Courses
The MSc Sustainable Mountain Development is an online, part-time interdisciplinary programme with exit awards at Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert), Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip), and MSc levels. To be awarded the MSc, students have to successfully complete 3 core and 3 optional modules plus the dissertation.
View the course leaflet and read comments from our graduates
2019/20 Academic Year
Applications are now closed for the MSc for the academic year 2019/20.
Contact us for information if you are interested in applying for 2020/21, starting September 2020.
CPD Modules
Water Management - starts 9 September 2019
Sustainable Deer Management - starts 27 January 2020 Apply online
Fees and Funding
Students who meet the Scottish residence eligibility can apply through the Scottish Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for a tuition fee loan for the MSc course (part-time students must complete the course in within three years).
Modules
MSc Sustainable Mountain Development Modules (summary of all core and optional modules)
All the course modules are available as standalone modules for Continuing Professional Development. Please contact us for more information. Experts from across the UHI help equip you with a qualification tailored for working in mountain areas.
Three core modules for the Pg Cert/Pg Dip/MSc:
- Environmental and social issues in mountain areas (semester 1)
- Policy analysis (semester 1)
- Sustainable development (semester 2)
A range of optional modules are available online, some of these are for skills development; others will help to develop a deeper understanding of the key issues. Some optional modules do not run every year.
- Biodiversity management (semester 2)
- Developing communities (semester 2)
- Developing potential through placement (semester 2)
- Local economic development (semester 2)
- Communities and nature (semester 1)
- Research methods and techniques - if you are planning to continue to dissertation level, we strongly recommend you take this module (semester 1)
- Sustainable Deer Management - (semester 2)
- Sustainable land use and renewable energy (semester 1)
- Sustainable tourism (semester 2)
- Water management - (semester 1 from 19/20)
Dissertation
Students continuing to the MSc carry out a research dissertation into an issue of their choice, selected in consultation with a supervisor. The results are presented in a 15,000 word dissertation. This is a 60 credit module and the fee in 2019/20 is £1,680 (Scottish online); £1,950 (Rest of UK, incl EU online); £2,880 (International online).
Integrated Land Use Conference
In March of every year, UHI organises an Integrated Land Use Conference in Cairngorms National Park for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Students on the MSc in Sustainable Mountain Development are welcome to participate.