Explore climate, hydrology, ecology, and more. Taught by leading water scientists, our River Environments and their Management MSc course includes fieldwork to bridge theory and practice.
This course equips you with essential skills for a career in environmental river management, addressing critical global challenges and preparing you for advanced studies or professional roles in water science.
Things about my course that I know will benefit me, are the doors it’ll open for me in terms of careers.
The course will run over 12 months in full-time mode. There is also a possibility to undertake this course on a part-time basis.
While the exact course content may vary, here is what you can expect to study each semester. This is based on a full-time Masters course.
In Semester 1, you will take the following modules:
Our course offers a comprehensive understanding of river systems through a blend of lectures, fieldwork, and research-based projects. It equips you with essential skills for environmental river management, addressing global challenges, and provides advanced training for careers or further PhD studies in water science.
The expertise of Birmingham’s Water Sciences Research Group ensures cutting-edge, research-informed teaching. Students are taught by leading water scientists with industry input, featuring extensive fieldwork and excursions.
for Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
for Geography and Environmental Sciences (Complete University Guide 2025)
The River Environments and their Management programme involves a core of lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes.
This core material is backed up by supplementary material designed to deepen the comprehension of the basic processes, to understand their application in environmental management and industry and to develop an appreciation of both the industrial and environmental management environment.
Students are taught through lectures, fieldwork, and research, gaining skills for successful river environmental management.
The River Environments and their Management programme includes core lectures, tutorials, and labs, supplemented by seminars, fieldwork, and projects. Modules span the semester, covering topics like hydrology, river ecology, and water science, with credits earned through coursework and a dissertation.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
The following modules must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LM Advances in Water Science and River Management | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LM Environmental analysis and modelling | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LM Hydrogeomorphology and Catchment Management | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LM Quantitative Analysis of Hydrological Processes | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LM River Ecology: Theory and Practice | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LM River Environments and their Management Dissertation | 60 | Semester 2 |
| LM River Habitats and Biogeochemistry – Assessment and Monitoring | 20 | Semester 2 |
Students have the opportunity to take the following modules in place of the dissertation module listed above:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LM Postgraduate Taught Knowledge Exchange Pathway | 60 |
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
in Geography, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Engineering, Natural Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Ecology / Biology, Life Sciences, Agricultural Science, Water Management, or a related discipline
Ideally, students will have attained good marks in modules related to hydrology during their Honours degree.
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Full-time
Part-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Unlock your career potential in river environmental management. Our intensive degree prepares you for senior roles in water authorities, consulting firms, and government agencies.
Graduates find employment with organisations such as Birmingham City Council, The Environment Agency, and more. Students are also equipped to pursue advanced PhD studies in water science.
We have established agreements and relationships with organisations including The Environment Agency and The Centre of Ecology and Hydrology, which has worked well in terms of student placements for dissertations. Some of these placements have led to subsequent positions with the organisation.
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Find out why we are the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2024) by meeting some of our successful alumni.
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
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