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Environmental Sciences at UEA
Find out more about studying Environmental Sciences at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMSc Environmental Sciences
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
Course options
Other Start Dates
Gain a competitive edge with a placement year
This course is also available with an integrated placement year, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable UK industry experience alongside your master's degree
Other Start Dates
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UEA is ranked 4th overall for research quality in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
Times Higher Education REF 2021 AnalysisCourse Overview
Why MSc Environmental Sciences at UEA?
Explore the complexity of environmental systems through an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on expertise from researchers across environmental sciences. You'll develop practical, career-ready skills by working with real environmental datasets and applying analytical approaches to real-world challenges. With a flexible choice of modules, you can tailor your studies to your interests while keeping your future career options open.
Why choose UEA
- Research-led teaching: Our curriculum links natural processes, human systems, and solutions for environmental management
- Flexible degree: You may choose from a range of modules from climate, oceans, freshwater, land, ecology, resources, to policy and economics
- Hands-on training: We use real-world case studies and applied assessment tasks in data analysis, GIS, modelling and communication
What is MSc Environmental Sciences?
This MSc offers an interdisciplinary exploration of Earth’s atmospheric, oceanic, freshwater and terrestrial systems, and the complex ways they interact with society.
You'll develop a deep understanding of the processes that shape our planet, the impacts of human activity, and the evidence-based approaches needed to support sustainable environmental management.
Through the course, you'll build advanced skills in collecting, analysing, interpreting and communicating environmental data. You'll gain practical experience using analytical tools such as GIS and numerical modelling techniques to investigate environmental challenges and inform decision-making.
You’ll have the flexibility to tailor your studies through optional modules covering areas such as biodiversity conservation, sustainability, environmental economics, impact assessment and climate change.
Your research dissertation, combined with the practical and transferable skills you develop, will prepare you for a wide range of careers in environmental agencies, NGOs, consultancies, industry research and development, or further academic study.
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This course is accredited by
Careers
Career Pathways
With an MSc Environmental Sciences degree, you could launch a career in:
- Environmental consultant: Deliver assessments, monitoring plans and evidence for development, infrastructure and compliance decisions
- Sustainability and ESG analyst: Evaluate environmental risks, metrics and reporting for organisations, investors and supply chains
- Environmental data/GIS analyst: Analyse spatial and time-series datasets to support planning, modelling and targeted interventions
- Conservation and land management officer: Plan and evaluate actions for habitats, biodiversity, protected areas and nature recovery
- Water, catchment or coastal specialist: Support flood risk, water resources, water quality and coastal management programmes
Career Support
Develop the practical, career-ready skills employers value through applied modules, hands-on project work and an independent research dissertation.
You'll gain experience using industry-relevant tools and techniques, including data analysis, GIS and environmental modelling, while working with real environmental datasets to explore and address complex environmental challenges.
You'll also learn how to communicate scientific evidence with confidence, adapting your writing and presentations for different audiences, from detailed technical reports to clear, decision-focused outputs.
Alongside academic guidance, UEA’s Career Central offers appointments, events and vacancies to support your next steps
After the Course
Graduates go on to pursue careers across a wide range of sectors, including environmental consultancies, government agencies, NGOs and industry.
The skills and experience you develop also provide a strong foundation for further research, including PhD study and research roles.
Your dissertation offers the opportunity to showcase your specialist knowledge and analytical abilities through an independent research project that can strengthen your professional portfolio.
With its interdisciplinary approach, the MSc Environmental Sciences will give you the confidence, expertise and practical skills to address complex environmental challenges and make a positive impact in your chosen career.
Study and Modules
Structure
The MSc Environmental Sciences is a one-year, full-time course combining advanced taught study with an independent research project.
You'll complete 180 credits through a combination of taught modules and your research project, giving you the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge while building valuable research skills.
With a flexible choice of modules, you can tailor your studies to match your interests, career ambitions and existing experience. You could choose to specialise in a particular area of environmental sciences or explore a broader range of interdisciplinary topics that complement your goals. You'll work with your adviser and course director to select your modules from a wide range of options, including opportunities to study relevant modules from other schools across UEA.
Your independent research project allows you to investigate an environmental topic that interests you in greater depth. You'll begin developing your research ideas early in the course, create a project proposal and carry out your research from the spring semester through to the summer. You'll complete your final report and share your findings through a research seminar, gaining valuable experience in planning, conducting and communicating independent research.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)Important Information
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.
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Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
You’ll learn through lectures, seminars, practical classes, IT labs and field visits.
Teaching is research-led and links environmental science concepts to real case studies and datasets.
You’ll be supported to build independence through directed reading, guided study tasks and feedback.
An independent research project lets you investigate a topic of your choice with an academic supervisor.
Core modules build foundations and skills in data analysis, GIS/modelling, and research design. Field and practical sessions develop observation, sampling, and interpretation across environmental settings.
Assessment
Assessment methods vary by module and test both intellectual and practical skills across environmental sciences.
You may complete essays, reports, position papers, presentations, problem sheets, mini-projects, and an independent dissertation.
Coursework assesses practical and numerical skills, plus your ability to analyse data and communicate clearly.
Your research proposal and dissertation assess project design, evidence use and overall capability 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, 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, 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 with minimum 5.5 in each component.
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(opens in a new window) 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, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.(opens in a new window)
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
- UK Students: £12,950
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International Students: £27,000
If you choose to take this course with a placement year, your tuition fees for the first year will be as shown above. An additional fee of £3,500 will apply for the placement year (see our FAQs page for further details).
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships(opens in a new window); 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(opens in a new window).
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(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.