Ecological Economics MSc

Course overview

Many of our most serious environmental and social problems arise because economic activity is treated as though it were independent of society and the environment. Ecological economics views them as deeply intertwined. That framing underpins analyses that address problems ranging from local concerns over justice and environmental governance to the global crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.

Our Ecological Economics MSc will equip you with expertise and skills to understand how economic activity gives rise to environmental and social problems. You’ll be introduced to some of the key tools to tackle those problems. This course takes a real-world approach to teaching economics, focusing on critical problems whilst integrating a range of different perspectives.

We offer two distinct pathways tailored to different interests and potential careers: Ecological Macroeconomics develops relevant skills used in policy analysis and finance; while the Values and Governance pathway has been developed for those interested in economic, social and environmental justice.

You’ll be taught by leading experts and academics from the School of Earth and Environment with some modules being delivered by the Leeds University Business School — both of which conduct internationally excellent research that feeds directly into the course.

This means you’ll be learning knowledge and developing a specialist skill set sought after by employers worldwide, opening the door to many career paths in areas like sustainability, policymaking, research, resource management — and beyond.

Why study at Leeds:

• Benefit from our globally-renowned research conducted right here in our School of Earth and Environment and Leeds University Business School. Our research feeds directly into the course, shaping your learning with the latest thinking in ecological economics.
• Advance your knowledge and skills in critical areas in ecological economics, with the option to specialise in ecological macroeconomics or values and governance.
• Learn to think like an expert ecological economist. Conduct your own individual research project as part of your course and gain experience in researching and delivering a project that focuses on a real-world problem and allows you to explore your specific interests.
• Experience excellent practical and theoretical teaching delivered by a programme team who are leading economists and social scientists from within the School of Earth and Environment and the Leeds University Business School.
• Enhance your career prospects and gain skills that are in demand by organisations ranging from government and academia to international NGOs and social enterprises.

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.

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.

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 module is an option 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Applicants with any of the following will be considered on a case-by-case basis:

• A bachelor degree with a 2:2 (hons), or equivalent, where applicants can demonstrate relevant work experience or aptitude in a relevant specialist field.
• Professional qualifications and relevant experience.

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 2025 – International applicants

12 September 2025 – 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 2025

This course is taught by

School of Earth and Environment
Leeds University Business School

Contact us

School of Earth and Environment Postgraduate Admissions Team

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

Fees

UK: £14,000 (Total)

International: £31,500 (Total)

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.

Career opportunities

There is an increasing demand for professionals with an interdisciplinary understanding of economics as it applies to real-world environmental and social problems.

This Masters degree is ideal if you are looking to build upon a previous degree in the social or natural sciences, 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 in a non-governmental organisation. Many of our graduates also pursue a research career and continue on to a PhD.

Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research, meaning our graduates are highly sought after by some of the most reputable companies in the field.

Here are examples of job positions and organisations graduates from our School worked in after graduation:

• 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 — that’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers. The University's Careers Service is one of the largest in the country, providing a wide range of resources to ensure you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.

• Dedicated Employability Officer — gain quality advice, guidance and information to help you choose a career path. From CV and cover letter writing to supporting you with job applications, our School’s dedicated Employability Officer is on hand to help maximise your capabilities through a process of personal development and career planning.
• Employability and networking events — we run a full range of events, including careers fairs and industry talks in specialist areas and across broader industries, with employers who are actively recruiting for roles, giving you the opportunity to network and engage with industry sponsors. 
• Employability skills training – to support your transition to the workplace, we embed training in a range of key transferable skills valued by employers such as research and data analysis in all our programmes.
• MyCareer system — on your course and after you graduate you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events.
• Opportunities at Leeds — there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.

Find out more about careers support.