Environment, Development and Politics MSc
- Ranking#1Most targeted by UK employers
- Delivery formatIn person
- Start dateSeptember 2025Duration12 months full time, 24 months part time (part time options only available to UK students)
- AwardMaster of Science
- Entry requirementsUpper 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant field. Or Lower 2:1 Honours degree with excellent work experience
- Fees£11,740 (full-time) / £5,870 (part-time)
Page contents
Course overview
Explore our MSc in Environment, Development, and Politics, where we integrate power dynamics into environmental decision-making. Gain practical insights and skills highly valued by employers, alongside international fieldwork opportunities, flexible modules, and robust academic support within our diverse and vibrant community.
This course will help you develop cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills, positioning you to drive positive and sustainable change. Prepare to lead and make a significant impact on global environmental and development issues, advancing your career and influence the future.
Course Structure
This course will run over 12 months in a full-time-mode. There is also scope to undertake the programme on a part-time basis for Home students.
Students will take a combination of 60 credits of compulsory/optional modules across various areas of International Development, Politics and International Relations. Examinations will take place throughout the term as courseworks, written exams and/or presentations.
Course highlights
Our MSc Environment, Development, and Politics stands out by integrating power dynamics into environmental decision-making and offering a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach in association with our Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS). You'll benefit from international fieldwork, diverse module choices, and expert teaching from field specialists. Gain practical, career-ready skills that are highly valued by employers, and get prepared to lead and influence global environmental as well as development efforts.
- Focus on power dynamics and integrates them into environmental decision-making for a comprehensive understanding.
- Offers hands-on overseas fieldwork, enhancing your degree with real-world experience.
- Provides an extensive list of diverse and flexible module options to tailor your studies.
- Features renowned specialists and strong academic support
- Ranked 3rd
International Development Department in the UK for research which impacts on society (REF 2021)
Course delivery
Teaching will utilise a range of learning methods, including short lectures, problem solving, role play and group work.
- Lectures: Academics give organised talks to large groups of students who take notes, less interactive.
- Seminars: Small group sessions designed to complement lectures and are generally more informal in nature. They give you the chance to discuss issues with fellow students and allow for more interaction than a traditional lecture.
- Workshops: Workshops are for smaller groups, but instead of discussion, students might learn about a tool or a technique that they will be required to know about for their course. They are usually more hands-on learning that allow discussion regarding the given topic.
Module information
The programme is composed of three 20-credit core modules completed by 60 credits selected from our list of optional modules. To complete this and graduate with the 180 credits that will award you the MSc, you will have to undertake a 60-credit dissertation work.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Year: 1
2025/26 Session
The following must be taken:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
LM Dissertation (International Development) | 60 | Semester 2 |
LM Environment and Sustainable Development | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Global Environmental Governance | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM International Development | 20 | Semester 1 |
Students choose three modules from the International Development Department, Political Science and International Studies or elsewhere.
International Development
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Gender and Development | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Conflict Analysis and Humanitarian Interventions | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Conflict and Development | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Democracy, Dictatorship and Development | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Development Cooperation Beyond Aid | 20 | Semester 1 |
LM Development Projects and Programmes | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Development in Practice | 20 | Semester 1 |
LM Disability and Inclusive Development | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Governance for Development | 20 | Semester 1 |
LM Human Resource Management and Development | 20 | Semester 1 |
LM Making Policy | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Post Conflict Reconstruction & Development | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Public Financial Management | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Public Management and Leadership | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Public Sector Reform | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Social Analysis of Inequality, Poverty and Development | 20 | Semester 1 |
LM Urban Poverty + Policy | 20 | Semester 2 |
Public Economic Management | 20 | Semester 1 |
POLSIS
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- Upper 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
Or Lower 2:1 Honours degree with excellent work experience
Standard Entry Requirements:
- An upper second-class Honours degree or equivalent from an approved university or an equivalent professional qualification in a relevant field (the equivalent US Grade Point Average is 3.2) or
- A lower second-class Honours degree from an approved university with excellent work experience.
- Adequate capacity in written and spoken English.
- Degrees from all disciplines are considered and a candidate's work experience can also be taken into consideration.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
English Presessional Programmes
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Fees and scholarships
- £11,740
Full-time
- £5,870
Part-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Paying your tuition fees
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
Application Fee
For international applicants this programme is subject to a £50 non-refundable application fee. At the end of the application form, before you can submit it to us, you will be required to pay, or indicate how you will pay the required fee in order for us to process your application. Please complete and submit your application before paying your application fee.
Personal Statement
Entry to this programme is highly competitive and as a result your application and personal statement will be closely scrutinised by our Admissions Tutors. Please ensure that you spend some time familiarising yourself with the programme modules and outcomes. Personal Statements should be relevant to the programme and how you believe it will enable you to achieve your career goals.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Career opportunities
Our MSc in Environment, Development, and Politics opens diverse career paths in international, national, and local government, NGOs, think tanks, and consultancies. The course will equip you with essential skills to address global environmental challenges and promote positive change. Delivered in collaboration with POLSIS, you will graduate prepared to influence and lead in a variety of impactful roles.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.