MSc Energy Policy and Finance

We encourage applicants from a diverse range of academic and professional backgrounds to apply, creating an excellent environment for interdisciplinary shared learning. We welcome both recent graduates, and applicants at different stages of their professional careers.

• 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.

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

• A CV that includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date. 
• A personal statement of purpose, which should be typed, double-spaced, and no more than 1,000 words, addressing the following questions:
  What key experiences (academic, professional, and or other) have contributed to your commitment to work on energy issues?
  What are your personal and/or professional goals?
  And why is enrolment in the MSc in Energy Policy and Finance critical in helping you achieve your goals?
• Two original signed references. If you completed your last degree within the last three years, at least one of those references must be an academic reference. Professional references are also welcome.
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates.

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

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.  

There is a substantial demand from industry and government for graduates who have had the kind of training this programme provides and acquired the necessary skills in ethical awareness and environmental sustainability. 

In addition to broadening your subject knowledge and applying established techniques of research and enquiry, you will develop and demonstrate essential skills including: 

• critical thinking and creativity 
• analysis, evaluation and appraisal 
• problem solving and decision making 
• personal leadership and project management 
• interpersonal communication and team working

The University also offers two awards for all students known as the Saints Skills Awards. You can develop a range of skills through the Skills Builder Award or learn how to best articulate them through the Skills Spotlight Award. These skills are highly valued by employers and the awards are a good addition to your CV.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

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.