MSc Environmental Sciences
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Environmental science is the interdisciplinary study of atmospheric, oceanic, freshwater and terrestrial environments, coupled with an assessment of the interactions with human society. This MSc programme will give you an understanding of the Earth’s natural processes, the impacts of human activities on the global environment and the strategies required for the sustainable management of natural resources.
If you’re passionate about studying the Earth’s natural processes and human impacts and you want to prepare yourself for a rewarding career in environmental sciences, this course is for you.
This MSc Environmental Sciences helps you develop advanced scientific knowledge alongside essential transferable skills in data analysis, use of tools such as geographic information systems (GIS), and decision-making.
You’ll choose modules from a range of topics covering diverse subject areas (e.g. biodiversity conservation, environmental economics, sustainability, environmental impact, climate change) that are useful for a wide array of career options, both in vocational employment and postgraduate research. Whether you’re an environmental sciences graduate seeking additional training, or you’ve studied a related subject and wish to advance your environmental knowledge and skills, this course is ideal.
You’ll develop skills in the collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of diverse datasets and the application of analytical tools such as numerical models and geographic information systems (GIS) to aid complex decision-making. All these transferable skills are invaluable for the job market and will support you to move into a rewarding career in environmental agencies, R&D groups, governmental and non-governmental organisations and consultancy companies.
Accreditations
This course is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES).
This course is accredited by
Study and Modules
Structure
The MSc Environmental Sciences is a one-year full-time course with both taught components and an independent research project.
The course is made up of 180 credits – with 100 credits gained from the taught components (usually five 20 credit modules) and 80 credits from your independent research project.
Through your choice of taught modules, you can carve your own curriculum pathway – you could focus on a specific area of environmental sciences or include a range of interdisciplinary subjects that complement your existing skills. You’ll discuss your career plans with your advisor and course director to choose your 100 credits of modules from our wide selection. You can also choose modules from other schools if they contribute to your study in the field of environmental sciences. You’ll complete your taught modules over two semesters.
The MSc includes 80 credits dedicated to the research project, 20 credits for Research Skills and 60 credits for the Dissertation, a final project report. You’ll start planning your independent research project in the autumn semester, submit your project proposal in the Spring Semester, and hand in your final project report in early August. Your research project work is developed from the spring semester onwards through the summer. You’ll present your research project at the end of August in a research seminar.
In addition to our core MSc Environmental Sciences course, we also offer two environmental sciences pathways focusing specifically on sustainability. These are Science, Society and Sustainability and Ecology and Economics for Sustainability.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
You’ll be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical classes, and field visits. As an MSc student you’ll be encouraged to extend your knowledge and understanding through directed reading and assessed coursework assignments. Your independent project is a research activity that fosters in-depth acquisition of knowledge and is an opportunity to work on a research topic of your choice together with an academic supervisor.
Independent study
In the Research Skills module, you’ll further develop your transferable skills – such as the use of IT facilities to find bibliographic material and techniques for data analysis and interpretation.
You’ll also learn how to prepare a research proposal for the independent project with a statement of the hypothesis you’ll test, the data and methods you’ll use, and a plan of work that includes a list of deadlines and deliverables.
Your project planning will see you develop additional skills such as costing the research plan and liaising with staff over practical issues such as safety and general working practices. We'll be on hand to support you during your independent project – particularly around training in project design, report presentation and writing.
Assessment
Depending on the modules you choose, we’ll use different methods of assessment to test your intellectual skills. These include essays, seminar presentations, position papers, short reports, problem sheets, mini-projects and an independent project report. You’ll perfect your ability to present arguments in a concise and coherent manner – a transferable skill that will prepare you for either vocational or research-oriented careers.
We’ll assess your practical skills mainly through your coursework. In essays and reports we’ll look for the skill with which bibliographic material has been obtained and discussed within the context of the assignment. You’ll also complete problem-solving and project-based work, which allows us to assess your numerical and practical skills.
We’ll assess your transferable skills mainly based on your research project proposal, which you’ll submit in support of your independent project. Your independent project and accompanying dissertation will give us an assessment of your overall skills and ability as an environmental scientist.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any science or social science subject including geography, plus politics, economics, law and business studies. Strong applicants from other backgrounds with experience relevant to Environmental Sciences are also encouraged to apply.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Any science or social science subject including geography, plus politics, economics, law and business studies. Strong applicants from other backgrounds with experience relevant to Environmental Sciences are also encouraged to apply.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in Listening and Reading with 6.0 in Writing and Speaking)
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
-
UK Students: £11,775
-
International Students: £24,350
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
Our degrees lead to a range of specialist environmental careers in areas such as sustainable environmental management, biodiversity conservation, renewable energy, carbon reduction, water and catchment management, weather forecasting, geophysics, natural hazard analysis, risk management, and teaching and education.
We’re proud to see that past students are successful at gaining jobs within various sectors including government organisations (e.g. the Environment Agency and County Councils), NGOs (e.g. Green Alliance) and consultancy firms. Some students have also chosen to progress to PhD research.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Environment project officer for governmental organisations
- Conservation officer for non-governmental organisations
- Environmental specialist for industry
- Environmental consultant for Consultancy companies
Discover more on our Careers webpages.