Pollution and Environmental Control: The University of Manchester

Course description

The programme is designed to meet the growing need, internationally, for scientists who are able to understand and solve environmental problems. Since most environmental problems are interdisciplinary in nature, the MSc Pollution and Environmental Control is founded upon a variety of environmental science, engineering and social science disciplines. It was established over 20 years ago and now has an international status, attracting students, mainly with good first degrees in a science or engineering discipline, from all parts of the world. Key employers of graduates from this course include companies and public enterprise, central and local government, consultancies and education and research.

Module details

The one-year programme consists of a seven month taught component and a project lasting five months. The course may only be taken on a continous full-time basis. The taught component has a broad core covering concepts of pollution damage and economics, research methods and analytical techniques. Students are then able to specialise in:

• Environmental
• Earth, water or atmospheric sciences
• Engineering
• Regulation

Career opportunities

The pattern of employment varies between years, according to the changing pattern of job opportunities. However, graduates from this programme have been very successful in obtaining relevant environment-related employment in areas such as industry, local and central authorities, consultancies, and education and research. Typically, 20-30% of students completing the course then undertake postgraduate research. A student who has successfully completed this masters programme to a good standard can be admitted to the doctoral programmes in Biology, Social Science and Environmental Engineering without being required to undertake foundation training in the first year of study.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview: Applications are welcome from students with a good first degree (minimum 2.1 or equivalent) in a scientific or technological discipline from a recognised university. First degrees in other subject areas or people with degree-equivalent qualifications may also be considered for entry.

English language: Overseas students would also need to demonstrate competence in English language, for example, a minimum IELTS score of 6.5