Global Development and Environment (Taught)

More of the world's extreme poor now live in middle-income than in low-income countries. These changing socio-economic dynamics, alongside processes such as climate change, transnational migration and globalisation, demand a global consideration of the state of the planet. Reflecting these trends, concepts of 'development' have evolved away from an understanding of something that takes place in the 'Third World' or 'Global South' and towards notions of global 'Sustainable Development.'

Contemporary global challenges demand the linking of environmental issues to conventional foci of development (like health, urbanisation, poverty, food security and migration). They also demand an understanding of how the world's resources (such as water, energy, land, minerals, demography) are allocated and managed, and how contestations over these distributions play out.

The MSc Global Development and Environment programme is aimed at talented graduates seeking to develop or enhance their expertise in the fields of development and environment.

We welcome a diverse array of students from different subject backgrounds interested in the large-scale drivers of environmental consumption and stewardship, and how these interlink with and produce developmental outcomes.

You will explore the relationship between international, environmental and developmental concerns and current socio-political events. You will gain a perspective that is at once global and interdisciplinary while also paying attention to locality (place) and people's agency in forging a just and sustainable future.

The School of Geographical Sciences is ranked first in the UK for 'Geography and Environmental Studies' research (Times Higher Education analysis of REF 2021) and has an outstanding reputation for teaching and learning.

This programme builds upon Bristol's existing research strengths in these fields, with links to the University's Cabot Institute, Perivoli Africa Research Centre, Elizabeth Blackwell Institute, Jean Golding Institute, and Bristol Poverty Institute.

As a student on our MSc programme, you’ll join a lively School and University community. We host invited speakers in weekly seminars organised by our School’s academic research groups. These events are open to all and offer you the opportunity to meet leading specialists in a range of subjects. Research groups may also host social events, run specialist workshops and organise reading groups you are welcome to join. We also organise get-togethers for MSc students across our programmes to mark major milestones and celebrate your success.