University College London (UCL)
Climate, Innovation and Sustainability Policy MPA
London, United Kingdom
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
This program focuses on helping students understand how policies can drive innovation and sustainability in response to climate change. It covers key topics like policy design, governance, and the role of technology and innovation in tackling environmental challenges. Students will explore the relationship between climate science, policy-making, and sustainable development, gaining practical skills to develop and evaluate policies that promote sustainability while addressing economic and social factors.
Throughout the course, students will learn through a mix of lectures, case studies, and collaborative projects. The program encourages critical thinking about real-world issues, preparing students for careers in policy, government, or consultancy. It aims to equip graduates with the knowledge to craft effective climate policies that foster sustainable change, ensuring they’re ready to contribute meaningfully to addressing global climate challenges. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills alongside theoretical understanding, making it a versatile choice for those passionate about creating a sustainable future.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
This MPA programme is delivered through a mix of lectures both online and in-person, small-group seminars, and group and individual projects working with real-life clients.
Candidates will be assessed primarily through a series of problem-oriented projects (including both presentational components and submitted materials), complemented by short written assignments, scenarios and simulations. The final project will include a longer written report, often for or with a professional partner organisation.
In First and Second Terms students have on average 12-13 contact hours a week with staff. Modules have either two hours of lectures and one hour of tutorials or three hours of lectures. In addition, there will be independent study and group work.
Starting in January, students also undertake a major nine-month group project on a policy challenge with a real-world external partner organisation or they undertake their own independent individual project. In Third Term the amount of contact time will be lower as students focus on these final projects, although there will be set times for MPA group project and MPA individual project supervision and support.
Modules
Full-time
The programme consists of eight 15-credit modules: three core modules common across the MPA suite of programmes; two route-specific; and three electives available from STEaPP or other departments, as available. Students may choose either an MPA Group Project or an Individual Project as their final 60 credit module.
You will study four modules in First Term and four in Second Term. Additionally, the MPA Group and Individual Project modules span nine months, commencing in the Second Term and completed during the Third Term and the summer.
Part-time
The part-time version of the MPA follows the same structure as the full-time, but in Year One, you will study four 15-credit modules: two modules in First Term and two in Second Term.
In Year Two, you will study a further four 15-credit modules (two in each of First and Second Terms) and complete a 60-credit Group Project or Individual Project in Third Term; though you will be encouraged to start conducting initial research on subject areas of interest in your first year.
Compulsory modules
- Analytic Methods for Policy
- Climate, Innovation and Sustainability Policy
- Evidence for Decision Making
- Policy Making
- Foundations in Climate, Innovation and Sustainability Policy
Optional modules
- Science Advice & Diplomacy
- Clean Energy and Development
- Development, Technology and Innovation Policy
- Urban Innovation and Policy
- Emerging Dilemmas in Digital Technology Policy
- Risk Assessment and Governance
- Science Funding and Governance
- MPA Group Project
- MPA Individual Project
- Health Innovation and Public Policy
- Applied Data Science and Visualisation for Complex Systems
- Research Ethics and Regulation
- Science and Engineering Advice
- Digital Rights
- Risk and Safety in Medical Practice and other Complex Systems
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MPA in Climate, Innovation and Sustainability Policy.
What this course will give you
This programme offers the following benefits:
- This MPA is grounded in experiential learning, meaning you’ll develop the skillset required for leading innovative policy development for sustainability, with a focus on climate and sustainable infrastructure policy.
- Undertake your own independent topic based on your own personal interests, enabling you to engage with real-world policy challenges that matter to you personally.
- Learn about a range of climate technologies and interventions aimed at reducing carbon concentrations in the atmosphere, reducing impacts of radiative forcing or novel opportunities for mitigating climate emissions via materials and industrial processes.
- You’ll build not only the competencies and knowledge but networks that will prepare you to become an influential policy actor. Graduates have gone onto work in environment, science and innovation, climate and sustainability areas and in a range of sectors and policy organisations.
The foundation of your career
Graduates are suited to work in national and local government; utility providers or regulators; international agencies such as the World Bank, United Nations, European Commission, and other international organisations; environmental agencies; consultancies and think tanks.
Employability
As a graduate of the Climate, Innovation and Sustainability Policy MPA, you’ll bring a unique breadth of in-demand and transferable skills to future employers like rigorous analytical, evaluation and communication skills.
You’ll increase your understanding of current issues in climate, innovation, and sustainability agendas and how they align with infrastructure and policy planning with environmental, economic, and social goals. You'll also develop your skills to leverage public policy and science and engineering expertise to tackle societal challenges in these areas.
Graduates will learn to communicate with engineers, policymakers and innovation experts while building effective networks, and employ problem-solving skills to a range of real-world problems.
Networking
You’ll have regular opportunities to connect, collaborate and build professional contacts as part of your Master’s.
- Network with international partners, expert faculty and a diverse range of academics and professionals from across the department.
- Learn from our guest speakers who are intentionally drawn from academia, public and private research, private sector, non-governmental organisations and diverse policy settings.
- Previous MPA cohorts have organised social events where academic and career experience, ideas and contacts can be shared via peer learning.