Course overview
Many of the most serious environmental and social problems we face can be traced to root causes in our economic system. Experts in ecological economics are in huge demand to help solve these problems, which range from the climate emergency to deforestation, from rising inequality to declining public services.
Our Ecological Economics MSc will equip you with the expertise and skills in understanding how economic activity gives rise to environmental and social problems and be introduced to the main tools to tackle them. This course challenges conventional thinking and introduces a real-world approach to teaching economics, focusing on critical problems whilst integrating a wide range of different perspectives.
You’ll be taught by leading experts and academics from the?School of Earth and Environment?with some modules being delivered by the?Leeds University Business School?— both of which conduct internationally excellent research that feeds directly into the course.
This means you’ll be learning knowledge and developing a specialist skill set sought after by employers worldwide, opening the door to many career paths in areas like sustainability, policymaking, research, resource management — and beyond.
Career opportunities
There is an increasing demand for professionals with an interdisciplinary understanding of economics as it applies to real-world environmental and social problems.
This Master’s degree is ideal if you are looking to build upon a previous degree in the social or natural sciences, by developing an understanding of economics. It’s designed to equip you with both a conceptual and applied understanding of critical issues in economics and sustainability.
You’ll learn the skills to pursue a successful career in government, business, or in a non-governmental organisation. Many of our graduates also pursue a research career and continue on to a PhD.
Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 10 most targeted by top employers according to?The Graduate Market 2023, High Fliers Research, meaning our graduates are highly sought after by some of the most reputable companies in the field.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
September 2025
University of Leeds
Woodhouse Lane,
Leeds,
LS2 9JT, NORTHERN ENGLAND, England
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
The university has a high student satisfaction rate - the third-best in the UK (Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2018).