University College London (UCL)
Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
5 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
This MSc program in Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment is designed to give students a solid understanding of how markets and policies influence energy systems and environmental sustainability. It covers key topics like energy economics, climate change policies, and the role of technology and innovation in shaping future energy solutions. Students will learn to analyze complex problems, evaluate policy options, and develop strategies to support sustainable energy transitions. The program combines economic theory with real-world policy application, preparing students for careers in government, industry, or research.
Throughout the course, students also explore current debates around energy security, climate change mitigation, and resource management. The program emphasizes the importance of evidence-based decision-making and looks at how different policies impact economies and communities. It offers a mix of lectures, seminars, and practical projects to develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Graduates leave equipped with a comprehensive understanding of how to design and evaluate policies aimed at creating a sustainable and resilient energy future. The program is ideal for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the field of energy and environmental policy.
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
The course is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and project work.
Assessments are tailored to the learning outcomes of each module, and collectively promote a diversity of skills across the course as a whole. Assessments comprise written and oral examinations (including presentations), essays and other coursework, and an in-depth research dissertation. You may be required to work individually or as a team to complete assessments. The balance of an individual’s assessment types and timing will depend on the optional modules selected.
In Terms 1 and 2, full-time students can typically expect between eight and 15 in-person contact hours per teaching week through lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. The balance depends on the subject-specific requirements, and occasionally we may run additional events or tutorials. In Term 3, students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.
Outside of on campus lectures and other contact time, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using this remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.
Modules
Full-time
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. This comprises core modules (75 credits), optional modules (45 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits).
Our term 1 core modules provide essential knowledge in energy and environmental economics, policy, and modelling. They also interlink, reinforcing key concepts whilst allowing you to view problems through different lenses, stimulating you to think creatively.
You select three optional modules in term 2, allowing you to refine your knowledge of energy and the environment. You may choose to dive deeper into quantitative economic and modelling approaches to energy and environment, growing your knowledge from term 1. You can also choose to diversify your knowledge by selecting modules with different disciplinary perspectives or specialised topic areas, such as innovation, behaviour, development or business. Our selection of optional modules enables you to find your own path, shaped by your interests and career aspirations.
Our ‘Research Concepts and Methods’ module is a vital element of the course, facilitating your critical analysis skills in term 1 and which you can apply across the whole course. In term 2, this module prepares you to develop practical research skills and a proposal that lays the groundwork for your dissertation.
In term 3 and the summer, you will complete assessments for term 2 modules and those modules with unseen written examinations. You will also work on your dissertation. This is an opportunity to pursue in-depth, innovative research on a topic of your choice within the field of energy and environment, with guidance of your supervisor.
Part-time
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits over the full duration of their course. This comprises core modules (75 credits), optional modules (45 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits).
As a part-time student, you will take half of the taught modules in the first year. In your second year you will take the remaining taught modules in term 1 and term 2, plus the dissertation module in term 3.
Our core modules provide essential knowledge in energy and environmental economics, policy, and modelling. They also interlink, reinforcing key concepts whilst allowing you to view problems through different lenses, stimulating you to think creatively.
You select three optional modules, allowing you to refine your knowledge of energy and the environment. You may choose to dive deeper into quantitative economic and modelling approaches to energy and environment. You can also choose to diversify your knowledge by selecting modules with different disciplinary perspectives or specialised topic areas, such as innovation, behaviour, development or business. Our selection of optional modules enables you to find your own path, shaped by your interests and career aspirations.
Our ‘Research Concepts and Methods’ module is a vital element of the course, facilitating your critical analysis skills in and which you can apply across the whole course. This module also prepares you to develop practical research skills and a proposal that lays the groundwork for your dissertation.
Your dissertation is an opportunity to pursue in-depth, innovative research on a topic of your choice within the field of energy and environment, with guidance of your supervisor.
Flexible
The flexible option allows you to complete your studies within five years. Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits over the full duration of their course. This comprises core modules (75 credits), optional modules (45 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits).
Our core modules provide essential knowledge in energy and environmental economics, policy, and modelling. They also interlink, reinforcing key concepts whilst allowing you to view problems through different lenses, stimulating you to think creatively.
You select three optional modules, allowing you to refine your knowledge of energy and the environment. You may choose to dive deeper into quantitative economic and modelling approaches to energy and environment. You can also choose to diversify your knowledge by selecting modules with different disciplinary perspectives or specialised topic areas, such as innovation, behaviour, development or business. Our selection of optional modules enables you to find your own path, shaped by your interests and career aspirations.
Our research concepts module is a vital element of the course, facilitating your critical analysis skills in and which you can apply across the whole course. This module also prepares you to develop practical research skills and a proposal that lays the groundwork for your dissertation.
Your dissertation is an opportunity to pursue in-depth, innovative research on a topic of your choice within the field of energy and environment, with guidance of your supervisor.
Compulsory modules
- Research Concepts and Methods
- Environmental and Resource Economics
- Introduction to Energy Modelling and Scenarios
- Environmental Measurement, Assessment and Law
- Planetary Economics and the Political Economy of Energy and Climate Change
- Dissertation: Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment
Optional modules
- Business and Sustainability
- Advanced Energy-Environment-Economy Modelling
- Energy, Technology and Innovation
- Energy, People and Behaviour
- Econometrics for Energy and the Environment
- Economic Methods for Sustainable Decision Making
- Behavioural Economics and Game Theory for the Environment
- Energy, Environment and Resources in Developing Countries
- Social Value and New Energy Business Models
- Climate Finance
- Electricity Market Design for the Energy Transition
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 MSc in Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment.
What this course will give you
- Research-led world-class education
You will connect with world-renowned academics whose research is shaping policy, debates and industry across energy and the environment. Our faculty is a multidisciplinary hub for education and research, uniquely positioned to tackle some of the most crucial issues facing society and our planet. Our faculty, The Bartlett, has been ranked #1 for Built Environment studies in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024). The Bartlett is also where the UK’s most ‘World Leading’ and ‘Internationally Excellent’ built environment research is undertaken (REF 2021). - Kick-start your career tackling global environmental challenges
The unique blend of applied skills and knowledge you gain during your studies will prepare you to launch a successful career in sustainability-focused business, finance, policymaking, or research wherever you wish to work in the world. During your degree, you'll have opportunities to network with our accomplished alumni, who have established influential and international careers in the field. - Study in London – the heart of UK government and global business
London is a dynamic hub for policymaking and business, home to influential organisations creating global sustainability impact. As a student, you'll benefit from our strong connections with industry leaders, policymakers, and academics, who frequently deliver guest lectures at our Institute. London is also the best city for students in the world (QS Best Student Cities 2025).
The foundation of your career
96.1% of Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment MSc students are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-21).
Our alumni have gone on to work at numerous influential organisations such as the International Energy Agency, United Nations, McKinsey & Company, Orsted, European Commission, National Grid, OECD, Ofgem, Forum for the Future, McKinsey, Bloomberg, Baringa, KPMG, Deloitte, BlackRock, CDP, Aurora Energy Research, Climate Bonds Initiative, Bank of China and more. We also have alumni with successful careers in national government, or who go on to further graduate study and research.
Employability
Sustainability has become an important consideration across all sectors. The uniquely interdisciplinary nature of this master's will provide you with transferable skills that are in demand by employers from a variety of sectors including business, finance, consulting, government, think tanks, NGOs, universities and research institutes. Graduates of the Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment MSc are equipped to become leaders and entrepreneurs in their chosen area of specialisation, whether in terms of policymaking, finance, economics consultancy, the business management of sustainability issues, energy systems and markets or their understanding and application of innovative systems.
In addition to the core UCL Careers provision, as a student at The Bartlett you will have access to a mix of faculty-wide and department-specific support and activities to bolster your career development. Open across the Faculty, this includes a programme of lively industry panel discussions and interactive workshops, spotlighting the key sectors graduates typically venture into such as construction, consultancy, commercial property and urban planning and development.
Additionally, The Bartlett’s Building a Better Future Consultancy Project will give you a unique opportunity to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team to tackle a real world challenge the built environment is grappling with, equipping you with the in-demand skills sought after by employers. Featured organisations in this programme include global consultancies such as BuroHappold, Hoare Lea, AtkinsRealis to burgeoning start-ups and SMEs as well as local councils and not-for-profit organisations such as C40 Cities, Greater London Authority and London authorities.
On a departmental level, you will receive a bespoke provision of practical workshops led by experienced Career Consultants that cover crucial topics of your career planning such as developing your networking skills and how to successfully navigate the job search.
Networking
You will become part of a diverse and international cohort of future sustainability professionals. Throughout your degree, you will also have opportunities to network with our accomplished alumni, who have established influential careers in the field, and with guest speakers from private and public sectors in class seminars, events and networking sessions.