Environmental Sustainability MSc



Are you concerned about the environment and sustainability issues and are seeking job opportunities in this area?
Overview

Creating a sustainable world that provides a safe, secure, and healthy life for all peoples is a priority for the global community. Building and maintaining infrastructure nowadays demands solutions that are technically viable, commercially feasible, and environmentally and socially sustainable. This programme is designed for students whose interest is in the application of science and engineering to environmental issues and sustainable development. The programme is interdisciplinary in nature and provides students with a broad and integrated understanding of environmental sustainability. It encourages sharing and disseminating information, knowledge and technology that encourages sustainable development. 

Whatever your academic background, studying this course will give you the qualifications you need for a career in the sustainability sector.  This course takes an industry-focused approach, with particular application to buildings, property development, sustainable technologies as well as the waste and water sectors. Extremely relevant in today’s climate-aware world, this course is aimed at graduates from a wide range of disciplines.

Students wearing high visibility clothes whilst researching in the forest

Mode of Study:

Full-time (available as Part-time)

Duration:

1 year

Start date:

SepJan

Course details

Explore national and international environmental legal principles, opening the door to a possible career in sustainability-based projects worldwide.

You will also graduate with the ability to analyse and plan environmental sustainability solutions, particularly relating to buildings, property, waste and water. You will develop your communication skills, and be able to exchange theory and ideas on a wide range of sustainability issues. Full details of the assessment strategy for each module can be found in the module catalogue by clicking on ‘further information’ for modules listed and then click on the down arrow beside the delivery date of the module.

  • calendar How you’ll be taught

    You’ll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials and independent study.

    This is a full-time course and is split up into three trimesters. You can choose to start in either January or September.

    Duration:

    • September starts: 12 months
    • January starts: 18 months with a three-month break over the summer (after the first taught trimester)

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

Building Energy Performance ( BSV11153 )

Building Thermal Performance:
Building Heat loss
Detailing for Energy Efficient Construction
Sustainable Design Strategies:
Software Tools for designing Energy Efficient Buildings
SAP/SBEM compliance and Energy Performance Certification
Modelling Sustainable Construction
Low and Zero Carbon Technologies (LZCT):
Renewable Energy Technologies
Integration of LZCT in Buildings
Zero Carbon Buildings
Testing Building Performance
Airtightness Testing
Thermography




Further information

Dissertation ( BSV11120 )

Research methodology, developing a proposal, designing a research strategy, literature reviews, data gathering, analysis, presentation, writing up and presentation.




Further information

Health and Safety ( BSV11142 )

Introduction to Health and Safety Law
Background to health and safety law, its history and development in the UK. The Impact of International Obligations. The role of the International Labour Organisation. Role of the EU and European Directives.


The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Scope and application of the Act, Safety Policies. Legal Duties under the Act. Legal duties of employers, employees, controllers of premises, designers, manufacturers, importers, suppliers. Enforcement of the Act. Appeals against enforcement notices. Offences by Corporations, Directors, managers, etc.

Institutions of Health and Safety
Role of Government. The Health and Safety Executive.

Health and Safety Management
Introduction to occupational health and safety management systems, UK and international standards.
Tools of health and safety management. Health and safety and Employment Law in UK.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. Risk Assessment. Principles of Prevention. Health and safety arrangements. Health surveillance. Health and Safety Assistance. Information for Employees. Co-operation and Co-ordination. Capabilities and Training.. Working Time Regulations. Safety Officers. Safety Representatives. Safety Committees. Enforcement of Organisational Health and Safety Rules

Particular Health and Safety Issues
Working Alone. Working Abroad. Immigrant Workers. Smoking at Work. Drug abuse. Alcohol at Work. Home Workers. Bullying at work. Disabled Employees. Stress at work. Young persons. Expectant mothers.

Workplace Safety
Working at Height Regulations. Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations. Manual Handling Regulations. Fire Safety. The Fire precautions (Workplace) Regulations
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations.

Further information

Renewable Energy Finance and Environmental Law ( BSV11122 )

There are two major parts in the contents.

Renewable energy finance: Ecological/Environmental economics, concepts of sustainability, emissions calculations, energy and financial payback, accounting rate of return, Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), profit ratios, probability applications, sensitivity analysis, RE financial calculations, project finance practical applications, equity and debt finance, venture finance, mezzanine finance, leasing, risk management, securitisation.

Environmental law: Introduction to environmental law, European community environmental law and policy, administration and enforcement of environmental law, private regulation of environmental pollution, protection of specific environments, water pollution, contaminated land, waste management, land ownership rights and effect of planning law







Further information

Sustainable Building Design ( BSV11114 )

¦ Sustainable buildings foundations and structures
¦ Green Building Assessments (LEED, BREAM)
¦ Sustainable Sites and Landscaping.
¦ Building Energy Issues (High performance building energy design strategy, building envelop, smart buildings and energy management systems)
¦ Passive vs active design strategies.
¦ Designing for Performance and Materials Selection.
¦ Sustainable Building Implementation: Life cycle approach, construction operations (construction and demolition waste management)
¦ Economic analysis for Sustainable Buildings.

Further information

Sustainable Energy Technologies ( MEC11123 )

Review, mathematical analysis and application of renewable energy resource data for the detailed design of appropriate renewable energy systems; including autonomous off-grid systems, and methodology and rationale for grid connection. Systems control and energy storage on both a micro and macro scale will be considered. Economic and environmental impact of Biomass energy systems will be covered. Hydro electric systems design, including water turbine selection and Flow Duration Curve analysis for optimisation of energy yield will be presented Methods of estimating life cycle carbon emission and ecological impacts will be considered. Also the process of risk assessments in the context of the renewable energy industry, will be also be included in this module.

Further information

Sustainable Urban Property Development ( BSV11125 )

Sustainable urban development, sustainable development, urban property development, development appraisal, sustainable urban property development protocol, environmental assessment methods, case study applications.

Further information

Sustainable Water Resources Management ( BSV11126 )

Channel & pipe flow revision.
Sustainability: past and present perceptions related to water resources.
Sustainability in water resources engineering: channel morphology, erosion control, coastal erosion, sea defences, indicators and indices for sustainable water resources development.
Concept of whole-life costing and its application to water and waste water systems management.
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS): techniques, policy, mechanisms of pollutant removal in SUDS, and design of SUDS.

Further information

Waste Management ( BSV11124 )

Introduction to Waste and Recycling
Waste arising, volumes, disposal, historical perspective, UK and other nation state comparisons

Waste management options
Reduce, reuse, recycle, residue.

Residuals management
Disposal options

Student-led case study
A recycling or waste management option selected for more detailed analysis

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at a 2:2 or above in any degree subject. Evidence of Mathematical ability is also required. Candidates from all backgrounds seeking to gain an understanding of sustainable development are encouraged to apply. 

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient relevant work experience within the industry.


English language requirements

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

International students

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BN Nursing/MSc Nursing (Pre-registration) (Adult, Mental Health, Child, Learning Disabilities)
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

Admissions policies

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students From 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £6,930 tba
Overseas and EU £17,090 tba

Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next.
For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees

Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships

The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers
  • Construction contractors
  • Consulting engineers
  • Quantity surveyors
  • Architects
  • Local and central government
  • Housing associations
  • Management consultants
  • Manufacturers
  • Service sector organisations

student in high visibility work gear standing beside the queensferry crossing bridge