MSc Environment, Politics and Development

Why are we facing a planetary ecological crisis? And what can we do to solve the world’s major socio-ecological problems?

The MSc Environment, Politics and Development programme addresses these pressing questions through a combination of critical political ecology and interdisciplinary approaches. The programme is taught by leading political ecologists who have research and practitioner experience at various scales and locations across the Global South.

The programme's teaching engages with the most important global thinkers and considers power structures and relations along the lines of race, gender, class and caste in global political ecology. The course offers a critical analysis of key issues including extractivism, water, forestry, climate, fisheries, agricultural production, biodiversity, and energy transition.

Perhaps most importantly, you will analyse and assess proposed solutions to ecological crises, including loss and damage compensation, market-based solutions, degrowth, green new deals, and climate reparations.

The masters asks important questions including:

• How can we analyse structural socio-ecological injustice between the Global South and North?
• Will systemic change proposals like Green New Deals, Degrowth, and Climate Reparations work for the most marginalised?
• How does the environment intersect with global poverty, wealth and questions of inequality?
• Can Carbon trading offer a solution to managing climate change?
• How do ‘race’ and racism influence the climate crisis?
• How does access to water intersect with dynamics of wealth and poverty?
• Is wildlife conservation implicated in social injustices?
• What role can and do environmental movements play in development?
• How can we organise the global economy in a just and sustainable way?

Why study MSc Environment, Politics and Development at SOAS?

• We are ranked 3rd in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings 2024)
• You will have the opportunity to take work placements as part of your degree, and we offer internships in the department and in partner organisations. This year MSc students were offered placements in the International Organisation for Migration, the London International Development Centre and international NGOs
• Get a placement in a partner organisation working in international development with our International Development Placement module (virtual delivery)
• Our staff specialise in a range of thematic areas including sustainability and climate change, migration and displacement, conflict, humanitarian action, labour, political ecology, and aid and institutions.

The programme attracts applications from students with a variety of academic and experiential backgrounds. We welcome applications from those who have worked in a broad field of development, but also from students without relevant work experience who can demonstrate a strong interest in, and understanding of, environment-development issues. A good first degree in a social science is preferred.

Applicants with bachelor’s degree equivalent to 2:ii: CGPA: 55-60% or 5.5/10 - 6.0/10 from a good university will be considered for entry. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.