MSc Environment and International Development
University of East Anglia: School of International Development

Interest in the global environment and development has never been so intense. Environmental issues and problems have long been on local and national agendas, but increasingly over the last thirty years, on international agendas too. All environmental issues derive from natural processes, but at the same time are social and political, and it is this unique interdisciplinary approach which drives the MSc Environment and International Development. 

First introduced in 1997, this popular Masters course has expanded in scope and appeal to natural resource specialists and agriculturalists, as well as those from a social science background who work or are interested in and wish to study development issues, sustainability and the environment. The interaction between environment and development is studied through analysing policy processes at local, national and international levels, as played out by a large cast of actors: policy makers, politicians, business administrators, rural and urban resource users. 

We use a wide range of critical and constructive skills, analytical techniques and contextual knowledge to forward our understanding of these processes. A main focus of the degree is on the political ecology approach to understanding debates and policy processes underpinning responses to environmental and natural resource problems. 

Past students of the degree are now employed by the United Nations, international environment agencies, national policy making and implementing agencies, private sector natural resource companies and NGOs, as environmental activists and researchers. 

The MSc is an interdisciplinary programme including modules from both the natural and social sciences. The MSc Environment and International Development received 1+3 recognition in the recent ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) interim recognition exercise. This means that the MScEID meets the formal ESRC requirements for research training in human geography at the masters' level. UK and EU applicants to the MScEID programme may apply to ESRC for PhD research under the 1+3 as well as +3 studentship programmes. 

Good academic background in a related field (natural or social sciences), or considerable professional experience in any agency involved in environment and development issues. International applicants should have an English language score of at least 6.5 on the British Council IELTS test (6.0 minimum in all components).

September to September

Based at the University of East Anglia, with a work placement in the UK or Overseas.