Sustainable Mountain Development MSc

What is special about this course?

If you want to make a real difference towards the sustainability of mountain regions, this postgraduate course in Sustainable Mountain Development is for you. 

You will access the latest thinking on complex mountain issues by studying modules with a focus on advanced theory and practice relating to environmental, social, economic and professional development. By the end of your studies, you will be equipped with the practical skills and knowledge to help you understand and manage the real challenges faced by people living and working in mountainous areas today.

The course can be studied full-time or part time; you will study all modules online with support from experts at the Centre for Mountain Studies, based at Perth College UHI, and around the university network. This allows you to fit your studies around your personal and professional commitments. If you are not able to complete the full MSc, you can exit with a PgCert by completing the 3 core modules or a PgDip by also completing 3 optional modules.

There are also two stand-alone CPD modules, water resources in a changing climate (starts September) and deer management, (starts end of January).

The MSc Sustainable Mountain Development can be studied online from anywhere in the world.

Special features

• Develop key scientific and policy skills
• Learn from experts in the field of sustainable mountain development at the Centre for Mountain Studies
• Benefit from modules on diverse contemporary topics, delivered by experts across UHI
• Study individual modules for personal or professional development, or work towards the PgCert, PgDip or full Masters degree
• Study online, full-time or part-time to suit your lifestyle, from within the UK or internationally 

Entry requirements

• Honours degree or ordinary degree in a relevant subject
• Postgraduate diploma or professional qualification in a relevant subject
• Other qualifications will be considered if accompanied by a minimum of three years' relevant professional experience

*Funding support notice*

Postgraduate Loans (SAAS) (Scottish domiciled students)

Loans for tuition fees are available from SAAS for eligible Scotland domiciled students, and loans for living costs for eligible Scottish students.

Access routes

• BSc (Hons) Environmental Science
• BSc (Hons) Geography
• BSc (Hons) Sustainable Development
• BSc Forest Management
• BA (Hons) Business and Management
• BA (Hons) Social Sciences

PgCert

Core modules are:

• Environmental and social issues in mountain areas
• Sustainable development
• Policy analysis

PgDip

Optional modules, from which you must choose three, include:

• Biodiversity management
• Communities and nature
• Developing communities
• Developing potential through placement
• Local economic development
• Research methods and techniques*
• Sustainable deer management**
• Sustainable land use and renewable energy
• Sustainable tourism
• Water resources in a changing climate***
• An elective from any of the university's masters programmes

* strongly recommended if you plan to continue to MSc level

** available as a stand-alone CPD module for January start

*** available as a stand-alone CPD module for September start

MSc

To achieve the award of MSc Sustainable Mountain Development you must complete a 15,000 word research dissertation on a topic of your own choice

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status, the following fees apply:

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. For 2022-23, students will get an automatic fee scholarship.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union, studying online from their home country, or assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:

This course is not available to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international postgraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying full-time can access loans up to £10,000 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). This comprises a tuition fee loan up to £5,500 and a non-income assessed living cost loan of £4,500. 

Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying part-time can apply for a tuition fee loan from SAAS. You must be intending to complete the course in no longer than twice the length of time it would take for a full-time student. For example, if your course is available to full-time students as a one-year programme, you will be funded for a maximum of two years' part-time study. If your course does not have a full-time option, you must complete within three years. You can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £5,500, which will be paid pro-rata for each academic year of study. 

Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.

Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company.