Program Overview

Master in Environmental Science & Climate Change

KEY FACTS

• Faculty: School of Marine and Environmental Sciences
• Study Options: Full Time
• Start Date: Sept 2025
• Level: Postgraduate
• Course Length: 1 Year
• Qualification: MSc
• Fees: £8,785 (All Students)
• Placement Option: Yes

About this programme

Green skills are essential for the transition towards a Green Economy. Designed and delivered by expert academics and scientists and in conjunction with local stakeholders, this full-time interdisciplinary programme blends theoretical study with practical, field-based work. You will cover specialist subject areas and gain the skills required to tackle the complex issues associated with the sustainable development of terrestrial and near-coastal ecosystems.

Key Features

• A well-rounded degree programme that trains graduations about conservation and environmental management
• Both terrestrial and marine elements to the programme
• Employability skills and practical elements embedded throughout the programme
• 100 hrs of placement/practical activities
• Working with local stakeholders
• Collaborations and guest lectures from international experts and practitioners
• Learn from internationally-recognised research experts
• Small class sizes (<30 students)

HANDS-ON LEARNING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Expert Teaching

The MSc Environmental Science & Climate Change teaching team brings together a multi-disciplinary group of internationally-recognised specialists in the area of Environmental Science who have extensive expertise in developing and delivering academic programmes in the sciences.

Student Perspective

• Paulina Varova
• Sarah Thomas
• Anne Canepa
• Emma Ocana
• Jemila Mellin
• Katie Mahon

HEAR FROM OUR GRADUATES

Internship Opportunities

Interested in gaining research experience or conducting a research placement abroad? The School of Marine and Environmental Science at the University of Gibraltar can host visiting research students currently enrolled on a marine or environmental science degree (or equivalent).

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Placements

The MSc Environmental Science and Climate Change programme embeds ‘real-world’ applicability into all elements of the teaching content and outputs of learning outcomes.

Modules

The programme is based on a series of modules in increasing levels of specialism.

1. The first part of the programme will focus on Ecology, Conservation and Environmental Management, research skills and methods, marine conservation, sustainability and management of marine ecosystems.
2. The second part will concentrate on climate-change impacts, particularly climate change adaptation and ecosystem-based disaster-risk reduction.
3. The final section of the Masters programme will involve an independent and original research project, which will be assessed via dissertation and viva.

Semester 1

• Ecology, Conservation and Environmental Management
  • This module is designed to be a comprehensive and fundamental introduction to the subject at postgraduate level that will provide a coherent and integrative baseline to support the modules on methods and techniques and the capstone module, which build upon the student’s knowledge.
• Research Skills & Methods (Sciences and Social Sciences)
  • This module is designed to provide students with the qualitative, quantitative and research skills required to critically analyse literature and data in order to answer research questions.
• Coastal Zone Management: Area Based Marine Tools
  • The module examines ICZM from a range of perspectives, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), policy and legislation and those of numerous, often conflicting, stakeholder interests via case studies, role play and real-life scenarios.

Semester 2

• Ecology, Conservation and Environmental Management (continued)
  • This module is designed to be a comprehensive and fundamental introduction to the subject at postgraduate level that will provide a coherent and integrative baseline to support the modules on methods and techniques and the capstone module, which build upon the student’s knowledge.
• Marine Systems and Sustainability
  • This module will explore the structure and functioning of coastal marine ecosystems are affected by human impacts (including land reclamation, habitat destruction and overfishing).
• Advanced Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation
  • The module examines adaptation and mitigation from a range of perspectives and types, and offers a range of solutions to overcoming barriers preventing adaptation and mitigation.
• Ecological Disaster Risk Reduction
  • The module takes a broad, holistic perspective to reflect that which is needed for Eco-DRR.
• Capstone
  • The Capstone module will enable students to demonstrate a systematic understanding of the knowledge gained in previous modules, and to apply this knowledge to a practical setting of their choosing.

Semester 3

• Independent research-based project
  • This module will aid the students in their transition from primarily receptors of information into to becoming independent researchers.

Exit Award level

Entry Requirements

• Typically, all applicants will have:
  • Possess a minimum of a second class Honours degree (2.1 preferred) awarded by a UK university or overseas equivalent in a relevant subject.
  • Be able to communicate ideas effectively in writing, in discussions and presentations.
  • Basic IT skills, such as word-processing, email and Internet are expected.
• Alternate entry into the Masters programme can be achieved through suitably documented extensive work experience (e.g. >1 year) relevant to the programme (e.g. marine environmental research, government planning, environmental impact work, work for non-governmental organisation i.e. NGO or international agency).

English Language Requirements

• An overall IELTS test result of 6.5, including a minimum of 6.0 in all sub-tests.
• Equivalent awards will be considered (e.g. Pearson’s Test of English, Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English, Duolingo English Test, City & Guilds International ESOL 8984, or the TOEFL- IBT test of English proficiency).

Fees

Scholarships

The University of Gibraltar hosts or directly offers a limited number of scholarship programmes to support your studies. These scholarships are highly competitive; they are available to support undergraduate, Master’s degree and PhD programmes and are made available to students based on certain criteria.

Student Accommodation

Accommodation is available at the purpose built Europa Suites. Located just a two-minute walk from our Europa Point Campus, the rooms have been designed as spaces in which to relax and study. Each self-contained studio apartment features a compact kitchen, en-suite bathroom and large desk.