Program Overview

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Climate Politics and Policy, MSc

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 a 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 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.

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

Programme Fees

Fee category	Cost
EU / International students	£23,000
UK	£11,100

Stage 1

Compulsory Courses

• PD5006 Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (0 credit points)
• PI5038 Critical Climate Politics and Security (30 credit points)
• AT50XX Climate Policies and Realities (30 credit points)

Stage 2

Compulsory Courses

• PI5541 Political Psychology of Climate Change (30 credit points)
• GG55xx Governance and Political Economy of Sustainability (15 credit points)
• GG55xx Partnerships for Sustainability (15 credit points)

Stage 3

Compulsory Courses

• PI5911 Climate Politics and Policy Project (60 credit points)

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

Programme Fees

Fee category	Cost
EU / International students	£23,000
UK	£11,100

Scholarships

All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship.

Related Programmes

You may also be interested in the following related postgraduate degree programmes:

• Energy Economics and Finance
• International Relations
• International Relations and International Law
• Politics and Public Policy
• Politics, Public Policy and Management
• Strategic Studies and Energy Security
• Strategic Studies and International Law
• Strategic Studies and Management
• Sustainability Transitions

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.

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
• 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) and3rd in Scotland for Overall Student Satisfaction in Politics (National Student Survey 2024)

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants for admission will normally be expected to hold a relevant Honours degree with a 2:1 standard from a recognised university or body.

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

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:

• Degree Certificate
• Degree Transcript
• Personal Statement
• Reference x 2

Careers

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.

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.

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

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.

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.