Environmental Management (Taught)

Environmental science is important for the UK’s goal of net zero. It helps the economy grow, builds resilience, and protects nature (source: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)).

The World Economic Forum estimates that £34.9 trillion ($44 trillion) in economic value depends on nature. Yet biodiversity is rapidly declining.

Environmental managers play a vital role in the protection and sustainable use of resources. You’ll learn to address issues such as adaptation to climate change, biodiversity and sustainable energy management. At the local level, Environmental Management focuses on the conservation and protection of land and water resources and natural habitats.

Our Masters in Environmental Management course is internationally recognised as a leader in training environmental managers. The course covers ecological, economic, social, political, and legal aspects of environmental management. You'll focus on theory, research and analysis, along with practical skills.

Flexible degree pathways
You can work towards our core Masters degree or specialise in one of the following pathways:

MSc Environmental Management (Conservation)
MSc Environmental Management (Energy)
MSc Environmental Management (Informatics)
Gain practical fieldwork experience
You can take a residential field module on the Environmental Management Masters. You’ll learn practical skills in identification, surveying, measuring and sampling on a six-day residential fieldtrip in the Cairngorms National Park. It's an immersive, hands-on experience across diverse habitat types. You’ll gain an awareness of up-to-date technologies available for fieldwork.

Through the fieldwork you’ll master key skills required as an environmental manager including the ability to:

translate theory into practice,
work in a team and independently,
plan and coordinate research,
engage with a variety of stakeholders.
Access to specialist research laboratories
On our Master of Science in Environmental Management you'll get practical teaching in specialist laboratories. The labs support a wide range of environmental management research interests from ecology to analytical chemistry. Our Stirling Controlled Environment Facility is a world-class experimental facility. It’s used for conducting experimental research investigating the impacts of climate and climate change. Learn more about our Biological and Environmental Science facilities.

A hub for environmental bodies in Scotland
Several environmental consultancies and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have offices on or near the University campus. This includes:

British Trust for Ornithology
Buglife
Bumblebee Conservation Trust
On the Verge
We work closely with these organisations in conducting research.

We also collaborate with environmental regulators and organisations such as:

Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
Scottish Renewables
Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux du Gabon
Bats without Borders
Forest Research
NatureScot
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
Scottish Government
Wildlife Conservation Society
Opportunity to work on a commercially relevant project
Environmental Management students can opt to carry out an environmental management-related dissertation project. This can include working collaboratively with a business. Projects students completed recently include:

What factors influence nature friendly farming uptake? - Scottish Farming and Wildlife Advisors' Group
The ecological impacts of tree planting - The Conservation Volunteers
Rhododendron ponticum invasion in Celtic rainforest - Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park