Introduction
Key information
Duration: 1-year full time, 2 years part-time
Start date: September 2021
Apply by: 1 August 2021 (international), 1 September 2021 (UK)
Top 10 in the UK for Business and Economics (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020)
3rd in the UK for annual research income in 2015-2019 (Chartered Association of Business Schools)
16th in the world and 3rd in the UK in the field of energy economics (Research Papers in Economics 2019)
Take on the challenge of creating sustainable energy systems.
To avoid catastrophic climate change, global carbon emissions must be brought to zero within a few decades. This requires a transformation of the global energy system, beginning now. On this MSc, you learn to contribute to this challenge. You’ll gain the skills and confidence to develop and deliver policy with impact. With climate change as a focus, you’ll explore the role of policy and innovation in transforming energy systems, while sharpening your analytical and decision-making skills.
You’re taught by globally recognised faculty from the University of Sussex Business School. This course draws on expertise from SPRU – Science Policy Research Unit and the Sussex Energy Group, one of the largest energy policy research groups in the world. You’ll explore the opportunities and challenges of creating sustainable and low-carbon energy systems throughout the world.
Our approach is interdisciplinary, practical and applied. The course gives you an essential foundation for careers in government, international organisations, the private sector and NGOs.
Accreditation
The University of Sussex Business School is accredited by EQUIS, the most comprehensive institutional accreditation system for business and management schools. Accreditation ensures rigorous quality control, benchmarking against international standards and is acknowledged worldwide.
We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, we may need to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to COVID-19.
"I strongly recommend this MSc to anyone passionate about understanding our energy systems, making energy services more accessible and efficient, and keeping our world safe from climate change impacts."
Akachukwu Okafor
Founder Floreo Energy, Nigeria
Entry requirements
UK requirements
Degree requirements
You should have a lower second-class (2.2) undergraduate honours degree or above.
Subject-specific requirements
Your qualification can be in any subject and undergraduate degrees in the social sciences, natural science or engineering are particularly suitable. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
International requirements
English language requirements
IELTS (Academic): Standard level (6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component).
English language support
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course.
Admissions information for applicants
How to apply
You apply to Sussex using our postgraduate application system.
Personal statement
Yes. You must submit a personal statement as part of your application.
Modules
Full-time and part-time study
Choose to study this course full time or part-time, to fit around your work and personal life.
Online study
Choose to study this course online and benefit from the flexibility to gain a Masters qualification at a time and pace that suits you. You can start modules every two months and pause whenever you need to. Offering a distinctly Sussex style, you’ll be part of a global network of students, through peer-to-peer learning and discussion groups.
We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2021/22. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to COVID-19, or due to staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. It may not be possible to take some module combinations due to timetabling constraints. We’ll make sure to let our applicants know of material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Challenges in Energy and Climate Policy
Perspectives on Energy and Climate Policy
Policy Making and Policy Analysis
Science, Technology and Innovations: Markets, Firms and Policies
Spring teaching
Perspectives, Methods and Skills for Science, Technology and Innovation Studies
Summer teaching
Dissertation (Energy Policy)
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
Spring teaching
Energy and Development
Energy Policy and Sustainability
Governing Energy Transitions
Industrial and Innovation Policy
Infrastructure, Innovation and Sustainability
Innovation for Sustainability
Introduction to Quantitative Research
Quantitative Methods for Science, Technology and Innovation Studies
Transformative Innovation Policy for Inclusion
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Challenge
You’ll have the opportunity to compete for a prize for developing novel science, technology and innovation policy ideas. Our Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Challenge helps you develop skills in:
Presenting
Communication
Critical thinking.
You can work on your own or in a small team. At the end of the year, you'll pitch your idea to a panel of industry experts and a live audience.
The Challenge is optional. It's designed to enrich your academic studies and give you the opportunity to apply knowledge gained from the course. It also allows you to explore essay and dissertation topics.
Fees and scholarships
Fees
Home students: £12,450 per year for full-time students
The Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £12,450 per year for full-time students
International students: £22,500 per year for full-time students.
If you’re a self-funded international student, you’re required to pay a tuition fee deposit.
How can I fund my course?
Scholarships
Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals.
Working while you study
Our Careers and Employability Centre can help you find part-time work while you study.
Careers
With the growing importance of energy and climate change on political, corporate and even social agendas around the world, there is an increasing demand for energy policy professionals in this area.
With this MSc, you’ll be well prepared for work in:
International organisations (such as the OECD, UNDP, UNEP, IEA, and IREAN)
Government departments (such as the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, Government of British Columbia, Canada)
Local authorities (such as the Brighton & Hove Council sustainability team)
Businesses (such as RWE Npower, Ecofys, EDF, Unilever, Southern Solar, Renaissance Re, Centro de Apoio a Inovação Social-CAIS)
NGOs (such as the International Social Science Council, Green Jobs Alliance, People and Planet)
Independent consultancies
Academia and further research.
"The MSc offered a strong technical foundation supported by a critical analysis of policy-making, giving me the confidence to navigate a rapidly shifting world.”
Chaitanya Kumar
Senior Policy Adviser, Green Alliance
