Nature Society and Environmental Governance

Discipline: Nature Society and Environmental Governance
Degree: MSc in Nature Society and Environmental Governance
Duration: 12 months (full-time)
Start date: October 2024
Applying: via University of Oxford admissions portal

The MSc in Nature Society and Environmental Governance at the University of Oxford is an interdisciplinary programme designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between human societies and the natural environment. This programme explores the social, political, economic, and ecological dimensions of environmental issues, preparing graduates to contribute effectively to environmental policy, governance, conservation, and sustainable development. Through a combination of theoretical frameworks and practical applications, students will examine topics such as environmental governance structures, policies for biodiversity protection, climate change adaptation, community engagement, and the role of science and technology in addressing environmental challenges.

Throughout the course, students will engage with case studies from around the world, participate in fieldwork, and collaborate with NGOs, government agencies, and international organizations. The programme emphasizes critical thinking, policy analysis, and effective communication skills, enabling graduates to operate at the interface of science and policy. Students have the opportunity to develop specialized knowledge in areas like conservation management, environmental law, environmental economics, and social movements related to environmental change.

The MSc offers a flexible academic structure with core modules, electives, and a research project or dissertation. These modules are taught by leading academics and practitioners in the fields of environmental governance, social ecology, and sustainability science. The programme aims to foster a global perspective, encouraging students to think creatively and ethically about the future of our planetary resources.

Graduates of the MSc in Nature Society and Environmental Governance are prepared for careers in environmental policymaking, international organizations, research institutions, NGOs, and consultancy firms. They also gain a strong foundation for further academic research through doctoral studies. The University of Oxford’s vibrant academic community, extensive library resources, and numerous extracurricular opportunities enrich the learning experience, making this programme an excellent choice for those committed to making a difference in environmental governance and sustainability worldwide.

It will enable you to develop a theoretically sophisticated and empirically grounded understanding of the dynamic relations between environment, society and policy. The second year is devoted to researching and writing a thesis of 30,000 words.

The MPhil is a two year course. In the first year, you will take the coursework associated with the MSc in Environmental Change and Management. The rate and complexity of environmental change poses profound economic, social and political challenges for contemporary society. Developing ways to address these challenges demands intellectual rigour, innovation and flexibility, as well as the capacity to think across existing disciplinary boundaries.

This course aims to help you develop a theoretically sophisticated and empirically grounded understanding of the dynamic relations between environment, society and policy. To this end the course draws on the methods and approaches from across the social sciences, including fields such as human geography, anthropology, environmental economics, science and technology studies, and corporate environmental management. It also facilitates dialogue between researchers and practitioners concerning contemporary issues of environmental policy and politics.

The specific objectives of the course are:

• to provide broad and critical engagements with key debates in the environmental social sciences, focussing on the relations between nature-society, science-politics and economy-development
• to foster an understanding of the applied practices of environmental policy and the challenges of real-world environmental governance
• to develop your conceptions of, and skills in, the methods and practices of contemporary environmental social sciences, providing critical foundations for further study by research
• to integrate you into world leading research in the School of Geography and the Environment by providing core teaching and supervision by research-active staff
• to enhance your personal and professional development.

There are nine core modules organised under three themes: policy and governance, theory and analysis, and research skills. Teaching takes place through lectures, seminars and workshops which provide in-depth exploration of key environmental issues. The elective modules offer a tutorial-style teaching and discussion environment within smaller groups, based on a suite of contemporary research themes that reflect the specific interests of core faculty and visiting research associates.

The teaching aim is to foster discussion and debate between academic staff and students to identify and explore theory, methods and practice in an academic space that encourages a critical dialogue. In the second year you will work on your thesis project with the support of a specialist supervisor.

Field trips and external visits are an important component of the teaching delivery and include an induction field course in the UK and a three-day European field course.

At the end of the first year you take the examinations associated with the MSc in Nature Society and Environmental Governance. You must pass the examinations taken at the end of the first year in order to proceed into the second year. In the first year there are two assessed essays linked to elective courses.

The second year is devoted to researching and writing a thesis of 30,000 words. The research topic will be devised in your first year and, once approved; a supervisor will be allocated to you. The thesis accounts for half the marks for the degree. In addition, in the second year you will take a further elective course, assessed by a submitted essay. 

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in any discipline.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.7 out of 4.0.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Personal statement: 2,500 words
• Written work:One essay of 2,000 words 
• References/letters of recommendation:Three overall, generally academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships
• A number of Research Council awards are available each year from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

The MSc in Nature, Society and Environmental Governance at the University of Oxford offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complex interactions between human societies and natural environments. The programme is designed for students interested in environmental issues, governance, policy analysis, and social responses to ecological challenges. It aims to equip graduates with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to analyze environmental problems and develop effective solutions within various governance contexts.

The curriculum combines core modules in environmental governance, social theory, and ecological science, alongside a range of optional courses that reflect the diverse expertise of Oxford faculty and research centers. Students engage with contemporary debates about environmental justice, policy making, and sustainable development, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills. The programme emphasizes an interdisciplinary perspective, integrating insights from sociology, political science, ecology, and economics to address real-world environmental issues comprehensively.

Students participate in lectures, seminars, and workshops led by leading academics and practitioners in the field of environmental governance. They also undertake independent research projects, often working closely with local communities, NGOs, or government agencies to gain practical experience. The programme encourages collaborative learning, with opportunities for group projects and cross-disciplinary dialogue.

The programme prepares graduates for careers in environmental policy, advocacy, research, and consultancy, as well as roles within international organizations, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations. It also provides a solid foundation for those interested in pursuing further academic research or specialized professional training in environmental governance and related fields.

Facilities available to students include access to Oxford’s extensive library system, research centers focused on environmental issues, and networking opportunities with alumni and professionals worldwide. The programme is typically completed within one year of full-time study, although part-time options may be available.

Overall, Oxford’s MSc in Nature, Society and Environmental Governance offers a rigorous and comprehensive exploration of the intersections between human society and the natural environment, preparing students to become informed, effective contributors to the sustainable management of ecological resources and the development of just and inclusive environmental policies.