Program Overview

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Natural Resources, MSc (by Research)

Gain expertise in sustainable development from the Natural Resources Institute with an MSc by Research in Natural Resources.

This research master's in natural resources is for graduates and professionals looking for greater knowledge and expertise in natural resources and sustainable development.

The MSc consists of a selection of taught courses (from our MSc Global Environmental Change and MSc Agriculture for Sustainable Development) plus an extended research project which enables you to focus on an aspect relevant to your interests.

The programme provides awareness of natural resources, their management and sustainable development. You'll also understand how to apply the principles of sustainable natural resource management to your own discipline.

Location

Medway Campus

Duration

• 1 years full-time
• 2 years part-time

Start month

September

Home /international fees 2025/26

• £11,325 /£17,975

What you should know about this course

• The programme will introduce you to natural resources and their integration with other aspects of the natural world.
• The emphasis is on tropical applications, which is the Natural Resources Institute’s principal specialist area.
• Study at Medway Campus in Kent, and benefit from our renovated laboratory facilities.
• The part-time option is available to UK/EU students only.

What you will study

Full time

Part time

• Full time
• Part time

Year 1

Option Set 1

Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

• Research Methods for Postgraduates (15 credits)
• Long Project (NRI) (120 credits)

Students are required to choose 45 credits from this list of options.

• Integrated Pest Management (30 credits)
• Risk Analysis for Agriculture and the Environment (15 credits)
• Agronomy and Crop Physiology (15 credits)
• Conservation Ecology (15 credits)
• Environmental Footprinting (15 credits)
• Agricultural and Natural Resources Innovation for Development (15 credits)
• Plant Disease Management (15 credits)
• Responsible Business and Natural Resources Management (15 credits)
• Economics, Agriculture and Marketing (15 credits)
• Fundamentals of Meteorology and Climate Change (30 credits)
• Adaptation to Environmental Change: Climate and Water (15 credits)
• Postgraduate Negotiated Learning Module (15 credits)
• Climate Change, Food Security and Sustainable Development (15 credits)
• Postharvest Technology of Fruit and Vegetables (15 credits)
• Agroforestry (15 credits)
• Introduction to GIS for Natural Resource Management (15 credits)
• Soils and Environments (15 credits)

Option Set 2

Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

• Research Methods for Postgraduates (15 credits)
• Long Project (NRI) (120 credits)

Students are also required to choose 45 credits from this list of options.

• Postgraduate Negotiated Learning Module (15 credits)
• Laboratory Quality Assurance (15 credits)
• Food Marketing (15 credits)
• Postharvest Technology of Fruit and Vegetables (15 credits)
• Food Preservation (15 credits)
• Food Safety and Quality Management (30 credits)
• Food Safety (30 credits)
• Food Product and Process Development (30 credits)
• Food Inspection for Government Officials (15 credits)
• Innovations in Food Packaging (30 credits)
• Food Management (15 credits)
• Food Authenticity and Traceability (15 credits)
• Alternative Proteins (15 credits)
• Applied Food Science and Innovation (15 credits)
• Branding, Innovation and Management (30 credits)
• Food Microbiology (15 credits)
• Food, Nutrition and Public Health (30 credits)

Year 1

Option Set 1

Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

• Research Methods for Postgraduates (15 credits)

Students are required to choose 45 credits from this list of options.

• Integrated Pest Management (30 credits)
• Risk Analysis for Agriculture and the Environment (15 credits)
• Agronomy and Crop Physiology (15 credits)
• Conservation Ecology (15 credits)
• Environmental Footprinting (15 credits)
• Agricultural and Natural Resources Innovation for Development (15 credits)
• Plant Disease Management (15 credits)
• Responsible Business and Natural Resources Management (15 credits)
• Economics, Agriculture and Marketing (15 credits)
• Fundamentals of Meteorology and Climate Change (30 credits)
• Adaptation to Environmental Change: Climate and Water (15 credits)
• Postgraduate Negotiated Learning Module (15 credits)
• Climate Change, Food Security and Sustainable Development (15 credits)
• Postharvest Technology of Fruit and Vegetables (15 credits)
• Agroforestry (15 credits)
• Introduction to GIS for Natural Resource Management (15 credits)
• Soils and Environments (15 credits)

Option Set 2

Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

• Research Methods for Postgraduates (15 credits)

Students are also required to choose 45 credits from this list of options.

• Postgraduate Negotiated Learning Module (15 credits)
• Laboratory Quality Assurance (15 credits)
• Food Marketing (15 credits)
• Food Chemistry (15 credits)
• Postharvest Technology of Fruit and Vegetables (15 credits)
• Food Preservation (15 credits)
• Food Safety and Quality Management (30 credits)
• Food Safety (30 credits)
• Food Product and Process Development (30 credits)
• Food Inspection for Government Officials (15 credits)
• Innovations in Food Packaging (30 credits)
• Food Management (15 credits)
• Food Authenticity and Traceability (15 credits)
• Alternative Proteins (15 credits)
• Applied Food Science and Innovation (15 credits)
• Branding, Innovation and Management (30 credits)
• Food Microbiology (15 credits)
• Food, Nutrition and Public Health (30 credits)

Year 2

Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

• Long Project (NRI) (120 credits)

Entry requirements

UK citizens and permanent residents

• An undergraduate (honours) degree at 2:2, or above, in a Science subject.
• Applicants who don’t meet the above but have significant experience may be considered.
• Suitable applicants will be required to attend an interview.

International entry requirements

• The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses.
• For detailed information on the academic and English language requirements, please find your country in our directory.

How you will learn

Teaching

• Two-thirds of this course (120 credits) is a research project that will help students develop significant expertise and research skills.
• Students also choose courses worth 60 credits from the Institute's master's-level portfolios that are relevant and/or required for the topic of the research project.

Class sizes

• There are around 30 students on the MSc programmes in NRI.
• For specialist modules, our classes are often limited to about 6 students in lab sessions and 20 in lectures.

Independent learning

• The main assessment of this course is a research project.
• For this, much of your study time will be spent working independently.

Overall workload

• If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job.
• For part-time students (available to UK/EU only), this will reduce in proportion with the number of courses you are studying, but is normally half of the full-time equivalent.

Assessment

• The taught modules (60 credits) are assessed through a mixture of examinations, assignments, presentations and group work.
• The research project (120 credits) is assessed by a written thesis and a viva exam.

Fees and funding

Fees information

• Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning
• Home | £11,325 | £5,663 per year | N/A
• International | £17,975 | £8,988 per year | N/A

Accommodation costs

• Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for.
• University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences.

Scholarships and bursaries

• We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.

Careers and placements

What sort of careers do graduates pursue?

• Graduates from this course can pursue opportunities in research and development in their chosen field.

Do you provide employability services?

• We have a team dedicated to enhancing student employment outcomes.
• Our Employer Partnerships Manager develops relationships with companies to provide employment opportunities.

Support and advice

Academic skills and study support

• You will be assigned at least two supervisors.
• Your lead supervisor is normally a subject specialist in your area of investigation.
• The second supervisor will likely be a generalist who can advise on aspects of presentation, general editing and style.

Support from the department

• All students prepare a research proposal identifying a programme of work and the equipment and resources required.
• This is approved by the supervisory team and the Natural Resources Institute's Health and Safety Manager.

Ongoing research

• Ongoing research is supported by a seminar series delivered by current staff, visiting researchers and postgraduate research students, as well as similar Faculty-level initiatives.