Postgraduate Taught Programme: Sustainable Rural Development
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The University of Aberdeen's Master of Science programme in Sustainable Rural Development is nationally and internationally respected as one of the leading inter-disciplinary postgraduate qualifications in rural development, management and public policy. The programme has been running for over 40 years and provides training in environmental management, rural policy-making and rural and international development. It aims to reflect the changes in the international context of environmental governance, which consists, for example, of the post-Copenhagen negotiation on climate change, the institutional reforms of water services, the global agricultural market under the Doha Round and issues related to the growing international mobility. The Sustainable Rural Development Programme is delivered in Geography and Environment, part of the School of Geosciences, an academic discipline which has an excellent record of applied environmental and rural socio-economic research. The programme also benefits from the staff expertise found within other disciplines and research groups across the institution, many of which have strong links with Geography and Environment (for example, the Aberdeen Centre for Environmental Sustainability (ACES), the Centre for Sustainable International Development (CSID), the Centre for Transport Research and the Rural Digital Economy Hub - dot.rural).
For Further Information ContactFor further information about the programme or to discuss your application, please contact the Graduate School Admissions Unit.
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+44 (0)1224 272655
+44 (0)1224 272818
Aims
To develop a critical appreciation of the theory and practice of environmental management and rural policy-making, connecting the UK and European context with wider global relations.
To develop knowledge and understanding of environmental management institutions, economic approaches and political debates, with an emphasis upon inter-sector and cross-country interactions.
To evaluate the contested basis of sustainable development in and for rural communities and the challenges that attend the theories and practices of environmental management, policy-making and international development.
Requirements
Candidates will normally have at least a lower second class (2:2) honours level degree in a social science or natural science discipline (including for example, Geography, Sociology, Law, Economics, Environmental Science). Candidates with other equivalent qualifications or practical experience will be considered on an individual basis. Students from the UK, Europe and overseas are encouraged to apply.
Given the intensive format of the degree, motivation will be an important factor in selection. The Programme Director will pay particular attention to academic references. Applicants are encouraged to visit the School where possible.
It is important when submitting an application that you ensure you have completed all the necessary sections and enclosed all the relevant documentation to ensure that your application can be processed as quickly as possible.
Even if you have been educated in the medium of English you must meet our English Language requirements. These are located at www.abdn.ac.uk/sras/international/english.shtml. This programme requires that you meet the 'Postgraduate Standard' level of English proficiency. If you are in doubt about your proficiency in English, contact the British Council office or its equivalent in your country. If your first language is not English, it is important that your proficiency in English is good in order for you to study successfully at the University of Aberdeen . Without this ability you will find great difficulty in understanding lectures, producing written work and sitting examinations.
We have one intake each year in September. Late applications may be asked to wait until the next intake should the programme coordinator feel there is insufficient time to consider the application. Prospective students who require a visa to study in the UK are advised to apply as early in the year as possible to secure a place. Applications received after 30th June from students who need to apply for a visa to study in the UK will not be processed for entry in September of that year but may be considered for entry the following year as appropriate.
It is important to note that the programmes of postgraduate study at the University of Aberdeen are very competitive and the entry requirements stated are a guide to the minimum requirements, but do not guarantee entry.
Syllabus
Course materials are drawn from global, European, UK and Scottish sources with a strong emphasis on examples drawn from staff research interests. Individual and group project work, which are sometimes conducted in conjunction with public authorities, are important elements of this programme. Excellent academic and social facilities are available to students at the University. Students have a 'home room' within Geography and Environment and the library holdings include an extensive collection of materials relevant to the Sustainable Rural Development programme. The programme has strong links with other research institutions, notably the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and staff have contacts in national and local government and non-governmental agencies that are exploited in a number of courses delivered on the degree programme. In addition, we plan to develop teaching activities in collaboration with the City University of New York, through an academic partnership with its Graduate Centre.
Students study the following courses:
First Half Session
Environmental Policy-Making
Theories and Practices of International Development
Land and Environmental Economics
Elective Course I
Second Half Session
- Contemporary Environmental Issues
- International Perspectives on Environmental Management and Regional Development
- Research Methods
- Elective Course II
An English Land Law course is also available for students wishing to work in England/Wales.
The course "International Perspectives on Environmental Management and Regional Development" involves a residential fieldtrip. Recent destinations include the Republic of Ireland, northern Portugal and South Africa. Elective Courses I and II are drawn from other MSc programmes delivered within the School of Geosciences and in other areas of the University. Approved electives include:
First Half Session
- Rural Governance and Policy
- Rural Land Use and Valuation
- Planning, Land and Environmental Law
- Theories and Concepts in International Relations
- Theories of Globalization
- Fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems and Spatial Analysis
Second Half Session
- Rural Business Management
- Ecology and Society
- Climate Change
- Biological Conservation in the Tropics
- Current Issues and Applications of the Geospatial Technologies
- Comparative International Planning
Teaching
All courses employ a mix of teaching modes and assessment types including, for example, lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars and project work. The first semester focuses on the theoretical concepts related to environmental management, rural policy-making, land and environmental economics and international relations, which are assessed by a mixture of written examinations and continuous assessments. In the second semester the focus is more on emerging environmental and development issues, as well as developing skills and expertise through project work and other in-course assignments. There is a week-long residential field project during the Easter vacation.
Following successful completion of the taught courses, students are continue to the final, dissertation stage of the programme and will complete a research project on an approved topic. Students who do not meet the criteria for advancement to the dissertation stage may be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) or a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert).
Funding
Prospective students should visit the University's Postgraduate Funding Database, the University Funding Pages.and the College's Funding Pages.
University of Aberdeen Alumni Discount Scheme
The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen. The Alumni Discount Scheme applies to both home and overseas students, and applies to the self-funding element of the postgraduate tuition fee. This is the element of tuition fee which you are paying yourself and does not cover the element of tuition fee which is covered by a scholarship, funding body, your employer, a company, or any another source of funding. The Alumni Discount applies only to the tuition fee element and does not apply to any other costs such as additional programme costs or research costs. More Information can be here.
Other Sources
The University of Aberdeen also has a list of International Scholarships & Bursaries.
Careers
Graduates of the Sustainable Rural Development programme have an excellent track record in securing employment in a wide range of positions in public and private sector organisations in the UK and overseas. Recent graduates have secured positions in local government, regional development agencies, government agencies, and environmental and planning consultancies. A number of former students have taken up research positions in Universities or other research organisations and some have undertaken doctoral research.
Fees
Information on tuition fees, including the current fee level, can be found on the University Registry website.
PLEASE NOTE: In accepting an offer for this programme you should be aware that the University makes an additional training charge, over and above the standard tuition fee. In 2011/12 this charge will be £1,000. Part-time students will be charged pro rata. Students will also be expected to cover the costs of travel to residential field work destinations.
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