Overview and entry requirements

The MSc Global Energy and Climate Policy degree programme addresses important issues of our time. 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 Global Energy and Climate Policy 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 MSc programme draws on the teaching and research strengths of Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (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.

Students on the MSc GECP may have the opportunity to participate in CISD's Study Tour of energy and climate-related organisations in Paris and Brussels, although this is in addition to the programme of study and cannot be guaranteed.

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

See Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD)

Why study MSc Global Energy and Climate Policy at SOAS

• you will gain an indepth understanding of the nature and development of global energy and climate policy, drawing on a variety of contributing disciplines
• you will gain an excellent knowledge of regulatory challenges and their impact on public and private stakeholders in both the Global South and North
• you will be able 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
• you will develop practical skills including policy analysis and policy advocacy, risk analysis, strategic communication and media

Who should apply

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.

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

Structure

Students take taught modules to the value of 120 credits, PLUS dissertation (15PFFC999) worth 60 credits.

Credits must be taken in the following combination:

• Dissertation (15PFFC999) (60 credits)
• Global Energy and Climate Policy (15PFFC017) (30 credits) 
• A minimum of 45 credits from List B 
• A maximum of 45 credits from List C (including PG Open options)

Programme Specification

• MSc Global Energy and Climate Policy Programme Specification 2021/22 (pdf; 544kb)

Important notice

Teaching & Learning

MSc Global Energy and Climate Policy students take taught modules to the value of 120 credits plus a 60 credit dissertation.

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 6pm 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 8pm. 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 (eg, 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 (listen to CISD podcasts)

Tuition fees

Fees for 2022/23 entrants, per academic year (Band 3 tuition fee) 

Fees go up each year, therefore your tuition fee in your second and subsequent years of study will be higher.

Our continuing students, on the same degree programme, are protected from annual increases higher than 5%.

Full details of postgraduate tuition fees can be found on the Postgraduate tuition fees page.

Scholarships

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

Employment

The knowledge you gain on this MSc Global Energy and Climate Policy lead s graduates to high level academic or professional engagement in the public, private or non-profit sectors, including:

• public administration
• international organisations
• corporations
• think tanks
• public affairs
• advocacy
• and any number of other arenas where climate and energy policies are shaped.

Find out about our Careers Service.

• How to Apply
• Online Application
• Request a prospectus
• Got a question - use our enquiry form (opens a new window)
• Funding options
• English language requirements
• Tuition Fees
• Admissions Contacts