Environmental History

Course Overview

The M.Phil. in Environmental History gives students a firm understanding of the interplay of, and feedbacks between, nature and culture over time, allowing them to develop much-needed historical perspectives on the evolution of current environmental challenges. During the course, students will explore methods and themes that are directly relevant to the professional workplace at a time when there is an increasing awareness of the need to include the competencies and insights of the humanities in understanding and addressing environmental issues, not least climate change. The course combines a strong methodological focus with an emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and innovative assessment design.



Is This Course For Me?

This programme is aimed at students interested in how humans have interacted with and changed their environment in the past and how these interactions have shaped the multiple ecological crises we live in. It is open to candidates with an undergraduate degree in either the Humanities or the Natural Sciences.



Course Structure

Taken as a full-time course, the M.Phil. lasts for 12 months, starting in September. Teaching will be spread over two terms, beginning in September and concluding the following April. EU/ UK/EEA students can also take the course on a part-time basis over two years.



An M.Phil degree within the School of Histories and Humanities consists of 90 ECTS.

Course Content

The M.Phil. in Environmental History is led by and draws upon the resources of the Trinity Centre for Environmental Humanities, allowing students to familiarize themselves with the latest developments in the field. Apart from taking a core module "Methods and Debates in Environmental History", students choose special subject modules whose topics are informed by our teaching staff’s research interests. As part of the course, students also get an introduction to GIS.



The programme takes a structured approach to preparing students to design and pursue an individual research project, which forms the capstone of the course. Depending on the nature of their research, students can choose between two forms of assessment: a 15,000-word dissertation OR a combination of an extended research paper (10,000 - 12,000 words) and a digital output (e.g. database, map).

Admission Requirements

Relevant preparatory courses include NFQ Level 8-degree courses in the Humanities (History, Political Science, History of Ideas, Cultural Studies or similar) or the Natural Sciences (Environmental Sciences, Geography, Ecology, Biology or similar). Applicants should normally have at least an upper second-class (2.1) Honours Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (for example, GPA of 3.3) in a relevant discipline or specialisation.



English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet B and B, see the English Language Requirements page.

Closing Date 28th/30th June 2025

Assessment: Modules will be assessed by a mix of presentations (pass/fail) and marked written assignments ranging in format from essays to archival and library exercises, seminar reports, digital content creation (e.g. GIS maps) and historical case studies. There will be no written examinations.

1 year full-time (EU and non-EU students) / 2 years part-time (EU/UK/EEA students only).

Next Intake: September 2025

Career Opportunities

The M.Phil. helps prepare graduates for a wide variety of careers including in the museum and heritage sectors, libraries and archives, publishing, NGOs, public policy and administration, teaching, media. It also provides invaluable training in research for those planning to pursue a doctorate and/or career in research.