MSc Environmental Pollution Control

Program Overview

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Environmental Pollution Control (MSc)

About this course

Our MSc Environmental Pollution Control course provides excellent training for careers in air, water and waste pollution management. Students explore the scientific basis of pollution and practical approaches to its control. Through the optional modules you’ll get the chance to learn about the legal and business framework and the many environments affected by pollution.

The ability to accurately monitor emissions to the environment and mitigate their harmful impacts sits at the heart of this diverse environmental science master’s degree.

On completing the course, you should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the importance of environmental concepts, terms, principles and methods
• the value of using techniques and ideas in different subject disciplines
• the socio-economic context of environmental issues and the legal framework for environmental regulation
• the contribution of science, engineering or communication to the identification, understanding of environmental issues and concerns
• the human causes and consequences of environmental impacts
• general environmental concerns, which may include: biodiversity; environmental limits to economic or population growth

This course develops the professional skills required for a rewarding career as an environmental scientist in air, water and waste pollution management.

Course lead

Your programme lead is Dr Andrew Phillips, a Senior Teaching Fellow in Environmental GIS who has a professional and academic background in researching environmental issues and sustainable solutions. He now specialises in teaching in these areas at a University level and is passionate about ensuring and delivering a high quality education and experience for students.

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

• Download ODT

Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in a relevant subject.

We assess all applications on an individual basis.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.5
• writing: 6.5
• speaking: 6.5
• listening: 6.5

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

We encourage candidates with alternative qualifications and experience in the environmental sector to apply. We will assess all applications on an individual basis.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Course structure

This is a full-time master’s course. You’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.

In the first 8 months (semesters 1 and 2) you’ll study the taught part of your course. This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, and modules we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options.

For the last 4 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently on your Advanced Research Project. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress. We encourage you to conduct your project with external organisations and potential employers.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules:

• Academic and Technical Skills Development
• Air Quality and Environmental Pollution
• MSc Research Project
• Water Pollution

You must also choose from the following modules:

• Biodiversity, restoration and applied ecology in a changing world
• Coastal and Maritime Engineering
• Core Skills in GIS
• Data Collection and Research Methods for Sustainability and Environmental Science
• Flood Modelling and Mitigation
• Freshwater Ecosystems
• GIS for Environmental Management and Consultancy
• Programming for GIS and Spatial Analyses
• River and Estuary Restoration
• Sustainable Resource Management
• The Sustainability Professional (MSc)

Learning and assessment

Learning

We teach through a variety of:

• lectures
• seminars
• case studies
• field exercises
• group exercises
• activities with external organisations

Assessment

Depending on the modules you choose, we’ll assess you through a combination of:

• essays
• reports
• policy briefs
• impact statements
• environmental management (iso14001) audits
• literature reviews
• journal articles
• presentations
• practical and written exams

Dissertation

In the final part of the year, you’ll focus on your individual research work. You’ll complete an advanced research project and we’ll encourage you to work with industry and potential employers to apply your newly developed knowledge.

You don’t have to submit a dissertation but will instead write a research article of up to 7,000 words in the style of a peer-reviewed journal, for submission in September. This article contributes one-third of the marks towards your MSc degree.

Academic Support

You’ll have access to:

• introductory sessions for your programme
• research seminars and invited lectures from external speakers
• a personal academic tutor to help you with any personal problems and advise on academic issues
• module leaders to discuss your current modules
• module handbooks and outlines including information about learning outcomes, assessment methods, relevant background material and reading lists
• admin support from your Student Office, which deals with student records and general queries about your degree

Careers and employability

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Environmental Consultancy
• Environmental public bodies
• government research institutes
• Local Councils
• Academic
• Wildlife Conservation
• Pollution control

Careers directly related to this course:

• Environmental monitoring officer
• Ecological consultant
• Wildlife conservation officer
• Water quality scientist
• Sustainability consultant
• Environmental consultant
• Ecologist
• Researcher
• Air quality consultant
• Air and emissions technician

Wider career opportunities:

• Conservation project manager
• Landscape architect
• Planning analyst
• Sustainably projects officer
• Recycling officer
• Nature Conservation officer

Example job titles of Southampton MSc Environmental Pollution Control graduates:

• Environmental consultant
• Geospatial analyst
• Ecologist
• Climate change officer
• Conservation agriculture project manager
• Environment and sustainability analyst
• Surveyor
• Planning analyst
• Sustainably projects officer
• Waste minimisation officer

Job prospects for MSc Environmental Pollution Control graduates

• Average professional salary: £28.5k
• In a skilled profession or further study: 95%
• Graduate employment rate: 95%

Source: The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £30,300.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Geography and Environmental Science Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Geography and Environmental Science.

Find out more about the Southampton Geography and Environmental Science Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

UK students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

International students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two references, one academic reference and one academic or professional reference.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Related courses

Environmental Pollution Control (MSc) is a course in the Geography and environmental science subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

• MSc Biodiversity and Conservation
• MSc Environmental Consultancy
• MSc Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
• MSc Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
• PGCE Geography
• MSc Sustainability
• MSc Water Resources Management