Program Overview

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Environmental Engineering (PgDip)

Overview

Environmental Engineers work at the interface between the Natural and the Built Environment. Environmental Engineering deals with the Impacts of the Built Environment and Human Activities on the Natural Environment and vice versa. The Programme provides the Technical Understanding of these Interactions across the Engineering and Environmental Sciences and develops your Practical Skills to Characterise and Monitor these key Processes and to find Solutions to address these Challenges. In doing so, Environmental Engineering is key to supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to finding and implementing Solutions to Mitigate and to Adapt to Climate Change. Environmental Engineering is a broad discipline which is accessible to those from many different backgrounds. The Programme offers a wide variety of elective modules across Environmental Engineering to suit your particular interests. The Programme provides the opportunities for a career in the environmental, consultancy, regulatory, management, and engineering industry at home or abroad.

Entry Requirements

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a relevant Engineering/Science discipline, e.g. Civil Engineering. Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient mathematical background (a minimum of A-level standard or equivalent) however undergraduate courses with a high mathematical content, e.g. Statistics, will be considered on a case-by case-basis. A 2.1 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University, is required for those with an insufficient mathematical background. Applicants with qualifications below 2.2 Honours degree standard (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) will be considered on a case-by case-basis. Supplementary form to be completed along with application. Professional Qualifications may be considered alongside extensive relevant professional experience. Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 30th June 2025 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page. Please note: A deposit will be required to secure a place on this course.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) | £4,867
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Republic of Ireland (ROI) | £4,867
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) | £6,167
EU Other | £17,200
International | £17,200

Additional Course Costs

Students are expected to supply their own waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear to participate in field-based activities, where applicable. Students who choose to undertake their MSc research project in collaboration with external organisation may be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure Check with Access NI costing £33.

Career Prospects

Environmental Engineers are in high demand. The challenges of Sustainable Development, Decarbonisation and Climate Change Adaptation require technical competencies alongside practical skills to find and implement solutions to these challenges. The programme provides its graduates with the relevant competencies and skills for successful careers in environmental engineering, monitoring, management and consultancy, and establishes a basis for interdisciplinary research studies. Over the past two decades, the programme has developed a strong recognition with employers in industry, governmental agencies and academia with many of our past graduates having become Senior Industry Leaders and actively recruiting from the programme. Past graduates have found employment with a wide range of employers, eg environment regulatory agencies, civil engineering and specialist contractors as well as engineering and environmental consultancies in the UK, Ireland and abroad.

Modules

• Eng Hydrology and Hydrogeology (20 credits)
• Sustainability Management (20 credits)
• Land & Water Quality (20 credits)
• Assessment of Environmental Impacts (20 credits)
• Mitigating Climate Change (20 credits)
• GIS and Spatial Analysis (20 credits)
• Project Planning for Sustainability (20 credits)
• Skills for Sustainable Development (20 credits)
• Introduction to Renewable Energies (20 credits)
• Water and Wastewater Treatment (10 credits)

Module Details

Eng Hydrology and Hydrogeology

The course provides an introduction of the principles of surface and groundwater flow and its implications on the management of water as a natural resource. It develops the basic concepts necessary for understanding surface & groundwater behaviour and their mathematic expression.

Sustainability Management

Over the course of the 1-semester module (12 weeks), the module will cover the following key elements: Introduction to Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG); What is ESG / Relevance to making financial decisions; Describe key environmental, social, and governance issues; Explain how stakeholders influence corporate ESG performance; Analyze ESG risks and opportunities; Assess ESG company performance using publicly available information.

Land & Water Quality

The purpose of the course is to develop an introduction to the theoretical and practical strategies used for assessing and managing the quality of soils and water.

Assessment of Environmental Impacts

This module aims to introduce students to how the impacts of engineering projects are assessed within the framework Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Impact Assessment and sustainability evaluations.

Mitigating Climate Change

This module explores the techniques used to mitigate climate change, both in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and removing carbon from the atmosphere.

GIS and Spatial Analysis

The module will be run for twelve weeks from September to December and examines two aspects of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Spatial Planning.

Project Planning for Sustainability

The need for infrastructure to be sustainable is one of the driving factors behind project planning, design, construction and operation.

Skills for Sustainable Development

This is a broad ranging module exploring the major global issues in environmental sustainability, such as Climate Change, Biodiversity, Waste Management, Water Management and Renewable Energy.

Introduction to Renewable Energies

The objectives of the module are to provide an introduction to Renewable Energy Technologies, their applications and legislative framework.

Water and Wastewater Treatment

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic principles and underlying concepts of water and wastewater treatment.