MSc Water and Environmental Data Science
- MSc
Overview
We live in increasingly complex cities and communities where we consume ever larger amounts of water and environmental resources. Our changing climate is testing the resilience of the infrastructure and systems that we have built. At the same time, the availability of environmental data, knowledge and skills has never been greater. We need to harness the potential of data science and AI to understand and manage the way we live in a rapidly changing world with limited resources.
If you want to pursue a career that uses data to tackle water and environmental challenges, both locally and globally, this MSc will equip you with the fundamental scientific and data analysis skills to do so.
You will develop a solid, discipline-specific background in water and environmental science, with an emphasis on hydrology theory combined with practical skills in AI and modelling.
We teach both academic and practical skills, so that you can contribute sustainable, data-driven and nature-based solutions to problems that range from flooding to environmental degradation, and from 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 are valuable technical skills which are increasingly in demand in this field, including in the areas of:
- environmental protection
- water resources management
- flood risk management
- 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 with close links to the Cabot Institute for the Environment and environmental practitioners with experience in private and government sectors, such as the Environment Agency and the Met Office.
The University of Bristol is ranked 8th in the UK for Civil and Structural Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026).
Programme structure
Core units provide skills and knowledge to help you understand the basic principles of water and environmental data science. These include 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, alongside 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. You'll also see how these contribute to real-world decision making. In addition, students taking the optional, large-scale data engineering unit will have the opportunity to gain AWS Cloud Practitioner certification.
During these units you will develop significant academic skills to prepare you for your final independent research project. 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 a strong second-class honours degree (55% or higher) or an international equivalent in an Engineering, Science, Computing, Maths, Geography, Environmental Management or Studies, Agriculture, Resource Conservation, Public Health, 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 qualifications. If you have the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing:
- 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
- £15,400 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £34,700 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. Teaching is designed in a way that students from a wide range of backgrounds, with or without previous knowledge in this area, will have the essential data skills to pursue a technical career path.
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, professional service firms, water companies, government agencies and as university researchers.
The programme is also suitable for students who may wish to undertake a PhD.
Students can, if they wish, 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