Global Environmental Economics (MSc)

Program Overview

The MSc in Global Environmental Economics at the University of Galway equips students with the knowledge and skills to analyze global environmental issues from an economic perspective, inform public policy, and contribute to addressing environmental challenges. The program emphasizes communication skills, a practical focus through work placements, and research opportunities related to climate change adaptation. Graduates are highly sought after in various sectors, including international development, government, and the corporate world.

Program Outline

MSc (Global Environmental Economics) - University of Galway

Degree Overview:

This MSc program is designed for students interested in contributing to addressing major environmental challenges through an economic lens. It equips students with the skills to analyze global environmental issues, inform public policy, and understand the global interlinkages of environmental problems. The program aims to develop graduates with the following skills:

• Understand and analyze global environmental issues from an economic perspective.

• Critically evaluate and inform future public policy in relation to the environment.

• Advanced knowledge of economic methods used to analyze environmental problems.

• Understand global interlinkages of environmental problems and how these differ around the world.

• Effective communication skills and be proficient with various media.

The program is hosted by the Discipline of Economics at the University of Galway, part of the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics.

Outline:

The MSc in Global Environmental Economics consists of taught modules and a work placement or dissertation. The program structure varies slightly for full-time and part-time students.

Full-Time:

• Semester 1:
• Microeconomic Theory
• Econometrics
• Natural Resource Governance and Sustainability
• Climate Change Economics
• Semester 2:
• Cost-Benefit Analysis and Evaluation
• Environmental Economic Modelling
• Global Issues in Agricultural, Marine and Renewable Energy Economics
• One optional module (from a list including Renewable Energy Economics, European Energy Policy, Applied Econometrics, Public Sector Economics, Green and Sustainable Finance, Derivatives and Risk Management)
• Semester 3 / Summer:
• Dissertation or work placement

Part-Time:

• Year 1:
• Semester 1:
• Climate Change Economics
• Microeconomic Theory
• Semester 2:
• Global Issues in Agricultural, Marine and Renewable Energy Economics
• Year 2:
• Semester 1:
• Natural Resource Governance & Sustainability
• Econometrics
• Semester 2:
• Cost Benefit Analysis & Evaluation
• Environmental Economic Modelling
• Semester 3 (Summer):
• Applied Environmental Economics Placement (secured by the program, but subject to employer discretion)
• Dissertation

Assessment:

Modules are assessed through a combination of continuous assessment and end-of-semester exams or purely continuous assessment. Communication and presentation skills are emphasized in the assessment structure.

• Work Placement: Students undertaking a work placement submit a Placement Report at the end of the placement.
• Dissertation: Students choosing the dissertation option submit a research paper of approximately 6,000 words in length at the end of the summer semester.
The dissertation involves close collaboration with an academic supervisor.

Teaching:

The program is delivered through small group teaching by academics and industry and policy experts. This ensures a practical focus, further strengthened through work placements.

Careers:

Graduates have found employment in various sectors, including:

• International development and aid agencies
• European Commission
• Utility companies
• Government departments
• Investment banks
• Corporate environmental investment funds
• United Nations organizations
• Consultancy firms
• Local authorities
Many graduates have also gone on to pursue PhDs.

Other:

• The program has partnered with the UN Climate Change and Universities Partnership Programme, offering opportunities for students to work on research projects related to climate change adaptation.
• The program includes field trips, such as:
• Seagoing training on board the RV Tom Crean, involving a cost-benefit analysis for a new environmental project.
• Visits to the UNFCCC headquarters in Bonn and environmental companies in Brussels.
• The program is supported by research groups within the Economics department, including the Centre for Economic Research on Inclusivity and Sustainability (CERIS) and the Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit (SEMRU).
• The program offers a Niamh Burke Renewable Energy Bursary, funded by Arthur Cox and the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA).

EU €7,640 full-time; €3,855 part-time p.a. 2024/25 Fees: Tuition €7,500 full-time; €3,750 part-time p.a. 2024/25 Fees: Student levy €140 full-time; €105 part-time p.a. 2024/25 Fees: Non EU €19,000 p.a. (€19,140 p.a. including levy) 2024/25