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Course overview
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.
Course Structure
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:
- Quantitative Analysis of of Hydrological Processes (20 credits)
- River Ecology: Theory and Practice (20 credits)
- Hydrogeomorphology and Catchment Management (20 credits)
Course highlights
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.
- Comprehensive Training: Combines lectures, fieldwork, and research projects for holistic environmental river management skills
- Expert-Led Teaching: Informed by Birmingham’s Water Sciences Research Group, ensuring cutting-edge, research-based education
- Career Preparation: Equips students for careers in environmental management and advanced PhD studies in water science
- Global Relevance: Addresses critical global challenges like water abstraction, pollution, and climate impacts on river systems
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.
- 2nd in the UK
for Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
- 12th in the UK
for Geography and Environmental Sciences (Complete University Guide 2025)
Course delivery
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.
Module information
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 for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
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 |
Entry requirements
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.
- 2:1 Honours Degree or equivalent
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.
English language requirements
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:
- TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 Listening, 21 Speaking and 19 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 25 in each skill
English Presessional Programmes
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.
Fees and scholarships
- £10,900
Full-time
- £5,450
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.
Paying your tuition fees
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.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
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.
Scholarships
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.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
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.
Application process
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.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Career opportunities
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.
Careers Network
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.
Student experience
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.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham has developed into a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Campus life
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus, so that you can get the most out of your university experience.