The use of energy – electricity generation, transportation, heating/cooling and industrial consumption – is the most important driver of climate change by far. Effectively addressing this urgent global challenge therefore requires transformational changes in the ways we produce, consume and govern energy. More than two decades of political contestation have shown that a supportive policy environment – meaningful and consistent domestic laws and regulation underpinned by ambitious international treaties – is the only way to affect these changes, develop alternatives to emissions-intensive fossil fuels and transition economies around the world onto a secure, low-carbon and climate-friendly footing.

The MSc addresses precisely these issues, treating climate and energy policy as inextricably linked. Cases drawn from both the Global North and South will form the basis of your studies as you examine how policy is made, advocated and implemented – or sometimes prevented – around the world. You will acquire theoretical knowledge of climate and energy policies as well as practical skills in risk analysis, policy analysis and strategic advocacy. The MSc is rounded out by negotiation and media training and a week-long study tour to key institutions in the energy and climate policy space in Brussels and Paris, such as the European Commission, various energy lobby groups, and the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The knowledge you gain on the MSc could lead you to high level academic or professional engagement in the public, private or non-profit sectors, including in public administration, international organisations, corporations, think tanks, public affairs & advocacy or any number of other arenas where climate and energy policies are shaped.

The programme draws on the teaching and research strengths of CISD and of the SOAS departments of International Politics, Law, Economics and area studies (especially of Asia, Africa and the Middle East) as well as a wide range of languages.  In particular, students will be able to benefit from the expertise located at the Centre for Environment, Development and Policy (CEDEP), the Law School's Law, Environment and Development Centre (LEDC), the Centre on the Politics of Energy Security (CEPES), the Centre for Water and Development, and the SOAS Food Studies Centre.

The MSc is designed for those engaged with or planning a career in professional contexts relating to energy and/or climate policy.

Students take taught modules to the value of 120 credits plus a 60 credit 15,000 word dissertation.

Students on this programme have the opportunity to participate in the GECP Study Tour of energy and climate-related organizations in Paris and Brussels.

Programme objectives

• Excellent understanding of the nature and development of global energy and climate policy, drawing on a variety of contributing disciplines
• Excellent knowledge of regulatory challenges and their impact on public and private stakeholders in both the Global South and North
• Ability to critically contribute to contemporary policy debates about reforms of international energy and climate governance architectures and their interaction with national and sub-national policy and regulatory frameworks
• Development of practical skills including policy analysis and policy advocacy, risk analysis, strategic communication and media

We welcome applications from a wide variety of fields and backgrounds.  It is not necessary to have a degree in a discipline directly related to global energy and climate policy.

Each application is assessed on its individual merits and entry requirements may be modified in light of relevant professional experience and where the applicant can demonstrate a sustained practical interest in the international field.

Listen to the MSc Global Energy and Climate Policy and CISD's 1st Annual Energy and Climate Change Conference (May 2011) podcast, organised by students.

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time

Email: cisd@soas.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)20 7898 4840

Students take taught modules to the value of 120 credits plus a 15,000 word dissertation (15PFFC985, 60 Credits)

Dissertation

Students will take the compulsory 15,000 word dissertation (15PFFC985, 60 Credits)

Guided Options

All students take the following two modules:

AND

All students take modules to the value of 45 credits from List B or List C below:

List of modules (subject to availability)

List B

List C

An elective module can be chosen from a wide variety available at SOAS dependent upon permission being granted by the module convenor and the student’s prior academic qualifications.

Suggested electives for Global Energy and Climate Policy students:

Students may select 30 credits from SOAS online-learning modules. This is subject to approval from the programme convenor.

Programme Specification

• MSc Global Energy and Climate Policy Programme Specification (pdf; 215kb)

Important notice

Teaching & Learning

The programme may be taken in one year (full time) or in two or three years part time with the schedule designed to allow participation by those in full time employment. Participants may choose a combination of courses to meet their professional needs and personal interests. The programme is convened on a multi-disciplinary basis, and teaching is through lectures, tutorials and workshops conducted by SOAS faculty and visiting specialists.

The Centre endeavours to make as many of the courses for Global Energy and Climate Policy (GECP) accessible to part time students. The majority of CISD lectures are at 18.00 where possible however lecture times will be rotated on a yearly basis for some courses (between evening and daytime slots) so that part time students will have access to as many courses as possible over the duration of their degree. Associated tutorials are repeated in hourly slots with the latest taking place at 20.00. Students sign up for tutorial groups at the start of term and stay in the same group throughout the academic year. There is a minimum of two and a half hours formal teaching a week (lecture and tutorial) for each GECP course taken.  Practical exercises may take place at weekends.

Teaching includes

• Theory and practice of global energy and climate change policy as intertwined global issues
• Practical toolkit including policy analysis and planning, risk analysis, strategic communication, policy advocacy and negotiation skills
• Interaction with policymakers and government officials, energy industry and NGO representatives, and other practitioners
• An elective from a wide range: International Relations, International Law, International Economics, International Security, Multinational Enterprises in a Globalising World or a course offered by other SOAS departments (e.g. Development Studies, Politics, Economics, Law)

Further activities

Also included in the degree programme:

• Week-long study trip to energy and climate change related organisations in Brussels and Paris
• Advanced media and communication skills training by current and former BBC staff
• Participation in workshops attended by public and private sector stakeholders
• Opportunity to organize and run the Centre’s annual Energy and Climate Policy conference
• Guest lectures by leading scholars and senior practitioners (visit the CISD website to listen to the podcasts)

Tuition Fees

Full details of postgraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Postgraduate Tuition Fees page.

This is a Band 7 tuition fee.

Fees for 2021/22 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Fees go up each year, therefore, your tuition fee in your second & subsequent years of study will be higher. Our continuing students, on the same degree programme, are protected from annual increases higher than 5%.

Scholarships

For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section

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