Environmental Management MSc

Why choose this course?

The MSc in Environmental Management explores the exploitation of natural environments and the relationships between sustainable environmental management and natural ecosystems. It examines how sustainable environmental management and behaviour can be promoted and achieved.

The MSc in Environmental Management addresses the socioeconomic, ecological, and environmental challenges associated with the provision of goods and services, and the sustainable management of the natural and built environment, which cannot be achieved with business-as-usual practices. Students study theoretical, practical, and legal frameworks for promoting sustainable environmental practices at individual, institutional and governmental levels. They learn how to innovate, respond to new and emerging challenges, and work effectively in changing and unfamiliar situations.

The final masters award title will be reflected by your chosen pathway:

  • Environmental Management MSc – this core pathway explores the rationale behind the exploitation of natural environments. It provides you with detailed knowledge and understanding of the important relationships between sustainable environmental management and natural ecosystems and the value of adopting an integrated approach to studying both.
  • Environmental Management (Energy) MSc – this pathway is timely, nationally and internationally relevant, given the world's energy needs, as well as the surrounding political debates regarding fossil fuels and increasingly, renewables, which form such an essential component of the world's existence.

Environmental Management MSc

Mode Duration Attendance Start date
Full time 1 year Mostly delivered two days a week (Wednesdays and Thursdays) January 2025
September 2025
Full time 2 years including professional placement Mostly delivered two days a week (Wednesdays and Thursdays) January 2025
September 2025
Part time 2 years To be determined by which modules you decide to take in which teaching blocks. January 2025
September 2025

Environmental Management (Energy) MSc

Mode Duration Attendance Start date
Full time 1 year Mostly delivered two days a week (Wednesdays and Thursdays) January 2025
September 2025
Full time 2 years including professional placement Mostly delivered two days a week (Wednesdays and Thursdays) January 2025
September 2025
Part time 2 years To be determined by which modules you decide to take in which teaching blocks. January 2025
September 2025
Main Location Penrhyn Road

Reasons to choose Kingston University

  • The course meets the need for environmental professionals who understand the challenges of sustainable environmental management. 
  • The University is committed to becoming a sustainable enterprise, providing many opportunities for students to be involved in practical sustainability initiatives and authentic learning.
  • Kingston has established active links with European and American universities, ensuring the courses are globally relevant.
  • Optional field visits*.

Please note: Field visits will incur an additional cost. Details can be found in relevant module guides or from the course director.

* Students may be required to cover additional costs, such as travel.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). IEMA is a professional body for people working in environment and sustainability. This course entitles students to FREE student membership for the duration of the course and on successful completion you qualify for GradIEMA. Graduate membership is a launchpad for future leaders within environment and sustainability and offers a range of benefits to support you throughout your career. You can then "fast track" to Practitioner Membership.

What you will study

You will study the theoretical, practical and legal frameworks promoting sustainable environmental management and other drivers for sustainable behaviour at individual, institutional and governmental scales. You will learn how to innovate, respond to new and emerging challenges and work effectively in changing and unfamiliar situations.

The programme is made up of six modules, two worth 30 credits, four worth 15 credits, and a research project module worth 60 credits.

For a student to go on placement they are required to pass every module. It is the responsibility of individual students to find a suitable paid placement. Students will be supported by our dedicated placement team in securing this opportunity.

Environmental Management MSc

Environmental Management (Energy) MSc

Core modules

Environmental Management

30 credits

The module will explore the environmental, economic, and social implications of our decisions and attempts to find sustainable solutions to environmental problems. Focusing on the 21st-century environmental and climate change challenges, you will learn, and explore the following aspects of Sustainable Environmental Management (SEM):

  • Sustainable development and dependencies and interconnectivity between Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Environmental politics and policy making as underpinned by law
  • Operation of Environmental Planning, and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
  • Importance of accountability, equality, inclusivity, transparency, cultural context, and health and well-being as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).

These will be explored with a series of case studies that illustrate social, economic, and environmental impacts at different scales.

Challenge of Climate Change

30 credits

This module investigates key issues relating to climate change, with a particular focus on the role of policy, governance, and social action in creating appropriate responses to this challenge. The aim is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to critically assess different options for dealing with the challenge of climate change and to identify potential ways forward, based on evidence and lessons from implementing climate change policy and programming.

Core material will be provided in lectures, supported by a range of seminars and workshops to facilitate further discussion, reflection, and analysis. Where feasible, these will draw on the experience of practitioners from a variety of settings and perspectives, or the students themselves. Field visits will be organised to complement the lecture series and to give further practical demonstration of the complexities of climate change-related policy and practice.

Participatory Approaches to Solving Environmental Challenges

15 credits

Participatory approaches have become increasingly widespread in recent years, and they recognise the publics and other stakeholders' right to be involved in environmental decision making, but also expects them to take on a variety of responsibilities.

This module explores the diversity of participatory approaches, from global policy to local action. You will examine the benefits and challenges of participatory approaches involving a range of stakeholders in a number of contexts, and consider those who may be excluded and questions of social justice.

You will explore the complexities of implementing these policies and methods through case studies which focus on key issues and the challenges of balancing a range of competing needs.

Evidence based environmental management

15 credits

Environmental management decision-making should be evidence-based. Problems are often multifaceted and ‘wicked' in that they require the collection, synthesis, and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data on physical phenomena, human attitude and behaviour, and the regulatory and policy framework. This module is concerned with the practical aspects of data collection, analysis, and visualisation of qualitative and quantitative information and analytical results within an environmental management context.

The module covers the collection of primary data (e.g. through field survey, questionnaires or interviews) and the synthesis of secondary data resources that are often diverse, fragmented, partial, inconsistent, and commercially or personally sensitive. Students will learn how to explore and visualise environmental management information as graphs and maps, and to analyse textural and statistical pattern. Students will evaluate and critique the quality and fitness-for-purpose of survey designs and secondary data resources. The skills developed in this module are applicable to GG7XX7 Research Project and are transferrable skills that will enhance employability.

Water resource management

15 credits

The module examines global water resource challenges, the relationship between water, energy and land, and sustainable management solutions. Students will develop a critical evaluation of these challenges at a variety of scales through the systematic investigation of the component challenges, the interface between the components and their relationship to sustainable development, including resource assessment and resource use; water scarcity and security and water management decision-making.

Students will critically examine and debate natural (including climate) and socio-political drivers, mitigation, and adaptive environmental management strategies. The module will be spatially nested, examining broad global challenges, regional investigations in developed and developing world contexts, and local case studies to exemplify, compare and contrast experiences.

The module places an emphasis on professional skills development and KU Graduate Attributes and will be studied in multi-delivery and assessment modes, occupying multiple learning environments, blending lecture, seminars, debates and reflective sessions and practical skills acquisition. Practical skills will include field-based learning will include the opportunity for regional study in the UK and overseas.

Academic Research and Professional Practice

15 credits

This module is concerned with the theoretical, practical, and ethical aspects of good academic, research and professional practice. The module begins by developing students' knowledge and skills of academic practice: finding, assessing, and collating information; academic writing, citation and referencing; and academic integrity.

With a firm academic base established, the module moves to implementing this practice to produce a team-based research project proposal of a designated environmental challenge. Research will be placed in the context of theoretical/conceptual frameworks such as Saunder's "research onion", "design thinking", and dissertation forms (traditional, systematic review, systematic map, and meta-analysis). The purpose and praxis of undertaking a literature review and developing a research proposal will be explained, as will their structure. Research and project management, ethics, and health and safety are considered.

The module will be delivered through a short series of lectures that explain concepts and good practice. Practical skills will be developed through workshop and computer-based classes and independent learning though on-line resources. The module develops crucial academic and professional practice a companion to Evidence-based Environmental Management and feeds into Research Project.

Research Project

60 credits

This final module provides students with the opportunity to design and execute an original research ‘capstone' project related to their own discipline specific interests, which synthesises their learning. They will develop a theoretically informed body of work that integrates both theory and practice. It may take the form of a dissertation, practice project, or experiment-based project. Following submission students present their findings at a Masters Students Conference.

Core modules

Environmental Management

30 credits

The module will explore the environmental, economic, and social implications of our decisions and attempts to find sustainable solutions to environmental problems. Focusing on the 21st-century environmental and climate change challenges, you will learn, and explore the following aspects of Sustainable Environmental Management (SEM):

  • Sustainable development and dependencies and interconnectivity between Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Environmental politics and policy making as underpinned by law
  • Operation of Environmental Planning, and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
  • Importance of accountability, equality, inclusivity, transparency, cultural context, and health and well-being as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).

These will be explored with a series of case studies that illustrate social, economic, and environmental impacts at different scales.

Energy Management

30 credits

This is the key module for the Energy pathway in the MSc Environmental Management. Against the background of international commitments on atmospheric emissions, diminishing fossil fuel resources and the liberalisation of energy markets, this module examines sustainable options for energy production, supply, and consumption. Specifically, the module will equip the students with a set of skills and abilities to identify classify and critically describe energy sources, and energy usage using analytical methods.

It is certainly true to say that today, few would perceive a future without renewables making a notable contribution to energy supplies in the longer term. However, it is also true to say that many envisage an ongoing role for both conventional fossil fuels and nuclear power. The primary aim of the module is to give students a good understanding of current trends, and to enable a critical evaluation of emerging ideas, technologies and policies.

Participatory Approaches to Solving Environmental Challenges

15 credits

Participatory approaches have become increasingly widespread in recent years, and they recognise the publics and other stakeholders' right to be involved in environmental decision making, but also expects them to take on a variety of responsibilities.

This module explores the diversity of participatory approaches, from global policy to local action. You will examine the benefits and challenges of participatory approaches involving a range of stakeholders in a number of contexts, and consider those who may be excluded and questions of social justice.

You will explore the complexities of implementing these policies and methods through case studies which focus on key issues and the challenges of balancing a range of competing needs.

Evidence based environmental management

15 credits

Environmental management decision-making should be evidence-based. Problems are often multifaceted and ‘wicked' in that they require the collection, synthesis, and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data on physical phenomena, human attitude and behaviour, and the regulatory and policy framework. This module is concerned with the practical aspects of data collection, analysis, and visualisation of qualitative and quantitative information and analytical results within an environmental management context.

The module covers the collection of primary data (e.g. through field survey, questionnaires or interviews) and the synthesis of secondary data resources that are often diverse, fragmented, partial, inconsistent, and commercially or personally sensitive. Students will learn how to explore and visualise environmental management information as graphs and maps, and to analyse textural and statistical pattern. Students will evaluate and critique the quality and fitness-for-purpose of survey designs and secondary data resources. The skills developed in this module are applicable to GG7XX7 Research Project and are transferrable skills that will enhance employability.

Water resource management

15 credits

The module examines global water resource challenges, the relationship between water, energy and land, and sustainable management solutions. Students will develop a critical evaluation of these challenges at a variety of scales through the systematic investigation of the component challenges, the interface between the components and their relationship to sustainable development, including resource assessment and resource use; water scarcity and security and water management decision-making.

Students will critically examine and debate natural (including climate) and socio-political drivers, mitigation, and adaptive environmental management strategies. The module will be spatially nested, examining broad global challenges, regional investigations in developed and developing world contexts, and local case studies to exemplify, compare and contrast experiences.

The module places an emphasis on professional skills development and KU Graduate Attributes and will be studied in multi-delivery and assessment modes, occupying multiple learning environments, blending lecture, seminars, debates and reflective sessions and practical skills acquisition. Practical skills will include field-based learning will include the opportunity for regional study in the UK and overseas.

Academic Research and Professional Practice

15 credits

This module is concerned with the theoretical, practical, and ethical aspects of good academic, research and professional practice. The module begins by developing students' knowledge and skills of academic practice: finding, assessing, and collating information; academic writing, citation and referencing; and academic integrity.

With a firm academic base established, the module moves to implementing this practice to produce a team-based research project proposal of a designated environmental challenge. Research will be placed in the context of theoretical/conceptual frameworks such as Saunder's "research onion", "design thinking", and dissertation forms (traditional, systematic review, systematic map, and meta-analysis). The purpose and praxis of undertaking a literature review and developing a research proposal will be explained, as will their structure. Research and project management, ethics, and health and safety are considered.

The module will be delivered through a short series of lectures that explain concepts and good practice. Practical skills will be developed through workshop and computer-based classes and independent learning though on-line resources. The module develops crucial academic and professional practice a companion to Evidence-based Environmental Management and feeds into Research Project.

Research Project

60 credits

This final module provides students with the opportunity to design and execute an original research ‘capstone' project related to their own discipline specific interests, which synthesises their learning. They will develop a theoretically informed body of work that integrates both theory and practice. It may take the form of a dissertation, practice project, or experiment-based project. Following submission students present their findings at a Masters Students Conference.

Why you should study Environmental Management at Kingston University

Work placement scheme

Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University enable students to take the option of a 12-month work placement as part of their course. Although the University supports students in finding a placement and organises events to meet potential employers, the responsibility for finding the work placement is with the student; we cannot guarantee the placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. You may find securing a professional placement difficult as they are highly competitive and challenging, but they are also incredibly rewarding. It is very important to prepare and apply yourself if this is the route you wish to take. Employers look for great written and oral communication skills and an excellent CV/portfolio. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Student Route visa.

Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

  • A 2:2 or above honours degree or equivalent in any discipline.
  • Where applicants have relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications in the field of environmental management, water resources management, energy management and sustainability or related fields may be presented for evaluation against Kingston University's mechanisms and processes for Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning (RPCL) and Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).

International

In order to complete your programme successfully, it is important to have a good command of English and be able to apply this in an academic environment. Therefore, if you are a non-UK applicant* you will usually be required to provide certificated proof of English language competence before commencing your studies.

For this course you must pass IELTS academic test in English with an overall score of 6.5, with no element below 6.0, or meet the scores listed on the alternative online tests.

Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements may be eligible to join our pre-sessional English language course.

Please make sure you read our full guidance about English language requirements, which includes details of other qualifications we'll consider.

* Applicants from one of the recognised majority English speaking countries (MESCs) do not need to meet these requirements.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

Teaching and assessment

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Support for postgraduate students

As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services

Your workload

A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.

One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 180 credits across a year (typical for a postgraduate course) would equate to 1,800 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.

  • 15% scheduled learning and teaching

The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.

Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.

How you will be assessed

Assessment typically comprises exams (e.g. test or exam), practical (e.g. presentations, performance) and coursework (e.g. essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose:

Type of assessment

Core pathway

Core pathway
  • Coursework: 92%
  • Exams: 8%

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Class sizes

­You will be part of an intimate cohort of 20-40 students which provides dedicated academic guidance and advice as well as the opportunity to build a life-long network of colleagues. Some modules are common across other postgraduate programmes; you may therefore be taught alongside postgraduates from other courses.

Who teaches this course?

The course is taught by the Department of Geography, Geology and the Environment. Staff have a wide range of experience in academic research and industry and continue to practice and research at the cutting edge of their discipline.

Guest lecturers from other academic institutions and industry will provide specialist in-depth or practice-based lectures and workshops ensuring that our courses are current and industry informed ensuring you get the most relevant and up-to-date education possible.

The Department has invested substantially in the development of laboratories for teaching and research into subjects such as environmental monitoring, geology, geochemistry, computing facilities, and specialist instrumentation laboratories.

 

Facilities

There is a wide range of facilities for practical work at our Penrhyn Road campus, where this course is based. You will have access to a modern environment with the latest equipment, including:

  • laboratories dedicated to environmental science learning and research
  • computing laboratories and a team of IT technicians to offer assistance
  • the award-winning Town House, with a well-stocked library that boasts an impressive collection of texts, journals and online e-books/journals
  • excellent social spaces, plus a large, fully equipped gym and fitness centre
  • a fully integrated virtual learning environment (Canvas) so you can learn and interact with others on your course 24/7

Where this course will take you

Graduates are expected to find extensive career opportunities with NGOs, governmental organisations, businesses, industry and education or as independent consultants and advisers. Recent graduates are employed by local councils as environmental sustainability officers or waste management officers.

Careers and recruitment advice

The Faculty has a specialist employability team. It provides friendly and high-quality careers and recruitment guidance, including advice and sessions on job-seeking skills such as CV preparation, application forms and interview techniques. Specific advice is also available for international students about the UK job market and employers' expectations and requirements.

The team runs employer events throughout the year, including job fairs, key speakers from industry and interviews on campus. These events give you the opportunity to hear from, and network with, employers in an informal setting. 

Fees for this course

2025/26 fees for this course

Home 2025/26

  • MSc full time £11,400
  • MSc part time £6,270

International 2025/26

  • MSc full time £19,300
  • MSc part time £10,615

2024/25 fees for this course

Home 2024/25

  • MSc full time £10,900
  • MSc part time £5,995

International 2024/25

  • MSc full time £18,500
  • MSc part time £10,175

Tuition fee information for future course years

If you start your second year straight after Year 1, you will pay the same fee for both years.

If you take a break before starting your second year, or if you repeat modules from Year 1 in Year 2, the fee for your second year may increase.

Fees for the optional placement year

If you choose to take a placement as part of this course, you will be invoiced for the placement fee in Year 2. Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme and the costs for the placement year.

Postgraduate loans

If you are a UK student, resident in England and are aged under the age of 60, you will be able to apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree. For more information, read the postgraduate loan information on the government's website.

Scholarships and bursaries

Kingston University offers a range of postgraduate scholarships, including:

If you are an international student, find out more about scholarships and bursaries.

We also offer the following discounts for Kingston University alumni:

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost between £100 and £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees, this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Placements

If the placement year option is chosen, during this year travel costs will vary according to the location of the placement, and could be from £0 to £2,000.

Field trips

The course will include several compulsory day field trips which will require students to pay for travel using public transport. This can range from £0-£50 per trip, in addition to optional trips.

What our graduates say

Currently, I am finishing my Master's degree in Environmental Management at Kingston University, and I am delighted to share that my academic journey has been complemented by a partnered dissertation with SUEZ, a valuable opportunity that has provided real-world insights into environmental management practices. Concurrently, I have recently secured a position as a sustainability consultant, aligning seamlessly with the knowledge and skills I've cultivated during my time at Kingston.

The immersive environment and supportive faculty at Kingston University have made my experience immensely enriching, providing me with a platform to gain expertise and practical skills that extend beyond the classroom. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as I continue to integrate my academic pursuits with real-world applications in the field of environmental science and sustainability.

Esha Arshad

Since I received my master's degree in Environmental Management at Kingston University, I have been working as a Sustainability Coordinator at Marble – a creative production, delivery and marketing agency that organises events in the UK and globally. I am responsible for driving environmental action throughout the business to meet our wider sustainability objectives and net zero goals.

At Kingston University I researched business growth and innovation opportunities created for businesses through the net zero commitments in partnership with the Royal Borough of Kingston. This research helped me develop a thorough understanding of net zero policies in the UK as well as the environmental initiatives local businesses implement in their operations, how they benefit from them and what challenges they face. Thanks to the knowledge I gained when writing my dissertation I was able to create a robust net zero plan as part of Marble's sustainability strategy that we will start implementing in early 2024.

Anastasia Kireeva

I am both an alumni and guest lecturer at Kingston University. I am so very proud of the MSc Environmental Management course; the course is aligned to IEMA, which gives students that professional advantage once they graduate. The content also covers key industry relevant themes, which ensures graduates can walk into industry equipped with the right background to succeed in sustainability. I am in contact with many ex-students from the MSc course from over the years, and it brings me much joy to see how their careers are progressing by delivering leading sustainability expertise and solutions to a range of industries.

Attiya Khan

After you graduate

These courses offer an excellent foundation for careers in local government, non-governmental organisations, major international companies, independent consultancy and education (e.g. research and enterprise).

Current research in this subject

  • Research in waste resources management and circular economy.
  • Research into community engagement with nature monitoring and citizen science
  • The role the voluntary and community sector plays in providing resilience to hazards and how they can be effectively included in resilience planning and decision making at the local level.
  • Investigating sustainable water resource management solutions in global contexts (e.g. desalination integration).
  • Application of Geographical Information Systems to resource and biodiversity management.
  • Conservation management in UK and Madagascar.
  • Salt marsh carbon sequestration.
  • Virtual reality visualisation of nature-based environmental solutions.

Course changes and regulations

The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.

Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.