What can I do with a Masters in Environmental Science?

Masters programmes Environmental Science focus on the Earth’s physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes, as well as the environmental problems facing humanity today and how they can be solved.

Experts in this area are in high demand in the environmental and sustainability sectors, which are seeking solutions to some of the most pressing threats to our planet.

This guide will cover the skills you can expect to gain on a postgraduate Environmental Science course, as well as some common career paths pursued by graduates. We’ll also use official government data to give you an idea of your employment prospects and the average salary you can expect to earn.

What skills will I gain with a Masters in Environmental Science?

Most postgraduate qualifications in Environmental Science are Master of Science (MSc) programmes. Applicants will often have a Bachelors degree in a natural science or engineering subject and be looking to focus specifically on environmental issues.

While some courses provide students with a broader grounding in Environmental Science, many have a narrower focus on specific aspects of the field such as sustainability, resource management, global development and geohazards.

Some topics you might study on your course include:

• Ecotoxicology
• Environmental impacts on human health
• Environmental policy
• Pollution monitoring and control
• Biodiversity and conservation
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• Sustainable cities
• Water sustainability

You’ll also acquire many transferable skills such as qualitative and quantitative data collection, risk assessment, and experience of designing and conducting field-based experiments.

Your course will usually culminate in an extended dissertation, which will allow you to refine your independent research and time management skills.

What jobs can I get with a Masters in Environmental Science?

Environmental Science Masters graduates will often go on to work in environmental organisations in both the public and private sectors.

Roles you could choose to pursue include:

• Sustainability manager
• Water pollution consultant
• Field engineer
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS) analyst
• Toxicologist
• Water engineer
• Environmental consultant

What salary can I earn with a Masters in Environmental Science?

Postgraduate study is a big investment of time and money, so it’s helpful to know how much it might enhance your earning potential before you decide to make the leap! We’ve compared average earnings for Bachelors and Masters degrees in Environmental Science using official government data below.

• The median salary for Environmental Science Masters graduates five years after completing their course was £34,300.
• The median salary for Environmental Science Bachelors graduates five years after completing their course was £30,300.

These means that, on average, Environmental Science graduates with a Masters earn around 13.2% more than those who only hold an undergraduate degree.