Program Overview

MSc Environmental Management

The MSc Environmental Management programme is designed to equip students with a thorough understanding of the scientific and socio-economic principles of environmental management, and skills applicable to a wide range of environmental careers.

Overview

Gain a solid grounding in the scientific principles behind environmental management issues and participate in field- and laboratory-based research projects with our MSc Environmental Management programme. Study at one of the UK's leading universities for environmental and ethical performance, ranked 4th in the People and Planet University League, 2024/25. The University of Reading is also ranked top 150 in the world for Environmental Sciences, QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, and 3rd in the UK for research power in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences.

Accreditation

This programme is accredited by the Community for Environmental Disciplines in Higher Education (CEDHE), the education committee of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). CEDHE is the collective voice of the environmental sciences academic community and serves to enhance the quality of environmental education worldwide. A programme accredited by CEDHE is assured to meet high standards, contains a strong component of practical, field and theoretical activities, and has excellent opportunities for training, work experience and links to the professional environmental sector.

Learning Environment

Study at a university highly recognised for its work on and contribution to environmental leadership. The University of Reading was the first ever winner of the Times Higher Education (THE) award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership in 2023. Alongside your tutors, your course is shaped and developed through partnerships with industry professionals, promoting strong experiential learning that includes field-based and lab-based teaching. Our custom-designed, specialised research facilities include laboratories, instrumentation for work in molecular ecology and biochemistry, environmental chemistry and environmental physics, experimental polytunnels, and glasshouses.

Course Structure

• Compulsory modules:
  • Environmental and Waste Management
  • Ecosystem Services & Nature-based Solutions
  • Skills for Independent Learning and Research
  • Field Class
  • Research Project
• Optional modules:
  • Quantitative Analysis of Environmental Data
  • Concepts and Practices of Communication
  • Soil Ecology Environment and Sustainability
  • Environmental Consultancy
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Preparing for Floods
  • Air Pollution: Effects and Control
  • Climate Change
  • Resource and Environmental Economics

Entry Requirements

• Normally an undergraduate honours degree (2:2 or above) in geography, environmental science, environmental studies, ecology, agriculture or a related field.
• Applicants from social science backgrounds such as economics or law may be considered.
• If you have no first degree but do have equivalent experience, you may also be considered.
• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5

Fees

• New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £13,100
• New international students: £31,650
• Fees will increase each year according to inflation (up to 4%) and will be rounded up to the nearest £50.

Careers

Overall, 94% of graduates from Geography and Environmental Science are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. After completing our MSc Environmental Management course, you will be ideally placed to work in government agencies, environmental consultancies, waste management companies, water companies, agricultural consultancies, firms with in-house roles covering sustainability and implementing environmental law. Past graduates have gone on to work for employers such as Carbonxgen, Environmental Agency, Syngenta, Mott MacDonald, Storm Geomatics Ltd, Thames Water, and local government. This course will also equip you with the skills and knowledge for further study in a related subject. Previous University of Reading graduates have gone on to funded PhD projects.