Our MSc in Energy Policy for Sustainability provides broad-based, interdisciplinary social science training for future energy policy professionals working in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
The MSc focuses on the opportunities, challenges and constraints associated with making the transition to low-carbon energy systems in both the developed and developing world. This transition has scientific, technological, economic and political dimensions that are complex, multidimensional and interlinked. Key challenges include promoting the innovation and rapid diffusion of low carbon technologies and balancing multiple economic, social and environmental objectives.
The programme is led by the Sussex Energy Group (SEG), one of the largest independent social science energy policy research groups in the world. SEG is based in SPRU (Science and Technology Policy Research) at the University of Sussex and is a core partner in the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and the UK Energy Research Centre.
Students will engage with the key concepts, theories, issues, challenges and debates within energy and climate policy, acquire skills in relevant analytical techniques and apply these to the analysis, design and evaluation of policy at a variety of levels. This MSc is unique in integrating ideas and perspectives from economics, innovation studies and policy studies while requiring no previous training in these areas.
To find out more about the course and how you can apply, please visit our online prospectus or contact the programme convenor Dr Steve Sorrell for individual enquiries.
Course structure
Autumn term: You take two core modules: 'Introducing Energy Policy and Sustainability' and 'Science, Technology and Innovation: Markets, Firms and Strategies'.
Spring term: You choose two modules from a range of options including: Energy and Climate Policy; Energy and Development; Governing Energy Transitions; and Innovation for Sustainability. In addition, you take core modules in Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods.
Summer term: You undertake supervised work on a research-based dissertation.
An important part of the course is an exciting seminar series complementing individual modules. This year’s series included external speakers from the UK Department for Energy and Climate Change, BP, Shell, IEA Clean Coal Centre, ERM Consulting, Imperial College, University of Oxford, Chalmers University and the University of Salzburg.
Career opportunities
Given the importance of energy on political and corporate agendas there is a growing demand for energy policy professionals. SPRU graduates have been successful in obtaining employment in a variety of roles within the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. For example, recent MSc graduates have gained employment in international organisations (e.g. OECD), government departments (e.g. UK Department of Energy and Climate Change), local authorities (e.g. Brighton & Hove City Council sustainability team), the private sector (e.g. RWE npower Ecofys, Unilever, Southern Solar, Centro de Apoio a Inovação Social-CAIS) and NGOs (e.g. International Social Science Council ), while others have gone on to study for PhDs in this area.
What our students say:
“I chose this MSc at SPRU because I wanted to study sustainable energy policy not only from an orthodox economics perspective but also from the point of view of innovation studies. I'm particularly interested in the theory of transition management and I'm sure that SPRU is the best place to study it because you can be taught by several faculty members who contribute to the literature in this field” (Katsu Hamaguchi from Japan)
“I chose to attend the EPS program at Sussex in order to learn how the appropriate design of economic, energy and environmental policies can promote long term sustainability, while also meeting needs of the present. As the faculty at SPRU are well networked with other universities, government agencies and think tanks, I have a number of avenues through which I can pursue my dissertation. I believe that with this MSc, I will be better equipped to influence, inspire, educate and negotiate more effectively in order to address the need to transition to sustainable energy systems” (Cameron Jones from Canada)
“I chose the programme because I wanted to deepen my knowledge on renewable energies and the energy system in general. Apart from these topics I'm getting new insights into different fields of studies related to economics and innovation. The interdisciplinarity of the programme and the international background of the students make it a great and fruitful experience” (Paula Rolffs from Germany)
** The University of Sussex is proud to offer a range of generous scholarships of up to £3,000 for postgraduate scholars. These prestigious awards are designed to attract the most talented students and recognise the difficult funding climate. For full details of our scholarships, conditions and how to apply, please visit: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/funding **
