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Political Ecology MA

UK

What will I learn?

The Earth is facing up to unprecedented environmental challenges. Enormous problems ranging from biodiversity loss to climate change demand both critical thought and action in order to understand and live with a changing planet. Yet environmental issues are simultaneously political, technological and cultural, and produce profound inequalities in how wealth, power and justice are realised. This unique Master's programme in Political Ecology offers the conceptual tools and practical skills to ask the difficult questions of human-environment relations, to not accept the status quo uncritically, and to drive transformative action.

By taking the MA Political Ecology at Lancaster, the only such programme in the UK, you will be working with and learning from one of the largest political ecology research groups in the country. We draw upon political ecology’s multi-dimensionality and emphasise a generous range of interdisciplinary perspectives that seek to understand different ways of analysing the critique, debates and actions centred on diverse environment and development concerns from local to global scales. We focus on a range of themes including the politics of resource extraction, water, climate politics and the green economy. To do this, we believe passionately that learning isn’t just about lectures. We offer novel approaches to our teaching, engaging our students in creative classes that provide the necessary means to understand a complex planet and the challenges of our living with it.

Which department am I in?

Lancaster Environment Centre

Study options

Full Time (1 year)

Tuition fees
£30,310.00 (US$ 39,288) per year
This is a fixed fee

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

3 October 2025

Venue

Lancaster University

Bailrigg,

Lancaster,

Lancashire,

LA1 4YW, England

Entry requirements

For international students

Students need 2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Developmental Studies or Geography. We may also consider non-standard applicants with a 2:2 degree, or with a 2:1 degree in a subject not noted above, alongside extensive relevant work experience or similar training, such as work with environmental policy and practice, NGOs or activist networks. IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test, Pearson PTE Academic with a score of at least 58 and a minimum of 50 in each component of the test; or ToEFL IBT or ToEFL IBT Home Edition with an overall score of at least 87, with a minimum of 19 in reading, 19 in listening, 19 in speaking and 22 in writing.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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About Lancaster University

Lancaster University is highly ranked in both UK and international league tables and is home to students from over 120 countries.

  • Global teaching and research links
  • Top 10 in the UK (Complete University Guide 2025)
  • World-class, modern campus and facilities
  • Range of dedicated support and services for students

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