(MA) Master of Arts
Environmental Futures with Climate Change
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Government
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
MA F7D412
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A 2:2 degree in any subject.
You may also be considered with a lower class degree, where you have at least five year’s relevant work experience (please provide your CV).
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum
score of 5.5 in all components.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English
pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to
successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask
for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Adrian Florea
Senior Lecturer in International Relations
University of Glasgow
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
The course aims to give students a broader understanding of the social and policy aspects of climate change, environmental policy and governance.
Students will obtain the skills to conduct research, formulate environmental policies and practice, and gain in-depth knowledge from both inter- and cross-disciplinary perspectives. Students will receive a solid foundation in how environmental policies are approached not just from the social sciences, but also from the natural and environmental sciences.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: A detailed understanding of key concepts, issues and theories used in the social and policy aspects of climate change, environmental policy and governance.
A2: A deep understanding of a niche area in environmental policy and science.
A3: Critical awareness of the use of scientific knowledge in the formulation of environmental policy.
A4: Critically appraise the measures that are being taken to mitigate the impact of climate change on ecosystems.
A5: Demonstrate knowledge of the recent literature on the ecological impacts of climate change and pollution.
A101: A comprehensive understanding of the qualitative methods and tools employed in conducting research in environmental studies and the ability to apply these methods.
Learning methods
All teaching materials will be available online to be as inclusive as possible.
A1, A2, A4, A5, A101- Lectures, participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, writing essays and dissertation, oral and written feedback on essays.
A2 specifically in GV900.
A101 specifically in GV900 and in supervision of individual dissertations.
A3 specifically in options chosen in consultation with PGT Director and GV591
A4 specifically in BE 345
A5 specifically in BE345
Assessment methods
Methods of assessment take into account different learning styles and abilities. Assignments can be conducted remotely. Assessments will help prepare students to write policy reports, and conduct research papers and analysis in the field of environmental studies.
A1-A5 and A101 - Written assignments and essays, dissertation, written examinations
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Abstract and synthesise information from a range of sources in environmental studies
B2: Make systematic observations and insightful generalisations about data or behaviour and analyse relevant material
B3: Critically evaluate contrasting theories in environmental studies
B4: To develop their critical thinking and analytical skills.
Learning methods
All teaching materials will be available online to be as inclusive as possible.
Assessment methods
Methods of assessment take into account different learning styles and abilities. Assignments can be conducted remotely. Assessments will help prepare students to write policy reports, and conduct research papers and analysis in the field of environmental studies.
C: Practical skills
C1: Gather and process information from a variety of sources
C2: Plan, undertake and present an independent piece of work
C3: Utilise specialised techniques for the collection, analysis, presentation of data
C101: Advanced techniques and tools relevant to the collection, qualitative and quantitative analysis or presentation of data
C102: Read, understand and evaluate qualitative and quantitative analyses
C103: Understand correct statistical methods for research questions
Learning methods
All teaching materials will be available online to be as inclusive as possible.
Assessment methods
Methods of assessment take into account different learning styles and abilities. Assignments can be conducted remotely. Assessments will help prepare students to write policy reports, and conduct research papers and analysis in the field of environmental studies. Students will learn about gathering data and properly presenting the data and analysis.
D: Key skills
D1: Communicate ideas and arguments in a coherent and effective manner
D101: Use appropriate and advanced computational tools and software. Be able to build and download existing datasets
D102: Analysing complex data-sets, using qualitative analysis
D103: Abstracting insightful generalisations and testing abstract hypotheses. The development of problem solving skills in a work environment situation
D104: The capacity to work in a team within a work environment.
D105: Under guidance, working independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time-management. The capacity to reflect on and evaluate one's own performance.
Learning methods
All teaching materials will be available online to be as inclusive as possible.
Assessment methods
Methods of assessment take into account different learning styles and abilities. Assignments can be conducted remotely. Assessments will help prepare students to write policy reports, and conduct research papers and analysis in the field of environmental studies. Group assignments will ensure that students engage in mutual learning and team work.