Why study at Birmingham? In short, we offer a well-established Masters Programme in Water that integrates scientific, engineering and management aspects of water quality and quantity in a single course. 

Studying here is very interesting because the students here are very diverse, so you get to learn about other cultures. We get a very wide exposure to the [water] field that we are studying in and that is very important. Demmo Darling, WRTM MSc graduate.

This course is ideally suited to engineering graduates who want to work in the water industry and to science graduates wanting to add an engineering perspective to their qualifications. It is popular with geography, geology and environmental science graduates who want to work for the major engineering consultancies.

Students on this MSc are drawn from the UK, Europe and around the world, giving a vibrant mix of cultures and experience that adds to the learning experience. In recent years, students from Bangladesh, Barbados, Chile, China, France, Ghana, Lebanon, Mexico, Pakistan, Spain and the UK have attended the course.

What our students say:

I would firmly recommend this course to any graduate who is seeking a career in the water industry. Paul Jenkin (Partner) Peter Brett Associates 

Studying here is very interesting because the students here are very diverse, so you get to learn about other cultures. We get a very wide exposure to the [water] field that we are studying in and that is very important. Demmo Darling, WRTM MSc graduate.

The course gave me a good grounding in the water industry but particularly in river hydrology and hydraulics. I really enjoyed the course and also recognise the quality of those who graduate.  Over the years I have employed about a dozen graduates from the MSc, some of which remain with me, some of which have moved on to other challenges, all have been very successful. Paul Jenkin, Partner, Peter Brett Associates (WRTM MSc graduate).

This course gave me a wider understanding of environmental issues, which then allowed me to specialise in wastewater treatment. However, the course also gave me management skills that have progressed my career from being technical at Year 0 to dealing with strategic company business plans just 5 years after graduating.  Simon Brown, Operation Leader (COSC) Severn Trent Water (WRTM MSc graduate).

I found the course challenging but very rewarding. It was varied enough to cover most aspects of the water industry, yet technically detailed to enable you to specialise in your chosen career. I would not have been able to get my current job without the good grounding of the WRTM MSc.Tim Smith, Senior Network Modeller, Hyder Consulting (WRTM MSc graduate).

The breadth and depth of the WRTM MSc provided me with a good understanding of general issues in the water industry and kick started my career in academia. Without this course I would not be able to lecture or research in my current area of interest.Jen Smith, RCUK Academic Fellow, Cranfield University, Centre Water Sciences (WRTM MSc graduate).

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Birmingham both socially and academically. The MSc in Water Resources and Technology was challenging but enjoyable and enabled me to pursue my subsequent PhD. The course gave me a diverse and thorough grounding understanding of the water industry and the confidence to undertake the engineering challenges I was to face as a process engineer. The depth and diversity of the course provides graduates with the knowledge to pursue opportunities across the water industry. Ben Courtis, Technical Specialist (Process), Tankersley UK (WRTM MSc graduate)

I liked the water treatment design project as it helped us to learn the principles behind water treatment processes. The site visits were relevant and helped me to visualise the treatment processes.  Student feedback on the Water Quality module.

Over the years we have worked with this  MSc Course on a variety of R&D projects and it is a relationship I value.  Peter Vale, Wastewater Strategy, Severn Trent Water.

The lecturers allow the students to develop themselves – they don’t do the work for you, they’ll guide you and give you the opportunity to get something done for yourself. I think that’s very good. Demmo Darling, WRTM MSc graduate.

Course objectives

Tackling flooding worldwide is an issue that is going to be increasingly problematic as the climate changes.

Course content (full-time students) 

Semester 1 (September – December)

• Water Quality Management (10 Credits)
  • The basic principles of water quality characterisation.
  • The principles of water quality management.
  • Sampling and storage, physical, chemical and biological characteristics. 
  • Water-related diseases, characteristics of water sources and wastewater.
  • Oxidation of organic matter. 
  • Ground and surface water pollution.
  • Water quality standards and associated legislation. 
  • Water industry management.
  • The role of potable water in public health.

• Water and Wastewater Treatment (20 Credits)
  • All aspects of the water cycle related to abstraction and treatment of drinking water.
  • The treatment and discharge of used (waste) water back to into the aquatic environment.
  • Treatment of both surface water and groundwater. 
  • Introduction of scientific and engineering fundamentals of the treatment processes.
  • How chemistry, biology and engineering work together to meet drinking water and environmental quality standards.  
  • The water quality, flows and loads into sewage treatment works.
  • The chemistry, microbiology and operation of the main wastewater treatment.
  • Two site visits (water treatment works and a wastewater treatment works) to demonstrate the practical and engineering aspects of water/wastewater treatment.

• River Flow Fundamental (10 Credits)
  • The fundamental principles of water flow in river management.
  • Governing equations for open channel flow.
  • Practical design problems involving the flow of water in open channels.
  • Fieldwork River Gauging. 
  • Introduction to the use of iSIS for modelling river hydraulics.

• Hydrology (10 Credits)
  • Introduction of hydrological processes and the practical applications of hydrology.
  • Hydrological cycle, precipitation and evapotranspiration.
  • Subsurface hydrology (soil moisture, infiltration) and groundwater introduction.
  • River flow and unit hydrograph analysis. 
  • Rainfall-runoff modelling and Flood Estimation Handbook.

Semester 2  (January – March)

• Flooding and Water Resource Management (20 Credits)
  • Introduction to flooding, flood control and river basin management.
  • The principles of flood routing (storage and channel routing methods).
  • River flood hydraulics and the prediction of stage-discharge relationships.
  • The physical and numerical modelling of channel flow and flooding. 
  • River conveyance estimation system.
  • River models. 
  • Introduction of flood risk management.

• Water and Environmental Management (20 Credits)
  • Introduction to key issues facing future managers of the water environment under the framework of the six UNEP.
  • The role of environmental systems analysis in environmental protection. 
  • Global resource management and the function of water and environmental management.
  • The challenges of implementing new water-related legislation.
  • The impacts of climate change on water quality and quantity.
  • The global water situation and diffuse pollution of water.
  • The key challenges facing the water industry today and the approaches to be taken. 
  • The use and role of energy and bio-energy in water and wastewater treatment.

• Pipeline Network Analysis (10 Credits)
  • Introduction to the concepts of pipeline hydraulics, pumps and turbines.
  • The main components of water distribution systems. 
  • Pipeline hydraulics, reservoirs and pumps.
  • Water network analysis and simulation.
  • Hydraulic processes in the design of water distribution systems.
  • Introduction to EPANET for hydraulic analysis and water quality analysis. 

• Management and Research (20 Credits)
  • A group project to tackle an open-ended problem from an industrial partner.
  • Skills of time management and group work. 
  • Usage of the Internet and the library resources for information gathering.
  • Group presentation and report writing skills.
  • Effective communication skills and abilities to collect data analysis. 

Semester 3 (June – September)

• Industrial Research Project (60 Credits)
  • Independent study on a chosen research topic, either based with an industrial partner or on campus.
  • The project aims at developing skills and acquiring specialized knowledge in the interest area of the students.

Assessment

Tuition fees for home/EU students (2013/2014)

	Full-time fees
Postgraduate Masters	£5130
Postgraduate Diploma	£3420

Part-time programmes
Most part-time programmes run for two years and their fees are one half of the standard full-time programme fees. 

Tuition fees for international students (2013/2014)

International student tuition fees are set at £16770.
For further information please view the fees for international students page.
Part-time programmes
UK student visa regulations mean that students classed as overseas for fees purposes may normally only register on a full-time basis.

Further funding information

Standard fees apply 
Learn more about fees and funding

Scholarships and studentships
Scholarships may be available. International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

For further information contact the School directly or email sfo@contacts.bham.ac.uk

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The MSc version of this degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng(Hons) or an Accredited IEng (Full) BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree.

See www.jbm.org.uk for further information