MSc Sustainability (Environmental Politics & Policy)

Student Stories

"The course is incredibly interesting and stimulating. It is also very practical with the consultancy project giving you the chance to put your knowledge into practice and to see what the 'real working world' looks like."

Graduate, 2010

"I enjoyed the Politics and Policy programme, particularly as it was divided between the School of Earth and Environment and the School of Politics. I was able to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topics from both perspectives. It was refreshing to engage in environmental discussions and seminars with people from both the sustainability side and the politics side. The lecturers from both departments held excellent discussions and encouraged us to delve deeper into topics to fully comprehend politics and policy issues. I had a great year at Leeds and my only regret is that I couldn't take more classes.

I am originally from the US, but have lived internationally for a number of years. I am now seeking to pursue an international environmental career and am basing myself in the UK as I continue my job search. Thankfully I have the right to reside in the UK and am having no problem picking up short term assignments as I aim to achieve my long term objectives."

Karen McInnes, 09/10

"At first, I chose the University of Leeds just because it provided me with a Master of Science degree in environmental policy. But when I arrive at the city, I was impressed with the location. I like the University that has its own compound and at the same time not far from the city; you still have an academic sense while having a city life. The university staff are friendly and willing to help. The programme I chose, MSc Sustainability (Environmental Politics and Policy) did not disappoint me at all. I found that the programme enhance my knowledge and understanding in a broader scope. From the programme. I could study from three schools at the same time – School of Earth and Environment, School of Politics and International Studies and School of Law. I highly recommend studying this programme especially those who would like to work in a public sector like me."

Saowalak Winyoonuntakul, 09/10
Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Thailand

"After becoming interested in issues surrounding sustainability during my undergraduate degree in sociology, the ‘Environmental Politics and Policy’ MSc programme reinforced my passion for critical environmental inquiry whilst developing the level of understanding required for a career in this area. The School of Earth and Environment is a thriving hub of activity which provided the kind of dynamic atmosphere that encourages collective learning and socialising with likeminded people from all over the world. The facilities were excellent and housed dedicated and approachable staff with a renowned reputation for world-class research in environmental studies. Personally, the multidisciplinary nature of the MSc programme was the overarching factor that brought me to the decision to study at the school as a holistic understanding of environmental issues is increasingly expected of students working on this topic. The modules covered both theoretical and practical elements of sustainability, and the programme provided the intellectual freedom for me to pursue the research area I found most interesting for my final dissertation.

Since completing the MSc, a number of doors have opened for me within the university and elsewhere. During the last year I have worked at the University of Leeds on two different research projects relating to environmental issues, within the School of Earth and Environment and the Institute for Transport Studies. Having secured an ESRC scholarship in the last few months, I have just started a PhD at the University of Manchester exploring water management issues in Singapore. My passion for this research area was ignited during the optional ‘Political Ecology’ module of the MSc programme, and for this I am incredibly grateful for my time studying at Leeds."

Mark Usher, 08/09
PhD student, University of Manchester

"An inspiring, challenging and truly comprehensive programme on environmental politics and policy! The course addresses key issues and trends which are at the core of on-going academic and policy debates on how to plan, design and implement effective policies for dealing with pressing environmental dilemmas facing humanity at different scales. Framed within the broader context of sustainability research, the programme embraces a genuine inter-disciplinary conception of environmental politics, drawing insights from a number of disciplines from both the natural and the social sciences. The programme successfully transcends the conventional division of policy and science which has pre-empted the effective integration of environmental and social concerns in sustainability decision-making and led to poor environmental performance across social scales.

Whether you want to make a career in politics or in the academia, the programme equips you with a range of methodological, theoretical and practical tools which can be applied in a variety of working environments. My personal experience as a recent graduate of the programme has been particularly successful. Shortly after graduation, I managed to get a job as a policy officer in an important international non-governmental organisation in Mexico, and some months later I was admitted as a PhD student at the School of Earth and Environment (I am back again!), where I expect to fully exploit my research potential in the environmental politics field."

Octavio Valezquez, 08/09
PhD student, University of Leeds