Overview
Introduction
This programme aims to deliver a well-developed understanding of the economics, science and policies associated with climate change, as well as a broad foundation in environmental and resource economics. It delves into the conceptual economic foundations and the practical tools of analysis, including state-of-the-art quantitative methods.
Environmental economics is playing an increasingly central role in understanding the causes of, and designing policy solutions to, contemporary environmental and resource problems. It's been instrumental in informing policy across the world, for example in the creation of markets to efficiently regulate pollutants such as acid rain and carbon. Environmental and resource economics also informs the design of new instruments for the conservation of ecosystem services and the efficient use of natural resources, such as water and forests, and for the promotion of renewable energy and electric vehicles.
In order to make climate change and environmental and resource issues central to the policy debate, it's also necessary to demonstrate the contribution that the environment makes to human well-being, and the serious economic and health effects of pollution. How these costs and benefits are distributed between current and future generations is another important consideration. Valuation, and the behavioural and ethical issues that this gives rise to, is a major component of environmental and resource economics and another aspect of the MSc.
Across a wide range of issues such as biodiversity loss and fisheries management, sustainable economic development and the formation of international environmental agreements, the theory and applied tools of environmental economics are uniquely placed to inform and guide decision-makers in addressing environmental challenges. Climate change is the most formidable environmental concern facing the planet today and the lessons and tools of environmental economics are highly relevant for thinking about, and providing solutions to, this global economic problem.
The programme will teach you to apply economic concepts and quantitative methods to the analysis, appraisal and valuation of a wide range of environmental problems and policies. You'll begin to understand the importance of the political-economic context when applying the concepts and tools of environmental economics, as well as obtaining an in-depth understanding of the scientific, economic and political dimensions of climate change.
Preliminary readings
- G Heal A celebration of environmental and resource economics. Rev Environ Econ Policy (Oxford Journals, 2007)
- R Perman et al Natural resource and environmental economics, Chapters 1-3 ( Fourth Edition, Pearson 2011)
Entry requirements
Upper second class honours (2:1) degree, preferably in Economics (single or joint honours) or related disciplines.
We'll also consider other social science, humanities and natural sciences degrees with strong grounding in quantitative methods (mathematics and statistics). Appropriate work experience will be considered in addition to sound academic background, and we are always happy to receive enquiries.
Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.
Overseas
Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.
However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.
Programme content
Year 1
You'll take four compulsory courses (with a value of three units) and two optional courses to the value of one unit.
If you're planning to apply for a PhD within the Department, please be advised that you need to take some methods training as part of the MSc. Contact your MSc programme director and the Director of Graduate studies to discuss this requirement.
Courses to the value of one unit from a range of options
Why study with us
Discover more about our students and department.
Meet the department
Our department is highly regarded both nationally and internationally – ranked second for Geography in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
Here at LSE, we offer a unique opportunity to study geography in a university with a worldwide reputation in the social sciences. We specialise in economic, urban and development geography, environmental social science and climate change, all with a strong emphasis on real-world applications.
Many of our academics are internationally renowned in their fields. You’ll find a good balance of experienced and younger academics in the department. Within the team, we’ve had three holders of the highly prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize Fellowships for researchers under the age of 36.
Our research is interdisciplinary and international in its scope and we work closely with academics from several other departments at LSE. Teaching staff are active within the following research centres:
- Cañada Blanch Centre for Contemporary Spanish Studies
- Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy
- Centre for Economic Performance
- Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
- LSE London
- Middle East Centre
- Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre
- Transition Pathway Initiative Centre
- What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth
Based in the heart of London opposite Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the department offers a lively, welcoming and supportive community for students and staff.
Learn more about our undergraduate, postgraduate
and PhD study opportunities,
as well as our research.
Why LSE
University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK
Times and The Sunday Times - Good University Guide 20251st in London for the 13th year running
The Complete University Guide - University League Tables 20256th In the world
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024Carbon Neutral In 2021, LSE became the first Carbon Neutral verified university in the UK
Your application
Overview
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.
We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:
- academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
- statement of academic purpose
- two academic references
- CV.
See further information on supporting documents.
You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.
This programme is available as part of an ESRC-funded pathway onto a PhD programme. The 1+3 scheme provides funding for a one year research training master's linked to a PhD programme and is designed for students who haven't already completed an ESRC recognised programme of research training. An application must be submitted for the relevant master’s programme, including a research proposal for the PhD aspect of the pathway. Applicants must also indicate their wish to be considered for the 1+3 pathway within their personal statement.
When to apply
Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis. This means that applications will close once the programme is full.
There is no fixed deadline. However, if you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section below for more details.
Fees and funding
The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.
You're charged a fee for your programme. At LSE, your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.
Home
Home student fee (2025/26)
For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.
Overseas
Overseas student fee (2025/26)
For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.
Learning and assessment
How you learn
How you're assessed
All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It's designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others. Summative assessment will be a combination of unseen examinations and research essays. You'll also have the opportunity to develop a dissertation on a topic within the fields of environmental, resource or climate change economics. This will allow you to pursue a research question of interest to you in depth, using the analytical tools and techniques covered in the course. You'll work on your own on the dissertation, with advice from a supervisor. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.
Graduate destinations
Overview
Economics is frequently at the centre of environmental policy-making. The MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change provides state-of-the-art training in environmental, natural resource and climate change economics. You'll develop analytical tools applicable to the full range of environmental issues in the public, private, and other sectors. There are promising career opportunities for those who have trained as professional environmental economists: in government, international organisations, industry, NGOs, consultancy and research.
The MSc Environmental Economics and Climate Change will be invaluable if you wish to work, or are already working, in a specialised area relating to climate change economics but also more broadly to any aspect of environmental and resource economics.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Median salary of our postgraduate students 15 months after graduating:
Top 5 sectors our students work in:
Career support
From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.
Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.
See LSE Careers for further details.