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University of Glasgow: Earth Futures: Environment, Communities, Relationships
| Institution | University of Glasgow View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Geographical and Earth Sciences |
| Web | glasgow.ac.uk |
| Nicola.Mills-Wierda@glasgow.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | 0141 330 4515 |
| Study type | Taught |
Master of Science - MSc (PG)
Summary
The Masters in Earth Futures is an interdisciplinary programme that bridges knowledge across the social and physical sciences. It aims to equip students with the expertise, experience and skills to tackle the environmental and societal challenges of sustainable development in the anthropocene. Through a compulsory placement module, students will develop practical experience of working in social and environmental governance, activist and community sectors. This will be supported by research-led teaching covering key global challenges and ethical imperatives in sustainable community and environmental development.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME
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This programme offers a compulsory work-placement that will expose you to scenarios where you must understand and communicate complex information, deal with change, handle relationships, manage projects, and work with vulnerable communities.
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97% of our research has been evaluated as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021).
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Glasgow is the base for a number of internationally and nationally significant NGOs and development charities, such as Oxfam, British Red Cross, Scottish Refugee Council, RSPB, Friends of the Earth and WaterAid, and a wide range of grassroots community initiatives.
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A specifically designed, truly interdisciplinary programme led by world-leading physical and social scientists within the School, designed to address the complex challenges highlighted in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
-
A curriculum that encompasses key global challenges and ethical imperatives in sustainable community and environmental development, designed to foster critical thinking and prepare students to forge new spaces, impacts and modes of communities that are less stressed and more caring.
-
A series of carefully designed, well-paced, innovative continuous assessments, including writing professional reports, guided statistical mapping and modelling, policy briefings and oral presentations.
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The programme will provide access to the +3 pathway for PhD studies supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
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The School has an Athena Swan Silver Award, demonstrating the school’s commitment to supporting women in scientific studies and careers, tackling intersectional inequalities and improving the working environment for all.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The programme is comprised of 100 credits of core courses, the Masters Dissertation Project (60 credits) and 20 credits of optional courses. Modes of delivery of the MSc Earth Futures include seminars, lectures, tutorials, field work, independent projects, computer lab work, team work and UK field trips.
Core Courses Semester 1 Global Challenges 1: Living in a Changing Climate Research Design,Ethics and Impact Introduction to GIS Introduction to Statistics for Environmental Analysis
Semester 2 Global Challenges 2: Human-environment Lifecyles Graduate Futures Work Placement Research Design,Ethics and Impact
Summer GES Masters Research Project
Optional courses Semester 1 Qualitative Research Methods Ecology and Restoration of Water Environments Principles of GIS Academic and Professional Skills for GES PGT
Semester 2 Quantitative Data Analysis Managing Sustainable Water Environments: Policy and Practice Remote Sensing of the Environment Applied GIS
CAREER PROSPECTS
Through the placement and integrated project work, aligned to specific graduate attributes, you will be well qualified for positions in: - Environmental governance
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International non-governmental organisations
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Charities
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Corporate, social and environmental responsibility
Recent graduates have gone on to work for SSE, ScreeTech and Atkins plc. Explore our LinkedIn profile for a flavour of where our most recent graduates work.
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in a subject with a background in Geography, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences and Engineering, or Architecture and Planning. We may sometimes accept equivalent professional experience in lieu of qualifications. Please note this course offers a work placement component worth 20 credits out of 120 taught or 180 including Project/Dissertation. |
| Location | Gilmorehill (Main) Campus University Of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
Summary
The Masters in Earth Futures is an interdisciplinary programme that bridges knowledge across the social and physical sciences. It aims to equip students with the expertise, experience and skills to tackle the environmental and societal challenges of sustainable development in the anthropocene. Through a compulsory placement module, students will develop practical experience of working in social and environmental governance, activist and community sectors. This will be supported by research-led teaching covering key global challenges and ethical imperatives in sustainable community and environmental development.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME
-
Our School of Geographical and Earth Sciences is ranked amongst the top 10 in the UK, currently we are 6th (Complete University Guide 2020).
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Geography at Glasgow is ranked 41st in the world (QS World Rankings 2019).
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Our Human Geographers are 1st in the UK for research publications and 1st in the UK overall for internationally excellent and world-leading research (REF2014).
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This programme offers a compulsory work-placement that will expose you to scenarios where you must understand and communicate complex information, deal with change, handle relationships, manage projects, and work with vulnerable communities – providing a thorough grounding and springboard into a professional career.
-
Glasgow is the base for a number of internationally and nationally significant NGOs and development charities, such as Oxfam, British Red Cross, Scottish Refugee Council, RSPB, Friends of the Earth and WaterAid, and a wide range of grassroots community initiatives.
-
A specifically designed, truly interdisciplinary programme lead by world-leading physical and social scientists within the School designed to address the complex challenges highlighted in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
-
A curriculum that encompasses key global challenges and ethical imperatives in sustainable community and environmental development, designed to foster critical thinking and prepare students to forge new spaces, impacts and modes of communities that are less stressed and more caring.
-
A series of carefully designed, well-paced, innovative continuous assessments, including writing professional reports, guided statistical modelling, vlogs and a funded, student-led conference to publicly showcase your work and develop your ability to manage budgets, organise events and communicate effectively.
-
The programme will provide access to the 1+3 pathway for PhD studies supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
-
The School has an Athena Swan Silver Award, demonstrating the school’s commitment to supporting women in scientific studies and careers, and to improving the working environment for all.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Modes of delivery of the MSc Earth Futures include seminars, lectures, tutorials, field work, independent projects, computer lab work, team work and UK field trips.
Core Courses
Semester 1 INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES RESEARCH DESIGN, ETHICS & IMPACT QUALITATIVE METHODS PRINCIPLES OF GIS ENVIRONMENTAL STATISTICS
Semester 2 INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES EARTH FUTURES WORK PLACEMENT RESEARCH DESIGN, ETHICS & IMPACT
Summer MSC DISSERTATION
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject (including humanities, physical or social sciences), or equivalent professional experience. |
| Location | Gilmorehill (Main) Campus University Of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
The University of Glasgow is one of the UK’s most prestigious seats of learning, and the fourth oldest university in the English speaking world. Established in 1451 and recognised for its world-changing research and teaching, our people have always been at the forefront of innovation, including eight Nobel Laureates, two UK Prime Ministers, three First Ministers of Scotland, 10 Fellows of the Royal Society and 11 Fellows of the British Academy. Our past achievements inspire our current world changers.
Rankings
The University:
- is ranked 79th in the world: QS World University Rankings 2025
- is …
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