Our Hydrogeology and Water Management MSc gives you theoretical and practical skills and knowledge for a career in the water and environmental industries, with specialist focus on groundwater.
Your course during COVID-19
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Further information
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Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
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The MSc provides a broad-based education in water management, but with a focus on groundwater issues and techniques.
You'll develop technical skills built on the latest science. You will also broaden your understanding of policy and practice relevant to developing a professional career in the water industry.
Our MSc is designed for both practising professionals and graduates in subjects such as:
engineering
geography
environmental sciences
earth sciences
mathematics
physics
geology
chemistry
computer sciences
geomatics
Our strong industrial engagement means our degree programmes are shaped by the needs of industry and government policy. You will typically benefit from this engagement through:
industry guest lectures
site visits
projects
Our graduates are in high demand particularly in consultancies and regulatory bodies in the UK and worldwide. You will graduate with the enhanced skills and knowledge preparing you for a wide range of careers.
The course provides an advanced knowledge and understanding of:
key scientific and technical subject areas such as hydrology and hydraulics
the theoretical basis for methods of analysis and modelling
the regulatory and socio-economic aspects of water management
specific examples of water management, drawing on examples from developing and industrialised countries
These provide the basis for development of skills and experience in areas including:
programming for data management and modelling
field-based hydrometric measurement
application of software used in industry
Most of our students undertake the full set of standard compulsory water modules. You also choose one optional module. This provides a coherent integrated educational experience. You may also be able to select modules from other MSc courses (with the agreement of the Degree Programme Director).
This MSc programme is closely aligned with its partner course Hydrology and Water Management, which provides more focus on surface water hydrology in its specialist options.
The taught modules during Semester 1 are identical in the two MScs. You therefore have opportunity to change course after starting the programme if you decide you would like to follow this speciality.
You'll be guided throughout the course to develop your technical understanding and skills through a range of learning and teaching approaches. These include:
lectures and seminars from leading academics, researchers, and experts from a range of industry organisations
extensive use of hands-on field and computer-based studies. These are supported by individual and group tutorials, and the individual research project
These are structured through the programme to help you gain confidence in key transferable skills including:
critical evaluation and design
individual time and project management
working with colleagues
writing for technical audiences
presenting ideas orally with confidence
On completion of the course, you will have developed intellectual and practical skills relevant to industry including:
how to apply appropriate mathematical methods for modelling and analysing relevant problems
using scientific principles to develop mathematical and environmental solutions to practical problems
creating new products or methodologies by combining ideas from a wide range of sources
planning, executing and reporting research projects
designing water infrastructure schemes, specifically focusing on borehole design and operation
using instrumentation, IT tools and hydroinformatic technologies
You'll benefit from our multidisciplinary approach to teaching. You will have the opportunity to engage with fellow students from other engineering disciplines and courses. This includes international students from around the world on our Hydroinformatics and Water Management (Euro Aquae) MSc.
You'll be working alongside industry professional delegates taking modules as Continuing Professional Development. This provides a rich and diverse learning experience and a network allowing you to enhance your employability.
The course is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) (comprising ICE, IStructE, CIHT and IHIE), as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for students with an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng Honours degree or Accredited IEng (Full) BEng/BSc Honours degree.
The programme structure is designed to allow you to share learning experience through group work. Examples include:
assessment of water issues and challenges based on major international examples:
the Nile Basin
transboundary groundwater aquifers such as those shared between Israel and the Palestinian Territories
review and critique of a range of current industry-standard modelling software
These activities support your learning skills and experience through:
working as part of a team
hearing the findings of your student colleagues across the group teams
Field activity
You'llbe taken on a series of ‘hydrological walks’ in the Newcastle area and the North East. You'll be able to see:
hydrological processes
field methods
water management issues and practices
You'll also be able to see how natural hydrological behaviour interacts with, and is modified by, built infrastructure, including:
water distribution and sewer networks and treatment centres
sustainable drainage systems
catchment scale engineering (working with natural systems)
reservoirs
operational groundwater boreholes
geological features
flood management infrastructure
These walks are supported by our local partners, including the EA, Northumbrian Water Ltd, and local councils.
In addition to seeing standard industry practise, many of these are based around our current research which is advancing the field. An example is the National Green Infrastructure Facility (NGIF), located on part of the campus in Newcastle city centre. Together with specific field activities such as river gauging, these walks build understanding that directly feeds into class-based modelling and assessment exercises.
Dissertation
You will put your specialist skills, knowledge, and understanding into practice by undertaking a significant individual research project and written dissertation. Your project might involve you working within one of the School's world-class research groups, or you might work elsewhere in collaboration with another academic or industrial partner where we have strong links.
Wherever you work, you will be supervised, throughout your project, by an experienced scientist or engineer. Your supervisor will provide advice on the approaches and methods that are best suited to your research problem. They will also support you with your collection/analysis of data, and will guide you in producing a well-written dissertation.
You will be required to undertake a total of 180 credits throughout the course, including 120 credits in semesters 1 and 2 with 60 credits as part of a dissertation project in the third semester. Specialist modules in Semester 2 include topics in hydrogeological assessment, borehole design, and contamination. All students take a module in groundwater modelling.
The School Engineering has an exceptional range of laboratories equipped with a wide range of analytical instrumentation. These support our research, teaching and contract research projects. These include:
Our own experimental array of about 12 boreholes up to 150m in depth at Cockle Park
Our Hydrology and Water Management MSc gives you theoretical and practical skills and knowledge for a career in the water and environmental industries, with specialist focus on climate and flood risk.
The Hydroinformatics and Water Management (Euro Aquae) MSc applies advanced information and communications technology to the management of water. You will foster a common international technical culture with students from all over the world, drawing upon the resources and expertise of universities across Europe.
The information above is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
The fees displayed here are per year. If your studies last longer than a year your fee maybe subjected to an annual inflationary increase.
MSc
Home
Full time: £11,400 Part time: £5,700
International
Full time: £24,300
EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals
For courses commencing from September 2021 and beyond, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fees or Student Finance England support.
If you are from the EU you will pay international tuition fees.
All students
Find out more about our tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts.
A good 2:2 honours degree, or international equivalent, in subjects such as:
engineering
geography
environmental sciences
earth sciences
mathematics
physics
geology
chemistry
computer sciences
geomatics
Applicants with different or non-standard qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, particularly if you have relevant industrial experience.
Find out the equivalent qualifications for your country.
The course starts in September. There is no application closing date for this course.
We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.
Deposit
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you must:
pay a deposit of £1,500
or submit an official letter of sponsorship
The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study with us. The deposit is non-refundable, but we will deduct it from your tuition fees when you register.
