Program Overview

Water Engineering for Development (Distance Learning, Part-time) MSc, PGDip, PGCert

Overview

The Water Engineering for Development (Distance Learning, Part-time) MSc, PGDip, PGCert is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to develop a successful career in improving the delivery of water supply and environmental sanitation infrastructure and services internationally. This programme is particularly relevant for those who want to work in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Qualification(s) available

• MSc
• PGDip
• PGCert

Fees

• UK fee: £12,500 Full-time degree per annum (academic year)
• International fee: £25,500 Full-time degree per annum (academic year)
• Fees for the academic year apply to courses starting in October 2025 or January 2026.
• Fees for the academic year apply to courses starting in October 2026.

Scholarships and bursaries

• Loughborough University Alumni Bursary: 10% off tuition fees
• Excellence Scholarship: Up to 20% off tuition fees

Entry requirements

• A 2:2 (55%) honours degree or equivalent international qualification in any discipline.
• Equivalent professional qualification may be accepted in lieu of degree.
• Country-specific requirements are available on the university's website.

Course structure

• The programme is delivered through distance learning and can be completed part-time over 2-5 years.
• Students will study one or two modules per semester to fit around their study/work commitments.
• Compulsory modules include:
  • Water and the Natural Environment (DL) (15 credits)
  • Research Methods (DL) (15 credits)
  • Urban and Rural Water Engineering (DL) (15 credits)
  • Groundwater Modelling and Management (DL) (15 credits)
  • Flood Modelling and Management (DL) (15 credits)
  • Urban and Rural Sanitation Engineering (DL) (15 credits)
  • Management of Water and Environmental Sanitation Infrastructure (DL) (15 credits)
  • Research Dissertation (DL) (60 credits)
• Optional modules (choose one):
  • Disaster Risk Management (DL) (15 credits)
  • Humanitarian Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion (DL) (15 credits)

Assessment

• Assignments and assessments will be undertaken throughout the programme.
• Normally, two or three assessments will be undertaken for each module, which may include practical-based and/or groupwork-based assessments.

Career opportunities

• Water and sanitation engineers
• Water resources planners
• Environmental consultants
• Policy advisors
• Researchers
• Many WEDC alumni work for international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as Oxfam, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and WaterAid, and agencies such as UNICEF, as well as national governments.

Research areas

• Understanding nature's power and exploring how natural solutions can help India adapt to climate change.
• Converting waste to energy by understanding how anaerobic digestion helps to address the global sanitation problem.
• Addressing the data gap and identifying missing information to better monitor disaster risks.

Professional recognition

• The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), a prestigious body representing leading engineering institutions on behalf of the UK Engineering Council.
• This accreditation signifies that the programme meets the high standards required for becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng).