Choose a route to suit you: our MSc is ideal for recent graduates seeking a full-time postgraduate course and for mature students already in employment wanting to balance part-time studies with work commitments.
£9,600 for the full course or £975 per 20 credits* (2023/24)
International fee
£14,900 for the full course (2023/24)
Course level
Postgraduate
Qualification
MSc
Start date
September
Location
Kedleston Road, Derby Campus
Course description
Our innovative MSc focuses on how to prevent and control the contamination of land and freshwater. With its strong emphasis on applying scientific knowledge to real-world problems, it offers you the chance to specialise in an increasingly important environmental field.
Gain a specialist qualification to advance your career with government bodies, local authorities, consultancies and industry – in the UK and overseas
Gain an in-depth and holistic understanding of policies and strategies to assess, prevent, manage and control land and freshwater contamination
Apply your knowledge to real-world situations and evaluate the outcomes to make effective strategic decisions
Undertake work placements with employers in a range of settings for practical-based training and practitioner-based learning
Learn from an expert teaching team who conduct crucial research and consultancy work on environmental themes
Embark on a pathway towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist or Chartered Scientist
Choose a route to suit you: our MSc is ideal for recent graduates seeking a full-time postgraduate course and for mature students already in employment wanting to balance part-time studies with work commitments
The MSc Environmental Assessment and Control gives you insights and skills in addressing land and water contamination problems both strategically and creatively.
Build specialist expertise
This is a multidisciplinary MSc bringing together expertise in areas such as conservation, biology, environmental health and ecosystems. In response to the needs of employers, it also takes an integrated approach to land and water management. Our teaching is underpinned by latest research and we place an emphasis on linking theory to live case studies.
You will explore aspects of contaminated land including legislation and regulation, identification of environmental issues, analysis and remediation, and human health exposure assessment. You will also focus on the environmental monitoring and assessment of freshwater, prevention and control of contamination, drinking water quality and flood defence.
A focus on practical experience
We have joined forces with a range of organisations – local authorities, government agencies, industries and environmental consultancies – to develop the MSc.
Workplace experience is a cornerstone of the programme. Our external partnerships enable you to enhance your practical skills via field and laboratory work and to undertake practitioner training through work placements. While on placement, you will be supported by work-based learning mentors.
Throughout the course, you will gain insights into problem-solving, decision-making and how environmental sampling and analytical techniques are applied in the workplace. Case studies, guest lectures and fieldtrips will bring an extra dimension to this ‘real-world learning’ approach.
Professional recognition
Lending further credibility to your qualification, this programme is accredited by the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES), the education committee of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). CHES is the collective voice of the environmental sciences academic community and serves to enhance the quality of environmental education worldwide.
A programme accredited by CHES is assured to meet high standards, contain a strong component of practical, field and theoretical activities, and has excellent opportunities for training, work experience and links to the professional environmental sector. Students enrolled on CHES accredited programmes can apply for free Student Membership of the IES and for a fast-track route to membership once they graduate.
This programme is aligned with the academic requirements of Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) and starts graduates on a route towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist or Chartered Scientist.
Our research-active team
You’ll be supported by a highly qualified team renowned for their research and consultancy work in the field of environmental assessment. They publish influential papers, speak at global conferences and serve on the editorial boards of scientific journals. The team includes specialists with high professional standing, such as Chartered Scientist, Chartered Environmentalist, Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Fellow of the Zoological Society of London and full member of the Institution of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
How we're helping corals survive
Our Aquatic Research Facility is carrying out work with organisations across the globe to make coral reefs more resilient in the face of man-made afflictions.
We place great emphasis on helping you plan for your personal, educational and career development. At every stage of the course, you will be encouraged to reflect on your own learning, performance and achievement.
Alongside your practical skills and professional knowledge, we equip you with broader attributes and qualities to meet the expectations of employers today. These include leadership, management, communication and teamworking skills – especially important because environmental assessment is usually undertaken by collaborative and multi-disciplinary teams.
Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC)
Specialising in securing clean environments, nature recovery, and resilience to natural hazards, we work collaboratively to safeguard our planet for future generations.
We're in the fortunate position of having a wealth of expertise and knowledge to help tackle some of the world's greatest challenges. Take a look at examples of how we are responding to the climate emergency.
Some optional modules are available in a distance learning format - if you choose one of these module you will study through distance learning and will access the module wholly online.
Please note: International students are able to take the online modules in the autumn and spring only.
Contaminated Land and Remediation - You’ll gain an understanding of the sources and effects of contaminants in land, and strategies to prevent, control and manage contamination towards a sustainable environment
Freshwater Management - Investigate the sources and effects of contaminants and management of water quality in freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, groundwater and drinking water
Independent Scholarly Activity in Biosciences – In this triple module, you will plan, conduct and present a piece of original research on a topic of your choice within the area of environmental contamination and remediation
Optional modules:
Practical Training-Based Placement - Provides links between theory and problem-solving through practical applications. You’ll investigate current environmental aspects through a work placement in a range of areas such as environmental contamination and remediation, human interaction and exposure assessment, environmental management, biodiversity, conservation, and flood defence
Ecological Surveying - You’ll explore different approaches to surveys for ecology and conservation, including Phase 1 habitat survey, GPS surveying, GIS mapping, and the analysis and classification of freshwater and terrestrial habitats
Analytical Methods for Ecologists - You’ll become confident and proficient at applying basic univariate statistical analyses and basic multivariate visualisation and analysis methods. The module will also introduce you to the widely-used analysis software ‘R’
Habitat Management - Through this module you will research the management of a habitat that is being protected for its biodiversity and evaluate techniques and methods relevant to the maintenance, enhancement and restoration of a range of natural and semi-natural habitats
Environmental Management: Critical Perspectives - In this module, you will review the application of environmental management systems to businesses through the use of case studies, and how this differs between countries. You’ll visit a major transport hub to view their environmental management system, and will conduct an impact assessment at a local site
Environmental Impact Assessment (online module) - This module aims to develop a sound appreciation of the importance of conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); an understanding of the techniques used; and an appreciation of what is happening globally in relation to EIA
Global Resource Management - This module aims to develop critical knowledge and understanding of natural resource use, waste generation and waste management.
Conservation Biology in Principle and Practice - This module will introduce you to key ecological theory underpinning our current understanding of conservation practices. It will also cover conservation in practice, examining what has been done, and reasons for success or failure.
International Environmental Policy and Law - This module aims to develop a sound knowledge base and understanding of environmental law and its regulation towards the protection of the environment. Areas covered will range from international agreements, EU legislation, through to UK laws at national and local levels
Tools for Delivering Sustainable Solutions to Environmental Problems - This module aims to develop a sound knowledge and understanding of sources and nature of environmental problems and how to solve them in a sustainable manner. The module will explore major environmental problems in different parts of the environment and the key environmental management tools and techniques available to environmental professionals and organisations for dealing with them.
Environmental Noise Assessment - This module will introduce the main sources of environmental noise, in particular, those associated with transportation, industry, construction, and entertainment noise. The module will explore the indices and standards used to assess these sources, and will review the methods of control available
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
How you will learn
The design and teaching of this course is strongly informed by our teaching team's scholarly and professional activities, such as research and consultancy.
Our team is highly qualified, having specialist expertise in the subject area and high professional standing, such as Chartered Scientist, Chartered Environmentalist, full member of IEMA, Senior Fellow/Fellow of Higher Education Academy, Fellow of the Zoological Society of London.
You will be taught in the classroom through lectures, guest lectures, seminars, and tutorials to develop a strong theoretical understanding of environmental aspects of contaminated land and freshwater to identify environmental issues. You will find practical solutions using case studies, field and laboratory work in independent and team settings, and attain employer-linked study experience through placements with employers.
Assessment of knowledge and applied skills is by coursework, such as essays, practical reports, oral and written presentations, open-book assessment, and project reports/dissertations
Learn from an expert teaching team
Dr Mark Bulling - Research interests include the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning; application of statistics for data analysis
Dr Andrew Ramsey - Uses multidisciplinary approaches to research the ecology and conservation of species in cultural ecosystems
Professor Karim Vahed - Research interests include entomology, evolutionary/behavioural ecology and conservation biology
Entry requirements for UK students: You will usually need either an honours degree in a related scientific subject (at least second class) or equivalent experience
Entry requirements for EU/international students: International students should have the above or an international equivalent. If English is not your first language, you will need to hold IELTS 6.0 or above.
Fees and funding
2023/24 Fees (August 2023 - July 2024)
Type
Full-time
Part-time
UK
£9,600 for the full course or £975 per 20 credits*
£975 per 20 credits
International
£14,900 for the full course
N/A
Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.
* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable
Please note at postgraduate level, you’ll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.
Award
Credits
Postgraduate Certificate
60 Credits
Postgraduate Diploma
120 Credits
MA or MSc
180 Credits
This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.
Funding your studies
Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.
We're offering a £2,000 scholarship for all eligible international students studying a full-time postgraduate taught programme (PGT). Terms and conditions apply.
This course paves the way to careers with government bodies like the Environment Agency and DEFRA, international organisations such as the UN, local authorities, environmental consultancies, water companies and in a wide range of industries where environmental assessment and control is vital. If you are already in employment, it will enhance your promotion prospects and confidence in applying for more senior roles.
The MSc also represents a valuable qualification for professionals working in allied areas who want to broaden their skills. If you are an environmental consultant, for example, you may wish to gain more specialist knowledge of issues like land remediation.
In addition, your studies will give you a firm basis for higher-level qualifications including MPhil/PhD research degrees.
Coupled with relevant experience, the MSc could also put you on the pathway to full membership of professional accreditation bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) or the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). Longer term, you could achieve professional status such as Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv). Gaining this recognition will open up new employment opportunities for you and enable you to keep up to date with latest developments in the field.
Contact us
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
Please also note that due to the current Covid-19 situation, if your course offers fieldtrips, the location of these may change or be cancelled. If this happens, you will be communicated to in advance and we will do our very best to seek out other practical opportunities to ensure your experience is not affected.
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
Included in your fees
You will be provided with a laboratory coat and safety glasses as required
All equipment and consumables needed for your experimental/field work are provided by the University, this is subject to the consumables required being costed by you and approval from your programme leader
All-day fieldtrips are included in your course fee, previous day trips have been based in and around the city of Derby
Full access to Digimap online and a downloadable mapping service
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
You will need to purchase appropriate clothing and footwear for fieldtrips - approximate cost is £100
Travel costs for your placement module/s - cost depends on your placement venue of choice
Optional costs not included in your fees
Professional body accreditation from The Institution of Environmental Science (IES)
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
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