The world we live in is an increasingly urban one as cities currently account for half the world’s population. By 2030, it is expected that three out of every five people will live in an urban environment. Sustainable management of the urban environment has become one of the major challenges of the 21st century as you will learn during the two-year master's Urban Environmental Management programme at the university. This development calls for control of the environmental impacts of urbanisation like growing traffic, increasing waste emissions, deteriorating air and water quality, and growth in energy and resource consumption.
Inadequate water supply, sanitation, waste collection and waste management systems are the cause of serious urban pollution and health hazards in many Asian, African and Latin American cities. The MSc programme Urban Environmental Management is an international and interactive programme providing a balanced curriculum of theory, tools and application. It aims to train students like you to guide the future along the path of sustainable urbanisation.
On the Programme of Urban Environmental Management page you can find the general outline of the programme and more detailed information about courses, theses and internships.
Within the master's programme you can choose one of the following Thesis tracks to meet your personal interests.
Graduates from the MSc Urban Environmental Management (MUE) programme are well-equipped with the skills and knowledge to continue academic training (PhD) or continue their career outside the University.
Read more about career perspectives and opportunities after finishing the programme and Career preparation during your studies.
Related programmes:
MSc International Development Studies
MSc Landscape Architecture and Planning
This Master's degree is designed for students who wish to practice across a broad range environmental engineering and apply new sustainable risk management strategies for complex environmental problems. Water, waste and environmental engineering has been traditionally referred to as public health engineering in the United Kingdom.
In this postgraduate course, the technical aspects of both natural and engineering environmental systems will be covered. There will be broad interdisciplinary subjects synthesizing knowledge from a wide spectrum of science and engineering, expanding the content of public health engineering, which in the UK has traditionally been responsible for developing the infrastructure for managing water and waste.
Students will develop engineering skills and be able to design, develop and apply concepts for water and waste as a resource based on environmental sensitivity and be competent in planning, modelling, design, construction, operations, maintenance and control of both engineered and natural water and earth resources.
Students who select this postgraduate programme will gain a skill set that will enable them to progress in the fields of:
The MSc in Water, Waste and Environmental Engineering will incorporate solid waste management, contaminated land treatment and the use of geographic information systems (GIS) with emphasis on management of the earth's resources.
The programme will explain the relationship between different earth resources including:
The aims of the programme are to:
Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.
Students are required to choose 15 credits from this list of options.
Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.
Year 2
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.
Students are required to choose 15 credits from this list of options.
Project work, assignments and laboratory exercises in addition to substantial written examination of course materials will occur in most modules. The Environmental Engineering Research Project will require submission of a substantial final report/dissertation. Assessment of this module will involve participation in a poster and seminar presentation and a final oral examination.
Postgraduate students from this programme will find such employment opportunities as engineers, scientist and technical managers in the private sector (engineering design firms, engineering consultancy, project management, risk management and waste management), in the public sector (environmental protection engineering, regulations and standards, local government) and in non-governmental sectors (NGOs, environmental advocacy) or may wish to pursue further qualifications such as a PhD within the Faculty of Engineering and Science at the University of Greenwich to become even more specialised.
Employers of environmental engineers include engineering consultancies (such as AECOM, Atkins, Mott MacDonald Group, Hyder), government agencies (such as Environment Agency, Scottish Environment Protection Agency) and NGOs (such as Oxfam, Engineers without Boarders, Water Aid).
This programme is ideal for engineers and scientists who want to improve the delivery of water and environmental services in low-and middle-income countries. You will develop knowledge, expertise and skills in many aspects of water, sanitation and environmental management.
The programme is based in the School of Civil and Building Engineering’s Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC), one of the world’s leading education and research institutes of its kind.
Externally accredited, WEDC programmes are well-established, and held in high regard by practitioners and employers from both the emergency and development sectors.
- Research-led teaching from international experts. 75% of the School’s research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the latest Government Research Excellence Framework.
- An outstanding place to study. The School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering is ranked 1st in the UK for Building in the Times Good University Guide 2018.
- Excellent graduate prospects. Many of our graduates are employed by relief and development agencies.
- Professionally accredited. The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) have accredited this programme. Students registered for this programme are eligible for free student membership of CIWEM. The Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) has also accredited all WEDC MSc degrees as meeting requirements for Further Learning.
See the website http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/departments/civil/water-environmental-management/
Core modules:
- Management of Water and Sanitation
- Water and Environmental Sanitation
- Integrated Water Resources Management
- Water Utilities Management
- Data Collection, Analysis and Research
- Group Project
- Research Dissertation
Optional Modules (choose 2):
- Water Source Development.
- Environmental Assessment
- Small-scale Water Supply and Sanitation
- Solid Waste Management
All masters students have access to our excellent laboratory facilities which include equipment for field sampling and analysis of water and wastewater, and some of the largest hydraulics equipment in the UK. There are three dedicated water laboratory staff available to help you use our equipment who are specialists in pollutant analysis, hydraulics and running continuous trials.
Practical training includes:
- Hand-pump maintenance using the largest single site collection of hand-pumps;
- latrine slab construction;
- flow measurements; and
- water quality sampling and analysis.
Field visits are made to relevant UK facilities.
WEDC has a unique sector Resource Centre with a dedicated and skilled information officer. Over 19,000 items can be searched on a customized database allowing ready access to this collection of books, series, country files, student projects, videos, journals, maps, and manufacturers' catalogues.
The Resource Centre also provides a dedicated quiet study space for WEDC students. Many items including all WEDC publications and over 2500 papers presented at 37 WEDC International Conferences are available in the open access sector knowledge base.
The programme comprises both compulsory core modules and optional modules which may be selected. A group case study module draws together material from across the programme and develops team working skills. The individual research project and dissertation (frequently linked to specific needs of an agency) of between 75 and 150 pages in length concludes the programme. To support your learning you will have access to our comprehensive facilities including laboratories, hand-pumps, and a dedicated Resource Centre.
Bursaries are available for self-funding international students.
The University also offers over 100 scholarships each year to new self-financing full-time international students who are permanently resident in a county outside the European Union. These Scholarships are to the value of 25% of the programme tuition fee and that value will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
You can apply for one of these scholarships once you have received an offer for a place on this programme.
As one of four Royal Academy of Engineering designated Centres of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, the School of Civil and Building Engineering is one of the largest of its type in the UK and holds together a thriving community of over 60 academic staff, 40 technical and clerical support staff and over 240 active researchers that include Fellows, Associates, Assistants, Engineers and Doctoral Students.
Our world-class teaching and research are integrated to support the technical and commercial needs of both industry and society. A key part of our ethos is our extensive links with industry resulting in our graduates being extremely sought after by industry and commerce world-wide,
- Postgraduate programmes
The School offers a focussed suite of post graduate programmes aligned to meet the needs of industry and fully accredited by the relevant professional institutions. Consequently, our record of graduate employment is second to none. Our programmes also have a long track record of delivering high quality, research-led education. Indeed, some of our programmes have been responding to the needs of industry and producing high quality graduates for over 40 years.
Currently, our suite of Masters programmes seeks to draw upon our cutting edge research and broad base knowledge of within the areas of contemporary construction management, project management, infrastructure management, building engineering, building modelling, building energy demand and waste and water engineering. The programmes are designed to respond to contemporary issues in the field such as sustainable construction, low carbon building, low energy services, project complexity, socio-technical systems and socio-economic concerns.
- Research
Drawing from our excellent record in attracting research funds (currently standing at over £19M), the focal point of the School is innovative, industry-relevant research. This continues to nurture and refresh our long history of working closely with industrial partners on novel collaborative research and informs our ongoing innovative teaching and extensive enterprise activities. This is further complemented by our outstanding record of doctoral supervision which has provided, on average, a PhD graduate from the School every two weeks.
- Career Prospects
Independent surveys continue to show that industry has the highest regard for our graduates. Over 98% (DLHE, 2016) were in employment and/or further study six months after graduating. Recent independent surveys of major employers have also consistently rated the School at the top nationally for civil engineering and construction graduates.
Find out how to apply here http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/departments/civil/water-environmental-management/
This Distance Learning programme is ideal for engineers and scientists who want to improve the delivery of water and environmental services in low- and middle-income countries. You will develop knowledge, expertise and skills in many aspects of water, sanitation and environmental management. The programme focuses on the conditions and aspirations of communities in low- and middle-income countries.
Externally accredited, WEDC programmes are well-established, and held in high regard by practitioners and employers from both the emergency and development sectors.
- Research-led teaching from international experts. 75% of the School’s research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the latest Government Research Excellence Framework.
- An outstanding place to study. The School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering is ranked 1st in the UK for Building in the Times Good University Guide 2018.
- Excellent graduate prospects. Many of our participants are employed by relief and development agencies.
- Professionally accredited. The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) have accredited this programme. Students registered for this programme are eligible for free student membership of CIWEM. The Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) has also accredited all WEDC MSc degrees as meeting requirements for Further Learning.
See the website http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/departments/civil/water-environmental-management-dl/
Core modules:
- Management of Water and Sanitation.
- Water and Environmental Sanitation
- Data Collection, Analysis and Research
- Environmental Assessment
- Integrated Water Resources Management
- Case Study
- Research Dissertation
Optional Modules (choose 2):
- Wastewater Treatment
- Water for Low-income Communities
- Solid Waste Management
- Low-cost Sanitation
- Water Utilities Management
Distance Learning students study from home but are welcome to visit the Loughborough campus. They can make remote use of the University Library’s electronic search facilities. They can also remotely access the WEDC ‘Knowledge Base’, which has links to many sources of useful and relevant information.
Facilities on campus include our laboratory which houses equipment for field sampling and analysis of water and wastewater, and some of the largest hydraulics equipment in the UK. Although Distance Learners will not normally have access to this equipment they can ask the advice of laboratory staff if they are carrying out fieldwork as part of their dissertation.
Distance Learning students study from home but are welcome to visit the Loughborough campus. They can make remote use of the University Library’s electronic search facilities and the WEDC ‘Knowledge Base’, which has links to many sources of useful and relevant information.
The programme comprises both compulsory core modules, and optional modules which may be selected. The Case Study module draws together material from across the programme. A research dissertation between 75 and 150 pages long on a chosen topic relevant to interests or career development concludes the programme. Many of the Distance Learning modules have web-based discussion forums, where Distance Learners can choose to interact with each other and Module Tutors.
- Assessment
For most modules, students are assessed by two written assessments (three items for core modules). The Case Study module relates to a given scenario for which the student has to produce pre-feasibility and feasibility reports. The individual research dissertation module is assessed on the basis of a written dissertation and an oral when a student discusses their submitted dissertation with their supervisor and a second member of staff. For students who cannot visit the UK this oral takes place over Skype.
On occasion we offer specific full-fee and partial-fee scholarships for Distance Learning applicants.
As one of four Royal Academy of Engineering designated Centres of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, the School of Civil and Building Engineering is one of the largest of its type in the UK and holds together a thriving community of over 60 academic staff, 40 technical and clerical support staff and over 240 active researchers that include Fellows, Associates, Assistants, Engineers and Doctoral Students.
Our world-class teaching and research are integrated to support the technical and commercial needs of both industry and society. A key part of our ethos is our extensive links with industry resulting in our graduates being extremely sought after by industry and commerce world-wide,
- Postgraduate programmes
The School offers a focussed suite of post graduate programmes aligned to meet the needs of industry and fully accredited by the relevant professional institutions. Consequently, our record of graduate employment is second to none. Our programmes also have a long track record of delivering high quality, research-led education. Indeed, some of our programmes have been responding to the needs of industry and producing high quality graduates for over 40 years.
Currently, our suite of Masters programmes seeks to draw upon our cutting edge research and broad base knowledge of within the areas of contemporary construction management, project management, infrastructure management, building engineering, building modelling, building energy demand and waste and water engineering. The programmes are designed to respond to contemporary issues in the field such as sustainable construction, low carbon building, low energy services, project complexity, socio-technical systems and socio-economic concerns.
- Research
Drawing from our excellent record in attracting research funds (currently standing at over £19M), the focal point of the School is innovative, industry-relevant research. This continues to nurture and refresh our long history of working closely with industrial partners on novel collaborative research and informs our ongoing innovative teaching and extensive enterprise activities. This is further complemented by our outstanding record of doctoral supervision which has provided, on average, a PhD graduate from the School every two weeks.
- Career Prospects
Independent surveys continue to show that industry has the highest regard for our graduates. Over 98% (DLHE, 2016) were in employment and/or further study six months after graduating. Recent independent surveys of major employers have also consistently rated the School at the top nationally for civil engineering and construction graduates.
Find out how to apply here http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/departments/civil/water-environmental-management-dl/
The Water and Environmental Management MSc provides training in the core scientific, technical and interdisciplinary skills that are essential in water resource and environmental management fields. You will acquire specialist knowledge and develop key analytical and scientific skills, particularly in the context of national and international environmental legislation.
Learning from and working alongside our world-leading academic researchers, you will benefit from expertise covering a range of disciplines relating to water resources and environmental management.
Our Aquatic Research Centre provides excellent facilities for your studies, including specialist water chemistry and microbiology laboratories, laboratory-scale water and wastewater treatment systems, an experimental river basin, a water efficiency laboratory, as well as a large pool of aquatic field equipment and computing facilities.
You have the choice from a wide range of option modules in order to tailor the course to your interests and career aspirations. As part of this, there are opportunities for our students to conduct a placement with organisations involved in water resource and environmental management, including industrial members of the Green Growth Platform.
This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators as meeting the requirements for further learning for a chartered engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a partial CEng-accredited undergraduate first degree. It is also accredited by the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM).
You will study core modules and complete a dissertation. You will also choose option modules enabling you to specialise in the areas of the course that interest you the most.
As an MSc student, you will also undertake an individual dissertation project in an area of particular interest. Examples of subjects our students have completed their research project on include:
Water Resources Management
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% exam
The module will be divided broadly into four distinct, but linked sections:
1. Introduction to the challenges of global and national water resource management;
2. Introduction to the fundamental hydrological processes (surface and subsurface) that influence water resource availability;
3. Introduction to the legal and policy framework of the water sector with a specific emphasis on Europe and the UK;
4. Introduction to potential future solutions to the challenges of global and national water
Water Treatment Technology
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% exam
This module explores the links between drinking water characteristics and treatment plant design. It critically evaluates a variety of treatment technology options and suitable plans for treatment processes according to varying water characteristics and international drinking water quality standards.
It also investigates the principles governing disease control through sustainable water treatment technology in developing countries and explores the process of risk management through the application of Water Safety Plans.
Wastewater Treatment Technology
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% exam
This module addresses the characteristics of wastewater and how variations in flow rate are dealt with. It explores wastewater treatment theory and practice, and the treatment and disposal of wastewater sludge.
It also considers both advanced wastewater treatment technologies and low-cost wastewater treatment and sanitation options for developing countries; it does so in the context of global and local societal and environmental needs.
Water Quality Analysis
Assessment: 100% coursework
This 20-credit module investigates the principles of safe and accurate environmental water sampling through a local field-based case study. It explores methods for the analysis of the physical, chemical and biological components of water quality and covers approaches to analysing complex data sets.
Option modules
Graduates are well equipped to apply for jobs with water companies, government agencies and regulatory bodies, environmental/civil engineering consultancies, and international non-governmental organisations. Graduates are also well equipped to secure PhD studentships to further their research ambitions.
The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM).
This Distance Learning programme is ideal for engineers and scientists who want to improve the delivery of water and environmental services in low- and middle-income countries. You will develop knowledge, expertise and skills in many aspects of inclusive and sustainable public health infrastructure and services.
Externally accredited, WEDC programmes are well-established, and held in high regard by practitioners and employers from both the emergency and development sectors.
- Research-led teaching from international experts. 75% of the School’s research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the latest Government Research Excellence Framework.
- An outstanding place to study. The School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering is ranked 1st in the UK for Building in the Times Good University Guide 2018.
- A well respected programme. Many of our participants are employed by relief and development agencies.
- Professionally accredited. The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) have accredited this programme. Students registered for this programme are eligible for free student membership of CIWEM. The Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) has also accredited all WEDC MSc degrees as meeting requirements for Further Learning.
See the website http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/departments/civil/water-waste-dl/
Core modules:
- Management of Water and Sanitation
- Water and Environmental Sanitation
- Data Collection, Analysis and Research
- Case Study
- Research Dissertation
Optional Modules (choose 4):
- Wastewater Treatment
- Urban Infrastructure
- Water for Low-Income Communities
- Integrated Water Resources Management
- Solid Waste Management
- Low-Cost Sanitation
- Water Utilities Management
Distance Learning students study from home but are welcome to visit the Loughborough campus. They can make remote use of the University Library’s electronic search facilities. They can also remotely access the WEDC ‘Knowledge Base’, which has links to many sources of useful and relevant information.
Facilities on campus include our laboratory which houses equipment for field sampling and analysis of water and wastewater, and some of the largest hydraulics equipment in the UK. Although Distance Learners will not normally have access to this equipment they can ask the advice of laboratory staff if they are carrying out fieldwork as part of their dissertation.
Distance Learning students study from home but are welcome to visit the Loughborough campus. They can make remote use of the University Library’s electronic search facilities. They can also remotely access the WEDC ‘Knowledge Base’, which has links to many sources of useful and relevant information.
The programme comprises both compulsory core modules, and optional modules which may be selected. The Case Study module draws together material from across the programme. A research dissertation between 75 and 150 pages long on a chosen topic relevant to interests or career development concludes the programme. Many of the Distance Learning modules have web-based discussion forums, where Distance Learners can choose to interact with each other and Module Tutors.
The method of delivery for the learning materials is mainly portable and paper-based, to suit students who are living or working in areas of the world with poor internet connectivity, or those who travel frequently. We also arrange some webinars which are recorded for students who are unable to participate.
During the programme students build up an excellent library of well-produced bound module notes, additional resources and relevant text books. In addition to the printed version we are developing and planning to provide e-reader versions of some module notes to enhance portability.
On occasion we offer specific full-fee and partial-fee scholarships for distance learning applicants.
As one of four Royal Academy of Engineering designated Centres of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, the School of Civil and Building Engineering is one of the largest of its type in the UK and holds together a thriving community of over 60 academic staff, 40 technical and clerical support staff and over 240 active researchers that include Fellows, Associates, Assistants, Engineers and Doctoral Students.
Our world-class teaching and research are integrated to support the technical and commercial needs of both industry and society. A key part of our ethos is our extensive links with industry resulting in our graduates being extremely sought after by industry and commerce world-wide,
- Postgraduate programmes
The School offers a focussed suite of post graduate programmes aligned to meet the needs of industry and fully accredited by the relevant professional institutions. Consequently, our record of graduate employment is second to none. Our programmes also have a long track record of delivering high quality, research-led education. Indeed, some of our programmes have been responding to the needs of industry and producing high quality graduates for over 40 years.
Currently, our suite of Masters programmes seeks to draw upon our cutting edge research and broad base knowledge of within the areas of contemporary construction management, project management, infrastructure management, building engineering, building modelling, building energy demand and waste and water engineering. The programmes are designed to respond to contemporary issues in the field such as sustainable construction, low carbon building, low energy services, project complexity, socio-technical systems and socio-economic concerns.
- Research
Drawing from our excellent record in attracting research funds (currently standing at over £19M), the focal point of the School is innovative, industry-relevant research. This continues to nurture and refresh our long history of working closely with industrial partners on novel collaborative research and informs our ongoing innovative teaching and extensive enterprise activities. This is further complemented by our outstanding record of doctoral supervision which has provided, on average, a PhD graduate from the School every two weeks.
- Career Prospects
Independent surveys continue to show that industry has the highest regard for our graduates. Over 90% were in employment and/or further study six months after graduating. Recent independent surveys of major employers have also consistently rated the School at the top nationally for civil engineering and construction graduates.
Find out how to apply here http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/departments/civil/water-waste-dl/
Although much progress has been made over the last three decades, still more than one billion people lack access to a safe, reliable and affordable water supply; and more than twice that number still lack access to basic sanitation. This course provides the essential skills and knowledge required to plan and implement, with communities, water supply and sanitation projects and programmes worldwide, particularly in less developed countries.
On successful completion of this option students will be able to:
We recognise the importance of identifying a clear career path when deciding to study for a postgraduate degree. Here at Cranfield you will receive full support in creating an effective career strategy from our dedicated careers service. Whether you are looking to secure your first role in the Water sector or you want to take your career to the next level, our careers service is tailored to you and your career goals.
Our courses are based on cutting edge research, so you can be sure that they are relevant in today’s employment market.
Cranfield graduates leave with the skills to make an immediate contribution in the international water industry, and many enjoy long-term careers in diverse roles such as consultants, managers, engineers, sanitation specialists and project managers. Some of our graduates went on to work in sanitation development with non-governmental organisations, emergency relief agencies, UN and similar international bodies such as UNICEF, Water Aid, HEEALS and Pure Water for the World. The course also provides an ideal grounding for research positions and PhD programmes.
Our courses are designed to meet the training needs of industry and have a strong input from experts in their sector. These include:
This degree has been accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM).
The modules include lectures and tutorials, and are assessed through appropriate assignments. There is an emphasis on analysis of real problems, with practical field work, including a week of drilling, to reinforce learning.
Group project
The group project provides students with the opportunity to take responsibility for a consultancy-type project, while working under academic supervision. Success is dependent on the integration of various activities and working within agreed objectives, deadlines and budgets.
Individual project
Students select the individual project in consultation with the Course Director. The individual project provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to carry out independent research, think and work in an original way, contribute to knowledge, and overcome genuine problems in water management. Many of the projects are supported by external organisations and are based in low-income countries.
Assessment
Taught modules MSc 40%, PgDip 66.6%, Group project (dissertation for part-time students) MSc 20%, PgDip 33.3%, Individual project MSc 40%.
This course will provide you with an in-depth knowledge of how to deliver effective modern water supply, sanitation and other public health interventions in urban and rural areas in low-income and transitional economies.
Aimed at consultants, and working professionals in national and local government, non-government organisations, international development organisations and public health agencies, it has a strong focus on developing practical and policy skills and addresses the critical future challenges of climate change, population growth and urbanisation. You’ll develop your understanding of technical interventions in water supply, sanitation and solid waste management.
Run in conjunction with the Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, one of the UK’s preeminent public health research centres, and informed by research undertaken by our Institute for Public Health and Environmental Engineering, this programme will give you the knowledge and skills to identify and deliver investments that will have major benefits for health and development.
Institute for Public Health and Environmental Engineering
Our Institute for Public Health and Environmental Engineering is renowned worldwide for its pioneering work in developing countries. The institute undertakes research in all aspects of the built environment in which the presence of pathogens influences design, including water treatment, solid waste and airborne transmission of disease.
Staff teaching on this course have close working links with a number of key institutions in the field of international development, including UNICEF, the World Bank, the World Health Organization, the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council, WaterAid, World Vision, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the African Development Bank.
You’ll also benefit from using our specialist facilities, such as our public health labs with separate areas for solid waste, water and wastewater, and a class II microbiology lab and clean room. We have all the specialist software you’ll need for your programme, and you’ll have access to a dedicated study suite for Masters students.
This MSc attracts UK and overseas graduates who wish to take advantage of the considerable global interest in water, wastewater, sanitation and waste to develop their careers.
Many graduates from the programme go on to work for consultancies, water utilities, contractors, relief agencies, regulatory bodies and international organisations.
Graduates from the programme also have the potential to progress to relevant specialist PhD or EngD research programmes in the field.
In the past, scholarship students have been accepted from a range of schemes, including: Foreign Office and British Council Chevening, World Bank, Commonwealth, Thames Water, Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, and the Royal Academy of Engineering, together with students from numerous overseas national schemes.
This programme is studied full-time over one academic year and part-time students must study at least two taught technical modules per academic year. It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation project.
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.
Apart from the usual full-time mode, there are also part-time options. The majority of Bridge, Geotechnical and Structural Engineering modules can be studied by distance learning through the use of an interactive web-based e-learning platform (SurreyLearn).
This programme can be studied via distance learning, which allows a high level of flexibility and enables you to study alongside other commitments you may have. Download our distance learning PDF to learn more.
Laboratories and pilot plants
In recent years, CEHE has benefited from investment in new equipment in both the small centre facility, which primarily supports fieldwork, and a larger, more extensively equipped microbiology and chemistry laboratory.
The laboratories are equipped with recently acquired state-of- the-art analytical equipment including ICP-OES, GC/MS, TOC, Ion Chromatograph, Particle Counter, water quality loggers, Delagua kits and so on, available for fieldwork.
A water and wastewater research pilot plant is located at Thames Water’s Shalford and Godalming Water Treatment Works, just a few kilometres away from the University campus. Over the years, many MSc dissertation projects have been completed at this facility, most of them to assist in the development or testing of relief agency systems.
A parallel wastewater research pilot plant has recently been established, again with the support of Thames Water, at Godalming Sewage Treatment Works.
Library facilities
The University library is currently resourced for books, journals and electronic resources, as the postgraduate programme in Water and Environmental Engineering has been well established over the last decade.
The programme draws on science, engineering and other areas of knowledge, and the overall diversity of academic groups within the University ensures that there are library resources to answer most needs.
The provision of British Standards online has reduced the copyright requirements and the quantity of photocopying required. Passwords are available from the library web pages for all other electronic resources.
CEHE resource centre
Provision is made within CEHE to access a limited range of textbooks, previously completed MSc dissertations, a selected range of journals and software mounted on PCs in the Catchment Modelling Laboratory or available on CD.
Professional Institution resources
Library and learning resources are available at the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management and other appropriate professional bodies.
All categories of members of the professional institutions are allowed to borrow books from the institution libraries by post, and in some cases to access other services online.
Computing
There are suitable computing facilities available both within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences and through central university facilities.
Teaching rooms
Teaching is primarily in flat floor teaching rooms, although there are occasions when formal lecture theatre facilities are used. All of the usual academic support materials and systems are available and pre-printed notes are distributed during every lecture.
The programme aims to provide graduates with:
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.
This programme examines development planning in the context of environmental concerns in urban areas of the Global South. It challenges mainstream approaches to development, focusing instead upon transformative action for environmental justice. Many of our graduates go on to help shape future sustainable development agendas in local government, international agencies and civil society organisations.
The focus of this degree is the complexity and variety of current environmental problems in urban regions, their causes and impacts, and the possibilities and limitations of environmental planning and management. Students learn how to respond to processes that generate social and environmental change, and how to develop strategies to steer urban environmental planning towards sustainability and environmental justice.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of three core modules (90 credits), one or two optional modules (30 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma, three core modules (90 credits), one or two optional modules (30 modules), full-time nine months, is offered.
Core modules
Optional modules
Not all modules may be available.
Dissertation/report
All MSc students submit a 10,000-word dissertation on a topic related to the main themes of the programme. The topic can be chosen to enhance career development or for its inherent interest.
Teaching and learning
The programme comprises reading, essay writing, critical discussion and project work, facilitated through lectures, seminars, workshops, extensive fieldwork and discussions with practitioners covering theoretical and practical tasks and case study analysis. Assessment is through coursework, examinations, and the dissertation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Environment and Sustainable Development MSc
Most previous graduates of this programme are now engaged in professional activities, ranging from local and national government, consultancy firms and national and international NGOs, to United Nations programmes and international aid agencies all over the world.
Examples of organisations where graduates are employed include:
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
Our programme equips students with several interdisciplinary and transferable skills including report writing, data collection and analysis, communication, research and project management skills and teamwork.
Our students network with diverse organisations in the UK and internationally, and in the field they may work directly with local public and private partners. Academic staff are involved in research, consultancy and development practice, influencing global debates on development such as UNFCCC negotiations, the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Habitat III agenda. Students can meet alumni and other individuals and groups forming part of this network, which is concerned with issues of socially just and sustainable development in the Global South.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
This programme offers an in-depth theoretical and practical understanding of socio-environmental change, equipping graduates with the skills required to face global challenges in urban regions while being sensitive to local contexts.
For the last 60 years the Development Planning Unit at UCL has championed forms of development planning that promote social justice in the context of rapid urbanisation in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The programme provides opportunities to interact with leading thinkers in development planning and students will join an international network of researchers and practitioners.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Development Planning Unit
81% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
