Postgraduate Taught

Environmental Change, Management and Monitoring

An Environmental Science looking at marine life in a tank while making notes
A group of Environmental Science students collecting samples in a wood
A PhD student taking water samples from a lake using a piece of equipment
Two men wearing wetsuits walking out of the water
Designed to prepare you for a career as an environment consultant, this course gives you the chance to study environmental challenges – and how to monitor and manage them.
Gain in-the-field techniques and knowledge with trips to the diverse surroundings of our location on the Humber Estuary.
Through hands-on practice you’ll develop industry relevant skills in monitoring environmental change.
You’ll graduate with in-demand specialist skills and knowledge, ready for a career as an environmental consultant across a range of sectors.
An Environmental Science looking at marine life in a tank while making notes
A group of Environmental Science students collecting samples in a wood
A PhD student taking water samples from a lake using a piece of equipment
Two men wearing wetsuits walking out of the water

Want to make a positive difference to the world? Now’s your chance.

Climate change, pollution and non-native species invasions are pressing forces that are negatively impacting our planet. This course gives you the chance to study the causes and consequences of the major environmental issues facing our world – and how to monitor and manage them.

You’ll gain a thorough grounding in the broad range of essential skills you need to be an environmental scientist. And graduate ready to work as an environmental consultant.

  • Designed

    to prepare you for environmental consultancy

  • Industry-standard software

    such as RStudio and GIS

  • Go on field trips

    to a diverse range of locations

  • Develop

    industry-relevant skills through hands-on practice

  • Enhance

    your qualitative and quantitative research skills

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Course overview
Module options

About this course

Learn how to monitor environmental change – developing practical, lab-based skills and in-the-field techniques. This course gives you a global perspective on environmental issues along with industry-relevant skills.

You’ll analyse samples working with pollution kits. Carry out data analysis – using software such as RStudio and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) – and discover how to present your findings. And explore how to conduct environmental impact assessments and understand their outcomes.

Our programme teaches you to construct and test hypotheses related to environmental issues. You’ll enhance your qualitative and quantitative research skills, learning how to conduct surveys. Consider the political and legal consequences of environmental change and management. And develop insight to suit your interests and career ambitions in your research project.

Trips within the diverse surroundings of our location on the Humber Estuary give you the chance to explore environmental impacts in the field. You’ll have the chance to attend guest lectures from ecological consultants working in the industry, too.

Choose your modules

For a full Masters degree, you'll study 180 credits over the duration of your course. Some programmes offer a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualification. For a PGDip, you'll study 120 credits, and for a PGCert, you'll study 60 credits.

Dissertation

What fascinates you? You will make an original contribution to research by designing, carrying out and writing up a project on a topic of your choice, supported by your dissertation supervisor.

Core60 credits

Environmental Law and Policy

The world is facing connected risks that threaten a ‘polycrisis’, with environmental challenges and social justice issues at the core of this. These risks are occurring simultaneously at multiple scales and often highly inter-connected. This module will provide you with an understanding of the development of environmental policy and law from international to local levels in different country and sector contexts. The idea of ‘systems thinking’, that environmental problems and solutions shouldn’t be considered in isolation from other policy areas such as food security and social justice will also be introduced.

Compulsory20 credits

Research Skills in Environmental Sciences

It is more important than ever that future environmental scientists are well-equipped with the skills needed to critically assess environmental research. This module will provide you with the key skills required to assess and integrate contemporary literature and to analyse and interpret complex data to become an independent researcher.

Compulsory20 credits

Environmental Change in the Anthropocene

You will be introduced to a breadth of topics linked to environmental change, management and monitoring such as terrestrial and aquatic ecology, waste and pollution management, an overview of the Anthropocene, health and climate change and global geopolitical issues.

Compulsory20 credits

Applied Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing

In a world where environmental changes are driven faster than ever, evidence-based research is crucial while working as an environmental/ecology professional. GIS and RS are everyday tools used to produce guidelines and influence significate decision-making. This module will take you through every phase of a GIS project and introduce you to a range of applied environmental issues where only GIS and RS analysis can provide solutions.

Compulsory20 credits

Environmental Impact Assessment

​Environmental Impact Assessments are the industry standard for assessing the impact of developments on the environment. In this module, you’ll learn about the socio-economic, ecological, environmental, aesthetic and legislative aspects of EIAs, and critically evaluate existing EIAs. You’ll also learn GIS mapping skills, which are essential in many areas of industry.

Compulsory20 credits

Ecosystem Assessment

The ecological assessment of terrestrial and freshwater habitats is a key component of environmental management. This module aims to provide the theoretical background and professional skills needed in the industry by focussing on key environmental issues, the management of water quality, and habitat degradation of inland waters, and management of terrestrial habitats.

Compulsory20 credits
7 Modules

Entry requirements

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in relevant subject area

Applicants should have a Bachelors Honours degree (typically 2.2 or above, or international equivalent) in an environmental or science subject.

Additional entry requirements for this course

If you hold a degree in another subject area plus professional experience, we would still encourage you to apply as we are looking for a real interest and passion for ecology and the environment and would be happy to consider your application.

If you’re an undergraduate student at Hull, you’re guaranteed a fast-track route to this postgraduate degree, as long as you meet the entry requirements.

In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in relevant subject area

Applicants should have a Bachelors Honours degree (typically 2.2 or above, or international equivalent) in an environmental or science subject.

Additional entry requirements for this course

If you hold a degree in another subject area plus professional experience, we would still encourage you to apply as we are looking for a real interest and passion for ecology and the environment and would be happy to consider your application.

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our scholarships

We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.

Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.

Find out more about our scholarships

Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship

University of Hull undergraduates progressing to a taught masters course may receive a 25% discount on the cost of their tuition fees.

Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship page.

International Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students.

To find out more and see if you're eligible, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Take a look at our facilities

Map Room

The Map Room holds around 500 drawn and printed maps including facsimiles of maps dating from the mid-13th century onward.

Brynmor Jones Library

Our 7-storey library is home to 1 million+ books, extensive digital resources drawn from libraries and archives across the world, and stunning panoramic views of the city from the 7th floor.

Teaching Labs

You’ll have access to a GIS suite and teaching labs where you can develop your experimental skills.

Open-access PC's

You’ll find over 400 open-access PCs at your disposal in our library. As well as over 70 laptops available to borrow. There’s also group learning rooms with big-screen PCs.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

Look around

geography lecture

Look around

Map room
Brynmor Jones Library
geography lecture
Brynmor Jones Library Reading Room
thyme-education-environmental-science-uoh-20190430-0345

Future prospects

Our programme prepares you for a career as an environmental consultant. You’ll graduate with the specialist skills and knowledge that are in demand across the environment sector, as well as professional teamwork, communication and presentation skills.

You’ll be able to progress to a range of career opportunities in national and international consultancies, non-governmental organisations, private and public service research and management. There’s a range of environment-focused roles right here in the Humber region with its growing renewables sector.

You can also go on to higher level study with a PhD in the field.

University of Hull Open Day

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.

Not ready to apply?

We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.

You may also be interested in…

All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

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