This is currently the only course in the world that offers you training in environmental water management with a specific focus on consultancy. Building on the University’s world-class reputation for water-related research, it delivers highly practical business-focused training to prepare graduates for a role in water consultancy. Be taught by practicing consultants and lecturers, developing the relevant skills that meet industry demand.
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Taught by practising consultants and lecturers, the programme offers:
Your dissertation allows you to undertake a more research-focused project. In your final semester, you'll choose from a variety of modules, including a work-based project, which gives an insight into how businesses operate and enables you to apply your project management knowledge.
You can also study this subject at Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate levels.
We offer some of the modules on this programme as standalone Continuing Professional Development modules.
In the first semester, the 30-credit Issues and Skills module gives you a broad background in the knowledge and skills you’ll need to be a professional water manager, such as understanding the policy framework and the range of skills used, including field work and data analysis. There will also be visits from practising professionals. The Hydrological Processes module gives you the essential understanding of hydrology needed by any water manager, whilst Systems Thinking will provide you with the skills to approach and solve business problems in a practical way.
In semester 2, you will take complementary modules on client management and project management, delivered by practising water management consultants. You’ll also choose optional modules on water quality or a range of consultancy-focused topics. Throughout the course you will take a specific professional development module. This all leads up to your dissertation, where you get the chance to use the skills you have learned to undertake a cutting edge research project.
If you study this programme part time you will study fewer modules in each year.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
We use a full range of teaching methods during the programme to ensure all learning styles are catered for. These comprise lectures, seminars (including some by external speakers), field work, laboratory classes, computer practicals, group work, one-to-one supervision, work-based learning, and self-led study. All teaching will be research-led (and consultancy-led) so that students are learning about, and working on, real, contemporary challenges.
You’ll be assessed through a range of techniques, such as essays, group and individual reports, exams, presentations, poster presentations, computer-based practicals, and reflective work-based logs.
There is a work placement option as part of the Professional Development module. This can be in academia, industry or consultancy.
Environmental Water Consultancy is a new programme in 2016. Information below is about graduates from previous programmes.
Typical roles available to graduates of this programme:
This programme gives you a solid grounding in issues key to the sustainable development debate. The views of stakeholders such as business groups, environmentalists, government agencies and development institutions will be considered.
You will acquire the necessary skills to evaluate existing frameworks, inquire into environmental issues in organisations and industries, and develop sensitive business practices.
The programme provides excellent preparation for any corporate-focused environmental career. It provides a route to graduate membership of the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment. We encourage you to read about the past and present student experiences of our environment and sustainability programmes.
This programme is studied full-time over 12 months and part-time for up to 60 months. It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation.
Example module listing
The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:
Knowledge and understanding
Intellectual / cognitive skills
Professional practical skills
Key / transferable skills
Several high-profile guest lecturers have assisted with the delivery of some of the modules. CES modules make maximum use of guest lecturers, drawing on the practical skills and experience of key experts from government and industry to complement the theoretical components of the modules offered.
For example, Jonathon Porritt, former chairman of the Sustainable Development Commission, gives a guest lecture on the Sustainable Development Applications module, analysing the standing of sustainable development in business and policy making.
The extensive expertise of CES academics and researchers is also drawn upon in modules. Professor Tim Jackson, advisor to the government and international bodies and author of the seminal book, Prosperity without Growth – economics for a finite planet–also lectures on some CES modules.
Full-time students are able to undertake an industrial placement module which enables them to spend six to twelve weeks working for a company or NGO, doing the type of work they will aim to find on graduation.
Examples of organisations at which recent industrial placements have taken place include:
Graduates go on to a diverse range of careers implementing sustainable development and dealing with the real environmental challenges facing humanity.
Recent examples include working as an energy efficiency officer for a local government, an environmental officer in multi-national chemical company, a sustainability advisor for a national television / radio station, an environmental consultant for an engineering consultancy, and a programme officer with a sustainability charity.
Other graduates use the research skills they developed to go on and do PhDs.
We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.
In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.
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