Overview
Our Environment, Politics and Development MSc programme provides an advanced theoretical understanding of the relationship between development problems and environmental issues. You will explore these relationships from the perspectives of political ecology, development geography and environmental governance. To illustrate these relationships, we use relevant case studies drawn from across the globe.
Key benefits
- Learn and interact with academic staff that have first-hand experience of development problems and environmental issues in contexts from around the globe.
- Appreciate critically the distinct disciplinary approaches to a dynamic and contested body of knowledge on development, politics and the environment
- Develop awareness of contemporary development issues, problems and policies through engagement with development theory
- Enhance understanding of framing and problem-solving challenges at the interface of environment and development with learning of political theory, political science and political ecology theories and environmental justice lenses
- Gain critical analytical skills to uncover reciprocal relationships between changing natural environments and dynamic livelihood strategies, or the nature of power, difference and inequality within economic, social, physical and cultural environments
- Develop interdisciplinary understanding of the ways in which the human and physical world is revealed through representations of space, place and landscape
- Access opportunities to carry out original fieldwork either in the UK or overseas for your dissertation
- An optional internship module helps students take their first steps towards employment in a relevant vocational field.
I find many attractive things about King’s particularly the huge community of talented global students from whom I have gained invaluable insight into their rich cultural and built lifelong relationships. Kings facilities such as the academic libraries IT services and extensive dedicated student support services are world class!
Course essentials
Our Environment, Politics and Development MSc offers you a demanding and stimulating programme of study, with an emphasis on developing knowledge and critical understanding as highlighted above. This is complemented with the development of a broad suite of intellectual and practical skills such as:
• Assessing the relative merits of contrasting theories, explanations and policies;
• Conceptualising problems and identifying possible methods for their solution;
• Critically evaluating evidence;
• Critically analysing qualitative and quantitative data;
• Planning, designing and executing an individual piece of research, including the production of a
thesis/report;
• Undertaking effective fieldwork as part of dissertation, if suitable;
• Employing a variety of social survey and interpretative methods for analysing information from the human world.
Key Information
Course type:
Master's
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time / Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, two years part-time, September to September
Credit value:
UK 180/ECTS 90
Application status:
Closed
Start date:
September 2025
Administrative bodies
Regulating body
Application closing date guidance
Base campuses
Strand Campus
Strand Campus feels like the heart of London—historic yet buzzing with energy. Nestled by the Thames, it offers world-class academics, vibrant student life, and endless inspiration from the city’s culture and diversity.
Waterloo Campus
Our Waterloo campus is home to the Florence Nightingale Faculty Nursing & Midwifery, and a vibrant hub for health, social science, and law students. Located moments from the iconic landmarks of South Bank and just a short walk to the Stand campus.