Environmental Management MSc
Why choose this course?
The philosophy of the Environmental Management MSc programmes centres on the need for new environmental professionals: people with a strong cross-disciplinary understanding of the societal, economic, and environmental challenges posed by the emerging sustainable environmental management agenda.
The course aims to provide you with the in-depth knowledge and the essential practical and evaluative skills needed to give leadership for low carbon, resource efficient, sustainable futures in diverse global contexts. It will provide a good basis for careers in local government, NGOs, major international companies, independent consultants, and in education (such as research and enterprise).
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.
| Mode | Duration | Attendance | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 1 year | Two days a week (Wednesday and Thursday) |
January 2023 September 2023 |
| Full time | 2 years including professional placement | Two days a week (Wednesday and Thursday) plus placement year |
January 2023 September 2023 |
| Part time | 2 years | One day a week (Wednesday or Thursday) |
January 2023 September 2023 |
| Location | Penrhyn Road |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- These courses meet the need for environmental professionals who understand the challenges of sustainable environmental management. They are accredited by the IEMA, a worldwide alliance of environment and sustainability professionals.
- Kingston has established and active links with European and American Universities, ensuring the courses are globally relevant.
- These courses offer practical fieldwork experience.
Please note: fieldwork will incur an additional cost. Details can be found in relevant module guides or from the course director.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). IEMA is the professional body for everyone 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 four modules, each worth 30 credits, and a research project module worth 60 credits. You will be able to choose from modules which explore aspects of sustainable environmental management, such as water, energy and land resources management and climate change.
Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.
For a student to go on placement they are required to pass every module first time with no reassessments. 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 (Core pathway)
Environmental Management (Energy) MSc
Core modules
Green Engineering & Energy Efficiency
30 credits
This module introduces students to the knowledge and practice of sustainable development in engineering industries, and how they can individually, or as part of a team, assess the viability of, and implement such developments.
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 performance of engineering systems, components and processes, to minimise industrial waste, scrap and pollution through the use of analytical methods. This would lead to design, specification and manufacture of environmentally benign products. The module delivery is in the format of lectures, tutorials and workshops. A significant part of the teaching time is spent in workshop sessions during which students work in small groups on sustainability of conceptual designs. The teaching material will be influenced by extensive research activities of the academic staff engaged in delivery of the module. Feedback and feed forward in the form of formative assessments will be organised.
Water, Energy and Land Resources Management
30 credits
This module examines the relationship between water, energy and land (including the WEL-nexus), associated environmental management challenges and sustainable management solutions. The module will develop an understanding and critical evaluation of these challenges at a variety of scales through the systematic investigation of the component challenges (water, energy and land), the interface between the components and their relationship to sustainable development.
Research Methods and Techniques
30 credits
This module provides basic skills in research methods and techniques, including geographical information system (GIS) for data storage, manipulation and display. It initially develops GIS skills by introducing GIS concepts, sources for geographical information and outlines basic spatial concepts. Subsequently the module encompasses the theoretical underpinnings to research methods and techniques, including sampling schemes, measurements, quality control issues, and data collection, manipulation and analysis. This together with practical elements of designing research proposals and data testing enables the necessary skills for carrying out independent research work.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Evaluate the use of GIS in the capture, storage and handling, manipulation and analysis of geographical information.
- Critically discuss what a GIS is and develop an understanding of its relevance to key application areas.
- Apply the latest developments in geographical database technology to geographical database case studies.
- Synthesise the literature on a specific topic and identify key researchable issues relating to the literature review.
- With respect to one researchable issue, develop aims and objectives and relevant research methodologies for a specific research project to enable them to meet their aims and objectives.
- Manipulate data using a computer and select, execute and interpret results of appropriate data analytical methods.
The Challenge of Climate Change
30 credits
This module reviews current ideas on climate change and its implications for society. The complexities of this debate and their relevance to a sustainable future for human societies, and to ecosystems and planetary well being, more generally, are explored. Keynote lectures will introduce the science of climate change; uncertainties and challenges in global climate change modelling; implications of climate change predictions; appropriate societal responses; and 'best' strategies for mitigating potential climate change and its impacts. The challenges of policy-making against a background of uncertain science are explored through case studies and role-play scenarios and by site visits.
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.
Optional modules
Professional Placement
120 credits
The Professional Placement module is a core module for those students following a masters programme that incorporates an extended professional placement. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an appropriate working environment, and develops and enhances key employability and subject specific skills in their chosen discipline. Students may wish to use the placement experience as a platform for the major project or future career.
It is the responsibility of individual students to find and secure a suitable placement opportunity; this should not normally involve more than two placements which must be completed over a minimum period of 10 months and within a maximum of 12 months. The placement must be approved by the Course Leader, prior to commencement to ensure its suitability. Students seeking placements will have access to the standard placement preparation activities offered by Student Engagement and Enhancement (SEE) group.
Read more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Core modules
Green Engineering & Energy Efficiency
30 credits
This module introduces students to the knowledge and practice of sustainable development in engineering industries, and how they can individually, or as part of a team, assess the viability of, and implement such developments.
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 performance of engineering systems, components and processes, to minimise industrial waste, scrap and pollution through the use of analytical methods. This would lead to design, specification and manufacture of environmentally benign products. The module delivery is in the format of lectures, tutorials and workshops. A significant part of the teaching time is spent in workshop sessions during which students work in small groups on sustainability of conceptual designs. The teaching material will be influenced by extensive research activities of the academic staff engaged in delivery of the module. Feedback and feed forward in the form of formative assessments will be organised.
Water, Energy and Land Resources Management
30 credits
This module examines the relationship between water, energy and land (including the WEL-nexus), associated environmental management challenges and sustainable management solutions. The module will develop an understanding and critical evaluation of these challenges at a variety of scales through the systematic investigation of the component challenges (water, energy and land), the interface between the components and their relationship to sustainable development.
Research Methods and Techniques
30 credits
This module provides basic skills in research methods and techniques, including geographical information system (GIS) for data storage, manipulation and display. It initially develops GIS skills by introducing GIS concepts, sources for geographical information and outlines basic spatial concepts. Subsequently the module encompasses the theoretical underpinnings to research methods and techniques, including sampling schemes, measurements, quality control issues, and data collection, manipulation and analysis. This together with practical elements of designing research proposals and data testing enables the necessary skills for carrying out independent research work.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Evaluate the use of GIS in the capture, storage and handling, manipulation and analysis of geographical information.
- Critically discuss what a GIS is and develop an understanding of its relevance to key application areas.
- Apply the latest developments in geographical database technology to geographical database case studies.
- Synthesise the literature on a specific topic and identify key researchable issues relating to the literature review.
- With respect to one researchable issue, develop aims and objectives and relevant research methodologies for a specific research project to enable them to meet their aims and objectives.
- Manipulate data using a computer and select, execute and interpret results of appropriate data analytical methods.
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.
Optional modules
Professional Placement
120 credits
The Professional Placement module is a core module for those students following a masters programme that incorporates an extended professional placement. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an appropriate working environment, and develops and enhances key employability and subject specific skills in their chosen discipline. Students may wish to use the placement experience as a platform for the major project or future career.
It is the responsibility of individual students to find and secure a suitable placement opportunity; this should not normally involve more than two placements which must be completed over a minimum period of 10 months and within a maximum of 12 months. The placement must be approved by the Course Leader, prior to commencement to ensure its suitability. Students seeking placements will have access to the standard placement preparation activities offered by Student Engagement and Enhancement (SEE) group.
Read more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.
Work placement scheme
Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University allow students to take the option of a 12-month work placement as part of their course. 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. So 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
Teaching and assessment
Who teaches this course?
School of Engineering and the Environment
The School of Engineering and the Environment prides itself on the high quality of its teaching, as recognised by the excellent and satisfactory awards in various subject reviews undertaken by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) on behalf of the Higher Education Funding Council.
The School has invested in developing its labs for both teaching and research, including:
- facilities for environmental monitoring, geology, geochemistry, and mapping/GIS/computing; and
- specialist instrumentation laboratories (eg nuclear metrology; laser raman spectroscopy; and 3D mapping).
Postgraduate students may run or assist in lab sessions and may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.
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:
- the £9.8 million Eadweard Muybridge building with state-of the art laboratories, including labs dedicated to environmental science and geochemistry;
- new work areas and dedicated laboratories for research;
- specialist equipment, such as
- ICP-AES and ICP-MS analytical facility;
- scanning microscopy (SEM and TEM) and electron microprobe equipment; and
- laser raman microprobe, fluid inclusion and cathodoluminesence equipment;
- computing laboratories and a team of IT technicians to offer assistance.
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 at 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
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.
What our graduates say
After you graduate
These courses offer an excellent foundation for careers in local government, non-governmental organisations, major international companies, independent consultancy and education (eg research and enterprise).
Current research in this subject
- Research associated with solid waste management.
- Investigations into effects of land-use change on decline in biodiversity and species extinctions.
- Research associated with biogeochemical cycling of trace elements and nutrients in terrestrial and aquatic environments.
- Investigations into understanding the underlying processes of metal/nutrient transfer between soil and plants; investigations into the long-term behaviour of metals in soils.
- Investigations into understanding the underlying processes of metal/nutrient transfer between soil and water.
- Research into the long-term behaviour of land use impacts on diffused water pollution.
- Investigations into sustainable water uses in developing countries (eg South Africa).
- Research on desalinisation in developing-world context.
- Research on globally relevant topics associated with conventional energies, renewable energies and sustainable energies.
- Exploring the importance of protected areas in tropical developing countries.
Research in the Centre for Earth and Environmental Science Research (CEESR)
Research forms part of the Centre for Earth and Environmental Science Research (CEESR). Research falls into three different groups:
- geodynamics and crustal processes - including tectonics, basin evolution and applications of palaeomagnetism to global geodynamics;
- environmental change - including remote sensing of land cover change in tropical and temperate ecosystems and human impacts on watercourses and soils in Britain; and
- agriculture, environment and people - including the human, environmental and policy dynamics of rural systems.
Events and lectures
- Students can attend bi-weekly Departmental Seminar Series (ie CEESR).
- Students are invited to the annual CEESR Seminar.
Changes from 1 August 2022
Up until 31 July 2022, this course was taught in the Faculty of Science Engineering and Computing. For students enrolling from September 2022, the course will be delivered by the Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and the Environment. There will be no impact on the teaching or the award of the degree.