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
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.
- The first semester is based at UCD Ireland between September and December.
- This is followed by a 6 week minimum internship in a company or institution of your choice (for example: Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Agriculture Organisation, UNFCCC and Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change offices, Rural Investment Support for Europe foundation, ICLEI (Local Government for Sustainability), Postdam Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, Irish Environmental Network, European Forest Institute).
- The second taught semester is based in JLU, Giessen, Germany between March and August.
- The last semester is devoted entirely to an individual research project, which can be undertaken in either UCD or JLU or host institutions.
- You will gain expertise in global change processes (soil, air, water), plant-soil-atmosphere interactions; skills to work at the science and policy interface; environmental law and international regulations as well as specific communication skills.
About This Course
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 |
BIOL40750 | Global Governance and Sustainability in Africa (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 |
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 has been accreditated by the German agency AQAS before it commenced and has been re-accreditated after 5 years.
Conor Ó Beoláin
I chose this MSc in Global Change programme because it offered the best of both the world of global change science as well as the associated governance and policy implications. Personally, I found the internship period as well as the semester at JLU in Gießen to be the most rewarding experiences, but the whole course duration was made infinitely better by the care and expertise provided by all the module instructors in UCD and JLU.
EU fee per year - € 9890
nonEU fee per year - € 29100
***Fees are subject to change
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.
- This programme is intended for applicants with a Bachelor degree in an appropriate life sciences discipline, such as biology, agriculture or environmental science (including zoology, ecology, biochemistry, geology and physics). A bachelor degree (NFQ Level 8) with honours 2(2) (GPA 2.48 or higher) or international equivalent is required.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
- These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes
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.
How to Apply
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 2025 Graduate Taught |