplinary research-led programme designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex political, social, and economic dynamics underpinning climate change and challenges in its policy policymaking.
This innovative offering leverages the expertise of the School of Social Science, and that of the School of Geosciences, and engages a diverse team of scholars whose research intersects with the many facets of climate politics. Apply Now.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September or January
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
As we witness our planet and society confront the swift and relentless consequences of climate change, we are also undergoing the largest social, technical, and political transition that humankind has ever seen.
MSc Climate Politics and Policy is a comprehensive programme that provides you with the building blocks of understanding how climate change is impacting every corner of the political world to equip you for careers in any organisation or sector engaging with the climate as a topic of policy and praxis.
This programme provides the opportunity and ability to analyse climate policy as a political arena that is determining the future of our planet. Over the course of the MSc, you will have the chance to examine climate politics and policy within multiple disciplines, looking at issues such as:
- Examining the threats climate poses to the security of various actors and systems
- Climate-induced internal displacement and cross border migration
- The political economy of low carbon solutions
- Political constructions of climate change and its historical origins
- The complexities of sustainable governance and how this is articulated in policy versus the real world
- Human and non-human consequences of international and national climate policy frameworks
- The political psychology of how both individuals and populations react to climate change
In Aberdeen, a city at the heart of the UK’s energy transition, you also have the chance to witness how climate- and energy-oriented policies are taking effect in a historically oil-based economy that it transitioning to a low carbon one.
Ultimately, this MSc can help you develop a deeper understanding of climate politics from a unique perspective that critically examines the solutions in place, and provides an insight that is incredibly valuable to a range of potential employers in a climate-affected world.
Available Programmes of Study
This programme will give you skills and experience you can apply to various sectors in need of expertise in climate politics and policy. Upon completing each course on this programme, you will come away with knowledge and skills in:
- Creating or growing specific expertise around climate politics and policy
- Formulating presentations and presenting on original research
- Writing for academic audiences and the general public
- Translating research into policy briefs for non-specialist audiences
- Producing original academic and non-academic works
- Leading seminar discussions
- Developing work habits to meet multiple deadlines
- MSc
-
Climate Politics and Policy
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month LocationMSc 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September Aberdeen MoreMSc 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January Aberdeen MoreProgramme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £23,000 Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year UK £11,100 Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Teaching includes a range of interactive methods and approaches to learning in order to enhance students’ critical thinking, presentation, interpersonal, and policy drafting skills.
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Courses are assessed through essays, presentations, group and project work and exams. The variety of assessment in the programme ensures that students apply theory to practice and become expert communicators and team players.
The degree of MSc shall not be awarded to a candidate who fails to achieve a CAS mark of 9 in the relevant dissertation course, irrespective of their performance in other courses.
Why Study Climate Politics and Policy?
- You will develop a deeper knowledge of climate politics and policy in a world attempting to mitigate the greatest challenge humanity has collectively faced, in an Energy Transition of Europe
- Aberdeen hosts FTS 100 oil and gas companies and other energy innovation companies, and our city is a global hub of energy professionals, who are all having to respond to national and international climate policy
- Learn from experts actively involved in research. The University of Aberdeen is home to several research centres and institutes, including the Just Transition Lab, Centre for Energy Transition; Centre for Global Development; the Centre for Global Security and Governance; the Institute for Conflict, Transition, and Peace Research; and more
- You are taught from the School of Social Science and the School of Geoscience, which have both developed an international reputation as a centre of academic excellence for political research over five decades with staff publishing internationally
- Aberdeen is ranked 8th in the UK for International Relations (Guardian University Guide 2025) and 3rd in Scotland for Overall Student Satisfaction in Politics (National Student Survey 2024)
- The University of Aberdeen is ranked 2nd in Scotland for Overall Student Satisfaction (National Student Survey 2024)
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Applicants for admission will normally be expected to hold a relevant Honours degree with a 2:1 standard from a recognised university or body.
Applicants without this qualification may be admitted subject to having an alternative qualification, or an approved level of work experience appropriate to the field of study. Also taken into careful consideration is the trajectory of results. An applicant without an overall 2.1 but with 2.1 results in their final two years of study may be admitted.
Please enter your country or territory to view relevant entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Certificate
- a degree certificate showing your qualifications
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
- Reference x 2
- two reference letters, one of which should be from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time you may wish to use your current or most recent employers, or other professional individuals
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Eligibility details and further information are available on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipCareers
You can apply your knowledge to different types of organisations, ranging from international and national non-governmental organisations and think tanks, major utilities and energy companies, independent and local companies, as well as local government and national government agencies.
Alumni of MSc programmes in Politics and International Relations have gone on to join the UK Government, Equinor, South Pole, Mexican Council on International Affairs, and beyond. Others have continued their education by undergoing PhD studies.
Career Opportunities
- Biodiversity Risk and Opportunities Associate
- Energy Policy Consultant
- Energy and Business Consultant
- Energy and Sustainability Adviser
- Government Officer
- Policy Officer
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist
- Renewables Advice Officer
Our Experts
Bennett Collins has worked in the field of climate politics and policy for a number of years. He has worked with community organisations, government, and non-government stakeholders, on a range of issues relating to energy, environmental, and climate policy around the world.
For Bennett, climate politics is not only about the state, but a myriad of actors attempting to react to and survive the devastating consequences of the climate crisis, and the social injustices that can result
- Programme Leader
- Dr Bennett J Collins
- Other Experts
- Dr Andrew Whitehouse
- Dr Digdem Soyaltin Colella
- Dr Ezel Tabur
- Dr Jo Vergunst
- Dr Philippe Beauregard
- Dr Piotr Niewiadomski
- Dr Tavis Potts
- Professor Martin Mills
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Facilities
Aberdeen University Centre for Energy Law
This research centre promotes the research activities of the many members of the School having an interest in Energy Law matters, as well as fostering an environment for collaborative work.
Just Transition Lab
Just Transition Lab is an interdisciplinary group of researchers from the Business School, School of Engineering, School of Geosciences, School of Law, and the School of Social Sciences working on advancing impact-driven research on Just Transition.
Find out more
Centre for Energy Transition
Research in the Centre for Energy Transition (CET) at the University of Aberdeen addresses the key challenges facing the Energy Transition as we seek to reduce emissions and enable global, national, and regional Net Zero targets to be met.
Find out moreGet in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX