MSc Management and Implementation of Development Projects

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): £14,700
  International, including EU, students (per annum): £30,500

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.

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).

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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.

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) refers to the process of evaluating the likely significant environmental consequences of a proposed major development that may affect the natural and man-made environment before a development is given permission to proceed.  EIA can contribute to the design of projects, as well as to the decision-making process on whether the project should proceed or not.  It is a process that is undertaken worldwide by a wide range of jurisdictions and international organisations. As cities around the world continue to grow and evolve to accommodate expanding populations, EIA plays a critical role in guiding sustainable development. In both the UK and internationally, the EIA sector is experiencing significant growth as demand increases for robust, evidence-based assessments that support responsible planning and decision-making.

A key feature of EIA is its proactive nature and, through the consideration and mitigation of potential environmental impacts throughout project development and execution, it can make an important contribution to sustainable development. However, the tool is at a key historical juncture. Its value in relation to the achievement of broader environmental goals is under scrutiny. It is crucial that academic and professional communities think carefully about its role within wider systems of environmental planning, management, and governance and are able to make a convincing, contemporary case for the tool. 
 

 

• Explain and assess the process, and underlying principles and concepts, of EIA
• Explore the methods and techniques used in the stages of the EIA process.
• Evaluate the operation of EIA in the UK and other countries.

 

In-person interactive lectures: 15 hours
In-person workshops: 6 hours
Canvas will be used to share readings, preparatory materials for workshops, and videos students can consult for further learning.
 

Explain the stages and operation of the EIA process
Describe and interpret current trends in EIA and assess their implications for future professional practice.

 

Evaluate the wider role of EIA in the context of sustainable planning and decision-making
Apply impact assessment concepts to relevant sector-specific issues 
Evaluate the advantages and limitations of different approaches to key stages of the EIA process
 

Identify and use reliable sources to justify claims about effective EIA practice and future trends

Collaborate effectively by contributing to organisation and execution of group tasks
Produce well-structured and well-written work that effectively communicates information, supports claims with clear and convincing evidence, and makes appropriate conclusions 
Communicating findings clearly through suitable academic and professional formats

Feedback on submitted work will be provided within 15 working days via the VLE

INDICATIVE READING LIST

Relevant Journals
Journals that often carry articles on EIA and SEA include: 
•    Environmental Impact Assessment Review
•    Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal
•    Journal of Environmental Assessment and Policy Management
•    Journal of Environmental Planning and Management
•    Journal of Environmental Management

Reading and references
Please consult the online reading list throughout the semester available on the Blackboard course page. We have collated 100+ relevant readings, the majority of which are accessible online either as downloadable pdfs or via the University library’s subscriptions. The core textbook and topic-specific readings are both available here. You will be given direction as to relevant readings for individual and group tasks. We would also encourage you to engage with other readings on the reading list to gain a deeper understanding of each topic area. Please remember, to achieve the highest marks for your essay we expect you to have read and understood a wide range of literature to demonstrate knowledge and understanding. This will also aid your analytical skills which are also essential to essay-writing.

Core eTextbook
Glasson, J. and Therivel, R. (2019). Introduction to environmental impact assessment. New York, Routledge.