Environmental Geoscience MRes

Overview

You'll choose your own unique pathway and develop your skills and interests within environmental geoscience. You'll explore these ideas in-depth via your dissertation. You'll lead and develop a research project at the forefront of research. Expert academics from across the environmental geosciences at Newcastle University will support you.

You'll gain advanced research skills from our scientific skills module. Our broad range of optional modules allows you to pursue your interests and build a unique portfolio of skills and knowledge.

You'll gain the advanced skills required to conduct research within environmental geoscience. This will provide excellent preparation for those interested in a research-focused job and/or further academic study. Potential roles include:

• environmental consultancy
• environmental management
• government agencies (eg Natural England, Environmental Agency)
• GIS / remote sensing consultancy
• further postgraduate study (PhD)

Meet our research students and read more about their research activities

Please look at the Your Future section for examples of our alumni's current occupations.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

Research skills

The programme will help develop the skills to:

• formulate and test your own research questions
• identify and evaluate appropriate research methods
• synthesise complex information and key theories

Data analysis & practical skills

The programme will give you:

• understanding of key concepts, theories and ideas, within your area of environmental geosciences
• knowledge of a range of appropriate, advanced methods used within environmental geosciences
• ability to acquire, process and analyse relevant scientific datasets
• proficiency in a range of quantitative data analysis techniques
• advanced IT skills and capability with specialist software

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information 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.

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.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Climate change stream modules

Compulsory modules

Research Dissertation in Environmental Geoscience (120 credits)

Data Analysis for Geoscience (20 credits)

Optional modules

You will take 40 credits of optional modules, which can be chosen from across a wide range of Environmental Geoscience topics. This allows you to follow your interests and build a portfolio of relevant skills and knowledge from across Environmental Geoscience.

The following optional modules are suitable for this stream, to help guide your choice. However, you may choose modules from different streams. All module choices must be approved by your supervisor before they are finalised.

Climate Change: Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation (10 credits)

Facing up to Climate Change: Tackling Climate Change through solution focused multi-disciplinary collaboration (20 credits)

Cold Environments (10 credits)

Oceans and Climate I (20 credits)

Environmental Isotopes (10 credits)

 

 

 

Ecology stream modules

Compulsory modules

Research Dissertation in Environmental Geoscience (120 credits)

Data Analysis for Geoscience (20 credits)

Optional modules

You will take 40 credits of optional modules, which can be chosen from across a wide range of Environmental Geoscience topics. This allows you to follow your interests and build a portfolio of relevant skills and knowledge from across Environmental Geoscience.

The following optional modules are suitable for this stream, to help guide your choice. However, you may choose modules from different streams. All module choices must be approved by your supervisor before they are finalised.

Dynamics of Coupled Human-Natural Systems (20 credits)

Ecosystem Management (10 credits)

Forest Ecology (20 credits)

Invasive Species (10 credits)

Quantitative Ecological Research Methods (20 credits)

Habitat Monitoring and Assessment (20 credits)

Policy and Licensing (10 credits)

Environmental monitoring and management stream modules

Compulsory modules

Research Dissertation in Environmental Geoscience (120 credits)

Data Analysis for Geoscience (20 credits)

Optional modules

You will take 40 credits of optional modules, which can be chosen from across a wide range of Environmental Geoscience topics. This allows you to follow your interests and build a portfolio of relevant skills and knowledge from across Environmental Geoscience.

The following optional modules are suitable for this stream, to help guide your choice. However, you may choose modules from different streams. All module choices must be approved by your supervisor before they are finalised.

Environmental Impact Assessment (10 credits)

Air Pollution (10 credits)

Environmental Geophysics (10 credits)

Environmental Engineering in Low and Middle Income Countries (10 credits)

Renewable Energy: Biomass and Bioenergy (10 credits)

Skills stream modules

Compulsory modules

Research Dissertation in Environmental Geoscience (120 credits)

Data Analysis for Geoscience (20 credits)

Optional modules

You will take 40 credits of optional modules, which can be chosen from across a wide range of Environmental Geoscience topics. This allows you to follow your interests and build a portfolio of relevant skills and knowledge from across Environmental Geoscience.

The following optional modules are suitable for this stream, to help guide your choice. However, you may choose modules from different streams. All module choices must be approved by your supervisor before they are finalised.

Quantitative Methods for Engineering (10 credits)

Theory and Application in Geographic Information Systems (10 credits)

Geographic Information Systems (10 credits)

Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing (10 credits)

Data Management and Exploratory Data Analysis (10 credits)

Internet of Things and Wireless Sensor Networks (Coursework) (20 credits)

Introduction to Surveying for Town Planning (10 credits)

Fundamentals of Digital Humanities: Computer literacy, data analysis and GIS (20 credits)

Water stream modules

Compulsory modules

Research Dissertation in Environmental Geoscience (120 credits)

Data Analysis for Geoscience (20 credits)

 

Optional modules

You will take 40 credits of optional modules, which can be chosen from across a wide range of Environmental Geoscience topics. This allows you to follow your interests and build a portfolio of relevant skills and knowledge from across Environmental Geoscience.

The following optional modules are suitable for this stream, to help guide your choice. However, you may choose modules from different streams. All module choices must be approved by your supervisor before they are finalised.

Integrated River Basin Management (10 credits)

Water management: Issues and Challenges (10 credits)

Modelling and Forecasting of Floods (10 credits)

Hydro systems processes and data analysis (20 credits)

Hydro systems modelling and management (20 credits)

Fundamentals of Conceptual and Numeric Ground Water Modelling (10 credits)

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Teaching methods will depend on the optional modules you choose. You’ll be taught using a range of methods, including:

• lectures
• seminars
• practical lab sessions
• group work
• computer classes
• fieldwork

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Computer assessment
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Lab exercise
• Oral presentation
• Practical lab report
• Poster
• Portfolio
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Research proposal
• Thesis
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Additional assessment information

For the dissertation module, you'll submit a proposal in mid-December, which is worth 5% of your mark for the dissertation module. This is to provide you with feedback on your research ideas and to act as a checkpoint for you and your mentor.

You'll submit a draft thesis in July, for feedback from your mentor. This is formative and provides you with an important opportunity to improve your work.

Your final dissertation will be submitted in August. It has a maximum word count of 25,000 words and should be an original piece of work. It is marked by an internal and an external examiner. 

Support

MRes students aren't assigned personal tutors, as they are PGR. They can contact their mentors in S2 and S3, and the DPD in the first semester.

Postgraduate student support

Our mission is to help you:

• stay healthy, positive and feeling well
• overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
• get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
• carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
• understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules

We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.

You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:

• research and professional skills
• careers support
• wellbeing
• health and safety
• public engagement
• academic development

Our staff

You’ll join a vibrant research community at Newcastle University, which spans all aspects of Environmental Geoscience. Our staff come from across the relevant faculties and disciplines at Newcastle University to provide a pool of expertise in environmental geoscience research. These include:

• Physical Geography
• Natural and Environmental Sciences
• Earth Ocean and Planetary Science
• Agriculture
• Biology & Zoology Research
• Marine and ocean science

Your development

Professional skills

During the environmental geoscience programme, you'll develop a number of key transferable skills, which are vital for your future career, including:

• being able to communicate to a high standard, via written material and oral presentations, to both specialist and non-specialist audiences
• being able to work effectively as a member of a team
• the ability to deal with complex issues, both systematically and creatively
• being able to demonstrate self-direction and originality in solving problems and tackling tasks
• having excellent time management and planning skills
• having the capacity to lead, manage and implement an in-depth project, including:
• writing initial proposals
• developing the project idea
• planning data collection
• data analysis
• producing a publishable quality output

Your future

Careers

Potential roles include:

• environmental consultancy
• environmental management
• government agencies (eg Natural England, Environmental Agency)
• GIS / remote sensing consultancy
• further postgraduate study (PhD)

Graduate destinations

Our programme prepares you for further academic study or research-focused industry roles. We are very proud of our alumni and stay in touch with them after graduation.

Our graduates have gone on to work in academia and in organisations such as:

• Arcadis
• Aval Group
• Ergo Environmental
• HS2
• RDS Forestry
• Tata Consultancy
• Vattenfal
• Wessex Water

Read more about what Libby and Megan say about their experiences

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

The MRes in Environmental Geoscience is cross-faculty and cross-disciplinary. You will have a broad range of cutting-edge facilities, equipment and laboratories, including:

Computing and study facilities

You'll have access to a dedicated high-performance PC cluster. The cluster has appropriate specialist software, including remote sensing, GIS, and programming software. There are options for using a loan laptop, depending on availability and prioritised for those requiring laptop access during fieldwork.

There are a limited number of dedicated desks for MRes students in our postgraduate study space. This is located within our school to ensure proximity to your supervisor and to help integrate you into the research community.

Laboratories and workshops

Since 2014, research capacity in physical geography has been enhanced through new world-class laboratory facilities (Drummond labs, Houston lab, Sedimentology labs: combined £3M investment), supported by 4 technicians. In the new Henry Daysh Building, we also have a high-power geospatial computing facility and a microscopy room.

Our laboratories offer outstanding facilities for analysis of sediment geochemistry, palaeoecology, physical characteristics of sediments, cosmogenic isotope and organic geochemistry.

Additional strategic investment in state-of-the-art fieldwork equipment has been coupled with new investment in sample refrigerated storage (cores, sediments, water samples) tripling our capacity.

Field equipment

Our extensive pool of field equipment includes a range of technologies for:

• topographic survey (levels, hand-held GPS, robotic and manual total stations, laser range-finders and Leica-differential GPS)
• soil and sediment sampling (corers and augers for inorganic and organic sediment, gravity and piston corers for use in lakes)
• biological and chemical analysis (aquatic kick nets, YSI water column chemistry sonde, portable HACH-Lange spectrophotometers, ultra-meters),
• hydrological analysis (including stage recorders, rugged digital cameras and multi-parameter probes)

We also have 4x4 vehicles for field use.

Geophysical equipment:

• Ice radar 5MHz and 10MHz antenna sets (An integrated lightweight ice-penetrating radar system)
• Groundvue7 GPR with 100 MHz and 40 MHz antennas
• Groundvue3 GPR with 250 MHz and 400 MHz antennas.

Research Vessels

Newcastle University has a new state-of-the-art research vessel, The Princess Royal

We also have a number of small inflatable boats, complete with outboard motors.

Newcastle University Farms

For the plot to farm scale research, we use the University's NU-Farms:

Nafferton Farm, which is 12 miles west of Newcastle, is home to the internationally recognised Nafferton Ecological Farming Group and a unique farm-scale comparison of organic vs conventional crop and dairy production systems.

Cockle Park Farm, 18 miles north of Newcastle, is the centre for agri-technology development for Newcastle University and is part of the Centre for Crop Health and Protection.

Dove Marine Laboratory

The laboratory has a proud history of supporting excellence in Marine Science research, education and outreach for more than a century. It has a wide range of equipment, which is detailed on the laboratory web pages

Great North Museum: Hancock

The Great North Museum: Hancock holds the Newcastle University Mineral Collection. The collection consists of approximately 9,000 minerals from UK and worldwide localities and contains some extremely rare and valuable specimens.

The fossil collections contain vertebrate, invertebrate and botanical specimens. The collection of fossil plants is one of the most important within the museum.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

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 may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

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How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events