MSc Energy Policy and Finance

A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
Applicants disciplinary backgrounds may include but are not limited to:Politics, Public Policy, Sociology, Geography, Management, Engineering, Economics & Finance, Business, International Relations and Anthropology.
Quantitative computation and analysis are some of the key components of the programme. Students are expected to have good numerical skills. Pre-sessional online training will be provided to support skills development with a focus on quantitative computational methods.

For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more

The University of St Andrews’ global reputation makes its graduates highly valued by employers. Energy Policy and Finance is a fast-growing area of research and students graduating from this programme will be well placed to undertake further research in the UK and overseas.

Semester 1 

• Energy Inequalities and Climate Responsibilities: covering the geopolitics of energy, humanitarian energy, energy justice frameworks and energy challenges today, this module will provide students with a nuanced, empirically grounded, and geographically attuned understandings of energy inequities and climate responsibilities.
• Energy Markets and Finance: the module will provide students with a strong interdisciplinary understanding of financial markets and equip them with analytical skills used by industry and governmental analysts in day-to-day practice.

Semester 2 

• Energy and Climate Change Policy: the module provides students with a strong interdisciplinary understanding of key issues in energy policy, equips them with the essential analytical skills needed to evaluate the effectiveness of policies, and enable them to become active contributors to energy policy making.
• Optional module: In semester 2, you will be able to select an optional module to allow you to broaden your learning in key topics relevant to the MSc. It will also allow you to shape the degree around your own personal and professional interests.

Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered. Some may only allow limited numbers of students. Read more about curriculum development at the University of St Andrews.

The available optional modules will be confirmed before the MSc start date.

Dissertation

The final part of the MSc in Energy Finance and Policy is the end-of-degree project. This takes the form of a period of supervised research where you will explore an energy topic in depth.  

Through the project, you will demonstrate your ability to undertake sustained critical analysis, develop and improve your research skills, and produce an extended piece of written work that evidences a high level of understanding of your area of study.  

You can choose to present your end-of-degree project in one of the following ways:  

• a policy report that emphasises your ability to critically assess policy and make convincing recommendations for policy changes  
• a written dissertation that emphasises your ability to plan and execute academically rigorous research 

If students choose not to complete the project requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a postgraduate diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MSc.