International Graduate School
MSc in Nature, Society and Environmental Policy
Student Reflections
Students come from a diverse set of cultures, backgrounds and ages reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the course, and its relevance across the world. They leave with knowledge, understanding and transferable skills that propel them into successful careers.
- "The greatest strength of this course is the way that it encourages multidisciplinary ways of thinking about, and doing, policy. Taking this masters course has enabled me to approach complex policy changes in a much more holistic way than my science background alone would have allowed."
Haley Bowcock, (Class 2008-09) Food Prices Coordinator, Oxfam UK - "I've definitely benefited from the insight and scholarship of NSEP lecturers in my current work. Instructors are top-notch and many are leaders in their field. The increasingly complex interactions between energy and environmental policy pose real challenges and the NSEP course addresses them from all angles."
Zack Baize (Class of 2009/10), Renewable Energy Program Analyst, Energetics, Inc (US Department of Energy) - "NSEP gave me an inter-disciplinary insight into the most relevant social and environmental debates of our time. It prepared me with tools to think in an original and effective manner about complex issues, which has proven to be an invaluable skill in everyday life and work. I am currently using these skills to write policy recommendations for the hydroelectricity sector in Nepal."
Rinchen Cheogyal (Class of 2009/11). Associate Consultant at Beed Management - "Coming to Oxford for the NSEP course has been an introduction to countless passionate and creative people, many of whom I now count among a network of friends and colleagues that I will continue to work with into the future."
Julian Cottee (Class of 2010/11), Founder, Cultivate - "Engaging in fascinating discussions about many aspects of environmental philosophy and policy with such a diverse group of people made NSEP an invaluable experience for me. It opened my eyes to new ways of seeing the world and sparked a passion for political ecology critique. I intend to continue onto a PhD level in a couple of year's time and I know that NSEP has equipped me well for further academic study."
Kate Hodgkinson (Class of 2010/11), Currently travelling the world. - "I draw from what I learnt on the NSEP course everyday. Whether arguing the philosophical significance of environmental policy with colleagues or grappling with the fine detail of policy implementation, NSEP has given me the tools to meet any policy challenge head on."
Tom Leveridge (Class of 2008/09), Climate Change Policy Adviser, Confederation of British Industry. - "NSEP exposed me to ideas about the interface and interrelationship between science and policy and this has enabled me to act as a link between guiding researchers as to what policy questions need answers, and communicating that science to policy-makers."
Rob Munroe (Class of 2008/09), Climate Change Officer, BirdLife International - "Completing the MSc in Nature, Society and Environmental policy has introduced me to a whole new set of ways to think about my engagement with the environment, as an individual, academic, and in a professional context. The course has given me the theoretical basis on which to continue to develop my career in innovative new directions, enabling me to carry out research in a way that is progressive and engages fully with contemporary thought."
Thomas Turnbull (Class of 2010/11)
More graduate student reflections are available on the main IGS webpages.