About this course
Our MSc Water Resources Management master’s degree develops the professional skills required for a rewarding career as a water focused environmental scientist. The importance of accurately assessing potential and existing impacts on the water environment from industrial practices, abstraction and agriculture sits at the heart of this course.
Highly skilled water scientists and engineers are vital for the conservation and enhancement of our aquatic environment, both locally and globally. This programme will give you the ability to accurately assess the potential and existing impacts on the water environment from industrial practices, abstraction, and agriculture.
On completing this master's in water management, you should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the importance of environmental concepts, terms, principles and methods
- the value of using techniques and ideas in different subject disciplines
- the socio-economic context of environmental issues and the legal framework for environmental regulation
- the contribution of science, engineering or communication to the identification and resolution of environmental issues
- the human causes and consequences of environmental impacts
- general environmental concerns, including biodiversity, environmental limits to economic or population growth
You’ll explore the scientific and engineering management of our aquatic resources and gain an in-depth understanding of freshwater ecosystems, visit river restoration sites and examine the state of fisheries.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Course lead
Your programme lead is Dr Andrew Phillips, a Senior Teaching Fellow in Environmental GIS who has a professional and academic background in researching environmental issues and sustainable solutions. He now specialises in teaching in these areas at a University level and is passionate about ensuring and delivering a high quality education and experience for students.
Learn more about this subject area
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:1 degree in a relevant subject.
We assess all applications on an individual basis.
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 6.5
- writing
- 6.5
- speaking
- 6.5
- listening
- 6.5
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Pre-masters
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.
Recognition of professional experience
We encourage candidates with alternative qualifications and experience in the environmental sector to apply. We will assess all applications on an individual basis.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
This is a full-time master’s course. You’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.
In the first 8 months (semesters 1 and 2) you’ll study the taught part of your course. This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, and modules we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options.
For the last 4 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently on your Advanced Research Project. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress. We encourage you to conduct your project with external organisations and potential employers.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules :
Freshwater Ecosystems
Freshwater Ecosystems initially considers the interplay between the physics, chemistry and biology of freshwater ecosystems. A comparative approach is adopted, in which upland streams, lowland rivers, lakes and other standing freshwater environments are c...
MSc Research Project
Within the context of your programme of study, you will undertake independent, original and critical research on a relevant topic. You will then communicate the research aims, objectives, methodology, analysis, results and conclusions effectively through ...
River Basin Management and Restoration
This module is based on a professional training course for people working in River management and restoration. The course investigates how humans have modified River basins and river channels, and how these in turn have affected the rates and magnitudes o...
You must also choose from the following modules :
Air Quality and Environmental Pollution
The module has been designed to impart the scientific knowledge required to tackle the many problems associated with air and other types of environmental pollution, including how to identify and assess the nature, sources and effects of pollutants, how to...
Coastal and Maritime Engineering
This module will introduce you to the range of skills needed in the determination of design requirements and conditions, planning, and the design of coastal structures. These skills comprise the determination of wave conditions, the determination and anal...
Core Skills in GIS
This module is intended to provide foundational GIS skills for various Masters-levels programmes (such as the MSc in Applied GIS and Remote Sensing and MSc in Sustainability). It is intended to introduce Geographical Information Systems and Science to tho...
Data Collection and Research Methods for Sustainability and Environmental Science
GGES 6018, Data Collection & Research Methods for Sustainability and Environmental Science, is a module which aims to equip students on the MSc Sustainability and MSc Environmental Science programmes with the skills necessary to plan and undertake indepen...
GIS for Environmental Management and Consultancy
This module is intended to introduce students who have already studied the principles of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) how to utilise GIS tools in environmental management. Environmental applications require specific skills on the part of the GIS...
Nature Based Solutions
Nature Based Solutions (NBS) – actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems – can play a critical role in mitigating not only climate change, but also increasing other benefits from nature (ecosystem services) that hu...
Practical Skills in Remote Sensing
The emphasis is on processing and application of data collected in the optical regions of the electromagnetic spectrum using passive sensors.
Programming for GIS and Spatial Analyses
River and Estuary Restoration
To critically examine current knowledge of the application of River Restoration techniques and their transferability to the UK and worldwide. As many river restoration projects are done to improve the status of fisheries, the costs and benefits of techniq...
Sustainable Resource Management
If we are to address society’s waste problem we need to fully understand the environmental, occupational, public health, technical, fiscal, social, cultural, demographic and political influences on waste collection, reuse, recycling, minimisation and prev...
The Sustainability Professional (MSc)
The Sustainability Professional is a high-level skills practical module delivered in partnership with a range of contributors from local and regional environmental and sustainability consultancies and other organisations. This module aims to provide stude...
Water Pollution
An understanding of the physical, chemical and biological processes involved during contamination of water is essential if society is going to effectively monitor and control the effects of pollution using modern technology and engineering practices. A hu...
Learning and assessment
Learning
We teach through a variety of:
- lectures
- seminars
- case studies
- field exercises
- group exercises
- activities with external organisations
Assessment
Depending on the modules you choose, we’ll assess you through a combination of:
- essays
- reports
- policy briefs
- impact statements
- environmental management (iso14001) audits
- literature reviews
- journal articles
- presentations
- practical and written exams
Dissertation
In the final part of the year, you’ll focus on your individual research work. You’ll complete an advanced research project and we’ll encourage you to work with industry and potential employers to apply your newly developed knowledge.
You don’t have to submit a dissertation but will instead write a research article of up to 7,000 words in the style of a peer-reviewed journal, for submission in September. This article contributes one-third of the marks towards your MSc degree.
Academic Support
You’ll have access to:
- introductory sessions for your programme
- research seminars and invited lectures from external speakers
- a personal academic tutor to help you with any personal problems and advise on academic issues
- module leaders to discuss your current modules
- module handbooks and outlines including information about learning outcomes, assessment methods, relevant background material and reading lists
- admin support from your Student Office, which deals with student records and general queries about your degree
Careers and employability
The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.
Download skills overview
Career pathways
Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:
Environmental Consultancy,
Environmental public bodies,
government research institutes,
Local Councils,
Academic,
Wildlife Conservation,
Pollution control.
- Water scientist
- Environmental consultant
- Flood modeller
- Hydrologist
- Scientific officer
- Environmental auditor
- Conservation officer
- Clinical scientist
- Sustainability consultant
- Fisheries officer
- Science writer
- Academic researcher
- Ecologist
- Medical laboratory technician
- Assistant ecologist
- Environmental consultant
- Sustainability consultant
- Data analyst
- Environment and sustainability analyst
Job prospects for MSc Water Resource Management graduates
*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.
Work experience opportunities
Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.
Careers services and support
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV and interview skills and workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £30,300.
Deposit
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
Southampton Geography and Environmental Science Postgraduate International Scholarship
A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Geography and Environmental Science.
Find out more about the Southampton Geography and Environmental Science Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.
Other postgraduate funding options
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
- Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. .
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
- Submit your application.
For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
Application deadlines
UK students
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
International students
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
You'll also need to submit two references, one academic reference and one academic or professional reference.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.
If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
