University of Oxford Environmental Change Institute
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
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- Type
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- Student:Faculty
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- Retention Rate
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- Tuition (In-State)
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- Tuition (Int'l)
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Student Life & Environment
Graduate student life at the ECI combines focused environmental research with the broader Oxford experience. Students join one of Oxford's colleges, providing residential community, social connections, and welfare support alongside their departmental academic home. The college system creates intimate communities within the large university, offering dining halls, common rooms, and pastoral care. Many students describe their college experience as central to their Oxford education. The ECI itself provides office space, seminars, and research community for graduate students. Weekly seminars bring leading researchers and practitioners to share current work and engage in discussion. Research group meetings, reading groups, and informal interactions build knowledge and collegiality. The interdisciplinary environment exposes students to perspectives from climate science, economics, sociology, political science, and other fields studying environmental issues. Oxford as a city offers historic architecture, riverside walks, and traditional English character within an hour of London. Cycling is the dominant transportation mode, with dedicated paths throughout the city and surrounding countryside. Accommodation is expensive and competitive, with many students living in college-provided housing or renting in nearby areas. The climate features mild temperatures, frequent rain, and occasional winter snow. Student activities include college sports, university clubs, and the town's cultural offerings from pubs to museums.
Location & Surroundings
The Environmental Change Institute occupies the South Parks Road complex within Oxford's science area, adjacent to the historic city center. Oxford's compact geography means that colleges, libraries, departments, and town amenities are all accessible by foot or bicycle. The city of approximately 150,000 residents maintains a distinctive character shaped by the university's 800-year presence, with architectural gems around every corner and a pace of life slower than larger cities. The United Kingdom location provides unique advantages for environmental research and policy engagement. London's concentration of government agencies, NGOs, international organizations, and media is easily accessible by train (approximately one hour). The UK's advanced climate policy development and active environmental sector create abundant opportunities for research collaboration and career development. European connections, while changed by Brexit, remain accessible for comparative research and professional networks. The cost of living in Oxford is high by UK standards, though moderate compared to London. Housing represents the largest expense, with college accommodation options and private rentals both competitive. The climate is temperate maritime, with mild summers (rarely exceeding 25°C), cool winters (occasionally below freezing), and frequent rain throughout the year. The countryside surrounding Oxford offers walks, historic sites, and the Cotswolds within easy reach. Heathrow Airport provides global connections, while smaller airports serve European destinations.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Tuition for the MSc in Environmental Change and Management is approximately 35,000 GBP for international students and 15,000 GBP for UK students (2024-2025 academic year). Living expenses in Oxford add approximately 15,000-18,000 GBP annually depending on lifestyle and housing choices. The one-year program duration moderates total costs compared to longer programs, though the investment remains substantial. Oxford offers various funding sources including the Clarendon Fund (Oxford's main scholarship program), department-specific scholarships, and college awards. International applicants may access country-specific scholarships or external fellowships. Competition for funding is intense, with early application improving scholarship prospects. Many students finance study through a combination of scholarships, loans, and personal resources. Career outcomes reflect the ECI's strong reputation in environmental research and policy. Graduates pursue careers in environmental consultancy, policy analysis for governments and international organizations, corporate sustainability roles, NGO advocacy and program management, and further academic study. Major employers include environmental consultancies (Arup, ERM, Carbon Trust), international organizations (UN Environment, World Bank), government agencies, and NGOs (WWF, The Nature Conservancy). The Oxford brand combined with ECI expertise opens doors throughout the environmental sector. Career services provide job listings, employer connections, and professional development support.
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