Data Literacy for Social and Environmental Justice - online 2025 entry

Address the world's big social and environmental challenges by using data to drive positive change.

Application deadline: Monday 1 September 2025

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Starts

September 2025

Duration

MSc: up to three years
PGDip: up to two years
PGCert: up to one year

School

School of Geography and Sustainable Development

Fees

MSc: £18,000
PGDip: £12,000
PGCert: £6,000

Why study this course?

This programme will give you the vital skills needed to address the injustices that harm human and non-human populations and the environment. Tailoring your learning to suit your level of expertise you will: 

  • Develop your understanding of key issues in social and environmental justice and their sociopolitical contexts, and theories of social change 
  • Build your confidence in responsibly collecting quality data, including key concepts for data analysis, spatial data science, data modelling using real datasets, and using open-source platforms 
  • Construct engaging and accessible narratives with data, including data visualisation for lay and expert audiences 
  • Practice effective public engagement strategies, including using journalism outlets and social media for impactful communication 
  • Enjoy the flexibility to start at the beginning if you don't have a background in statistics, or take a more advanced class to enhance your existing skills 
  • Boost your impact potential by diversifying your science communications and data visualisation toolboxes 

Teaching

A mix of recorded lectures, live question and answer sessions, peer-to-peer learning, digital resources such as podcasts, and online forums.

Assessment

Assessments include opportunities to enhance your transferable skills, such as literature reviews, critical data reports, portfolios of work, policy briefs, lab reports, and public engagement pieces.

Research project

MSc students submit a research project consisting of a literature review, an applied piece such as a policy brief, and a 1,000-word reflection on translating academic research into practice.

Schedule

You will access modules and components at a pace and on a timetable that suits your work and study environment.

Modules

For more details, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue. The modules are examples from previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course.

What it will lead to

Careers

This course is designed to give you the knowledge and skills needed to make a success of your career, whether you are looking to grow in an existing role or are new to the sector. Our graduates work in a variety of organisations in the public and private sectors, in roles including policy advice, environmental economics, fundraising and communications, consultancy, and research.  

We are committed to supporting your career aspirations, whatever stage of your career you are at. Our Careers Centre can help connect you to our extensive global alumni community for advice and mentoring, as well as offering career coaching, bespoke workshops, employer connections, experiences, and application support.  

The Careers Centre also offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their networks and developing skills to create their own successful careers.  

Our International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute offers peer mentoring and an extensive suite of courses to support your academic and professional skills development.  

Elevate your career

Graduates from the School of Geography and Sustainable Development have taken up roles in a wide variety of organisations including: 

  • The Environmental Protection Agency 
  • The Stockholm Environment Institute  
  • The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific 
  • World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) 

Further your education

Many graduates of the School of Geography and Sustainable Development continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews. 

Postgraduate research

Go your own way

Our Entrepreneurship Centre offers training and start-up support, gives you access to experienced and expert mentors and an investor network, and one-to-one advice to help you realise your commercial potential. 

Why St Andrews?

Wherever you are, you can take St Andrews with you. Online Masters at the University of St Andrews combine all the benefits of studying at one of the world's oldest and best universities, with all the advantages of flexible, personalised learning.

Alumni

Whether you join us online or in person, when you graduate you become a member of the University's worldwide alumni community. Benefit from access to alumni clubs, the Saint Connect networking and mentoring platform, and careers support.

Entry requirements

For entry onto the MSc: A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in any subject from the UK or the equivalent international qualification. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements. We will also consider applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree. In these circumstances we expect candidates to have at least five years of relevant professional learning. The Admissions team will holistically assess your application and determine the best route of entry for you. In some cases, this may be onto the PGCert in the first instance, from which students who attain a certain level in their modules will have the opportunity to progress to a full Masters degree. Students are also required to have a desired level of English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.

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

  • CV
  • personal statement
  • two original, signed references on headed paper
  • academic transcripts and degree certificates

If you do not already have a degree, you will need to provide a 500-word (minimum) statement detailing your professional learning and experience.

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

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Fees and funding

MSc: £18,000
PGDip: £12,000
PGCert: £6,000

Scholarships and funding

We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances.

Successful entrants starting online studies at Masters level can apply for scholarships of up to £6000 towards the course fees. 

Legal notices

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy

Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the course archive.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.

Page last updated: 7 February 2025