About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: F90012
- Applications: University
- Level: Postgraduate
- Department: Geography and Environmental Management
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: 1 year full-time. 2-3 years part-time.
- Delivery: Part-time, full-time
- Study Abroad: No
- Programme leader: Rob Hayward
- Key fact: Gain the professional skills needed to identify, address, evaluate and play a part in controlling the environmental problems facing businesses today
Introduction
The MSc Environmental Consultancy course provides a broad based and practical education at postgraduate level that is both academically rigorous and relevant to the professional skills of the competent environmental consultant in protecting human health and the environment. You will acquire the necessary knowledge and experience in decision making in order to contribute to finding solutions to environmental problems. You will learn how to make a positive contribution to existing environmental consultancy practise and respond to and initiate change in line with contemporary and emergent issues.
The course is strongly interdisciplinary and practical. It is based on our established links with consultancy firms, industry, national and local government and professional accrediting bodies. These include the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
You can chose to study either full-time or part-time. Much of the learning is based in the workplace so this course is ideal for those in employment.
Working in partnership
We have developed strong links with a range of organisations to ensure that this course remains up to date and relevant. These companies may also provide professional practise work placements during your studies:
"Parsons Brinckerhoff are pleased to have a close association with this course. We have taken on placement students every year and many of them have subsequently gone on to secure a permanent position with us."
Ross Singleton, Director, Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd
Student's view
Undertaking the MSc provided me with the key technical and industry specific skills which have assisted my transition into the Renewable Energy sector. I have found the MSc invaluable and can recommend it as a means of gaining entry for employment within the sector - Matt Russell
Structure
Content
Key practical areas covered in this course include environmental impact assessment, business and environmental management, corporate social responsibility for business and waste management.
You will study the following four modules:
- Environmental business skills - covers key areas for successful environmental consultancy practice management
- Advanced specialist topics in environmental science
- Professional practise in environmental science
- Research project (or dissertation)
Specialist subjects reflect current and future trends in the environmental consultancy sector by work area. Current topics include waste management, sustainable energy and carbon management, environmental impact assessment and ecological assessment. Future projections in the environmental consultancy sector are regularly reviewed and advised by the programme's Steering Committee and by reference to ENDS consultancy market annual survey.
You will undertake a significant research project or dissertation. This is normally started after you have completed the professional practise element of the course. This could be based on a problem in your own workplace if you are a part-time student. You can decide whether to do this in your second year or take a third year to complete it. For full time students, this could be based on a problem identified through the placement. The research project is carried out under the supervision of specialist subject tutors.
The definitive programme documentation and structure can be found here.
Teaching and learning
Beginning in September of each academic year, the programme is structured so that it provides a flexible approach to study. You may elect to study either full time over one year or part time over two or three years.
Full time students will normally begin the academic year with a short field trip, followed by a three month coursework block. You will then do a three month professional practise placement before finishing with your research project.
Part time students taking up to three years to study may elect to take modules in the order that suits their particular circumstances. As already mentioned, the research project can be based on a problem in your workplace. This is particularly attractive to employers who are sponsoring your studies.
Students on this course come from a range of different backgrounds. You may be a recent graduate or an experienced environmental consultant seeking advanced qualifications. This rich mix of students and the differing skills they bring offers a unique and interesting learning environment for all.
Academic writing, communication and English skills (ACES) programme
If you are an international student, our ACES programme offers you a range of support activities in academic writing, communication and English language skills. The programme provides courses, workshops, consultations and drop-in sessions to meet your individual language and communication needs. As a full-fee paying international student, you are provided with 100 ACES credits when you begin your course. You can then redeem these against any of the activities offered on the ACES programme. Find out more.
Assessment
Modules are normally assessed through a mix of course work, project work, including group work, and examination. You may also be assessed through viva voce.
Special Features
Professional accreditation
The MSc Environmental Consultancy is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
IES Student Membership
You can apply for the special grade of Student Member of the IES free of charge. You may then use the post-nominal StMIEnvSc. You can download the Student Membership Pack here.
Benefits of student membership (from the IES website):
- The experience of being part of a long established and highly reputable environmental science professional body
- The use of the post-nominal which signals your professional commitment to future employers or customers
- Firsts steps on an environmental career path which could take you to Chartered Status
- Access to the members area on the IES website, including news about jobs and events
- Electronic copies of the latest edition of the journal Environmental Scientist with opportunities to publish articles in it
- Monthly newsletter
- Preferential opportunities for internships at the Institution's offices in London
- Free or reduced entry to IES events
- No cost to you
Placements
The development of individual environmental professional practice is a central element of this course. To achieve this, you will spend at least 12 weeks in professional practice (through work placements) doing short term project work. The placement allows you to apply the theoretical principles you have gained into a real world environment. You are provided with help and support to find a suitable work placement and will be visited to ensure that the objectives of the placement are being met.
Study facilities
We have a range of well equipped laboratories for concrete and environmental services, environmental change, environmental physics, environmental biology, earth sciences and surveying technology, each with specialist technicians supporting both teaching and research. Our audio visual facilities provide you with resources for photography, digital imaging, filming and sound recording.
The UWE library is the largest in the South West, providing you with a wealth of resources for background reading and research. The library operates systems to allow you to access its resources at any time suitable to you.
Careers/further study
There are many opportunities for environmental consultants. They are employed and used by a wide range of industry sectors including oil, chemical, energy, waste management, transport, water, construction, metal, engineering, agriculture, mining and quarrying. Central and local government, charitable organisations, retail, commerce and manufacturing also employ the services of environmental consultants. As a consultant, you are likely to spend a lot of your time doing impact assessments, project management and providing technical guidance. Environmental consultants are also used as expert witnesses and in investigative work.
Graduates from this course have gone into many interesting and exciting areas of work. The course has an excellent employment record. Whilst many have found employment with large multidisciplinary environmental consultancies, others have used their learning, skills development and contacts from the professional practice placement to enter into roles including the following:
- Environmental Manager, running environmental campaigns, working on behavioural change and the implementation of ISO 14001 environmental management system
- Working within a waste management company on specialist waste management solutions, in particular energy from waste schemes
- Wind farm planning and management for a specialist renewable energy company
- Bat protection, bat surveys and associated land use planning work for an ecological consultancy
- Planning and development work for a major engineering and planning consultancy in environmental impact assessment for major development projects in the UK
- Assistant Environmental Manager for a UK business of an international logistics company, focusing on managing the environmental effects of their transport
Entry
Entry requirements
We normally require an honours degree of 2.2 or above in a relevant subject, normally of a geographical or scientific nature. Those without the first degree but with relevant qualifications and professional practice experience may also be accepted.
Please see our website for the latest English language requirements.
Fees
Full details of fees for this course can be found on our postgraduate fees pages.
For funding options, please see our funding and scholarships information.
How to apply
Please apply online. For any admissions questions please contact us on +44 (0)117 32 83333, e-mail admissions@uwe.ac.uk.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011