Who is this course for?

The course will produce well-rounded, motivated, mobile and dynamic problem-solvers and leaders who can work in any area related to environment, marine and energy. The subject knowledge, transferable skills and thesis elements of the course are designed to provide graduates with the opportunity to carry out further research, work in the public or private sector, or create their own employment.

 What will I study?

The course structure is based on a 90 ECTS model, with 60 ECTS coming from taught modules, 40 credits of these are from core modules and 20 credits come from optional modules. A research project in Semester 3 accounts for the remaining 30 ECTS.

Core modules:

Environmental Leadership
Environmental Problems & Solutions From Land To Sea
Communicating Research
Natural Resource Governance & Sustainability
Project Management

Optional Modules:

Climate Change & Biodiversity
Data Analysis for Sustainability Research
Dynamics of Climate Change
Environmental and Human Health
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Environmental Resilience
Green Lab Principles and Practice
Introduction to Development
Invasive Species & Biodiversity
One Health
Partnership Marketing
Research Methods for Engineers
Sustainability Planning and Policy for Marine Environments

Curriculum Information

• Employability: It will provide you with a capacity and capability for environmental leadership relevant to your career trajectory
• Range of modules: Includes modules in Leadership, Communications, Natural Resource Governance & Project Management
• Strengthen problem-solving abilities: Learn to approach environmental and leadership challenges critically, using both theoretical and practical perspectives.
• Improve communication skills: Learn to effectively present and articulate findings to a range of audiences, from stakeholders to decision-makers.
• Transdisciplinary course: includes modules from Science, Engineering, Geography and Business
• Cross-sector skills that enable national and international occupational mobility

The course aims to equip graduates with an advanced level of knowledge and problem-solving, management and communication skills in key areas relevant to the environment, marine and energy sectors.

Graduates will acquire transversal and multidisciplinary skills in governance, communication and management, enabling them to take on roles within an industrial setting, or within a regulatory body or private consultancy firm. Careers such as project managers, consultants and advisors exist within public and private sectors in Ireland and elsewhere. In addition, the course will provide opportunities for some students to move into PhD programmes or other research roles.

Dr Gesche Kindermann

Dr Caitríona Carlin

Dr Kathryn Cormican

Dr Thomas van Rensburg

Dr Una FitzGerald

Dr Liam Carr

Prof Ulf Strohmayer

The MSc in Environmental Leadership combines innovative teaching methods with practical, hands-on learning to ensure a comprehensive educational experience. You will learn through a mix of interactive lectures, seminars, workshops and field work led by expert faculty. Real-world case studies and exercises will enable you to apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems.

Group projects and collaborative activities will enhance your teamwork and communication skills, while individual assignments and the final dissertation will help you develop independence and critical thinking.

How Will I Be Assessed?

Throughout the programme, your progress is assessed through various coursework, including reports, essays and presentations.

1. Continuous Assessment—Regular coursework, including reports, essays, presentations and online participation. Students receive regular (weekly) feedback on their progress.
2. Project Work—Research work will allow students to apply their skills in real-world contexts.

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/science-engineering/school-of-natural-sciences/

Course queries:
gesche.kindermann@universityofgalway.ie 

Programme Director(s):

Dr Gesche Kindermann, 
Lecturer in Environmental Sciences, 
Head of the Discipline of Environmental Science, 
School of Natural Sciences

College of Science and Engineering

E: gesche.kindermann@universityofgalway.ie

T: 091 493862

University of Galway recognises that knowledge and skills can be acquired from a range of learning experiences. This is in line with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) goals which aim to recognise all learning achievements by supporting the development of alternative pathways to qualifications (or awards) and by facilitating the recognition of prior learning (RPL).

Applicants who do not have the required academic qualifications for entry purposes, but have relevant work experience may also be entitled to apply under the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning Policy. Further, students may apply for exemption(s) from some programme courses based on equivalent courses already completed. Further information is available on the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning website

Graduates of the MSc Environmental Leadership will be able to:

• Explain of the theoretical background that underpins environmental/marine/energy issues, governance and current research.
• Define current practice in relation to environmental/marine/energy research and management, and community engagement at different levels and relate this to best practice.
• Demonstrate a significant range of the principal skills and practices relevant to data assessment necessary to inform decision making and management. Employ skills to plan, organise and control activities to ensure successful project completion.
• Display the ability to select and recommend appropriate responses and implementation of relevant legislative and regulatory controls of environment/marine/energy management and measures.
• Identify and evaluate optimal solutions in relation to environmental problems. Select and recommend appropriate implementation of relevant measures and communicate these to others.
• Assess the gaps in their own knowledge, determine training needs and recommend appropriate action. Conduct autonomous research and communicate findings coherently and effectively.
• Evaluate current practice in relation to environmental/marine/energy management and community engagement, and then recommend and implement improvements of current practice.

Minimum Entry Requirements (replace/edit the text below)

Candidates must hold at least a Second Class Honours Level 8 primary degree in a related subject area or hold a primary degree in a related area (which is acceptable to the college) without honours and have three years’ relevant practical experience in the subject area.

Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available here. 

English Language Entry Requirements (replace/edit the text below)

For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.5 in Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent. 

 More information on English language test equivalency are available here.

 Supporting Documents 

You will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of your application. You can check here what supporting documents are required for this course.  

You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here. 

Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.

You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.

 Closing Dates

For this programme, there is no specific closing date for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotes will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle.

 Notes

• You will need an active email account to use the website and you'll be guided through the system, step by step, until you complete the online form.

Browse the FAQ's section for further guidance. 

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

For 26/27 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 1.8% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,500 towards your tuition (2026/27).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here. 

Postgraduate Excellence Scholarships (remove this section if your programme is not available as a full-time masters)

This scholarship is valued at €1,500 for EU students applying for full-time taught master's postgraduate courses. You will be eligible if:

• You have been accepted to a full-time taught master's course at University of Galway,
• You have attained a first class honours (or equivalent) in a Level 8 primary degree.

An application for the scholarship scheme is required (separate to the application for a place on the programme).  

Full details available here.

Global Scholarships  
University of Galway offers a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of countries outside of the EU. Visit here for schemes currently available.

School of Natural Sciences Scholarship

https://stories.universityofgalway.ie/college-of-science-and-engineering-scholarships-overview/index.html

Application Process

 Students applying for full time postgraduate programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here. 

Our application portal opens on the 1^st October each year for entry the following September.  

Further Information

Please visit the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.