MSc Environmental Monitoring, Modelling and Reconstruction

Year of entry: 2025

Overview

Degree awarded
Master of Science (MSc)
Duration
1 year
Entry requirements

We require a UK Honours degree with a First or Upper Second (2.1) classification or the overseas equivalent in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography or a related discipline.

Graduates in Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics or Engineering related disciplines are also welcome.

When assessing your academic record we take into account the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.

Full entry requirements

How to apply
Apply online
Sustainable Development Goals

Find out how this course aligns to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including learning which relates to:

  • Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Course options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
MSc Y Y N N

Course overview

  • We're one of the top ten Geography departments in the UK (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021).
  • Train in the use of the most up-to-date software, and the sourcing of digital data.
  • Learn from academic staff and industry professionals to develop real-world skills.
  • Carry out a diverse range of practical assignments focused on monitoring, modelling, and reconstruction.
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Geography Taught master's (Alumni showcase - The University of Manchester)

Open days

The University holds regular open days , where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about our facilities and courses. 

You will find out more about the School of Environment, Education and Development, our resources, and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MSc (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £14,500
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £32,000
  • MSc (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): £7,250
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £16,000

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for international students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit  postgraduate fees

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

We offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and merit awards to outstanding applicants and international students, such as the Manchester Humanities International Excellence Scholarship .

In addition, the Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a first-class bachelor's degree within the last three years and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course.

Home students can also apply for the UK government funded postgraduate master's loan

For more information, visit our Funding opportunities page or  explore the University's postgraduate funding database .

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world's call to action on the most pressing challenges facing humanity. At The University of Manchester, we address the SDGs through our research and particularly in partnership with our students.

Led by our innovative research, our teaching ensures that all our graduates are empowered, inspired and equipped to address the key socio-political and environmental challenges facing the world.

To illustrate how our teaching will empower you as a change maker, we've highlighted the key SDGs that our courses address.

  • Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

    Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Contact details

School/Faculty
School of Environment, Education and Development
Contact name
School of Environment, Education and Development +44 (0) 161 275 2814
Telephone
+ 44 (0) 161 275 2814
Email
Website
https://www.seed.manchester.ac.uk/
School/Faculty
See: The School .

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require a UK Honours degree with a First or Upper Second (2.1) classification or the overseas equivalent in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography or a related discipline.

Graduates in Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics or Engineering related disciplines are also welcome.

When assessing your academic record we take into account the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.

English language

For the latest information on demonstrating your English proficiency for those whose first language is not English, please see our language requirements .

This programme accepts successful completion of the 6 and 10 Week Pre-sessional English Language course. We accept the following qualifications which must be valid on the start date of the Master's course.

Pre-sessional 6 Week Course Requirement:

IELTS UKVI or Academic: 6.0 Overall with 6.0 in Writing, no more than one sub-skill at 5.5 and no other sub-skill below 5.5

TOEFL iBT: 80 Overall with 20 in Writing, 20 in Speaking and no other sub-skill below 18

Pearson PTE Academic or Academic UKVI: 65 Overall with 65 in Writing, no more than one sub-skill of 59 and no other sub-skill below 59.

Pre-sessional 10 Week Course Requirement:

IELTS UKVI or Academic: 5.5 Overall with no sub-skill below 5.5

TOEFL iBT: 72 Overall with 20 in Speaking and no other sub-skill below 18

Pearson PTE Academic or Academic UKVI: 59 Overall with no sub-skill below 59

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the Master's course.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from across the globe. To help international students the university provides specific information for many individual countries. Please see our    country-specific information page    for guidance on the academic and English language qualifications which may be accepted from your country.

Relevant work experience

We particularly welcome applications from geographers already working in research or policy-related fields.

Professional entry qualification

If you do not meet our academic entry qualification criterion, your admission may still be approved if satisfactory evidence of postgraduate study, research or substantial relevant professional experience can be provided.

Application and selection

How to apply

Advice to applicants

Please submit the following documents with your completed application form:

  • copies of English Language Certification, such as IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson test score report. Applications without an English language qualification may initially be placed on a waiting list;
  • copies of official degree certificates and transcripts of your previous study, showing the subjects taken and grades obtained. If these documents are in languages other than English, please provide official translations;
  • your CV.

Ensure that you enclose all the necessary documents to avoid delays.

How your application is considered

Once your application has been received, our admissions team will contact you. We may ask you to submit additional information, if necessary.

Applications for MSc Environmental Monitoring, Modelling & Reconstruction are very competitive. Due to the high demand for the programme we may not be able to offer places to all applicants who have the entry qualifications that we require. If we are unable to consider you for an offer you may be placed on a waiting list. Candidates on a waiting list will only be considered for an offer if places become available.

Please note, the course may reach capacity before the official closing date of 31st of August, so all students are advised to apply as soon as possible. 

Returning to education

Return-to-learn students are those who have had a substantial period away from any formal learning. Often such learners have pursued careers or raised a family.

We understand that students come from many different backgrounds, with varying qualifications, careers and skills, but they often bring to their studies a high degree of motivation and experience.

We recognise that standard selection measures and procedures may not enable these learners to demonstrate fully their suitability for their chosen course.

Where appropriate, admissions officers will seek and consider alternative evidence in order to give such learners equivalent consideration. Where they deem this alternative evidence meets entry criteria fully, the learner will not be required to meet the standard academic entry requirements.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. 

In your new application, you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

Course details

Course description

MSc Environmental Monitoring, Modelling and Reconstruction focuses on analysing past, present, and future dynamic environments, providing you with the skills for a career in environmental management or consultancy, and a firm grounding for research in the environmental sciences.

Concerns over the human impact on the environment have stimulated demand from governments and industry for the monitoring, analysis and modelling of natural processes in environmental systems.

This is essential if we are to improve understanding of the interrelation of environmental variables to predict and manage their responses to anthropogenic perturbations.

By studying this course, you will gain:

  • advanced theoretical knowledge and practical expertise to collect, interpret and analyse contemporary and past environmental data;
  • modelling skills to investigate the interrelationships between environmental variables, and to predict their responses to changing internal and external conditions;
  • intellectual and practical skills to design and undertake field and/or laboratory experiments in contemporary environmental process-monitoring, or palaeo-environmental reconstruction, and to design and test appropriate environmental models with the data you collect.

Aims

The overall aims of the course are for you to gain:

  • the appropriate level of advanced theoretical knowledge and practical expertise required to collect, interpret, and analyse contemporary and past environmental data; 
  • the modelling skills required to investigate the interrelationships between environmental variables, and to predict their responses to changing internal and external conditions; 
  • the intellectual and practical skills required to design and undertake field and/or laboratory experiments in contemporary environmental process-monitoring, or palaeo-environmental reconstruction, and to design and test appropriate environmental models with the data they collect; 
  • a practical understanding of the research process, and the skills necessary to see an environmental research project through to completion.

Special features

  • Geography has been studied at Manchester for more than 125 years, and we're one of Europe's best-equipped universities for the subject.
  • We're home to world-class academics and the new Manchester Urban Institute (MUI).
  • Join the Manchester University Geographical Society (MUGS) a society run by Geography students for Geography students.

Teaching and learning

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

The role of SEED

  • changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
  • a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk;
  • changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity;
  • changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students);
  • the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover;
  • the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs;
  • where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar;
  • where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.

We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.

The duty of students

Preparation, attendance and conduct

Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.

Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.

Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement. Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.

Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:

  • a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
  • the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Immigration, passport and visa requirements

It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:

  • a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry);
  • a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.

The School cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.

Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:

  • a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
  • the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Coursework and assessment

Taught units comprise two-thirds of the course and are assessed by a wide range of project work, essays and reports.

There are no formal examinations.

The remainder of your course consists of the dissertation.

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Environmental Change & Reconstruction 1: Concepts in Stratigraphy and Geochronology GEOG60111 15 Mandatory
Environmental Change and Reconstruction 2: Palaeoecology in Practice GEOG60122 15 Mandatory
Dissertation Support GEOG60662 15 Mandatory
Dissertation MSc in Environmental Monitoring, Modelling and Reconstruction GEOG70000 60 Mandatory
Environmental Monitoring and Modelling Practice GEOG70552 15 Mandatory
Environmental Monitoring and Modelling Concepts GEOG70581 15 Mandatory
Environmental Monitoring Modelling and Reconstruction Field Course GEOG70641 15 Mandatory
Environmental Change and Reconstruction 2: Palaeoecology in Practice GEOG60122 15 Optional
Digital Terrain Analysis GEOG60412 15 Optional
Environmental Remote Sensing GEOG60941 15 Optional
GIS and Environmental Applications GEOG60951 15 Optional
Green Infrastructure: Performance, Evaluation and Monitoring GEOG64011 15 Optional
Environmental Monitoring and Modelling Practice GEOG70552 15 Optional
Applied Study Unit GEOG70560 15 Optional
Fundamentals of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) applied to Environmental Monitoring GEOG70632 15 Optional
Spatial Risks and Responses in the Urban Environment GEOG70812 15 Optional
Issues in Environmental Policy GEOG70912 15 Optional
Climate Emergency, Technology and Society GEOG70931 15 Optional
Understanding GIS GEOG71551 15 Optional
Climate Change: Past, Present and Future GEOG72901 15 Optional
Climate, Environment and Development MGDI60552 15 Optional
Environmental Impact Assessment PLAN60411 15 Optional
Planning for Environmental Change PLAN60771 15 Optional
Displaying 10 of 23 course units

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and merit awards to outstanding applicants and international students.

In addition, the Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a first-class Bachelors degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught masters course.

For more information, see  Fees and funding  or  search the University's postgraduate funding database

Facilities

We are one of Europe's best-equipped universities for geography, with numerous laboratories. These include the main teaching laboratory, microscopy laboratory, and sediments and project laboratories.

You can also learn professional skills such as coding and programming specialist, industry-standard software such as image processing, GIS, GPS and cartographic representation.

The University's Main Library is home to the University Map Collection, which comprises about 100,000 map sheets of every part of the world.

For more information visit our  Facilities webpage .

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

Geography graduates have particularly great employment prospects and go on to shape environmental policy through positions in the public and private sectors.

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in areas including:

  • consultancy;
  • research;
  • non-governmental organisations;
  • project management;
  • environmental management;
  • agriculture and forestry;
  • environmental sciences;
  • energy.

Top employers of our graduates include DEFRA, the Environment Agency, Natural England, the Organic Soil Association, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and UNEP.

The taught component of the course, together with the experience of carrying out a postgraduate-level dissertation project, provides you with an excellent foundation for PhD research.

Careers support

The University has its own dedicated  Careers Service   that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of  opportunities to help boost your employability

Careers support for international students

The Careers Service provide specialist resources, advice and events for international students to help with career planning and making the most of your time while studying in Manchester.

Global networks

The University of Manchester is proud to have the largest global alumni community of any campus-based university in the UK.

International alumni groups are a great way to keep in touch with fellow Manchester graduates in your country and provide an opportunity to build professional and social networks.