MSc in Climate Change: Policy, Media and Society

Climate change has increasingly become a focal point in the realms of politics, policy development, strategic planning, business operations, and civil society. This heightened attention encompasses efforts to reduce our environmental footprint as well as initiatives aimed at fortifying our ability to withstand present and future climate challenges. On the international stage, the Paris Agreement, established during the COP21 summit in December 2015, charts a course toward complete decarbonisation of the global economy during the latter half of this century.

Dealing with climate change is not just about science and technology; it also involves politics, organisations and society as a whole. Dr Youba Sokona, former Vice-Chair of the UN-sponsored Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, says, 'We can technically shift to an economy with fewer carbon emissions, but what we're missing are the right policies and institutions.”

Full-Time Programme

Semester 1: Core modules

• Climate Change Policy and Governance 10 credits
• Climate Change: The Physical Science Basis 10 credits
• Climate Change and the Media 10 credits
• Research Methodology 5 credits

Semester 2: Core modules

• Climate Change and Societal Transition 10 credits

Semester 2: Optional modules - students choose two of the following modules

• Climate Change Law 10 credits
• Environmental Change and World Politics 10 credits
• Climate Change and Cities 10 credits
• Political Economy of the Environment 10 credits
• Climate Change Education 10 credits
• Future Generations: Priorities, Policies, Politics 10 credits

Year Long

• Dissertation / Capstone Project 25 credits

Part-Time Programme

• DCU's strong track record in communication studies and legal and political science research ensures that this course is taught by experienced experts who have a deep knowledge of important subjects.
• DCU's School of Law and Government is among the top 150 in the world for Politics and International Studies and in the top 300 for Law. The School of Communications at DCU is ranked in the top 200 globally for Communication and Media Studies.
• During the programme, students will engage in interactive, hands-on, and creative teaching methods. The instructors are approachable and actively pursuing advanced research in their respective fields.
• Students will learn to assess climate change policies, rules, and laws with a critical eye. They will also develop the skills and awareness to analyse how the media and different parts of society respond to climate change.
• They will also learn about the science of climate change and understand how it fits into the larger context of politics, economics and society.
• This programme will open doors to further postgraduate studies in climate change policy, law, media, communications, education and science.

The MSc in Climate Change: Policy, Media, and Society is a great choice for recent graduates in science, engineering, communication, social and political science, as well as for government employees working on climate policies. It's also beneficial for industry professionals who want to understand climate-related regulations, educators interested in teaching climate change and individuals from unions and NGOs who may engage in climate policy advocacy.

After completing this innovative programme, graduates will be well-prepared for careers in environmental or climate-related roles in government agencies, businesses' Environmental, Climate, or Corporate Social Responsibility departments and within civil society, whether in Ireland or abroad.

The programme will enable students currently employed to find, lead or contribute to climate action and emissions monitoring/reduction efforts of their organisations. The dissertation element will allow students to focus on their organisation as a case study.

Career Prospects

• Advocacy
• Communications
• Consultancy
• Development
• Editor
• Environmental Monitoring
• Environmental Officer
• International and public policy
• Journalism
• Public Relations