Overview

What are the social and political dimensions of climate change? What impact does climate change have at local, state and international levels? How do we understand the actions of communities and international organisations in response to a changing planet?

This programme investigates the complex social and political impacts of a changing climate, and examines the ways in which we can respond to crisis. While you will be made familiar with current technical arguments about the nature of the climate crisis, the focus is on its social and political dimensions. You will explore cutting-edge approaches within the social sciences to understand framings of and responses to the climate crisis. You will engage with themes including: climate crisis and political economy; the effects of climate change on international relations; sustainability and development; resilience and disasters; green transitions; and the origin and potential of green social movements to foster social and political change.

This programme is intended for those who aspire to a professional career in addressing climate change in the public, private or not-for-profit sector. Critical skills are embedded throughout the programme to ensure that you have the requisite capacities to address social and political problems arising from our changing planet, and to help shape a more sustainable future.

You will have the option of working on a dissertation research project for a partner organisation, gaining crucial experience to further your career aspirations.

Programme structure

There are several mandatory taught units and one optional unit, with a recommended list provided. Additionally, students will undertake a dissertation, with the possibility of working on a project defined by a public- or private-sector stakeholder.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Society, Politics and Climate Change.

Entry requirements

You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any discipline.

If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.

We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree.

We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.

If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:

  • evidence of significant, relevant work experience in one of the following sectors: NGOs, Government Departments, Think Tanks, Social Research Institutes (minimum of six months in a paid or voluntary role);
  • a postgraduate qualification in any discipline

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

Home: full-time
£18,700 per year
Home: part-time (two years)
£9,350 per year
Overseas: full-time
£28,500 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding and scholarships

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

This programme will equip you to become a leader in preparing for, and responding to, climate change. As such, you will be ideally placed to take advantage of the growing employment market related to the climate emergency response.

Career skills are built into the entire programme, and opportunities will be provided to develop communication skills, working independently and part of a group, and research capacities. Our programme has been developed with the input of stakeholders to ensure that we are providing the academic and technical training desired by employers.