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 course offers a broad curriculum studying the relationships between human and natural components of the environment alongside developing the capacity to implement measures for analysing and managing environmental impacts of organisations.
Designed to produce graduates sufficiently equipped to play a leading role in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of environmental policy initiatives within the environmental industries, this course will enable you to develop essential knowledge and skills to progress into a professional career in environmental management, regulation or consultancy.
You will be engaged with a number of ideas drawn from law, economics and the social and physical sciences which are of relevance to the theory and practice of environmental assessment and management. Modules address existing and emerging challenges and explore contemporary management, technological and regulatory systems designed to reduce environmental risks.
A key feature of this course is applied learning and an emphasis on authentic, experimental problem based learning ensuring that you will benefit from experience as well as being supported in reviewing your own progress towards career goals.
For the MSc, the full-time and part-time routes comprise three 14-week trimesters or five 14-week trimesters, which you can take within one or three years respectively. There are two intakes per year allowing flexibility in regards to the time you wish to begin your study (September or January).
Within the full-time course, you will study four taught modules as well as completing a dissertation. Three modules are compulsory with two studied in trimester 1 and the remaining one in trimester 2. For the remaining module in trimester 2 you have an optional choice, see below for available choices.
For part-time students the taught components span two academic years each consisting of two trimesters between September and May. Year 1 involves the study of two core modules. Year 2 involves the study of one core and one optional module. During your third year of the course you will complete a dissertation.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials, case studies and workshops. Simulated business projects are utilised to develop practical, observational and analytical skills. In addition, you will take part in field work and site visits and will have many opportunities to discuss and exchange your own professional experiences with the course team and invited specialist speakers. You will work with an organisation and/or relevant stakeholder on a real project as part of a team thereby enhancing your network with external clients and developing your real world experience of environmental assessment and management, engaging with a range of research methods relevant to your field.
Research & Professional Practice (30 credits) - Project & Learning portfolio (100%)
Risk: Perception & Management (30 credits) - Literature review (30%); Case study portfolio (70%)
Techniques for Environmental Assessment and Management (30 credits) - Case study analysis (50%); Environmental Management Project (50%)
Environmental Investigation and Remediation (optional) (30 credits) - Coursework 1 (40%); Coursework 2 (60%)
Energy, Resources & Sustainability (30 credits) - Poster presentation (30%); Case Study Report (70%)
Dissertation (60 credits) - Research protocol (15%); dissertation (85%)
Many employment opportunities exist in this field including positions as environmental managers, environmental regulators and environmental consultants working in fields as diverse as contaminated land, planning and environmental impact assessment, environmental management in organisations, and waste, water and energy management.
Previous graduates of this course are working in energy companies at the forefront of environmental innovation (e.g. Uniper and EDF Energy), national and local environmental regulators (e.g. the Environment Agency and local authorities), environmental consultancies with an international dimension (e.g. Royal Haskoning, Scott Wilson, WS Atkins, Mouchel) and utilities companies (e.g. United Utilities, Viridor-Laing).
The course emphasises the development of professional skills and capabilities supplemented by practice-based learning opportunities. Your employability is developed through project work with external clients and through opportunities to work on a specific business problem for your dissertation. You will work in a team on a project with an external client organisation to develop your research and analytical skills and to enhance your employability profile. Recent projects include an analysis of the air quality benefits of trees in urban areas (City of Trees), evaluation and enhancement of environmental management procedures for a large multinational manufacturing company, analysis of energy management measures implemented in schools for a local authority and the assessment of environmental management options for a large national charitable organisation.
You are encouraged to undertake voluntary work for which assistance is provided. The programme has links with a range of volunteering organisations including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Groundwork organisations and the Bolton Community Development Partnership.
Full-time students also have the opportunity to work with a business on an environmental management project of relevance to the organisation as part of their dissertation. Past projects include work with E.ON UK, United Utilities, Groundwork and Manchester City Council on a range of projects including contaminated land investigation, feasibility studies of sustainable technologies for business and stakeholder perceptions of sustainable environmental practices.
After completion of this course, you may wish to specialise in a chosen subject area in one of the School’s two main research centres: Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre (EER) or Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).
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.
Sustainability, Earth and Atmospheric Science Masters Degrees - School of Earth and Environment
Established provider of online distance learning Master’s courses in Environmental Science and Geography
