MSc Water and Environmental Data Science
- MSc
Overview
If you want to pursue a career that uses data to tackle local and global water and environmental challenges, this MSc will equip you with the fundamental scientific and data analysis skills to do so.
We teach both academic and practical skills so that you will discover how you can contribute sustainable, data-driven, solutions to problems that range from flooding to environmental degradation, and water scarcity to pollution of rivers. The choice of optional units means that you can choose the right balance of computing and practical skills: from large-scale data engineering to environmental impact assessment. These skills will equip you for a career in environmental protection, the design of resilient infrastructure and cities, and mitigation and adaption to the effects of rapid urbanisation, climate change and extreme weather.
Our teaching staff include leading water researchers at the University of Bristol and environmental practitioners with experience in private and government sectors such as the Environment Agency or Met Office.
The prestigious Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) from Shanghai Ranking has recently placed Bristol 1st in the UK for the outstanding quality and depth of our research into water resources (2024).
Programme structure
Core units provide skills and knowledge to help you understand the basic principles of water and environmental data science, including the fundamental processes that govern the water cycle through the climate and hydrological systems, the measurement and analysis of environmental data, modelling, machine learning and AI applications, together with the interdisciplinary skills required to work in this field.
Optional units extend your fundamental understanding by teaching you relevant skills for working with big data and cloud computing or practical field-work assessment methods, and you'll see how these contribute to real-world decision making.
During these units you will also develop significant academic research skills to prepare you for the culmination of the MSc. Your dissertation will be supervised by one of our expert tutors covering a wide range of topics and applications. Visit our Water and Environmental Research group webpage to learn more about our research.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc Water and Environmental Data Science.
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in an Engineering, Science, Computing, Maths, Geography, Environmental Management or Studies, Agriculture, Resource Conservation, Finance, Investment, or Economics subject.
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 at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing:
- evidence of relevant work experience (minimum of two years) such as: working as an Environmental or Civil Engineer, working for a public body in a water or environment-related job, active voluntary work for environmental charities, or any role where you may have developed relevant technical skills such as data analysis, GIS, Python or other industry relevant software
- a relevant postgraduate qualification.
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
- £14,900 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £33,400 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
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
The programme is aimed at those planning to become water and environmental engineers or data scientists, and it is aimed at graduates who want to pursue a technical career path. The programme is also suitable for students who may wish to undertake a PhD.
The fundamental knowledge of hydrology combined with data analysis and modelling skills that we teach is highly sought after in the civil engineering, water and environmental sectors.
We expect that graduates of this new course will go on to work for engineering and environmental consultancies and professional service firms, water companies, government agencies, and as university researchers.
Students may wish to become student members of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk