Environmental Engineering MSc
The Environmental Engineering MSc provides you with advanced understanding, technical knowledge and practical skills.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2023
Overview
Environmental engineers create the infrastructure, technologies and policies. They are at the heart of a healthy sustainable society. You'll study how to apply scientific and engineering principles. This will help protect the environment and public health.
You'll learn how to:
- provide clean water, treat wastewater, manage solid waste
- remediate pollution from mining, 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
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
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 2022-23.
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
This course provides you with advanced training and knowledge in:
- the theory and practice of investigative methods appropriate to environmental engineering
- core concepts from the physical, chemical and biological sciences. These underpin pollution control technologies and environmental stewardship
- environmental engineering design principles and project management
- cross-cutting issues and appropriate technologies in developing 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. This provides a rich and diverse learning experience.
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.
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.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
You take the following compulsory modules:
Core Concepts in Environmental Engineering
Introduction to Practical Hydraulics
Water Supply and Treatment
Wastewater Engineering
Solid Waste Management
Environmental Engineering for Developing Countries
Project Skills and Professional Development
Air Pollution
Environmental Engineering Design and Project Management
MSc Project and Dissertation in Environmental Engineering
How you'll learn
You will be required to complete 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. You'll be taught through a combination of:
- lectures
- tutorials
- practical classes
- online materials
- coursework tasks with individual feedback
- site visits and field trips
You'll study a variety of taught modules, and work closely with academic mentors throughout the year on an environmental engineering design challenge, followed by a research dissertation project.
Several modules incorporate extensive laboratory practical experience. These will be carried out through small group teaching or via alternative online video demonstrations in our labs.
Practical training, industrial site visits and field trips are an integral part of the course.
You'll be working closely with academic mentors throughout your course on:
- integrated environmental engineering design challenges
- your dissertation research project
All taught modules provide direct access to course tutors through small group face to face meetings or via alternative online meetings.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Design or creative project
- Dissertation
- Practical lab report
- Poster
- Portfolio
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Research proposal
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Project design work
Central to our course is the 30 credit integrated design module running through semester 1 and 2 in which you'll work closely with academic mentors to develop sustainable solutions to protect the environment and public health.
Group work
In the Environmental Engineering for Developing Countries module you'll work in small teams to find environmental engineering solutions appropriate to low- and middle-income countries.
Field trips
Your fieldwork will be integrated with Newcastle University’s Urban Observatory, which provides the UK’s largest set of publicly available real time urban data in the UK, and the UK’s National Green Infrastructure Facility.
Dissertation
You'll put your specialist skills, knowledge, and understanding into practice 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. We have well-equipped laboratories and pilot-scale research facilities.
Or you might work elsewhere in collaboration with another academic or industrial partner where we have strong links. Overseas field research may also be possible.
Wherever you work, you will be supervised, throughout your project, by an experienced scientist or engineer. They will also support you on your collection/analysis of data, and will guide you in producing a well-written dissertation.
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
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 developed and developing 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
- understanding of 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 GIS, 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 master's 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
- 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.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
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 2023 entry (per year)
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
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:
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.
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
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2023 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.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
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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Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
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Open days and events
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- campus tours
- on-campus open days
- virtual open days
- webinars
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually
Overseas events
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.
Get in touch
Questions about this course?
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School of Engineering
School Admissions Team
Email: soe.admissions@ncl.ac.uk
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