University of St Andrews
MSc in Energy Policy and Finance
Saint Andrews, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
08 Aug 2024
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2024
TUITION FEES
GBP 29,950 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* overseas / home: £14,140
Introduction
The challenge of creating a better energy future for us all is both urgent and complex. It is much more than a technical challenge – it is also a societal, policy, and financial challenge.
The MSc in Energy Policy and Finance has been specifically designed to match and address this complexity. This one-year programme will equip students with the knowledge, critical insights, and practical skills necessary for understanding and helping to shape, manage and evaluate energy policy, and interpret and operate within energy markets and finance.
Emphasising the development of practical skills, and involving external partners from the realms of policy, industry, and finance, the MSc in Energy Policy and Finance offers more than an academic qualification. It equips students with the knowledge and competencies that will enable them to define and pursue new and diverse career trajectories in the field of energy – both within and outside of academia.
Course details
The MSc in Energy Policy and Finance provides students with the knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking necessary to help shape better energy futures.
Throughout this one-year master's programme, guided by world-class research leaders from the University of St Andrews, students will:
- Investigate energy circumstances and inequalities, particularly in the context of energy transitions and climate responsibilities
- Explore energy and climate change policy in historical and socio-political contexts, and develop skills in engaging with the policy realm and conducting policy evaluation.
- Develop a critical understanding of energy finance, and practical skills in financial analysis as it applies to energy markets and energy policy
- Design and deliver an independent research project.
The course will be of particular value if you are looking to follow a career in energy policy, energy governance, energy industries and energy finance, or if you are planning to go into further energy-related research.
Highlights
- Equips students with knowledge, and understanding, but also a range of practical skills in energy policy and finance
- A comprehensive and integrated interdisciplinary character gives this programme a remarkable richness and depth compared with conventional energy degrees
- The course is specifically designed to connect academic learning with the development of personal and professional competencies and career trajectories
- Teaching is delivered by leading experts from across the University of St Andrews and its Centre for Energy Ethics, with input from external partners representing the realms of industry, policy, and finance
- The MSc in Energy Policy and Finance is a flagship course for the Centre for Energy Ethics. The Centre is truly interdisciplinary in its ethos, vision, and scope, bringing together researchers across the Arts, Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences to create an inspiring dynamic and inclusive research environment in which to pursue issues of energy ethics.
Admissions
Curriculum
The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your program.
The following modular information is going to be refreshed shortly.
Semester 1
- Energy Inequalities and Climate Responsibilities: introduces energy ethics through an analytical approach that investigates how energy practices are informed by our individual and collective understandings of ethics
- Energy Sciences: introduces the scientific approaches to energy that share a fundamental focus on quantitative methods, observation, and experimentation.
Semester 2
- Energy Finance and Policy: focuses on the key issues in energy finance and energy policy, focusing on contemporary UK within a global comparative perspective
- Energy Humanities: introduces arts and humanities approaches to energy, focusing on qualitative methods, and generating new insights into the social, cultural, and historical nature of the climate crisis.
Dissertation Project
The final part of the MSc in Energy Finance and Policy is the end-of-degree project. This takes the form of a period of supervised research where you will explore an energy topic in depth.
Through the project, you will demonstrate your ability to undertake sustained critical analysis, develop and improve your research skills, and produce an extended piece of written work that evidences a high level of understanding of your area of study.
You can choose to present your end-of-degree project in one of the following ways:
- A policy report that emphasizes your ability to critically assess policy and make convincing recommendations for policy changes
- A written dissertation that emphasizes your ability to plan and execute academically rigorous research
If students choose not to complete the project requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MSc.
Teaching
Teaching format
The taught modules are taken over two semesters – September to December (Semester 1) and January to May (Semester 2). The period from June to August is used to complete the end-of-degree project.
Each taught module will use teaching and learning methods appropriate to its aims. These may include seminars, workshops, lectures, tutorials, group work and independent study.
Assessment
Assessment methods used may include essays, presentations, reports, posters, quantitative data analysis, group assignments, practical exercises, policy briefs, and blog entries.
Scholarships and Funding
The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.
The University of St Andrews offers postgraduate scholarships and other financial awards. These may be held in addition to external funding or awards from a government body. These may also cover (fully or partially) tuition fees, maintenance (living costs including accommodation), or both.
Scholarships are available based on academic merit and financial need. There are scholarships available for both home and overseas fee status. The scholarship team recommends reading the terms of each award carefully and applying to a range of funding sources.
Postgraduate scholarships
Postgraduate study is an investment in your intellectual development and career potential. The University of St Andrews provides scholarships to help as many students as possible continue in higher education.
Scholarship availability may depend on your area of study or fee status (for example, whether you are a 'Home' or 'Overseas' student).
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The University of St Andrews’ global reputation makes its graduates highly valued by employers. Energy Policy and Finance is a fast-growing area of research and students graduating from this programme will be well placed to undertake further research in the UK and overseas.
There is a substantial demand from industry and government for graduates who have had the kind of training this programme provides and acquired the necessary skills in ethical awareness and environmental sustainability.
In addition to broadening your subject knowledge and applying established techniques of research and enquiry, you will develop and demonstrate essential skills including:
- Critical thinking and creativity
- Analysis, evaluation and appraisal
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Personal leadership and project management
- Interpersonal communication and teamwork.
Further study
St Andrews offers a vibrant and stimulating research environment. One of the great strengths of our research degrees is the collegiate atmosphere which enables access to expertise beyond your formal supervisors and the ability to conduct interdisciplinary research.
Research students are supported by a supervisory team throughout their studies and are assessed through a substantial thesis of original research.
English Language Requirements
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