This course is available through the following application route(s)
Global change refers to planetary-scale changes occurring in complex socio-ecological systems, which are affected by climatic and non-climatic drivers (e.g., changes in human society). Understanding the intricate, medium- to long-term changes in our land, air and water requires advanced scientific knowledge in measurement, modelling and prediction. This should in turn inform the science-policy interface.
This joint international MSc in Global Change is the response to these global change challenges and will suit graduates wishing to develop a scientific career in ecosystem research as well as those aiming to contribute to evidence-based environmental policy. Students will study at both UCD, Dublin and Justus Liebig University (JLU) Giessen, Germany where you will be involved in active research groups, contributing to their ongoing ecosystem and policy consultancy studies.
Visit the globalchange.ucd.ie website to discover more about this unique opportunity to study in Ireland and Germany and make a difference.
1 - Understand the ecosystem science underpinning our knowledge of global environmental change
2 - Participate in ecosystem research using the latest research methods and data management tools
3 - Communicate policy-relevant evidence to diverse target audiences in an unambiguous way
4 - Understand and promote the development of policy in terms of adaptation and mitigations for natural and managed ecosystems, thereby supporting sustainable livelihoods
5 - Perform environmental work and research in a confident manner by applying relevant tools in data collection, management, analysis and reporting
6 - Develop strategies for continuous professional development and continue self-directed learning required to enhance their career ambitions.
7 - Ability to use and interpret a wide range of datasets
8 - Maturity to pursue study as well as critically appraise scientific information
Graduates may pursue roles as policy advisers, scientific analysts or researchers in government, international organisations, NGOs, research institutes or consulting companies. There are also many opportunities for further studies. The skills you acquire, particularly through the completion of the minor thesis, provide a strong foundation for PhD research. Prospective employers include the Environmental Protection Agency, governmental departments, European Commission, European Environment Agency and International organisations (e.g. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, United Nations Environment Programme, International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Food and Agricultural Organisation).
The course includes a 20 credit professional work placement* (up to 10 weeks) in highly recognised international institutions. The following internships are examples of past placements: Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (Japan), Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (Germany), Deltares (The Netherlands), RISE Foundation (Belgium), Irish and German EPA, An Taisce, Sonairte, Rediscovery Centre and Irish Peatland Conservation Council, IAIA: International Atomic Agency (Vienna), Center for International Forestry Research, Forschungsinstitut fürbiologischen Landbau FiBL (Switzerland), Das Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) and Government agencies like Coillte and Irish Water.
Visit the Global Change website for more information and examples of hosts/employers.
*Placements are secured through a competitive process and are not guaranteed.
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.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 13 of: Year 1 core modules |
BIOL40140 | Science and Policy | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 13 of: Year 1 core modules |
BIOL40780 | Designing and communicating Global Change research | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 13 of: Year 1 core modules |
ENVB40040 | Environmental Impact Assessment | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 13 of: Year 1 core modules |
ENVB40130 | Global Change Ecology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 13 of: Year 1 core modules |
ENVB40370 | Data Analyses & Interpretation (On-line) | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 13 of: Year 1 core modules |
LAW41730 | Foundations of Environmental Law SBES | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 13 of: Year 1 core modules |
BIOL40160 | Biodiversity Informatics (JLU) | Summer | 3 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 13 of: Year 1 core modules |
BIOL40230 | Resource Economics and Environmental Management (JLU) | Summer | 6 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 13 of: Year 1 core modules |
BIOL40580 | Policy Consulting - Environmental Policy and Development Cooperation (JLU) | Summer | 6 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 13 of: Year 1 core modules |
BIOL40680 | Global Change: Modelling and Advanced Techniques | Summer | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 13 of: Year 1 core modules |
BIOL40690 | Adaptation to Global Change (JLU) | Summer | 3 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 13 of: Year 1 core modules |
BIOL40740 | Sustainable agro-ecosystems | Summer | 6 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 13 of: Year 1 core modules |
BIOL40120 | Work Placement (Global Change) | Year-long (12 months) | 20 |
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of: Year 1 options (Select one) |
BOTN40270 | Biology and Ecology of Coastal Wetlands | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of: Year 1 options (Select one) |
ENVB30130 | Ecology & its Application (On-line) | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of: Year 1 options (Select one) |
ENVB40310 | Peatlands and Environmental Change | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of: Year 1 options (Select one) |
ENVB40410 | Management of Sustainable Fisheries (On-line) | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of: Year 1 options (Select one) |
ENVB40540 | Introduction to Ecological Mapping with open source software (QGIS) | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of: Year 1 options (Select one) |
MEEN40900 | Energy, Climate and Sustainability (online) | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)1 of: Year 1 options (Select one) |
ZOOL40510 | Conservation of Biodiversity: Theory and Practice | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of: (Select module(s) from List C) Select module(s) from List C to make up 6 credits |
BIOL40570 | World Food Economy (JLU) | Summer | 6 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of: (Select module(s) from List C) Select module(s) from List C to make up 6 credits |
BIOL40660 | Methods in Global Change Research | Summer | 3 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of: (Select module(s) from List C) Select module(s) from List C to make up 6 credits |
BIOL40700 | Stress Ecology (JLU) | Summer | 3 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of: (Select module(s) from List C) Select module(s) from List C to make up 6 credits |
BIOL40710 | Into the footsteps of a researcher (JLU) | Summer | 3 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of: (Select module(s) from List C) Select module(s) from List C to make up 6 credits |
BIOL40930 | Intro to Intl Trade (JLU) | Summer | 6 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of: (Select module(s) from List C) Select module(s) from List C to make up 6 credits |
BIOL40940 | Biodiversity (JLU) | Summer | 6 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of: (Select module(s) from List C) Select module(s) from List C to make up 6 credits |
BIOL40950 | Planetary Thinking (JLU) | Summer | 6 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of: (Select module(s) from List C) Select module(s) from List C to make up 6 credits |
BIOL40960 | Biodiversity Monitoring (JLU) | Summer | 6 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of: (Select module(s) from List C) Select module(s) from List C to make up 6 credits |
BIOL40970 | Global Governance (JLU) | Summer | 3 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of: (Select module(s) from List C) Select module(s) from List C to make up 6 credits |
ENVB40560 | Natural Resources and Ecosystem Services (JLU) | Summer | 6 |
Stage 1 Options - D)1 of: Year 2 core module |
BIOL40130 | Research Project (Global Change) | Autumn | 30 |
This unique joint international programme was accredited by the German agency AQAS prior to its launch and re-accredited at five-year intervals, in both 2018 and 2024.
See more information on our website.
https://www.ucd.ie/globalchange/
Michael Chase
As a student from the United States, the MSc Global Change: Ecosystem Science and Policy course immediately stood out to me. The opportunity to study at two top tier research universities in Europe in the same course was incredibly beneficial to my knowledge and skill development. Being a taught master’s program, the courses offered all provided in-depth and broad learning opportunities across the realms of ecology and environmental policy.
The professors and support staff at UCD were friendly, helpful, and dedicated to student success. UCD and JLU also provided their own unique learning and social environments. UCD is an incredibly lively campus with almost endless opportunities to participate in clubs, sports, and social events, especially as an international student. In Germany, JLU has an array of research opportunities which provides ample choices when selecting your thesis placement.
Having a work placement and a thesis component in the same program was a huge draw for me to the MSc global change: ecosystem science and policy program. Being interested in wildlife and habitat conservation, I was able to travel to and live in Portugal, working for a small-scale non-profit NGO for 10 weeks, as my work placement. I developed skills in project management and environmental policy review that allowed me to build the first biodiversity action plan for my host organization. My work placement continued with me gaining a part-time position with the organization and returning during my final semester in the courseto continue working.
After graduating, I joined a non-profit organization that is one of less than 30 global Centers for Species Survival under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). I felt more confident in my skills and knowledge, having gone through this MSc program. If I had to restart, I would choose UCD and this taught master’s course just as quickly as I did the first time.
See more testimonials on our website.
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please visit International Scholarships.
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
The MSc in Global Change: Ecosystem Science and Policy degree is aimed at individuals who intend to pursue a career in the wide field of ‘Environmental issues’ with the skills to understand the science as well as communicating policy-relevant evidence to diverse audience.
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Global Change: Ecosystem Science & Policy:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | F038 Global Change: Ecosystem Science & Policy Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught |