MSc Environmental Monitoring, Modelling and Reconstruction

Fees for entry in 2027 have not yet been set. For reference, the fees for the academic year beginning September 2026 were as follows:

• MSc (full-time)
  UK students (per annum): £15,200
  International, including EU, students (per annum): £33,600

The fees quoted above are fully inclusive of tuition, administration and computational costs.

Fees for entry are subject to yearly review. The University reserves the right to increase your tuition fee by up to 7% each year for courses lasting more than one year, including to reflect rising costs associated with delivering our educational and wider student experience. Postgraduate fees information .

Always contact the admissions team if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.

International student CAS deposit

Self-funded international applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2500 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. Some applicants will be required to pay a higher deposit. More information on tuition fee deposits .

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).

We know that student finance can be complicated. The links below provide further information to help guide you.

• Learn more about - student finance options for UK students .
• Learn more about - fees and finance for international students .
• Graduates of The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University can receive a 10% discount on their master's degree tuition fees as part of our Manchester Alumni Loyalty Discount scheme.

The unit introduces students to a range of techniques for monitoring and modelling the environment, with case studies from hydrology and geomorphology. Topics include environmental monitoring approaches and techniques, types of environmental model, and model calibration and evaluation. Students will gain understanding of these key concepts, as well as a range of practical skills and expertise.

• Introduce students to the key approaches to measuring and monitoring environmental systems
• Teach students how to display, describe and analyse numerical environmental data
• Introduce students to the key concepts associated with environmental modelling, including model types, model structure, model calibration and model evaluation
• Develop students’ practical data analysis and modelling skills

Students will gain a range of theoretical knowledge and practical skills relating to environmental monitoring and modelling, which are highly sought by employers in the environmental sector.

In addition to the above ILOs, students will also develop the transferable skills of time management and independent study.

Topics include:

• environmental monitoring approaches and techniques, 
• working with environmental data,
• environmental models and model classification,
• model calibration and evaluation.

The unit is delivered via a mix of lectures, computer practicals, and in-class discussions (33 hours). Course materials are hosted on the VLE. Coursework is submitted and marked through turning. All sessions are synchronous although there is some asynchronous materials the students are expected to view outside of the classes. Students are expected to spend 117 hours on private study and directed reading.

• Display an awareness of the approaches to measuring and monitoring environmental phenomena through space and time.
• Select appropriate methods for displaying, describing and analysing data.
• Describe the key characteristics of environmental models, including model classification and the identification of model components.
• Evaluate model performance, including quantifying error, and identifying and explaining possible sources of error.

• Interpret and analyse numerical data.
• Integrate and synthesise evidence and information.
• Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to practical and written work.

• Effectively display, interrogate and analyse numerical data.
• Apply statistical techniques to environmental problems.
• Calibrate and validate environmental models.
• Use a range of software for environmental data analysis and modelling.

• Use IT to an advanced level.
• Communicate written ideas and information clearly and concisely.

15 working days after hand-in, via the VLE.

Artiola, J. F., Brusseau, M. L., & Pepper, I. L. (2004). Environmental monitoring and characterization. Academic Press.

Gray, W. G., & Gray, G. A. (2017). Introduction to environmental modeling. Cambridge University Press.

Smith, J. U., & Smith, P. (2007). Introduction to environmental modelling. Oxford University Press.

Wainwright, J. & Mulligan, M. (2013). Environmental Modelling, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, UK.