Program Overview

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Water, Climate Change, and Sustainability (MSc)

Overview

The Water, Climate Change, and Sustainability MSc is a full-time, one-year program designed to tackle global challenges and open diverse career pathways. This interdisciplinary program equips students with the knowledge and skills to become leaders in water science and management, addressing urgent challenges such as limited usable freshwater, climate-driven floods and droughts, and their impacts on economies, conflict potential, and ecosystem degradation.

Why Study This Course

Become a leader in water science and management with a broad skill set to address water challenges. The program is aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and provides a solid understanding of water in terms of the hydrological cycle, climate forcing, and sustainable management of water-related hazards and resources.

Accreditations

• Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

School of Earth and Environmental Sciences

The school is committed to making sense of our changing world and solving critical challenges facing society, economy, and environment.

Admissions Criteria

To be considered for an offer, applicants must meet all entry requirements, including:

1. A 2:1 honours degree in a relevant subject area, such as biology, earth science, economics, environmental science, geography, or hydrology.
2. A copy of the IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 and 5.5 in all subskills. Applicants without a degree in a relevant area or with a 2:2 honours degree may be considered based on professional experience.

Course Structure

The program is full-time, undertaken in one academic year, with taught modules totaling 120 credits during the Diploma stage. Successful completion of the taught stage leads to the dissertation stage, where students write an individual research project under academic supervision.

Core Modules

• Big Data, Machine Learning and AI (20 credits)
• Water in the Environment (20 credits)
• Climate Change, Adaptation and Resilience (20 credits)
• Environmental Sustainability: Policies, Principles and Practice (20 credits)
• Research Dissertation Water, Climate Change, and Sustainability (60 credits)

Optional Modules

• Integrated Water Sciences for the real world (20 credits)
• Environment and Development (20 credits)
• Remote Sensing of Hazards and Risks (20 credits)
• Numerical modelling of Environmental Hazard processes (20 credits)

Learning and Assessment

The program adopts a balanced approach combining academic rigor with practical relevance. Teaching methods include lectures, small group teaching sessions, seminars, workshops, and tutorials. Assessments vary by module and include quantitative problem sets, essays, oral presentations, video presentations, and exams.

Tuition Fees for 2026 Entry

• Home status: Ł12,450 (Year one), with no deposit required.
• Overseas status: Ł30,700 (Year one), with a Ł2,500 deposit.

Funding

Financial support may be available, including Master's Scholarships, postgraduate loans, and an Alumni Discount.

Careers and Placements

The program is designed to lead to various careers, including specialist professional careers in international development, environmental consulting, government, or the non-profit sector. It prepares students for successful environmental careers by providing a comprehensive set of knowledge, skills, and practical experiences highly valued by employers.

Potential Job Roles

• Water Hazard Analyst
• Flood Manager
• Environmental Planner
• Water Resources Specialist
• Environmental Consultant
• Environmental Team Manager
• Policy Advisor/Analyst
• Community Engagement Coordinator
• Climate Adaptation Specialist
• Humanitarian Aid Worker
• Project Manager in International Development

Next Steps

For more information about the program, including how to apply and upcoming open day visits, please refer to the university's official resources.