Ecological Economics MSc

Course overview

Explore how to integrate economic thinking into our environment, lighting the way to a more sustainable future.

Some of the most severe environmental and social problems occur because we separate economic activity from environment and society. That makes us more susceptible to health problems, economic loss and the decline of our natural environment.

As an ecological economics student, you’ll learn how to embrace and deeply intertwine these concepts, gaining the skills and confidence to tackle related problems with a range of tools. You’ll engage in real-world learning in economics, focusing on critical problems while integrating a range of perspectives.

You’ll learn from leading experts and academics from the School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability with some modules from the Leeds University Business School — both of which conduct internationally excellent research that feeds directly into your programme.

By the end of your course, you’ll be able to help address problems ranging from local concerns over justice and environmental governance to the global crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.

One of the best aspects of the course is the freedom it gives you to tailor your degree to what interests you the most.

Richard Dowling, Ecological Economics MSc

Why study at Leeds

• Recognised research: Both Schools' globally-renowned research feeds directly into your course, shaping your learning with the latest thinking in ecological economics.
• Your course, your choice: Advance your knowledge in one of two specialised pathways: Ecological Macroeconomics or Values and Governance.
• Think like an expert ecological economist: Conduct your own research project as part of your course and gain experience in researching and delivering a project that focuses on a real-world problem, allowing you to explore your specific interests.
• Cross-school expertise: Experience excellent practical and theoretical teaching from expert tutors who are leading economists and social scientists within the School of Earth and Environment and the Leeds University Business School.
• Get industry experience: Get the chance to collaborate with clients and gain consultancy experience as part of our 2-week online Global Industry Programme.

Guaranteed industry experience

During your time at Leeds, you’ll have the chance to work with clients and gain consultancy experience as part of a 2-week online Global Industry Programme.

As well as giving you the opportunity to build key industry connections, you’ll also develop invaluable professional and practical skills that are highly valued by employers.

Course details and modules

On this programme, you’ll learn the main concepts and tools of ecological economics – a transdisciplinary field that seeks to understand and manage the environmental and social dimensions of economic activity.

The degree offers all students a strong and essential knowledge of the core concepts and tools of ecological economics.

We offer two distinct pathways tailored to different interests and potential careers:

• Ecological Macroeconomics is a quantitative and mathematically focused option that starts from the economy as a whole and studies how it is embedded at large scale into society and the environment. Skills developed on this pathway are used in policy analysis and finance, as well as in academic research.
• Values and Governance addresses questions of economic and environmental governance from local to global and multiple scales, rooting them in the value systems that inform human relationships with the economy and nature. This pathway provides skills and knowledge for those interested in economic, social, and environmental justice.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Ecological Economics MSc Full Time in the course catalogue

Compulsory modules

Introduction to Ecological Economics – 30 credits

You’ll explore the foundations of ecological economics, starting with a brief history of the relationship between economics and the environment. You’ll be introduced to its core vision: the economy as embedded within biophysical limits and shaped by social and political realities. You’ll examine how knowledge is formed—through systems thinking, uncertainty, and decolonial approaches—and reflect on sustainable wellbeing and the ethics of valuing nature and people. Finally, you’ll turn to action, engaging with ideas like degrowth, unequal exchange, eco-social policy, activism, and designing real-world interventions for change. This is a transformative learning experience—inviting you to rethink how you see the economy and how you engage with it.

Methodology in Ecological Economics – 30 credits

You’ll apply key conceptual frameworks, modelling tools, datasets, and qualitative methods within analyses that integrate biophysical, economic, and social processes. You’ll apply methods of ecological economic analysis to real-world challenges.

Research Skills – 15 credits

Explore what defines social science as a knowledge production system as well as the existence of different research paradigms and strategies. You’ll build an understanding of the relationships between theory, conceptualisation, method, hypotheses or research questions, evidence and measurement in the context of social sciences, as well as issues related to objectivity, generalisability, reliability and utility of research.

You’ll also become familiar with appropriate social sciences research designs (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods) and build the common research skills relevant for the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data that will help support your dissertation project – and your future professional career.

Research Project – 60 credits

You'll apply the knowledge and skills you developed in both semesters 1 and 2 to a research project. Under the guidance of your supervisor, you’ll define, plan and investigate a research question in a subject area that interests you.

Through this project, you’ll build invaluable skills in collating, critically analysing and presenting research alongside transferable skills in data collection, time management, working independently and organisation which will prepare you for your future career – whether that be in academia or industry.

Optional modules

Please note: The modules listed below are indicative of typical options.

You’ll choose one of the following pathways:

• Ecological Macroeconomics
• Values and Governance

The following modules are options on either pathway.

Sustainable Finance – 15 credits

Analyse finance and the initiatives on finance for sustainability within countries and at global scale. You will gain a rigorous analytical framework to understand the economic and political constraints faced by countries in addressing sustainability. Topics include theories of money, the monetary system, financial flows, financial instruments, the role of credit and debt, financing global public goods and environmental justice, sustainability metrics and measurement, and financial crisis.

Money, Monetary Policy and the Global Financial Crisis – 15 credits

This is a module that interrogates competing theoretical and empirical perspectives on money, inflation, and interest rates, and their implications among other things for the 2007-2008 GFC.

Economics of Wellbeing – 15 credits

This module familiarises you with the economics of wellbeing and provides a training in applied data analyses. In the lectures, we will answer the question why measuring individual and societal welfare has become an urgent topic in economics. Then, the concepts and methods of wellbeing research will be introduced. On this basis, we will discuss applications of wellbeing research in economics, such as welfare measurement beyond GDP, labour market policy and cost-benefit analysis of environmental goods.

Ecological Macroeconomics pathway

Macroeconomics – 15 credits

The module aims to provide you with an advanced treatment of macroeconomics topics to the level required to move into research or professional careers. It includes conflicting views of unemployment, money and inflation, together with debates and consensus in the design of macroeconomic policies, the links between distribution and macroeconomics and available empirical evidence.

Ecological Macroeconomics – 15 credits

You’ll extend your knowledge of macroeconomic theory to incorporate key ecological economic concepts, including material and energy throughput, thermodynamic constraints, energy return on energy investment (EROI); society-economy links including income distribution and provisioning systems; the relationship between money and the environment; and post-growth economics, including the steady-state economy and degrowth.

Green Logistics – 15 credits

The module re-appraises freight transport and supply chain logistics using the latest thinking and research findings, in order to identify and evaluate possibilities to improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact.

Values and Governance pathway

Global Economic Coordination and Governance – 15 credits

This module examines the past, present, and possible futures of global economic coordination and governance. This involves both the challenges of national policy coordination and of financial governance. You will learn about fixed-exchange rate systems and about the neoliberal period. You will also learn about the transformation of banking systems, the dilemmas of financial governance, and the challenges of designing a sustainable, productive global economic structure and financial-governance framework for the future.

Values and Environmental Governance – 15 credits

You’ll extend your understanding of the concepts and terminology of philosophy, political science, and ecological economics, and how they shed light on the implications of plural values in environmental governance for social and environmental justice. You’ll become familiar with processes and tools that can support environmental governance processes from local to global levels and foster social and environmental justice.

Environmental Politics, Policy and Governance – 15 credits

This module introduces students to the ways in which the relations between society and the environment are governed. It investigates how the various discourses and practices of environmental governance are socio-politically produced and contested by a range of actors and institutions to produce particular and contingent environmental policy and social outcomes. ​

Learning and teaching

You'll learn through a variety of teaching methods including lectures, discussion seminars, computer-based practicals, presentations, one-to-one supervision, group projects, and self-led study.

Teaching is research-led so that you are learning about and working on real-world problems, using cutting-edge research approaches and data in practical applications.

You'll be assigned a personal tutor, who will maintain contact with you throughout the year and offer pastoral guidance. They will help you to settle into the university and clarify any procedures, as well as helping you prepare for employment upon graduation.

Part-time study options

This course is also available to study part-time, over 24 or 36 months. Please get in touch with our admissions team to discuss part-time study options.

Join our online taster courses

Our five-part series of courses will show you how environmental management policies are developed and help you understand the challenges surrounding their formulation.

Programme team

The programme team is made up of leading economists and social scientists from within the School of Earth and Environment and the Leeds University Business School. Many are members of two of the UK’s most important research centres:

• Applied Institute for Research in Economics
• Sustainability Research Institute

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You'll be assessed through a variety of ways including essays, group and individual projects, presentations, computer-based practicals and exams.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a social, natural or environmental science, economics, management, or engineering subject where quantitative ability can be evidenced.

Alternative subjects which may be considered include, but are not limited to, finance, business, law, and accounting.

Applicants with a 2:2 (hons) will be considered on a case-by-case basis where they can demonstrate relevant work experience or competence in a relevant specialist field.

Professional qualifications and relevant experience can also be considered.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional. 

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadlines

Please read our How to Apply page for full details, including application deadlines and what to include with your application.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

31 July 2026 – International applicants

11 September 2026 – UK applicants

Click below to access the University’s online application system and find out more about the application process.

If you're still unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2026

This course is taught by

School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability
Leeds University Business School

Contact us

School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability Postgraduate Admissions Team

Email: apply-masters@see.leeds.ac.uk

Fees

UK: £14,000 (Total)

International: £32,000 (Total)

Part-time fees

Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

Standard travel and accommodation costs associated with compulsory field trips are covered by the University. However, you must pay for some subsistence, incidental or personal expenses such as suitable clothing, footwear and any related visa costs associated with overseas travel.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Scholarships are also available to help fund your Masters. Find out more and check your eligibility below: 

• Scholarships for International students 
• Scholarships and funding for UK students
• Your subject area may also offer scholarships

Career opportunities

The demand is growing for forward-thinking professionals who can demonstrate their understanding of economics and how it applies to real-world environmental and social problems.

This Masters degree is ideal if you’re looking to build upon a previous social or natural sciences degree, by developing an understanding of economics. It’s designed to equip you with both a conceptual and applied understanding of critical issues in economics and sustainability.

You’ll learn the skills to pursue a successful career in government, business, or an NGO. Many of our graduates also pursue a research career and study for a PhD.

Where this degree could take you

Here’s an insight into the job roles some of our graduates from our School have obtained:

• Consultant, Carbon Intelligence
• Local Transport Solutions Officer, Development Trust Association Scotland
• Economist, Natural England
• Assistant Project Manager, Network Rail
• Business Development Manager, Cofely UK – GDF SUEZ
• Senior Policy Analyst, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.

Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.

• Dedicated Employability Team – meet with our qualified careers consultants and specialist employability and placements officers, on hand to help you choose the right path and develop the skills to get there. They can support with CV and cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile building, mock interviews and navigating AI: get confident with tailored advice and techniques.
• Employability and networking events – get involved in a full range of events, including careers fairs and specialist industry talks with employers who are actively recruiting. You’ll also benefit from mentoring and a supportive careers community, helping you make connections, build your network, and shape your journey as a future professional.
• Skills training – we embed transferable skills training in all our programmes to support your transition to the workplace. Gain expertise employers value, such as communication, problem-solving and research and data analysis.
• MyCareer system —– access a dedicated portal where you can book careers appointments, view helpful resources and browse vacancies and events. Access digital tools, including LinkedIn support, video‑interview preparation, plus global job market and visa guidance. We also offer pre‑arrival support to help you prepare for career planning in the UK and make the most of your time with us.
• Exclusive opportunities – bring your enterprise to market with our award-winning business advice service, Spark. Apply for vacancies only available to our students. And hone your skills further with Leeds University Union, home to volunteering opportunities and over 300 clubs and societies.

Work placements and industry experience

As a Masters student at Leeds, you’ll have the unique opportunity to gain real-world industry experience with our Global Industry Programme.

You’ll develop key professional skills and gain invaluable insight into working in your chosen field, helping to solve a real business problem from a live company brief.

This experience will enhance your CV, helping you stand out in the competitive graduate jobs market and improving your chances of securing the career you want.

Benefits of the Global Industry Programme:

• Fully online and designed to fit around your studies.
• Opportunities to make professional networks in areas such as digital marketing, business growth, sustainability and funding strategy.
• Gain valuable insight and build consultancy experience with a UK or international organisation, working on a time limited brief.
• Work as part of a team across disciplines to tackle real business needs.
• Advance your experience and hands-on skills by putting the course teachings into practice.
• Improve your employability prospects.
• Make new friends, build confidence and consider your future plans.