MSc Environmental Sciences

Environmental Sciences is the interdisciplinary study of atmospheric, oceanic, freshwater and terrestrial environments coupled with an understanding of the interactions with human society.

A major study area is the science of climate change and how we should adapt to increasing global temperatures and the rise in sea levels. It is the link between the study of natural processes, the effects of pollution, mismanagement and overexploitation of resources and other anthropogenic processes, and the desire to find ways to solve environmental problems that makes environmental sciences a particularly challenging and rewarding subject in the new millennium.

Training in environmental sciences equips you with useful transferable skills.
The ability to collect, analyse, interpret and present often diverse datasets and to use analytical tools such as numerical models and geographic information systems (GIS) provides you with a number of technical and presentational skills that are valuable in the job market. Environmental management decisions are often complex involving an assessment of risk associated with different options and learning how to participate in such decision-making is also a valuable skill.

The MSc in Environmental Sciences will offer you a range of subjects to choose from and a wide array of career options, both in postgraduate research and vocational employment. Our flexible course structure suits both students seeking to gain additional training in environmental sciences and non-environmental science graduates from related areas seeking to widen their environmental knowledge and skills.

A modular structure allows these divergent aims to be met within the same programme. You can choose from several areas of expertise in the School including earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, ecology, soil sciences and environmental economics and can integrate your knowledge with practical methods of environmental impact assessment and management.

The course lasts 46 weeks, beginning at the start of the academic year in mid-September and finishing in mid-August. Approximately two-thirds of the time is devoted to taught courses and the remainder to an original research project. All courses are taught by faculty and research staff in the internationally renowned School of Environmental Sciences and its associated centres, which gives you the opportunity to learn from scientists actively involved in furthering knowledge in environmental sciences.

Recent Dissertation Titles:

• Potential impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on recharge and saline intrusion in northeast Norfolk
• Application of traditional user’s knowledge to the management of tropical marine fisheries
• Economics of forest protected area management in Latin America.

“My year as an Environmental Science student was a very positive experience. Teaching within the school at MSc level was consistent, supportive, fair and flexible to individual needs, as was the feedback and communication from both my advisor and project supervisor.”

Jackie Barrow Former student.

Course Organiser:Prof Brett Day

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Entry Requirements Degree Subject: This programme is open to students with a first degree in geography, earth and environmental sciences or related disciplines. It is also suitable for graduates with single-discipline degrees in chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, computing, engineering, economics and politics. Degree Classification: Good first degree (minimum 2.1 or equivalent) Alternative Qualifications: It is also suitable for graduates with single-discipline degrees in chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, computing, engineering, economics and politics. Special Entry Requirements: n/a Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

IELTS: 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in all components)
TOEFL: Internet-based score of 88 (minimum 18 in listening, 21 speaking, 19 writing and 20 reading)
PTE (Pearson): 62 (minimum 55 in all components)

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

Other tests such as TOEIC and the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English are also accepted by the university. Please check with the Admissions Office for further details including the scores or grades required.

INTO UEA and INTO UEA London run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk (INTO UEA Norwich) or pseuealondon@into.uk.com (INTO UEA London).

• 95% of research activity classified as internationally leading, excellent or recognised in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.
• Teaching of the highest quality; rated “ Excellent” in the most recent Teaching Quality Assessment.
• With 62 faculty members, the School is the largest interdisciplinary Environmental Science department in the UK.
• Extensive recent investment in buildings and laboratories provide excellent facilities for research.
• A large community of researchers, including more than 150 research students, 72 research staff and 27 technicians.
• “The School of Environmental Sciences is the strongest in the world” Prof Sir David King, UK Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, 2005.

Come and Visit Us

Our Open Days will give you the opportunity to experience the University of East Anglia's unique campus atmosphere.

Fees and Funding Tuition Fees 2013/14

• UK/EU £5,000
• International £12,500

Funding

• The Simon Wharmby Postgraduate Scholarship of £3,000 available to one student annually. Please view the full terms and conditions for more information.