MSc Environmental Policy and Regulation

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Studying at LSE

This programme is based in the Department of Geography and Environment| and offers the following benefits:

• Study in a department with a well developed focus on the socio-economics of environmental policy, situated in the only UK university devoted solely to the social sciences.
• A unique interdisciplinary approach bringing together insights from across the social sciences.
• Our master's programmes all focus on developing graduates' ability to integrate theoretical developments with practical experience.
• Our MSc graduates enter a wide variety of employment opportunities in the public sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international organisations, research, consultancy and national/multinational firms.  

About the MSc programme

There is a growing recognition in both public and private spheres of the need for greater environmental protection. But how do broad concerns lead to specific policies or plans, and how do these shape behaviour on the ground? This one year MSc programme (two years for part-time students) evaluates the nature and influence of different approaches to environmental policy and regulation. It considers the role of various techniques for environmental assessment and the influence of different forms of environmental policy and regulation at the international, national and local levels. Issues are addressed within a distinctive social science framework that uses theory to understand practice, thereby equipping students with the skills they need to work on environmental policy and regulation in the public, private or NGO sectors.

Taking students with first degrees in a wide range of areas, the programme is designed to enable participants to:

• Gain a deeper understanding of the tools available for environmental policy and regulation, and the diverse contexts within which they operate.
• Assess and evaluate the consequences of policies and projects for the economy, for society and for the natural environment.

Compulsory courses

(* half unit)

The MSc includes four compulsory courses, three of which are taught courses and one of which is based on an independent research (dissertation) project with the specific topic chosen by the student. The compulsory components of the course are:

• Environmental Regulation: Implementing Policy
• Sustainability: Economy, Business and Technology
• Environmental Assessment*
• Economic Appraisal and Valuation*
• Dissertation

You will be assessed on a combination of unseen examinations and research essays. You will develop a detailed proposal for your dissertation on a topic in the field of environment, but of your own choosing and design. You will work on your own on the dissertation, with limited advice from a supervisor.