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MSc Environmental Science and Management

Managing natural resources through the application of environmental science

Year of entry: 2024 (September)

Length

1 year full-time,
2 years part-time

Start date

September 2024 (semester dates)

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You'll develop knowledge, critical analysis and skills in environmental science, and learn about its application to the management of natural resources. Prepare for a wide range of careers in environmental consultancy and business, in government and non-governmental organisations, and in environmental research.

You'll take part in problem-solving, especially in issues that are at the forefront of our research. You will also examine case studies that allow you to analyse and tackle the complex problems that characterise environmental management.

The course is also suitable for highly motivated individuals who are seeking to convert to an environmental career through developing specialist skills in environmental science and management.

​We have a number of partnerships with major environmental organisations that will be of benefit to our students through lectures, workshops and research and internship opportunities.

The Stockholm Environment Institute has one of its seven international centres here in our department. SEI is an independent research and policy organisation working on environment and development issues, and is recognised in the top two most influential policy think tanks in the sector.

You can pick from a variety of option modules that will allow you to structure this course to your interests. You'll also be able to chose to do your dissertation work within our department, with the Stockholm Environment Institute at York (SEIY) or with another appropriate institution or organisation.

Environmental sustainability and resilience is one of seven research themes which align our academic strengths to best meet the grand scientific, social and environmental challenges of our time.

Working together

Our staff collaborate with a broad range of private and public organisations including UNEP, Defra, Forestry Commission, Natural England, Overseas Development Institute and Willis Global Insurance Broker

Course content

This course will give you a firm grounding in the fundamental principles of environmental science and environmental management. You'll also learn to analyse and address specific questions in environmental science and management, and you'll engage with the latest research via debate and discussion.

You have a choice of optional modules that will allow you to tailor the course to your interests, from health, business or wildlife management and more.

Dissertation

The 8,000-word dissertation is your chance to explore in depth a research project in an area that interests you. You can design your own dissertation in consultation with potential supervisors, or you can choose from a list compiled by the department and the Stockholm Environmental Institute at York.

You can also undertake a dissertation with a placement, where your research is undertaken with an external organisation. In previous years, students have taken placements with partners including:

  • Fera Science Ltd
  • Arcus Consulting
  • ERM South Africa
  • Marstons
  • Stockbridge Technology Centre
  • Harewood House

The York approach

Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

  • Debate, interpret and explain current and emerging issues in environmental science and environmental management and engage critically with theory and current practices in identifying and managing human impacts on natural resources [knowledgeable]
  • Identify, synthesise and critically evaluate information from a wide range of reliable sources, and collate this information to establish current understanding and independently identify key research questions in specialised areas of environmental science and management [Independent learner]
  • Work across disciplinary boundaries to link knowledge and experience from a wide range of research areas to understand the complex interactions between humans and natural environments, and anthropogenic pressures on the health and sustainability of our complex global environment [Interdisciplinary thinker]
  • Develop novel hypotheses and plan, design and execute research that combines science-based theory and methodology to create new approaches to framing and addressing environmental issues. [Creator of new perspectives]
  • Design and undertake critical analyses of quantitative data using appropriate tools to draw expert conclusions from research on the management implications of human interactions with the environment [Analytical and critical thinking]
  • Effectively and professionally communicate knowledge, complex ideas and persuasive arguments to professional and non-specialist audiences using verbal, written, visual and digital media [Professional communicator]
  • Recommend innovative and sustainable solutions to environmental challenges that consider broader social, political, economic and environmental contexts, and the ethical implications of their application by applying knowledge, theories and approaches from environmental sciences and environmental management [Problem solver]

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees for 2024/25

Study modeUK (home)International and EU
Full-time (1 year) £10,590£23,900
Part-Time (2years) £5,295£11,950

Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.

Fees information

UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.

Funding information

Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2024/25 throughout the year.

If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.

Funding opportunities

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

Teaching and assessment

You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.

Teaching format

This Masters combines formal lectures, practicals, computer labs, seminars, industrial site visits and field trips.

  • Guest lecturers from external organisations, including other universities and environmental organisations, provide a view of the current state of Environmental Science and Management.
  • You'll use the University's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to supplement lectures and practicals with additional material.
  • Some modules offer optional drop-in help sessions.

As part of our teaching process we have also embedded a range of employability principles, as well as real world solutions and real-world oriented approaches, to help prepare our students for a range of careers after finishing their degree.

Facilities

Our exceptional building contains purpose-built labs, lecture theatre and seminar rooms.

Teaching location

You will be based in the Department of Environment and Geography on Campus West.

Most of your contact hours will be in the Department of Environment and Geography, with some additional teaching on Campus West.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.

Assessment and feedback

Most modules are assessed by 100 per cent coursework with assessments including:

  • essays of around 3,000 words
  • models, maps and accompanying report
  • presentations, press releases and scientific posters
  • laboratory practical reports of 2,000-3,000 words

A few modules are assessed by exam (normally two hours in duration).

The research dissertation has an 8,000-word limit.

Careers and skills

You'll develop the skills and knowledge you will need to follow a career in an environmental organisation in both the public and private sectors. The Masters in Environmental Science and Management also provides an ideal basis to progress to further study at PhD level.

Career opportunities

  • Sustainability manager
  • Environmental consultant
  • Risk consultant
  • Field engineer
  • Geotechnical technician
  • Water pollution consultant

Transferable skills

You'll develop a range of transferable skills throughout the course, including:

  • Geographic and information systems skills
  • Communication of environmental research
  • Environmental health risk assessment
  • Qualitative and quantitative data analysis
  • Environmental impact assessment
  • Practical experience designing and conducting field-based surveys
  • Experience of species identification
  • Laboratory methods for environmental testing
  • Environmental modelling

Entry requirements

Typical offer
Undergraduate degree 2:2 or equivalent. We will also consider your application if you have relevant work experience. Your degree should be in a relevant science or engineering subject. We also welcome applications from those with a non-science background who have a passion for protecting the natural environment.
Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic and Indicator) 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component
Cambridge CEFR B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component
Oxford ELLT 7, minimum of 6 in each component
Duolingo 120, minimum 105 in all other components
LanguageCert SELT B2 with 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component
KITE 459-494, with 426-458 in all other components
Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
PTE Academic 61, minimum 55 in each component
TOEFL 87, minimum 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III Merit in all components

For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

You can apply and send all your documentation online. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.

You're welcome to arrange a visit to learn more about this course, our Department and the University. Please contact John Wilkinson to find our more.

You can apply and send all your documentation electronically through our online system, which allows you to save your progress and return later to finish. If you're unable to apply online, you can submit a paper application.

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Next steps

Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions

Dr John Wilkinson

Learn more

Department of Environment and Geography

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