MSc Environmental Data Science
- MSc
Overview
Numerical models, satellite Earth observation and environmental data science are central to how researchers, governments and organisations understand environmental systems, assess risk and support decision-making. Our MSc in Environmental Data Science will provide you with the practical skills to pursue a career in this exciting area. You will study in the School of Geographical Sciences, ranked 15th globally for Geography (QS World University Subject Rankings 2026).
Benefits of studying this programme:
- You will receive intensive training in numerical environmental modelling and satellite Earth observation.
- You will gain hands-on development of coding, scientific programming and high-performance computing skills.
- You will receive exposure to interdisciplinary data science methods, including GIS, remote sensing, and machine learning.
What makes this programme unique?
- It combines environmental process understanding with advanced quantitative, spatial and computational methods.
- It brings together a distinctive combination of environmental knowledge and technical capability.
- It is taught by internationally recognised experts in climate, hydrology, remote sensing, and environmental data science in the UK's top Geography department.
What will you gain from this programme?
- An ability to develop, evaluate and apply environmental models across topics, including climate, flooding, land use, and glaciers.
- Improved quantitative uncertainty analysis and problem-solving skills for research or roles in industry.
- A proficiency in remote sensing, GIS and advanced data science techniques.
Relevance in the real world:
- The knowledge and skills you will develop will be applicable to roles in environmental consulting, government agencies, NGOs, meteorological services and tech firms using Earth observation.
- The programme prepares graduates to translate model outputs into actionable insights for planning, risk assessment, and monitoring.
- The programme enhances graduate competitiveness for data-driven, interdisciplinary positions where environmental and spatial analysis are essential.
Programme structure
The programme's mandatory units introduce key ideas and techniques and provide foundations for independent research during the dissertation in the summer months, supported by an academic supervisor. You will learn both Python and R in environmental data science and modelling techniques. Your optional units provide the opportunity to shape your MSc programme to suit your research interests.
A key component of the programme is the dissertation. Most dissertation work will take place during the summer months. The dissertation provides you with the practical experience of formulating, designing, and undertaking a substantive and original piece of research in environmental modelling and/or satellite observation. You are introduced to key principles of research design and research ethics through intensive training on this programme.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Environmental Data Science.
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any social science, science, mathematics, or professional degree (medicine, architecture, planning or engineering).
All other degree subjects will be considered on a case-by-case basis if you can demonstrate academic experience in data science, GIS, coding, modelling, or statistics.
Alternatively, six months paid work experience/internship in a quantitative, data science or analysis, or GIS role in government, NGO or industry may be considered to demonstrate sufficient academic experience; these will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional relevant work experience or qualifications. If you have one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae/résumé) when you apply, showing:
- evidence of at least six months paid work experience/internship in a quantitative, data science or analysis, or GIS role in government, NGO or industry
- a relevant postgraduate qualification.
Online/self-directed certificates in coding, programming, data science or analytics can be used to meet the requirements; these will be considered on a case by case basis.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £15,000 per year
- Home: part-time (two years)
- £7,500 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £33,200 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
Depending on eligibility, you may be able to apply for various scholarships, awards and bursaries including the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
In addition to the University's wide range of career services, the School of Geographical Sciences offers dedicated coaching sessions and workshops to support students' future careers. The School also regularly organizes alumni events to help bridge the current students with past graduates working in various sectors.
Graduates from the MSc in Environmental Data Science find jobs in government, environmental consultancy, technology companies, energy and sustainability sectors, and academic research. Recent graduate destinations include organisations such as PFA Consulting Ltd and Stantec.
Typical graduate roles include:
- Technology consultant
- Water management and flood risk analyst
- Environmental data consultant
- Remote sensing/GIS analyst
- Research assistant or doctoral researcher
Our graduates praise the MSc in Environmental Data Science:
"The programme has been invaluable in preparing me to pursue a career where I can use modern technology to address environmental challenges." - Elysha, 2025
"I am finding the course to be very thought provoking, covering topics like the ethics of AI and decolonising big data, this has really challenged me to think about ideas I would not have otherwise and to consider how I use the tools I am learning." - Jonathan, 2025
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk