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Environmental Engineering MSc

The Environmental Engineering MSc provides you with the advanced technical knowledge, understanding and practical skills to solve environmental challenges worldwide.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:


Start date(s):

  • September 2025
Is PG right for me? Join our webinar. Wednesday 23 October, 14:00-15:00 BST

Overview

We are proud to be ranked in the top 100 for Civil and Structural Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)

Environmental engineers create the infrastructure, technologies and policies that are at the heart of a healthy, sustainable society. You'll study how to apply scientific and engineering principles to resolve environmental challenges and help protect the environment and public health.

You'll learn how to:

  • sample and analyse water and soils/sediments
  • provide clean water, treat wastewater, manage solid waste
  • remediate pollution from current and past industrial and agricultural activities
  • control air pollution
  • design appropriate environmental engineering interventions in low-, middle- and high-income countries

We have a global outlook and train our engineers to help them develop a successful career in the environmental industries. We also want to incorporate the global imperatives of climate change and the circular economy into your thinking and design.

This well-respected course has been running since 1963. Its rich history of teaching and research assure the quality of the experience for you.

Our Environmental Engineering MSc is for both practising professionals and graduates in:

  • engineering
  • science
  • physical geography
  • maths
  • physics

We have strong industrial engagement. Industry and government policy shape this degree programme. You'll benefit through:

  • industry guest lectures
  • study tours
  • site visits
  • industry and research-focused individual projects
  • placements and employment opportunities with added support from the careers service

Our graduates are in high demand. You'll graduate with the enhanced skills and knowledge preparing you for a wide range of careers.

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Important information

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What you'll learn

This course provides you with advanced training and knowledge in:

  • investigative methods appropriate to environmental engineering
  • core concepts from all scientific disciplines. These underpin pollution control technologies and environmental stewardship
  • environmental engineering design principles and project management
  • cross-cutting issues and appropriate technologies in low- and middle-income countries
  • health and safety issues in environmental engineering
  • research methods
  • presentation and writing

You'll benefit from our multidisciplinary approach to teaching. You will have the opportunity to engage with fellow students across all engineering disciplines through lectures, group work and other activities.

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.

How you'll learn

Your development

Professional skills

At the end of the course you'll be able to:

  • apply environmental engineering technologies appropriate for urban and rural situations in low-, middle-, and high-income countries
  • use laboratory analytical techniques for standard analysis of water and wastewater samples
  • calculate and express experimental data in standard units, assess experimental uncertainty and test the statistical significance of treatment effects
  • select and design appropriate water treatment unit processes
  • source relevant reference data and water quality standards, make comparisons with analytical data, draw relevant conclusions, and prepare technical laboratory reports
  • use initiative in acquiring and using information from a wide range of sources
  • effectively communicate with a range of stakeholders
  • implement a strong health and safety culture, including risk assessment
  • understand scientific principles to develop sustainable solutions to practical problems
  • successfully plan and execute research projects
  • use advanced instrumentation and methods for chemical and microbial analysis of environmental samples
  • use IT tools such as programming, air pollution models and instrumental software

Your future

Graduate destinations

More than 1000 alumni from our course are now working across the world, many in senior governmental, academic and scientific positions. Our MSc in Environmental Engineering enables those seeking careers in:

  • water companies
  • engineering companies
  • environmental consultancies
  • Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
  • environment agency and other authorities
  • academia

Graduates on this programme are in high demand from employers in the UK and internationally. Graduate destinations include:

  • Atkins
  • Citelum Groupe
  • Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
  • DustScanAQ
  • Environment Agency
  • Forschungszentrum Neu-Ulrichstein
  • Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies
  • Future Biogas Ltd
  • Haigh Workman Ltd
  • Mott MacDonald Bentley
  • Northumbrian Water
  • Southern Water
  • UNICEF
  • World Bank
  • WSP
  • Yorkshire Water

Our MSc also provides a route into further study at PhD level.

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

Facilities

The School of Engineering has an exceptional range of laboratories equipped with a wide range of analytical instrumentation supporting our research, teaching and contract research projects.

These include:

  • Chemical and Biological Research Laboratories
  • Geotechnics and Structures Research Laboratories
  • Water hydraulics Laboratory
  • Computing Laboratory

Stephenson Building

The Stephenson Building is a £110 million investment in world-class education, research and collaboration across Engineering. It’s a place for future engineers, researchers and designers to collaborate and tackle global challenges, together.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

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:

Search for funding

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Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

How to apply


Using the application portal

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Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

School of Engineering
School Admissions Team
Email: soe.admissions@ncl.ac.uk

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