inline-defaultCreated with Sketch.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

Students
Tuition Fee
GBP 30,250
Per year
Start Date
2026-09-01
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
12 months
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Civil Engineering | Environmental Engineering | Sustainability
Area of study
Engineering | Natural Science
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Tuition Fee
Average International Tuition Fee
GBP 30,250
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2026-09-01-
About Program

Program Overview


MRes Climate Change Adaptation

The MRes in Climate Change Adaptation is a postgraduate research degree that tackles a critical and growing topic for research and innovation. The course provides advanced study of key issues related to action to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and particularly around the circular economy, the design of engineering options for sustainable development, and infrastructure adaptation.


Key Facts

  • Start date: September
  • Application deadline: August
  • Study mode and duration: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time; 36 months part-time (online distance learning)

Why this Course?

The MRes in Climate Change Adaptation is the first of its kind, and it links with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) identified by the United Nations, particularly SDG13 Climate Action. An MRes offers a unique and bespoke experience; you can tailor your studies to suit your own research interests and career objectives. The course is largely research and project-based but there is also a taught element to it.


Course Content

The course combines a number of subjects including:


  • Climate change, climate action, and climate resilience
  • Sustainability
  • Circular economy
  • Carbon assessment
  • Environmental impact assessment (EIA)

You'll complete six taught modules. Three classes are compulsory, and you then choose three optional. The bulk of your study will focus on the MRes dissertation project, which will develop your research skills and hone in-depth knowledge.


Compulsory Classes

  1. Research methods for quantitative & qualitative approaches (10 credits): This class will introduce you to research techniques and examine different ways of presenting research results.
  2. Circular economy & transformations towards sustainability (10 credits): This class covers the circular economy as a framework for the development and management of a sustainable 'waste-as-resource' economic system.
  3. Environmental impact assessment (10 credits): This class introduces the methods used to predict environmental impacts and evaluates how these may be used to integrate environmental factors into decisions.

Elective Classes

You can choose two elective classes from a range of postgraduate classes on offer, including:


  • Hydrogeology (10 credits)
  • Global water policy (10 credits)
  • Groundwater flow modelling (10 credits)
  • Contaminated land (10 credits)
  • Geographical information systems (10 credits)
  • Fundamentals of environmental forensics (10 credits)
  • Environmental pollution management (10 credits)
  • Water & wastewater treatment design (10 credits)
  • Vertically Integrated Project water and sanitation hygiene (10 credits)
  • Financial engineering (10 credits)
  • Water & environmental management (10 credits)
  • Advanced materials science (10 credits)
  • Industrial design and construction (10 credits)

Entry Requirements

  • A minimum of first or upper second-class Honours degree from a UK institution (or overseas equivalent), and preferably a Masters-level qualification (or equivalent).
  • Experience of independent research is preferable.
  • We welcome students from a wide variety of disciplines, including civil and environmental engineering, earth sciences, geography, biology, environmental management, bioscience, chemistry and chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, business, computer sciences, and law.
  • For candidates whose first language is not English, minimum standards of written and spoken English are an IELTS minimum overall band score of 6.5 (no individual test score below 5.5).

Fees & Funding

  • Scotland: £11,900
  • England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £11,900
  • Republic of Ireland: If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status.
  • International: £30,250
  • Distance learning: £5,100 (per 60 credits)
  • Available scholarships can be found through the University's scholarships search.

Application

To apply to the MRes programme, you need to complete an application through the postgraduate research application portal, via the 'submit your own research proposal' avenue. Your application must be accompanied by a CV and research statement. The research statement is equivalent to a letter of motivation and should outline what motivates you about this MRes at the University of Strathclyde, any research experience to date, your research interests and career aspirations, the skills you're keen to develop, plus any clarification about how you meet the eligibility criteria.


Start Dates

The MRes courses start in September. Although you can apply to the programme at any time, in order to process your application in time for the forthcoming academic year, you'll need to complete your application before the end of July or earlier if you are a non-UK applicant.


Learning & Teaching

Taught classes are delivered via a mixture of approaches that may include lectures, online quizzes, tutorials, workshops, and research seminars. The thesis represents independent study to deliver new research in a field relating to climate change adaptation that interests you and that develops the skills you wish to acquire. Your independent study will be supported by the supervisor(s), research groups, and the MRes Director.


Assessment

You'll be assessed via a mixture of methods that may include assignments, online quizzes, formal exams, practicals, presentations or team projects. The final MRes thesis is typically assessed by viva voce.


Facilities

You'll have access to laboratory facilities providing the hands-on experience essential for a multidisciplinary approach to the design and development of engineering projects adapted to the challenges of climate change. Our £6 million state-of-the-art laboratory facilities are well-equipped with high-technological instrumentation and available space to investigate environmental & molecular microbiology, environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, geomechanics & soil quality, and structural design & material science.


Athena Swan Gold Award

The University of Strathclyde has been awarded the Athena Swan Gold Award for its commitment to improve equality, and being an inclusive and supportive place to work and study.


International Students

We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.


Life in Glasgow

Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city. Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.


Have You Considered?

We've a range of postgraduate taught and Masters courses similar to this one which may also be of interest, including:


  • Geoenvironmental Engineering (MRes)
  • Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control (MRes)
  • Sustainability & Environmental Studies (MSc)
  • Civil Engineering (MSc)
  • Environmental Engineering (MSc)
  • Hydrogeology (MSc)

Our Faculties & Departments

The University of Strathclyde is composed of several faculties and departments, including:


  • Faculty of Engineering
  • Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Science
  • Strathclyde Business School

Professional Services

The University offers a range of professional services, including:


  • Access, Equality & Inclusion Service
  • Alumni & Development
  • Careers Service
  • Conferencing & Events
  • Disability & Wellbeing Service
  • Education Enhancement
  • Equality & Diversity
  • Estates Services
  • Finance Directorate
  • Human Resources
  • Information Governance Unit
  • Information Services Directorate
  • Internal Audit
  • Innovation & Industry Engagement
  • Legal Services
  • Library
  • Occupational Health
  • Procurement
  • Research & Knowledge Exchange Services
  • Safety, Wellbeing & Resilience
  • Strategy & Planning
  • Strathclyde Print
  • Strathclyde Sport
  • Student Experience
  • Student Lifecycle
  • Widening Access

Online Services

The University provides various online services, including:


  • Student/Staff email
  • Myplace
  • PEGASUS
  • PURE
  • KnowledgeBase
  • Timetables
  • Lab availability
  • Telephone Directory
  • Report IT problems & IT Service Status
  • Service Catalogue
  • Mobile APP
  • ULab
  • SharePoint
  • Zoom

Quick Links

  • Website Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Notice
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Equality & Diversity
  • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Access to Information
  • Complaints Procedure
  • Vacancies

Get in Touch

The University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, number SC015263.


Cookie Preferences

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can use this tool to change your cookie settings. Otherwise, we’ll assume you’re OK to continue. Some of the cookies we use are essential for the website to work. We also use some non-essential cookies to collect information for generating reports and to help us improve the site. The cookies collect information in an anonymous form. To control cookies, you can also adjust your browser settings: see our Cookie Notice.


Privacy Preference Center

When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.


Allow All


Manage Consent Preferences

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Always Active


These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.


Performance Cookies

Performance Cookies


These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.


Functional Cookies

Functional Cookies


These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.


Targeting Cookies

Targeting Cookies


These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.


Back Button


Cookie List

Search Icon


Filter Icon


Clear


checkbox label label


Apply Cancel


Consent Leg.Interest


checkbox label label


checkbox label label


checkbox label label


Confirm My Choices


The University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, number SC015263.


Program Outline


Outline:

  • Compulsory Classes:
  • Research methods for quantitative & qualitative approaches
  • Circular economy & transformations towards sustainability
  • Environmental impact assessment
  • Elective Classes:
  • Hydrogeology
  • Global water policy
  • Groundwater flow modelling
  • Contaminated land
  • Fundamentals of environmental forensics
  • Environmental pollution management
  • Water & wastewater treatment design
  • Vertically Integrated Project water and sanitation hygiene
  • Financial engineering
  • Water & environmental management
  • Advanced materials science
  • Industrial design and construction

Other:

  • The program is designed to cater mainly for graduates or employees of public and private sector companies looking for advanced study of key issues relating to climate change and infrastructure.
  • The course is particularly suited to those wishing to develop research skills and experience.
  • Content will align with Chartership attributes for many awarding institutions, including ICE, CIWEM, and IES.
  • An MRes takes one year full-time or two years part-time to complete.
  • While full-time study is available to UK and international students, part-time study on-campus is only available to students from the UK or EU.
  • You can also study this course part-time through online Distance Learning, over 36 months, offering a flexible mode of study.
  • Distance Learning is available to UK and international students.

  • Scotland: £4,786
  • England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £4,786
  • International: £27,500
  • Distance learning: £5,100
SHOW MORE
About University
PhD
Masters
Bachelors
Diploma
Courses


Overview:

  • Founded in 1796 as Anderson's Institution
  • Received its Royal Charter in 1964, becoming the University of Strathclyde
  • Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the UK for engineering and technology
  • Home to the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), a world-leading research center in metal forming
  • Notable alumni include Sir James Black (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine), Sir David Murray (former CEO of Rangers Football Club), and Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell (astrophysicist)

Student Life:

  • Over 23,000 students from over 100 countries
  • 150+ student clubs and societies, including sports teams, cultural groups, and academic societies
  • Student support services include counseling, health, and disability support
  • Campus facilities include a sports center, library, and student union

Academics:

  • Offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, science, business, law, and social sciences
  • Faculty includes world-renowned experts in their fields
  • Teaching methodologies emphasize hands-on learning and industry engagement
  • Academic support services include tutoring, writing centers, and language support
  • Unique academic programs include the Strathclyde MBA, which is ranked among the top 100 MBAs in the world

Top Reasons to Study Here:

  • Excellent reputation for teaching and research, particularly in engineering and technology
  • Strong industry connections and opportunities for internships and placements
  • Specialized facilities such as the AFRC and the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
  • Vibrant student life with a diverse and inclusive community
  • Located in the heart of Glasgow, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city

Services:

  • Counseling and mental health support
  • Health center with a range of medical services
  • Accommodation services with a variety of on-campus and off-campus options
  • Library resources with over 1 million books and journals
  • Technology support including IT services and free Wi-Fi
  • Career development services with support for job searching, CV writing, and interview preparation

Total programs
596
Average ranking globally
#276
Average ranking in the country
#6
Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements:

A minimum of first or upper second-class Honours degree from a UK institution (or overseas equivalent), and preferably a Masters-level qualification (or equivalent). Experience of independent research is preferable. We welcome students from a wide variety of disciplines including (but not limited to): civil and environmental engineering earth sciences geography biology environmental management bioscience chemistry and chemical engineering mechanical engineering business computer sciences law


Language Proficiency Requirements:

For candidates whose first language is not English, minimum standards of written and spoken English are an IELTS minimum overall band score of 6.5 (no individual test score below 5.5). Applicants with slightly lower scores have the opportunity to attend the University's Pre-Sessional English classes to bring them up to the required level.

Location
How can I help you today?