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MSc in Environmental Policy  (W271)

MSc (NFQ Level 9) · Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Graduate Taught
NFQ Level
9
Award
Master of Science
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Dr Liana Ricci
Overall Programme Credits:
90
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 90 Electives: 0
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 1: 90

Curricular information is subject to change.

UCD is Ireland’s Global University and its largest university with a track record in empowering students to enter a diverse range of careers that reflects the most diverse curriculum on the Island of Ireland. Consistently, over 90% of graduates are employed or in further study or training 9 months following course completion. The QS World Ranking on Graduate Employability has placed UCD at number 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employability since 2018. On the global stage UCD leads the Irish higher education sector and is the only Irish university to be ranked inside the world’s top 80 for Graduate Employability.

At University College Dublin we are aware that for many students, programme outcomes in terms of graduate jobs and career options is important. The purpose of this statement is to help you understand and appreciate the range of skills you may develop during your time at UCD and how you may develop your employability. Visit the UCD Careers Networks website and MyCareer, the UCD Career management Platform, to access career information, internships and graduate roles as well as information about the range of initiatives, supports and events available to you.

This programme provides opportunities for students to develop in areas such as:
  • Information & Communication Technology
  • Numeracy
  • Writing
  • Researching
  • Oral Communication
  • Written Communication
  • Presentations
  • Teamwork
  • Leadership
  • Networking
  • Project management
  • Creativity
  • Professionalism, e.g. internships, work experience
  • Global awareness
  • Social responsibility
  • Critical thinking
  • Self-awareness
  • Entrepreneurship

Our degree provides students with the skills to tackle environmental and sustainability challenges through economic principles, data analysis, research, leadership and communication skills, and geographic information systems. We focus not just on the problems we face, but the solutions we need through skills-based teaching, project-based learning, and real-world applications.

This programme supports students’ career development and employability through:
  • Career development initiatives with UCD Careers Network
  • Career and professional development e.g. internships and work placements
  • Professional accreditations
  • Enhancing digital literacy skills
  • Development of critical thinking, problem solving skills and decision-making e.g. through individual and group projects and assignments
  • Development of self-reflection skills

- Graduates work in national and local Governments, consultancies, industry and non-governmental organisations, and some continue on to PhD level.
- This programme includes opportunities for internships and work placements with leading organisations in the environmental sector internationally to allow students to gain hands-on experience, build professional networks, and apply their skills in real-world settings, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.
- 30 years of alumni connections in this programme allows strong networking opportunities through our structured careers events between current students and graduates.
- This programme is Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) accredited and intended for graduates of UCD's BSc in City Planning and Environmental Policy.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
ENVP40100 Environmental & Behavioural Economics Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
ENVP40170 Evidence-based Decisions & Communication Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
ENVP40180 European Environmental Policy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
ENVP40040 Sustainability Lab Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
ENVP40190 Applications of Environmental Policy & Regulation Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
ENVP40240 Sustainable Corporate Strategy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
ALL students MUST initially register for ENVP40030 Environmental Policy Thesis. In the Autumn Trimester, those students interested in pursuing an Internship will be expected to prepare their CV and seek Professional Work Experience opportunities from prospective employers under the guidance of the Internship Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. In the event that a student is successful in securing a suitable Professional Work Experience placement, subject to gaining approval of the Internship Module Coordinator, the student will be re-registered to ENVP40160 Internship - Research Project by the College Office.
ENVP40030 Environmental Policy Thesis Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
ALL students MUST initially register for ENVP40030 Environmental Policy Thesis. In the Autumn Trimester, those students interested in pursuing an Internship will be expected to prepare their CV and seek Professional Work Experience opportunities from prospective employers under the guidance of the Internship Module Coordinator and the Programme Director. In the event that a student is successful in securing a suitable Professional Work Experience placement, subject to gaining approval of the Internship Module Coordinator, the student will be re-registered to ENVP40160 Internship - Research Project by the College Office.
ENVP40160 Internship - Research Project Summer  30

See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

Module Weighting Info
 
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
MTENA001 Stage 1 - 100.00%
Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20

Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67

Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07

Pass

2.00

2.47

MTHSC006 Stage 1 - 100.00%
Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20

Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67

Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07

Pass

2.00

2.47