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The MA in Political Ecology at Lancaster University equips you with essential conceptual tools and practical skills to tackle pressing human-environment challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource inequalities, blending critical thinking with transformative action. It's ideal for students passionate about the politics of the environment—whether from social sciences, humanities, or related fields—who want to join one of the UK's largest political ecology research groups and drive real-world change through interdisciplinary perspectives.
### Curriculum Structure
This one-year full-time (or two-year part-time) program immerses you in the politics, culture, and power dynamics shaping our planet, starting with foundational modules that build your expertise. In the core teaching period, you'll dive into Approaches to Political Ecology to explore diverse theoretical lenses like degrowth and anti-colonialism, Encountering Political Ecology for hands-on analysis of real-world cases, and Perspectives on Environment and Development to unpack contested ideas around sustainability and global inequalities, all while honing skills in Research Methods in the Social Sciences. You'll then advance to practical application through Environmental Governance and Management, examining policy-making and decision processes, Planning Independent Research to design your own projects, and Environmental Impact Assessment for evaluating development effects on ecosystems and communities.
The program culminates in your Dissertation Project, where you apply everything learned to an original piece of research on a topic like climate politics or the green economy, guided by leading experts.
### Focus Areas
Politics of resource extraction, water governance, climate politics, green economy, environmental justice, and human-environment relations across global contexts.
### Learning Outcomes
Gain critical analytical skills to critique power structures in environmental issues; master research methods for independent inquiry; develop practical expertise in governance, impact assessment, and transformative environmental action.
### Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
Delivered through Lancaster Environment Centre within the Graduate School for the Environment—no specific external accreditation noted, but aligned with world-class partners like the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and Rothamsted Research for cutting-edge, policy-relevant training.
### Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Lancaster's environment programs benefit from the university's top-tier reputation, including strong showings in QS World University Rankings for Geography and Environmental Science; graduates are primed for roles in policy, NGOs, research, and sustainability consulting thanks to our pioneering status (home to the world's first Environmental Science department).
Ready to take the next step? Apply now and join us in making a difference: [www.lancaster.ac.uk/gse/political-ecology]
At Lancaster University, our MA in Political Ecology stands out because it goes beyond theory to equip you with hands-on practical skills that make a real difference in tackling environmental challenges. You'll dive into real-world applications through our world-leading research environment, learning from top experts in one of Europe's largest political ecology groups and gaining tools to analyze human-nature politics, critique power imbalances, and drive change—whether you're engaging with activist networks, policy groups, NGOs, or governments.
This experiential focus is powered by the Graduate School for the Environment's exceptional facilities, shared with partners like Rothamsted Research and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, giving you access to cutting-edge resources right on campus:
- State-of-the-art laboratories including £4.4 million Teaching Labs, specialist Environmental Chemistry labs, Noble Gas facilities, and Plant and Soil Ecology labs for hands-on experiments and research tied to political ecology themes like biodiversity and climate impacts.
- Field station at Hazelrigg, just 1km away, offering cutting-edge field equipment and long-term weather data collection since 1966 for practical fieldwork on environmental politics and ecosystems.
- World-leading research labs at Rothamsted, such as Bioimaging, Cereal Transformation, and Plant and Microbial Metabolomics complexes, where you can apply post-genomic analysis to understand gene function in ecological contexts.
- Shared facilities in the Gordon Manley Building with the Environment Agency and 26 businesses, plus the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (home to 360 scientists and 120 postgrads), fostering group projects, industry partnerships, and interdisciplinary research on terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.
- Collaborative research opportunities through the Political Ecology Research Group and POLLEN network, connecting you globally for activist-practitioner engagements, policy analysis, and transformative projects—no formal internships listed, but strong ties to NGOs, governments, and businesses support real-world placements.
Imagine putting these to work in your dissertation or modules like Research Methods in the Social Sciences, building skills employers crave. Ready to join us and shape a more just future? Applications are open—let's chat about how this fits your goals. Check the full facilities details here: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lec/graduate-school/about-us/facilities/
At Lancaster University, our MA in Political Ecology stands out because it goes beyond theory to equip you with hands-on practical skills that make a real difference in tackling environmental injustices and power dynamics. You'll dive into real-world applications through our world-leading Political Ecology Research Group—one of the UK's largest—where you'll collaborate with top academics like Professor Frances Cleaver and engage directly with activist networks, policy groups, NGOs, governments, and businesses. This blend of critical thinking and practitioner insights prepares you to drive transformative change, whether you're analyzing human-nature politics or shaping sustainable futures.
Here's how our state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities at the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC), Graduate School for the Environment, Rothamsted Research, and UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology bring experiential learning to life for MA Political Ecology students::
- Access to cutting-edge laboratories: Use our £4.4 million Teaching Labs, plus specialist facilities for Environmental Chemistry, Noble Gas analysis, Plant and Soil Ecology, Bioimaging, Cereal Transformation, and Plant and Microbial Metabolomics to support your research and dissertation projects.
- Fieldwork and practical sites: Conduct hands-on experiments at our nearby Hazelrigg field station (just 1km away, with 60+ years of weather data) and other ecological sites, putting political ecology concepts into real-world environmental contexts.
- Collaborative research environments: Work in the eco-friendly Gordon Manley Building, shared with the Environment Agency, 26 businesses, and UKCEH experts, fostering interdisciplinary group projects on environment-society challenges.
- Global networks for practitioner engagement: Connect with POLLEN (the world's largest political ecology network, co-founded by Lancaster) for group discussions, activist collaborations, and insights from professionals—no formal internships listed, but direct ties to NGOs, policy, and business worlds build your network.
- Communal and research hubs: Base your studies in LEC's atrium—a vibrant space for our environmental community—and tap into the Graduate School for the Environment's resources across partner institutes for creative, cross-disciplinary classes.
Imagine applying these tools to your dissertation or modules like "Encountering Political Ecology," gaining skills employers and activists value. Ready to join the UK's first program of its kind and shape a just future? Applications are open—let's chat about yours.
For the full facilities list: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lec/graduate-school/about-us/facilities/
2:2 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Developmental Studies or Geography.IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test.TOEFL iBT: 87 overall, minimum of 19 in reading, 19 in listening, 19 in speaking and 22 in writingOther English language qualifications consideredEligibility for pre-sessional English language programmes if scores are below requirementsDeposit may be required to accept offer and secure placeUK: 2:2 Hons degree in Social Sciences, Developmental Studies or GeographyUSA: Bachelor's Degree 4.0 grade scale- GPA 2.7India: Bachelor's degree- 55% - 65%China: Bachelor's degree- 65% - 70%Energy equity leadSustainability consultantNational graduate traineeSenior teacher trainer: sustainabilityPhD studentPolicy advisorPolicy analystEnvironmental plannerDue diligence researcherScience engagementEnvironmental consultantConservation officerAcademia
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