MSc Environmental Impact Assessment & Management

Year of entry: 2024

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 any discipline.

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

Course options

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

Course overview

  • Study environmental assessment and management at both project and strategic levels, graduating with transferable skills highly sought-after by employers.
  • Benefit from our strong links with practice and engagement with real-world problems.
  • Accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment.

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.

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

For more information, see open days .

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MSc (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £11,500
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £24,500
  • MSc (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): £5,750
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £12,250

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 several 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 bachelor's degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course.

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

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 any discipline.

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 also 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 Pre-sessional course.

Pre-sessional 6 Week Course Requirement:

IELTS - 6.0 Overall with 6.0 in writing, no more than one subskill at 5.5 and no subskill below 5.5

TOEFL iBT - 80 overall with 20 in writing, and 20 in speaking, with a minimum of 18 in all other subskills

Pearson PTE Academic or Academic UKVI - 65 overall with 65 in writing, no more than one subskill of 59 and no other subskill below 59.

Pre-sessional 10 Week Course Requirement:

IELTS - 5.5 overall with no element below 5.5

TOEFL iBT - 72 overall with 20 in speaking and no other element below 18

Pearson PTE Academic UKVI - 59 overall and no element 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 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 qualifications which may be accepted from your country.

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 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;

  • copies of English Language Certification, such as IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson test score report. 

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

How your application is considered

Applications for MSc Environmental Impact Assessment & Management 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.

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

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. 

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 Impact Assessment and Management will prepare you for professional practice in environmental assessment at both the project level (environmental impact assessment) and the strategic level (strategic environmental assessment).

You will gain a thorough grounding in environmental assessment procedures and practice, and an introduction to the rapidly growing environmental management field.

In addition, you will benefit from `hands-on' sessions designed to simulate the tasks and problems encountered in the workplace, and to teach you valuable skills that are directly applicable to current practice.

We also arrange site visits to give you an insight into real-life practice.

Aims

  • Provide you with the opportunity to pursue aspects of environmental assessment or wider environmental management.
  • Develop your project management skills, including team working and writing professional reports.
  • Develop your analytical and communication skills, thus graduating with expertise highly valued by employers.

Special features

  • Benefit from small group teaching and guided one-to-one supervision for your dissertation.
  • Opportunities to develop practical skills in spatial analysis software and design.
  • Have the flexibility to mix core discipline units with a range of optional course units.
  • Study in Manchester, a city where the environmental consequences of development are on our doorstep and have been researched and taught for more than 50 years.

Teaching and learning

Part-time students complete the course over 24 months. There are no evening or weekend course units available; you should, therefore, discuss course requirements with the Programme Director and seek approval from your employer. Timetabling information is usually available from late August. You can discuss course unit choices during induction week with the Programme Director.

Coursework and assessment

Assessment methods include essays, reports and other work (eg workshop assignments), both individually and in groups.

Some optional course units may involve examinations.

The taught part of the course (120 credits) is assessed by continuous assessment and formal examinations.

Continuous assessment includes essays, reports, posters, oral presentations, and a major project.

A 15,000-word dissertation is prepared on an approved topic, which is discussed and chosen at the beginning of the second semester and a suitable supervisor allocated.

Initial work focuses upon an overview of the chosen topic, a literature review and the design of the methodology to be adopted.

During the latter part of Semester 2 and the summer vacation, you undertake the necessary research and analysis, culminating in the writing of your 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 Impact Assessment PLAN60411 15 Mandatory
Concepts in Environmental Law PLAN60441 15 Mandatory
EIA Project PLAN60452 15 Mandatory
MSc EIAM Dissertation PLAN60480 60 Mandatory
Planning for Environmental Change PLAN60771 15 Mandatory
Strategic and Sustainable Decision Making PLAN64072 15 Mandatory
Environmental Remote Sensing GEOG60941 15 Optional
GIS and Environmental Applications GEOG60951 15 Optional
Environmental Monitoring and Modelling Practice GEOG70552 15 Optional
Environmental Monitoring and Modelling Concepts GEOG70581 15 Optional
Climate, Environment and Development MGDI60552 15 Optional
Planning and Managing Development MGDI70992 15 Optional
Planning Powers and Procedures PLAN60021 15 Optional
Urban Theory, Planning Theory and Professional Ethics PLAN60041 15 Optional
Professional Placement PLAN60070 15 Optional
Land and Development PLAN60102 15 Optional
Design for Healthy Places PLAN60111 15 Optional
Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Cities PLAN60852 15 Optional
Infrastructure Planning PLAN60872 15 Optional
Future Cities PLAN62011 15 Optional
Displaying 10 of 20 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 bachelor's degree within the last three years and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course.

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

What our students say

Find out how our students feel about studying at The University of Manchester by visiting our student spotlights page.

Facilities

For more information, see  Facilities

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service.

For more information, email  dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

Environmental Management graduates are popular with employers, particularly in consultancy, where the ability to analyse and propose strategies and implement schemes is vital.

After London, Manchester hosts the largest number of environmental and planning consultancies in the UK.

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in areas including environmental management and consultancy, energy and water, non-governmental organisations, urban planning and design, urban and regional development policy, central and local government, international development and research.

We encourage you to interact with potential employers during the course, particularly when undertaking the dissertation.

We also provide opportunities for students to engage with a range of potential employer organisations, providing targeted networking opportunities.

Top employers of our graduates include:

  • AECOM;
  • Arup;
  • Atkins;
  • BP;
  • EDF Energy;
  • Jacobs.

If you decide not to follow a vocational career, your wide knowledge base and transferable skills in problem-solving, strategic thinking, teamwork, creativity and communication fit what most employers are seeking.

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 and Hear from our professional partners for Environmental Assessment and Management, Planning, Real Estate and Urban Design.

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.

It is an opportunity to build professional and social networks.

You can view the alumni networks already operating across the globe, here .

Accrediting organisations

MSc Environmental Impact Assessment and Management is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), the professional body for everyone working in environment and sustainability.

It is also accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) under their Environmental Surveying Pathway, and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) as a specialist master's degree. Therefore, full RTPI accreditation can be obtained by students with an undergraduate degree in town planning that is recognised by the RTPI.