Climate Change and Policy (2014 entry)

MSc, 1 year full time/2 years part time

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Climate change and sustainable energy are perhaps the most important issues of our time. The challenge is to make a worldwide transition to a low-carbon economy, while at the same time providing modern energy services to a growing population and adapting to the increasingly substantial, but often uncertain, impacts of a changing climate. To meet these challenges, society needs professionals and policy-makers who understand the complex, multidimensional scientific, socioeconomic, technological and institutional challenges associated with sustainable energy, climate change mitigation and climate adaptation. 

Our climate change and energy policy degrees are designed to provide state-of-the-art training for this expanding professional market. 

Sussex is renowned for its agenda-setting, interdisciplinary teaching and research in science, development, and policy studies. You will be taught by leading researchers who have played key roles advising governmental/intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on climate change mitigation and adaptation and/or energy policy. 

For the MSc in Climate Change and Development and the MSc Climate Change and Policy, you will be taught by faculty from the Department of Geography, SPRU – Science and Technology Policy Research, and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS): 

  • the Department of Geography is a leading centre of geographical scholarship in the UK, with particular strengths in climate science, impacts and adaptation 
  • SPRU – Science and Technology Policy Research was ranked 2nd science and policy think tank in the UK and 11th in the world (University of Pennsylvania: Global Go-To Think-Tanks Report 2012). The Sussex Energy Group is one of the largest independent social science energy policy research groups in the world 
  • IDS is ranked 1st university-affiliated think tank in the UK and 3rd in the world (University of Pennsylvania: Global Go To Think Tanks Report 2012) 
  • the Climate Change research team at IDS promotes collaborative research and policy analysis, delivery of high-quality research degrees, knowledge services, teaching and training. The team works closely with the University of Sussex and a strong network of partners in developing countries. 

The MSc in Energy Policy for Sustainability is taught by faculty in SPRU – Science and Technology Policy Research who are part of the Sussex Energy Group. The group undertakes academically rigorous, interdisciplinary research engaging with policy-makers and practitioners. The aim of our research is to identify ways of achieving the transition to sustainable, low-carbon energy systems. 

More information can be found at Sussex Climate Network.

Specialist facilities in the School of Global Studies

The University offers extensive computing facilities with a full range of data-processing and communications software. Office space is usually allocated to students taking research degrees. You will have full access to the University’s main Library and its online collection. 

Specialist facilities at IDS

IDS plays a lead role in the provision, development and support of information and intermediary services that build a bridge between development research and development policy and practice. The IDS Knowledge Services include both broad-based services such as the development policy, research and practice information online gateway Eldis, and specialist services such as BRIDGE (gender), the Governance and Social Development Resource Centre (GSDRC) and the Livelihoods Connect Network. IDS Knowledge Services also work in partnerships with organisations in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. 

The British Library for Development Studies (BLDS) is Europe’s most comprehensive research collection on economic and social change in developing countries. IDS students have full access to a wide range of online databases, CD-ROMs, e-books and e-journals in addition to the facilities at the University’s main Library.


Martin's faculty perspective

Professor Martin Todd

‘There can be few areas of science that directly inform policy to the extent that climate science does today. When I started my climate research career more than 20 years ago, climate science was a minority interest and climate change only a peripheral issue. Now it is at the forefront of the scientific, social, economic and political agendas and has a prominent media profile.

'Since climate change has moved out of the research labs and onto the front page, I felt I wanted to look outwards also. Coming to Sussex has enabled me to work with leading groups that work directly on developing policy on the shift from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy and on the impact of climate change on people in the developing world. It has highlighted the magnitude of the challenge society faces and the necessity for the multidisciplinary approach we are developing at Sussex.’

Professor Martin Todd
Chair in Climate Change

Programme outline

You will be based in the School of Global Studies. 

This is a unique course providing state-of-the-art training for climate change professionals in the rapidly expanding market within the public, private, consultancy and not-for-profit sectors. The MSc addresses the climate change issues from multidisciplinary perspectives, including the science of climate change and social science dimensions of policy responses. 

You will acquire specialist knowledge in a range of natural and social science spheres and a rich understanding of their interactions and interdependencies. Modules focus on the causes of climate change and the consequences for our life support systems including water, food and ecosystem services, and the complex socioeconomic dimensions of policies for both the transition to a low-carbon economy and for adaptation in key sectors. 

We cover policies and practice of mitigation and adaptation within the international, national and local domains. Modules in these fields are taught by leading researchers in the world-renowned SPRU – Science and Technology Policy Research, the Department of Geography and the Institute for Development Studies (IDS). Modules on climate science are taught by Geography faculty and are designed to be accessible for non-climate specialists. You can develop a specialist thematic or regional enquiry in the dissertation. 

Assessment 

Modules are assessed by essays, exam, short term papers, policy briefs, presentations, and research proposal. 

We continue to develop and update our modules for 2014 entry to ensure you have the best student experience.In addition to the course structure below, you may find it helpful to refer to the 2012 modules tab.

Autumn term: Climate Change Science • Introduction to Climate Policy and Economics. 

Spring term: you choose two modules from Climate and Energy Policy • Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation • Challenges in Climate Prediction • Innovation and Sustainability. You also take a Research Methods and Professional Skills module, which provides training to prepare you for further research and a professional career. This module is delivered as a series of workshops, including one that prepares you for your disertation. We will help you find a 12-week study placement for the summer term and vacation. 

Summer term: you undertake supervised work on a dissertation and receive additional research methods training. 

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Challenges in Climate Prediction

30 credits
Spring teaching, year 1

Climate modelling has strongly shaped the climate change issue. This course provides non-climate specialist students with a comprehensive overview of the science of climate prediction, and highlights many of the crucial applications of models.

You will covers the principles of climate modelling, recent development in seasonal-decadal prediction and then consider the development of Earth System Models for multi-decadal climate change projections. As such, you will consider the interaction between the different components of the climate system and our ability to model these.

The emphasis is on those components that may invoke substantial feedbacks within the climate system. This includes clouds, aerosols and sea/land ice and the bio-geochemical cycles of greenhouse gases involved in vegetation, soils and the oceans. There is a major emphasis on the global carbon cycle. You will also consider the likelihood of rapid and abrupt climate changes associated with various 'tipping points' in the climate system, and assess recent initiatives to quantify uncertainty in climate prediction. Throughout the course, there is a clear emphasis on how climate modelling relates to the mitigation policy agenda, for example through greenhouse gas stabilisation regimes, verification of mitigation policies, and to adaptation activities. The course is designed to be accessible to students from a range of academic backgrounds.

Climate Change and Energy Policy

30 credits
Spring teaching, year 1

This course introduces you to the key concepts, theories, issues, challenges and debates within climate change and energy policy, together with the main social science approaches to this multifaceted subject. Primary emphasis will be given to economic concepts and techniques, but the course will also include insights from innovation studies and political science. The focus throughout will be the opportunities, challenges and constraints associated with making the transition to a low carbon energy system.

Key themes will include the physical characteristics of fossil and renewable energy resources, the process of transition and change in energy systems, the synergies and tensions between sustainability and other policy objectives, and both the rationales for and the limits to public policy intervention. Substantive issues to be covered include: energy flows, technologies, trends and options; perspectives on energy security; resource depletion and `peak oil'; energy market liberalisation; the regulation of network industries; innovation in energy systems; carbon/energy taxation and green fiscal reform; carbon emissions trading at the national and international level; policy support for renewable energy; the economics of energy efficiency; the `rebound effect' from energy efficiency improvements; and energy use and carbon mitigation in the transport sector. Most of the discussion and examples will relate to OECD countries, but one lecture will cover energy policy in developing countries. Relevant analytical techniques such as cost benefit analysis, decomposition analysis and energy modelling will also be briefly introduced. Assessment will be based upon student presentations, essays and briefings, together with participation in group exercises.

Climate change: Impacts and Adaptation

30 credits
Spring teaching, year 1

This course is concerned with how we determine the impacts of climate change on the natural and managed systems on which we depend, and how we might adapt to these impacts. It provides you with an overview of projections of future climate at the regional scale and the chance to evaluate the associated uncertainties, illustrated through programmes like the UK Climate impacts programme (UKCIP). You will consider the general 'top-down' methodology of climate change impact assessment, illustrated with case studies from a range of sectors including water resources, forestry, food production, coastal systems and health.

The material will focus on quanitifying the risks of climate impacts and methods to determine uncertainty. You will also consider how you can determine what is considered to be 'dangerous climate change', and the spectrum of complementary approaches to developing adaptation strategies (such as the bottom-up 'vulnerability assessments' and adaptive social protection). Issues relating to adaptation policy at the local and national level, including National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) and the economics of adaptation, will also be highlighted.

Innovation for Sustainability

15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1

This course explores the role innovation can play in sustainable development in industrialised and developing countries, including (but not limited to) its importance in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Key ideas include past and current theory on sustainability, growth and competitiveness (with specific reference to the role of technology), understanding and influencing directions of innovation, and the governance of socio-technical transitions. You will explore specific topics within each key idea, such as social and technical innovations in energy and resource use efficiency; economic and other policy instruments to promote such innovations; barriers to the diffusion of sustainable innovations; the role of innovative green niches in systems transformations; and the challenges of international co-ordination. These will be illustrated with reference to real world cases in the manufacturing, housing, agriculture and energy sectors.

Inter-disciplinary Studies in Science, Technology and Innovation

15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1

This course is a directed reading course that supplements SPRU 15 credit option courses during the spring term. An individualised programme of reading is specified based upon the SPRU course option in which you enrol and a shorter list of readings on issues in inter-disciplinary studies. The reading provides a basis for three workshop meetings of all of those enrolled in the class where tutorial instruction is provided by the convenor at a group level.

Introduction to Climate Change Economics and Policy

30 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1

This course will provide you with an introduction to key economic and policy perspectives on climate change at a national and international level. The course introduces you to the variety of approaches within economics to understanding and addressing environmental problems. This will include a critical examination of markets and market failures, the creation and mitigation of negative externalities, the valuation of environmental goods, discounting and intergenerational equity, and the formulation and use of economic instruments. You will examine how these approaches have been applied to the problem of climate change. This will be of relevance to both mitigation (eg the role of economic instruments in helping to mitigate emissions) and adaptation (eg the extent to which the impacts of climate change can be economically valued). You will explore the key features of climate change policy responses at the international level, including the role of the official UN Framework Convention on Climate change and bilateral /multilateral actions (eg the EU's Climate Change Programme and the World Bank Climate Investment Funds). You will also analyse national and sub-national policy responses, starting from an overview of climate policy development and implementation in the UK. But you will also cover some key features of policy responses in other jurisdictions, with examples drawn from both developed and developing countries.

Research Methods and Professional Skills (Geog)

15 credits
Spring teaching, year 1

The Science of Climate Change

30 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1

This course introduces you to the physical science basis of climate change, recognising that the audience is comprised substantially of non-climate specialists.

The course provides you with an overview of how the global climate system operates. This includes explanation of the different components of the climate system and how they interact; the radiation budget and the concept of radiative forcing which is the main driver of climate change; the composition of the atmosphere, how heat is transferred around the planet through the general circulation of the atmosphere and ocean; how the concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is regulated by bio-geochemical cycles on land and ocean. You then consider the natural and human influences on the radiation budget over recent millennia and how we can attribute observed climate changes to these. You conclude by evaluating projections of the future climate and associated uncertainty.

There is strong emphasis on how climate influences society and livelihoods, for exemplify through extreme climate and weather events. Throughout, you will gain an understanding of the methods and tools used in studying climate, notably climate datasets and climate models. You will document the history of climate change science, and exemplify the structures which steer science including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).The course is specifically designed to be accessible for students from a range of academic and professional backgrounds.

Back to module list

Entry requirements

UK entrance requirements

A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in either a social or natural science. Applicants with relevant professional experience will also be considered.

Overseas entrance requirements

Overseas qualifications

If your country is not listed below, please contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

CountryOverseas qualification
Australia Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
Brazil Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 8
Canada Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+)
China Bachelor degree from a leading university with overall mark of 75%-85% depending on your university
Cyprus Bachelor degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5
France Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 13
Germany Bachelor degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better
Ghana Bachelor degree from a public university with second-class upper division
Greece Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7.5
Hong Kong Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division
India Bachelor degree from a leading institution with overall mark of at least 60% or equivalent
Iran Bachelor degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15
Italy Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105
Japan Bachelor degree from a leading university with a minumum average of B+ or equivalent
Malaysia Bachelor degree with class 2 division 1
Mexico Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8
Nigeria Bachelor degree with second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Pakistan Four-year bachelor degree, normally with a GPA of at least 3.3
Russia Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4
South Africa Bachelor (Honours) degree or Bachelor degree in Technology with an overall mark of at least 70%
Saudi Arabia Bachelor degree with an overall mark of at least 70% or CGPA 3.5/5.0 or equivalent
South Korea Bachelor degree from a leading university with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
Spain Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4
Taiwan Bachelor degree with overall mark of 70%-85% depending on your university
Thailand Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
Turkey Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 depending on your university
United Arab Emirates Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
USA Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university
Vietnam Masters degree with CGPA 3.5/4.0 or equivalent

If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas qualifications, contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with not less than 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in the other sections. Internet TOEFL with 88 overall, with at least 20 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.

For more information, refer to English language requirements.

Visas and immigration

Find out more about Visas and immigration.

For more information about the admissions process at Sussex

For pre-application enquiries:

Student Recruitment Services
T +44 (0)1273 876787
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

For post-application enquiries:

Postgraduate Admissions,
University of Sussex,
Sussex House, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 877773
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk 

Fees and funding

Fees

Home UK/EU students: £7,3001
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £7,3002
Overseas students: £14,1003

1 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
2 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
3 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.

To find out about your fee status, living expenses and other costs, visit further financial information.

Funding

The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.

To find out more about funding and part-time work, visit further financial information.

Chancellor's International Scholarship (2014)

Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 1 May 2014

25 scholarships of a 50% tuition fee waiver

Fulbright-Sussex University Award (2014)

Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 15 October 2013

Each year, one award is offered to a US citizen for the first year of a postgraduate degree in any field at the University of Sussex.

Geoff Lockwood Scholarship (2014)

Region: UK
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 18 July 2014

Established in 1996 upon the retirement of the University's long-serving Registrar, to encourage high-calibre graduate Msc applications.

Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust for Postgraduate Study (2014)

Region: UK
Level: PG (taught), PG (research)
Application deadline: 1 October 2013

The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust are offering bursaries to Postgraduate students following any postgraduate degree courses in any subject.

Santander Scholarship (2014)

Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 1 May 2014

Two scholarships of £5000 fee waiver for students studying any postgraduate taught course.

USA Friends Scholarships (2014)

Region: International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (taught)
Application deadline: 3 April 2014

Two scholarships of an amount equivalent to $10,000 are available to nationals or residents of the USA on a one year taught Master's degree course.

Faculty interests

Dr Rob Byrne Low-carbon development, renewable energy, socio-technical transitions.

Dr Rose Cairns Discourse analysis and Q methodology on climate-policy-related issues, geo-engineering, governance of technological approaches to climate change.

Dr Terry Cannon Rural livelihoods, disaster vulnerability and climate change adaptation.

Dr Adrian Ely Innovation, sustainability, development, climate change and agriculture. 

Dr Mick Frogley Quaternary palaeoecology, and climatic history of lake basins. 

Dr Sabine Hielscher Community innovation in sustainable energy.

Dr Florian Kern Governance of system innovation, energy innovation policy.

Professor Dominic Kniveton Climate systems, and hydrological cycle in Southern Africa.

Dr Markku Lehtonen Role of expert knowledge in energy and environmental policy; transport, biofuels, and sustainability; deliberative decision-making on nuclear energy.

Francis McGowan Policy-making in the European Union, European government/industry relations.

Professor Erik Millstone Public and environmental health protection policies, risk assessment and management by national and international regulatory bodies, obesity policy.

Professor Julian Murton Permafrost; physical modelling, and Quaternary environments in Arctic Canada and UK. 

Dr Lars Otto Naess Social and institutional dimensions of adaptation to climate change. 

Dr Andrew Newsham Local knowledge and participation in conservation and development.

Dr David Ockwell Low-carbon technology transfer to developing countries, energy policy, communication and behaviour change. 

Dr Ana Pueyo Climate change, low-carbon development, techonology transfer.

Dr Pedram Rowhani Climate change and food security, land cover change, GIS.

Dr Adrian Smith Civil society and technology, environmental policy process.

Dr Steve Sorrell Energy and climate policy, emissions trading, energy efficiency, economics, transport modelling and policy. 

Dr Thomas Tanner The policy and practice of adaptation to climate change. 

Professor Martin Todd The impact of climate change on hydrological and ecological systems, atmospheric aerosols. 

Dr Yi Wang Climate science: terrestrial ecosystems, global bio-geochemical cycles; climate change; ocean-land-atmosphere interaction; tropical convection. 

Professor Jim Watson Energy policy; energy and development; sustainability, technology innovation. 

Dr Rebecca White Low-carbon food systems.

Careers and profiles

There is a rapidly expanding market for climate professionals. This course prepares you for employment in a wide range of government, non-government and academic organisations as well as private companies in the areas of climate change, development and energy policy. This MSc is designed to provide state-of-the-art training for professionals in these fields. 

Our graduates have been very successful in finding employment after completion of their courses. Among others, our MSc alumni work with: 

  • international organisations and agencies (including the UN Environment Programme, UN Development Programme, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, The World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Inter-American Development Bank) 
  • various NGOs (including International Federation of the Red Cross, Renewable World, African Wildlife Foundation, Action Against Hunger International) 
  • national government ministries and development agencies (including UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, DFID, GiZ) 
  • national environment agencies across the world 
  • a wide range of private-sector organisations (including energy utilities, renewables sector, re-insurance and construction companies, consultancy companies) and public-sector organisations (universities and not-for-profit organisations including think tanks such as ODI or Green Jobs Alliance). 

Alex's career perspective

Alex Cambell

 ‘I chose the MSc in Climate Change and Policy at Sussex because I wanted to understand more about the science, economics and policy around climate change.

‘While each of these elements are very useful in isolation, putting them together has given me a much more comprehensive appreciation of the challenges that climate change poses. 

‘I found all aspects of the course enjoyable and intellectually stimulating, and my particular focus on the energy system has directly helped my career.  Since completing my Masters, I have worked in the renewable energy sector and, more recently, I’m working on smart meters in the Department of Energy and Climate Change.’

Alex Cambell
Department of Energy and Climate Change

Blanche's career perspective

Blanche Ting

‘The attraction to study the MSc in Climate Change and Development at the University of Sussex was the interdisciplinary nature of the course that included the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), School of Global Studies, and Science and Technology Policy Research (SPRU).

‘This provided me a fundamental grounding in climate change science and the implications this has for development and energy policy issues. This led me towards an interest in low-carbon development. This is where adaptation and mitigation intersect, and my particular interest is in the application of low-carbon technologies in developing and emerging economies. 

‘The course also provided me with the opportunity to take up research assistant posts at IDS, which led to a few publications. Overall the experience helped my career development, not only through exposure to world-class teachers and researchers, but also to the varied academic and job experiences of classmates, which contributed to dynamic and exciting debates.’

Blanche Ting
Senior Specialist in Biotechnology, Department of Science and Technology, South Africa

Gabriela's career perspective

Gabriela Moya Toledo

‘After having looked at various Masters degrees related to global climate change, I chose the MSc in Climate Change and Policy at Sussex because it provides a multidisciplinary approach. Finding out in more detail about the science, policies, economics, and energy implications of climate change has been crucial to enhancing my understanding of the challenges we face and to finding solutions that can be implemented. 

‘As a student on the MSc in Climate Change and Policy, I was able to focus on my area of interest and link it to my past experience in finance while being supervised by excellent academics. This opened doors to develop my career – I currently work as part of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI).’

Gabriela Moya Toledo
United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)

For more information, visit Careers and alumni.

School and contacts

School of Global Studies

The School of Global Studies aims to provide one of the UK's premier venues for understanding how the world is changing. It offers a broad range of perspectives on global issues, and staff and students are actively engaged with a wide range of international and local partners, contributing a distinctive perspective on global affairs.

Professor Martin Todd,
School of Global Studies,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9SJ, UK
T +44 (0)1273 873723
E climate@sussex.ac.uk
Sussex Climate Change Network

Postgraduate Open Day 2013

4 December 2013, 1pm-4pm
Bramber House, University of Sussex

  • talk to academic faculty and current postgraduate students
  • subject talks and presentations on postgraduate study, research and funding
  • choose from our exciting range of taught Masters and research degrees
  • find out how postgraduate study can improve your career prospects
  • get details of our excellent funding schemes for taught postgraduate study.

To register your interest in attending, visit Postgraduate Open Day.

Can’t make it to our Postgraduate Open Day? You might be interested in attending one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions.

Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions

If you can’t make it to our Postgraduate Open Day, you’re welcome to attend one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions. These are held in the spring and summer terms and enable you to find out more about postgraduate study and the opportunities Sussex has to offer.

Visit Discover Postgraduate study to book your place.

Other ways to visit Sussex

We run weekly guided campus tours every Wednesday afternoon, year round. Book a place online at Visit us and Open Days.

You are also welcome to visit the University independently without any pre-arrangement.

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