Environmental Science MSc

Course overview

Please note: applications for this course open on the 1^st October 2024.

The study of how the environment operates is the foundation upon which we must build solutions for the impact of human activities, such as water pollution, climate change, deforestation, ocean acidification/anoxia and biodiversity loss.

This multidisciplinary MSc programme provides underpinning knowledge of the physical and chemical operation of Earth’s oceans, atmosphere, climate and terrestrial water cycle, and the ways that human activities are disturbing these systems, alongside skills-based training to measure and assess environmental problems. This is coupled with tuition in the essential skills of scientific research, critical analysis and communication, coding, data analysis and visualisation, and machine learning with options which will equip you to enter professions providing environmental solutions or requiring contextual knowledge of environmental systems to solve related problems, inform policy or continue to further study.

This course welcomes graduates from a variety of backgrounds, including STEM subjects, environmental science and geography. You’re able to select across a range of modules to either develop a broad understanding of Earth system processes, or to select groups of modules to develop skills in the numerical modelling of the environment.

Why study at Leeds:

• Our globally-renowned research conducted right here in our School of Earth and Environment feeds directly into the course, shaping your learning with the latest thinking in environmental science.
• Advance your knowledge and skills in critical areas in environmental science, with the flexibility to tailor the course to what interests you through a range of optional modules.
• Conduct your own individual research project as part of your course and gain experience in researching and delivering a project that focuses on a real-world problem and allows you to explore your specific interests.
• Experience excellent practical and theoretical teaching delivered by a programme team who have years of research and field campaign experience from within the School of Earth and Environment.

Course details

The MSc Environmental Science is designed to be flexible to respond to your interests and existing skill sets and prepare you for a future career practicing environmental science in a range of industries, government departments, non-governmental organisations, or in academia. There are core modules in scientific communication to different audiences, data analysis and presentation, and environmental science practice which will develop skills valued by employers, explore the fundamental principles of studying the environment and set environmental science in a broader context.

A range of optional modules offer the chance to study different aspects of Earth’s environment such as climate change, oceanography, air quality, land use, groundwater and atmospheric processes and develop additional skills such as machine learning, statistics, GIS and remote sensing. There are two suggested pathways through the course: environmental systems and modelling, and environmental science practice, or you can choose a bespoke combination of optional modules to tailor your experience to your desired career. The ideas for the final projects are developed throughout the year and completed over the summer.

The course develops key skills such as critical thinking and analysis, science communication, independent research, teamwork, problem solving, and presenting. After completing the programme, you’ll be able to:

• Research and communicate complex scientific ideas to different audiences
• Understand the process of environmental data acquisition, analysis and presentation using primary measurements or secondary data
• Display knowledge of fundamental physical and chemical processes in the Earth system and how these interact with human activities
• Apply knowledge of the way the Earth operates to critically evaluate an environmental problem

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Compulsory modules

Scientific Quality and Discourse – 15 credits

Build the fundamental skills of science communication to different audiences in written, graphical and verbal forms enabling complicated ideas to be delivered in a clear and scientifically precise format appropriate to the setting. You’ll learn how scientific quality and significance are defined and learn to create different content types such as journal articles, project proposals, policy briefs, abstracts, pieces for non-specialists, conference presentations, posters etc.

Advanced Data Analysis and Visualisation – 15 credits

You’ll be trained in UNIX environments and the Python programming language to import, manipulate, compare and plot a range of environment related datasets using a variety of different plotting styles. Python packages relevant to environmental research are introduced and you’ll learn how to understand and modify complex code using efficient coding techniques.

Environmental Science Practice – 15 credits

Develop a grounding in the distinct features of environmental science that distinguishes it from other STEM subjects such as making measurements in varied and challenging landscapes and its interaction with human social structures and governance. You’ll explore a case study of the intersection of human priorities and natural processes, and undertake a short field course where you’ll gain experience of making measurements in a range of settings, visiting sites which illustrate key issues and solutions for environmental problems.

Environmental Science Research Project – 60 credits

This project is your chance to tailor your learning and apply it to an independent piece of research, inspired by your career aspirations or interests. Research can encompass primary data collection in the field or labs, interrogating environmental databases or model results to address a specific research question, or delivering a state-of-the-art technical report and policy brief addressing the interface between science and society.

Through this project, you’ll build invaluable skills in collating, critically analysing and presenting research alongside transferable skills in data collection, time management, working independently and organisation which will prepare you for your future career – whether that be in academia or industry.

Optional modules

You’ll have the flexibility to choose a combination of optional modules or one of the suggested pathways:

• Environmental Systems and Modelling
• Environmental Science Practice

Please note: The modules listed below are indicative of typical options.

Environmental systems and modelling pathway

Machine Learning and Statistics – 15 credits

Discover how to choose and apply appropriate statistical methodologies in your research, including significance testing, regression, and non-parametric statistics. You’ll learn how to use machine learning models such as deep learning to aid your research.

Air Quality Drivers and Processes – 15 credits

Explore the controls on air pollutants in both urban and rural environments, covering primary sources as well as secondary pollutants formed through atmospheric reactions, and appropriate mitigation and control strategies, along with the interaction of air pollution and climate change. You’ll also learn how to access and analyse air pollution data from monitoring networks and assess regional air pollution models.

Advanced Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics – 15 credits

This modelling-based module trains you to understand and predict the flow of air and of water in Earth's environment, beginning with the general principles and relationships that control fluid motion, before moving on to explore the flows of air and water in the environment using numerical models. These concepts are relevant to many applications such as pollution transport, hydrology or sedimentology. Simple models related to atmospheric, oceanic and river flows will be developed.

Terrestrial Biosphere in the Earth System – 15 credits

Develop an understanding of the important physical, biological and chemical processes through which terrestrial ecosystems interact with climate, including biosphere-atmosphere couplings of carbon, water and energy. This module will also explore the policy implications of ecosystem – climate interactions and includes the opportunity to explore topical research questions using a global vegetation model.

Atmosphere and Ocean Climate Change Processes – 15 credits

Provides training in the science of global climate change, climate modelling, and the physical coupling and feedback of significant atmospheric and ocean processes currently thought responsible for the observed rapid changes in the Earth’s climate. The module emphasises links and feedbacks between different parts of the climate system. A simple climate model is used to investigate the effects of different processes.

Biogeochemical Cycles of the Earth System – 15 credits

Learn about the cycling of elements at the Earth’s surface that provide critical controls on biological and climate processes such as phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon, developing an understanding of the general principles of biogeochemistry before studying the cycles of specific elements and their interaction. A biogeochemical model is used to explore how changes in these cycles interact with the Earth system.

Groundwater – 15 credits

Explore how groundwater fits into the hydrological cycle and learn how to understand and predict the impacts of groundwater abstraction and recharge. You’ll learn about the controls on hydraulic conductivity, be able to explain how the chemical composition of natural groundwaters develops and the main factors controlling groundwater vulnerability to pollution and approaches for assessing this, along with sustainable approaches to groundwater management.

Environmental Science Practice pathway

Environmental Data Visualisation & Analysis – 15 credits

Develops core visualisation and analysis skills for spatial data using industry standard Geographic Information System (GIS) software. Students will become familiar with concepts and quantitative techniques used to analyse different types of human and environmental data equipping them to produce and communicate high quality outputs that can be used to for decision making and research.

GIS and Environment – 15 credits

We give you the opportunity to explore the diverse applications of GIS in environmental studies, including terrain modelling, hydrology analysis, ecological studies, and land use mapping. The module covers issues in the application of GIS such as sampling strategies, scale, generalisation, error and uncertainty, and grid-based modelling before looking at how you can use these methods to understand landscape processes. By the end of this module, you'll gain skills in utilising ArcGIS and other GIS software packages and interpreting spatial environmental data.

Environmental Assessment – 15 credits

This purpose of this module is to:

• provide a vocationally oriented introduction to the principles and practice of environmental assessment (EA)
• develop an awareness of the historical development of EA, its scope, processes and techniques, and current legislation (principally EU / UK)
• provide an integrating framework for knowledge and skills gained elsewhere.

You’ll gain an appreciation of the wider context for the application of available tools rather than detailed practice in a specific sub-discipline.

Machine Learning and Statistics – 15 credits

Discover how to choose and apply appropriate statistical methodologies in your research, including significance testing, regression, and non-parametric statistics. You’ll learn how to use machine learning models such as deep learning to aid your research.

Air Quality Drivers and Processes – 15 credits

Explore the controls on air pollutants in both urban and rural environments, covering primary sources as well as secondary pollutants formed through atmospheric reactions, and appropriate mitigation and control strategies, along with the interaction of air pollution and climate change. You’ll also learn how to access and analyse air pollution data from monitoring networks and assess regional air pollution models.

Groundwater – 15 credits

Explore how groundwater fits into the hydrological cycle and learn how to understand and predict the impacts of groundwater abstraction and recharge. You’ll learn about the controls on hydraulic conductivity, be able to explain how the chemical composition of natural groundwaters develops and the main factors controlling groundwater vulnerability to pollution and approaches for assessing this, along with sustainable approaches to groundwater management.

Atmosphere and Ocean Climate Change Processes – 15 credits

Provides training in the science of global climate change, climate modelling, and the physical coupling and feedback of significant atmospheric and ocean processes currently thought responsible for the observed rapid changes in the Earth’s climate. The module emphasises links and feedbacks between different parts of the climate system. A simple climate model is used to investigate the effects of different processes.

Digital Image Processing for Environmental Remote Sensing – 15 credits

This module introduces the fundamental principles behind satellite image acquisition, processing and interpretation to extract meaningful environmental information. Students will learn how to evaluate and pre-process data before analysis, and use industry leading software to extract information about the Earth’s surface from diverse types of remote sensing images.

Fieldwork

A short 4-5 day field course to a UK destination will run at the start of the course to allow students and staff to get to know each other, to build an appreciation of the complexities and challenges that data collection in the environment poses and to introduce a case study of the application of environmental science. Day trips will introduce further examples of environmental science practice. Some optional module choices also include field days.

Learning and teaching

You will learn via a blended-learning approach using a mixture of fieldwork, in-person lectures, and in-class activities such as workshops or seminars with support from digital materials. The final project offers the choice of different formats to allow students to tailor the development of their science communication skills towards their career interests.

Our teaching is led by internationally recognised experts in their respective fields who are actively researching many of the subjects that they teach, and who bring this experience into the classroom and field.

Specialist facilities

The School of Earth and Environment offers excellent facilities for developing theoretical and practical skills in environmental science with specialist laboratories for the analysis of air, water, soils and sediments alongside extensive technical support, a range of field equipment for making offsite measurements and specialist computing facilities.

The School hosts the Centre for Environmental Modelling and Computation and has an exceptional track record in the modelling of climate, atmospheric chemistry, air quality and biogeochemistry. Our staff have years of research and field campaign experience to draw on in their teaching.

Programme team

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

The course will be assessed through a diverse range of approaches such as posters, oral presentations, a variety of documents for different audiences and purposes (e.g. scientific paper, technical report, policy brief, funding proposal), numerical modelling and report writing. Many of these assessments are directly relevant to potential career choices and the development of key skills valued by employers such as critical thinking, data analysis and presentation and quantitative evidence-based approaches to problem solving.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in engineering, environmental science, chemistry, physics, physical geography, physical science or mathematics disciplines.

Applicants with any of the following will be considered on a case-by-case basis:

• A bachelor degree with a 2:2 (hons) in the disciplines listed above.
• Professional qualifications and relevant experience.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Please note: applications for this course open on the 1^st October 2024.

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

30 June 2025 – International applicants

12 September 2025 – UK applicants

If you're still unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Earth and Environment

Contact us

School of Earth and Environment Postgraduate Admissions Team

Email: apply-masters@see.leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £14,000 (Total)

International: £31,500 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

Travel, accommodation and subsistence costs associated with compulsory field trips are covered by the university.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Career opportunities

This programme will provide a strong grounding in the knowledge base and quantitative skills required to address environmental questions. These skills are valued by a range of employers with opportunities in both the private and public sectors. Graduates will be well placed to explore a range of careers including:

• Environmental management and assessment services
• Environmental advisory services
• Geo-environmental services
• Sustainable water management
• Hydrogeology and flood risk
• Educators and teachers
• Climate science advisors
• Corporate Social Responsibility Officers
• Environmental Campaigners
• Project and Programme Managers.

Potential employers include, among many others, government environment protection agencies, large international consultancies such as Aecom, Arup, Atkins, Jacobs, JBA and WSP. Many of the companies have formal graduate schemes with an MSc Environmental Science listed as route to entry.

The course also provides the training required to undertake a PhD in this area.

Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research, meaning our graduates are highly sought after by some of the most reputable companies in the field.

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one — that’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers. The University's Careers Service is one of the largest in the country, providing a wide range of resources to ensure you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.

• Dedicated Employability Officer — gain quality advice, guidance and information to help you choose a career path. From CV and cover letter writing to supporting you with job applications, our School’s dedicated Employability Officer is on hand to help maximise your capabilities through a process of personal development and career planning.
• Employability and networking events — we run a full range of events, including careers fairs and industry talks in specialist areas and across broader industries, with employers who are actively recruiting for roles, giving you the opportunity to network and engage with industry sponsors. 
• Employability skills training – to support your transition to the workplace, we embed training in a range of key transferable skills valued by employers such as research and data analysis in all our programmes.
• MyCareer system — on your course and after you graduate you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events.
• Opportunities at Leeds — there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.

Find out more about careers support.