Carbon Management (Online Learning) MSc

The University of Edinburgh is a World Top 30 University (QS World University Rankings 2025).

By successfully completing the MSc Climate Change Management (Online Learning), you will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of key issues relating to global, regional and local carbon management, specifically: the science of climate change and the business response to climate change.
• Be familiar with carbon auditing methodologies, as well as the tools used for climate change impact assessment and adaptation planning.
• Develop and demonstrate an integrated view of mitigation and adaptation by businesses, NGOs and governments.
• Possess in-depth knowledge and understanding in more specific climate change management related areas and obtain an understanding of how to undertake research and apply this knowledge in the context of a major study (dissertation).
• Demonstrate skills in interdisciplinary analysis, drawing upon different empirical sources, analytical perspectives and sub-disciplines within carbon management studies.
• Conduct research into carbon management issues that require familiarity with a range of data, research sources and appropriate methodologies.

A key strength of our programme is the employability of our graduates. We have an active and growing alumni group on LinkedIn, which is a testament to the success of graduates working professionally in this field.

Our alumni are working throughout the world in national and regional government departments, NGOs, consultancy and other business organisations. Some progress to completing a PhD.

Our graduates have been very successful in securing employment in the carbon and climate change sectors around the world.

Types of roles include:

• renewable energy project developers
• commercial carbon management consultants to companies large and small
• central, regional and local government civil servants delivering a wide range of climate and decarbonisation policies
• climate policy advisors to parliaments
• NGO climate policy researchers and executives
• PhD research and subsequent academic career path

Our graduates

Our graduates work in hundreds of organisations around the world within the climate change field.

Examples of the organisations in which our graduates have gained employment include:

• Deutsche Bank
• Forestry Department Malawi
• Scottish Government
• The Carbon Trust, Deloitte
• AECOM
• Mott MacDonald
• World Bank
• 2020 Climate Group
• Japanese Ministry of Education
• Climate Bonds Initiative
• China Beijing Environmental Exchange
• WindPower Nepal
• UBS
• Department of Energy and Climate Change
• Edinburgh Climate Change Institute

Examples of roles our graduates have gone onto include:

• Sustainability Compliance Delivery Manager
• Climate & Sustainability Analyst
• Senior Manager, Climate Change
• Carbon trader
• Forestry Carbon Project Development and Management
• PhD candidate
• Senior Policy Advisor at Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
• Headteacher

Networks

The MSc in Climate Change Management (Online Learning) has excellent relationships with relevant employers, as well as an alumni network covering more than 35 nations. This network provides you with unique opportunities to link up on research projects and find new positions in the field of carbon management.

Many of our alumni have come back to give guest lectures or workshops which adds to the real-world relevancy of the programme.

This MSc programme (total 180 credits) comprises of:

• compulsory and option courses (total 120 credits)
• a dissertation (60 credits)

Topics

You will be taught various topics and themes across the required courses, including:

• climate science
• climate change risk
• mitigation and adaptation
• policy
• business
• climate justice

Dissertation

Your teaching team will work with you throughout the programme to prepare for the dissertation project. This will be your opportunity to explore a topic of your choice in relation to climate change and carbon management. You can even use the dissertation to explore your own business idea for tackling climate change through the business plan dissertation option.

We also work with our wide network to find opportunities for dissertation projects with external organisations, enhancing the real-world relevance of your degree. Examples of previous organisations we’ve collaborated with include:

• Forestry & Land Scotland
• Scottish National Heritage
• Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh
• Plan Vivo
• Ecometrica

If you want a career where you can be part of the solution to one of the world's greatest and most complex challenges, this programme is for you. This degree may be for you if you're looking to provide climate change skills and knowledge in your organisation or want to move into this field from a completely different one.

We have designed this Online MSc for a diverse range of graduates from the natural, environmental and social sciences, as well as from business, economics, management studies and other related degrees who are passionate about combatting climate change. The mix of our students from various backgrounds results in new ideas and approaches that help make the programme engaging and fun.

Our programme also has excellent relationships with relevant employers and a strong alumni network around the globe.

If you are passionate about climate change and its global impact, this programme is for you.