6 Top Universities for Environmental Science in UK

In this article is contained the 6 Top Universities for Environmental Science in UK.

The UK boasts of the best earliest universities in the world. Three (3) of the universities in the UK are ranked in the top 10 universities in the world that studies Environmental Sciences.

Before we look at the 6 top Universities of Environmental Science in UK, let’s take a look at the requirements needed to study Environmental Science in the UK.

Requirements for Environmental Science in UK?

Most of the environmental Science degree programs in the UK are graduate degrees and the requirements to study Environmental Science in the UK vary from university to university. Regardless of which program you are in, you may need the help of professional cheap paper writers to assist you in your environmental science essay or research paper.

Here is a baseline requirement for studying Environmental Science in the UK for undergraduates though some universities would require a higher qualification.

For home / UK students

• A level AAA in Required subjects which include: Maths and either chemistry or physics (including a pass in the practical element). General studies, critical thinking, and citizenship studies are not accepted.
• GCSE English grade 4 (C) is required.
• IB score: 36 including Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches – 6 at Higher Level or 7 at Standard Level or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation – 6 at Higher Level only plus 6 at Higher Level in one of Chemistry or Physics.

EU / International students

• IB score: 36 including Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches – 6 at Higher Level or 7 at Standard Level or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation – 6 at Higher Level only plus 6 at Higher Level in one of Chemistry or Physics.
• IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element)

High school qualifications

• A level AAA in required subjects which include: 36 points overall including 6 in Higher Level Mathematics and 6 in one of Higher Level Chemistry or Physics. 36 points overall with 7 in Standard Level Mathematics and 6 in one of Higher Level Chemistry or Physics will also be considered.
• IB Mathematics courses: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches = 6 at Higher Level or 7 at Standard Level. Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation = 6 at Higher Level only.
• English language requirements: IELTS, TOEFL IBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB, and O-level English. For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.

For a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, students are expected to have graduates who should have bagged a 2:2 (Hons) at least in Environmental Sciences or a related field at the undergraduate level.

6 Top Universities for Environmental Science in UK

The following are the 6 top Universities for Environmental Science in UK.

• The University of Oxford
• The University of Cambridge
• Imperial College London
• University of Leeds
• University College London
• University of Edinburgh

1. The University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is the oldest known university and its founding date is actually unknown though it is thought that teaching took place there as early as the 11th century. The University of Oxford is one of the six top universities for environmental science in UK.

It’s located in the ancient city of Oxford, dubbed “the dreaming city of spires” by the 19th-century poet Matthew Arnold, and comprises 44 colleges and halls as well as the largest library system in the UK.

Oxford boasts of having the youngest population in the UK as a quarter of its citizens are students.

According to the QS World University Rankings,

The University of Oxford is the 4th in ranked university that studies Environmental Sciences had a 95.5 overall, 93.8 rating in H-index Citations (8th), 92.7 rating in Citations per page (25th), 98.5 rating in Academic Reputation (5th), and 95.2 rating in Employer Reputation (4th).

MSc in Environmental Change and Management which is a course under environmental sciences at the University of Oxford which aims to give graduates a broad view of the main processes of environmental change and of the people and institutions involved in environmental management.

The course seeks to produce environmental leaders who are interdisciplinary and analytical in their approach to environmental issues, and competent and aware decision-makers.

Visit the School website here.

2. The University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge is one of the six top universities for environmental science in UK.

According to the QS World University Rankings,

The University of Cambridge is the 5th in ranked university that studies Environmental Sciences having a 95.4 overall, 91.2 rating in H-index Citations (20th), 93.2 rating in Citations per page (20th), 99.1 rating in Academic Reputation (4th) and 96.6 rating in Employer Reputation (2nd).

There are six (6) Masters’s Degree programs in Environmental Science and they are:

• MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development
• MPhil in Energy Technologies
• MPhil in Environmental Policy
•  MPhil in Polar Studies (Scott Polar Research Institute)
• MPhil in Holocene Climates
• MPhil in Anthropocene Studies.

Masters of Philosophy in Engineering for Sustainable Development is an environmental science course that is designed for graduates to be taught ways and how to tackle pressing environmental problems to ensure environmental sustainability by developing practical engineering solutions.

This course is based on some principles:

• Living within Earth’s finite limits and resources,
• Helping everyone on the planet to achieve an acceptable quality of life,
• Acting as stewards to the environment for future generations,
• Dealing with complexity,
• Handling three tradeoffs that have to be made.

The aim of this programme is to:

• Produce engineers who are able to deliver solutions to society’s needs and address global challenges within a sustainability framework.
• Assist engineers to explore value Frameworks that are targeted to achieve sustainable development and guide the design and management of engineering projects so as not to have adverse impacts on the environment, etc.

Masters of Philosophy in Energy Technologies is a course in environmental science that is designed for students to meet the current and future demands for environmentally sustainable and secure energy supply and use.

MPhil in Energy Technologies is a one-year program designed for graduates who have the desire to tackle problems in the development of practical engineering solutions and learn about the science and technology used in energy utilization, electricity generation, energy efficiency, and alternative energy.

The objectives of the course are:

• To teach the fundamentals behind the technologies involved in energy utilisation, electricity generation, energy efficiency, and alternative energy.
• To build graduates with an overall view of energy engineering, whilst offering specializations in a selected area through a research project.
• To prepare students for potential future Ph.D. research.

Graduates from the MPhil in Energy Technologies are prone targets for employment in industrial research and development departments, policy-making bodies, the utility industry, the manufacturing sector, or energy equipment manufacturing. Etc.

Master in Environmental Science is not a guarantee for doctoral research but students who wish to apply for a Ph.D. are expected to have obtained an overall mark of at least 70%.

Visit the School website here.

3. Imperial College London

Imperial College London is one of the six top universities for environmental science in UK.

According to the QS World University Rankings,

The Imperial College London is the 10th in ranked university that studies Environmental Sciences having 92.7 overall, 94.4 rating in H-index Citations (7th), 93.7 rating in Citations per page (14th), 92.4 rating in Academic Reputation (15th) and 87.3 rating in Employer Reputation (8th).

In the Imperial College London, Environmental Science is studied as the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering which is a master’s and PhD program.

This course trains graduates in all the aircraft of supply of clean water, the control of pollution and the protection of public health, wastewater treatment, air pollution control and solid waste management.

The students are exposed through the regular meeting of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management which they are advised to attend.

Apart from the full-time staffs’ contribution of high importance also come from visiting professor, guest lecturers who are eminent industrialist. This also helps broaden their exposure.

The course is for one year which comprises a study tour, research dissertation.

This degree is accredited by the following organisations on behalf of the Engineering Council:

• Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
• Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)
• Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE)
• The Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT).

This course is divided into two and they are:

• MSc Environmental Engineering (H2UM)
• MSc Hydrology and Water Resources Management (H2UP)

1. MSc Environmental Engineering (H2UM)

Environmental Engineering is a multidisciplinary course known as Public Health Engineering when founded in 1950.

It trains students to become engineers and scientists who are interested in controlling environmental pollution, providing services like water supply to protect and improve public health the treatment of wastewater and the management of municipal solid waste and hazardous waste.

The staffs who handle this course have backgrounds in chemistry, biology, statistics, geology, materials and medicine and civil engineering.

2. MSc Hydrology and Water Resources Management (H2UP)

Hydrology and Water Resources Management was known as Engineering Hydrology when founded by the first-course director Professor Peter Wolf in 1955.

The course focuses initially on food protection and water supply but as its reputation increased so did the scope which later promoted the change of name to Hydrology for Environmental Management in the early ’90s.

The current name was given in 2009 emphasising the importance of water got drinking, food production, environmental sustainability and ecosystem services.

Hydrologists through this course are concerned with the problems of pollutant transport in soils, surface and ground waters and also bigger issues like its effect on land use and climate change. All these are covered in the syllabus.

Those who have concluded this master’s program can as well go further in doing a PhD though they could also do reach which could earn them a PhD.

Visit the School website here.

4. University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is one of the six top universities for environmental science in UK. At the University of Leeds, Environmental Science is studied as the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering MEng, BEng and Environmental Engineering and Project Management (postgraduate program).

1. Civil and Environmental Engineering MEng, BEng

Civic and Environmental Engineering is a 4-year program that earned you both BEng and MEng. To do only BEng both, you would have to spend 3 years buy to have an MEng, one more year is added.

Civil and Environmental Engineering is concerned with the impact of buildings and infrastructure on the environment and the health of the people who use them.

Civil and Environmental Spread across public health engineering which includes water supply, wastewater treatment, waste disposal, recycling, contaminated land and pollution control. They also spread across the energy use in buildings and construction, transport engineering and planning.

This course trains students to deal with contaminated sites, minimise environmental impacts and improve the environment.

Strong emphasis is laid on project work throughout the program GL giving students the opportunity to explore the subject and also develop valuable skills like problem-solving, design, project management, communication and teamwork.

According to The Graduate Market 2021, High Fliers Research. Graduate of the University of Leeds is among the top 5 most targeted by top employers.

For international students who wish to do the course have to score 6.0 in IELTS overall, with no less than 5.5 in each section. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

2. Environmental Engineering and Project Management

Environmental Engineering and Project Management is a postgraduate degree program that provides consultants, operators, regulators and managers with the professional skills and training to help drive environmentally sound and economically sustainable systems in the supply of clean water, treatment of wastewater and solid waste management.

This course is meant for those who are in managerial positions but lack experience or up to date technical knowledge to manage projects in the rapidly changing field of environmental engineering.

Applicants for this course should have bagged at least a 2:2 (Hons) in their bachelor’s degree in engineering or a science-based subject.

For international students who wish to do the course have to score 6.5 in IELTS overall, with no less than 6.0 in each section. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Students through this course participate in a variety of projects focusing on real-world problems. Some of the projects done by students in Environmental Engineering and Project Management include:

• Potential impacts of climate change for wastewater treatment
• Membrane bioreactors for industrial applications
• The use of recycled glass in wastewater treatment
• Settlement of activated sludge and the influence of ballasted settlement aids
• A proportion of projects are formally linked to industry and may include spending time at the collaborator’s site over the summer.

Graduates of this course would be assessed through studies, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests assignments and exams.

Visit the School website here.

5. University College London

The University College London is one of the six top universities for environmental science in UK. In the University College London, Environmental Science is studied as the department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic.

It is a multidisciplinary department known for its excellence in research and teaching, the department is home to world-leading research projects, groups and centres.

This course is divided into two and they are:

• Environmental Design and Engineering
• Environmental Systems Engineering

1. Environmental Design and Engineering

Environmental Design and Engineering is a master’s program that helps develop a new generation of experts from students who can be able to apply innovative and sustainable approaches to building design and operation meeting the pressing need for more efficient, sustainable buildings.

Key areas in this study include:

• Passive design
• Efficient building services systems design
• Advanced building simulation techniques
• Occupant health and comfort

For the Master of Science (MSc), students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. For the Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip), students undertake modules to the value of 120 credits

The Master of Science (MSc) programme consists of six core modules (90 credits), two optional modules (30 credits) and a built environment dissertation (60 credits).

The Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) programme consists of six core modules (90 credits) and two optional modules (30 credits).

Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Built Environment: Environmental Design and Engineering. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Built Environment: Environmental Design and Engineering.

2. Environmental Systems Engineering

Environmental Systems Engineering is a master’s program that aid graduates in understanding the interactions between the natural environment, people, processes and technologies to develop sustainable solutions to the global issues of environmental sustainability and the technologies within a system engineering context.

The students through this course will develop an understanding of systems engineering and environmental engineering.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of four core modules (60 credits), a collaborative environmental systems project (30 credits), two optional modules (30 credits) and an individual environmental systems dissertation (60 credits).

A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) is offered.

Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Environmental Systems Engineering. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Environmental Systems Engineering.

Visit the School website here.

6. University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is one of the six top universities for environmental science in UK. At the University of Edinburgh, Environmental Science is studied as the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in master’s degree and PhD level.

The course trains graduates to design civil and environmental engineering systems that provide needed services such as water, sanitation and wastewater management.

Research done on this course involves water treatment and supply, wastewater treatment and management, land remediation, waste recycling, recovery and disposal, environmental sustainability.

The University of Edinburgh ranked 1st in the UK for research power in Engineering in the UK-wide Research Excellence Framework exercise in 2014, as part of a joint submission with Heriot-Watt University.

Some of the research projects done in this course include:

• Bacterial Removal from Recycled Water from Aquaculture Activities
• Bioenergy from Waste for Sustainable Heat and Power Production
• Community-Based Waste-Water Treatment in International Development
• Development and use of an Advanced ZVI Nanomaterial for Water Treatment Applications
• Engineering the Byzantine water supply: construction procurement and operation
• Geobag Revetments for riverbank reinforcement in Bangladesh
• Health and Safety in Voluntary Sector Construction
• Nanomaterials for Water Treatment
• Removal of Chlorophenols by Biochar
• Sustainable Desalination with the Implementation of forwarding Osmosis
• Sustainable Oxidation Processes for the treatment of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products
• Wastewater Bioremediation from Filamentous Algae

The University of Edinburgh have seven research institutes where different research are carried out and they are:

• Institute of Bioengineering (IBioE)
• Institute for Digital Communications (IDCOM)
• Institute for Energy Systems (IES)
• Institute for Infrastructure & the Environment (IIE)
• Institute for Integrated Micro & Nano Systems (IMNS)
• Institute for Materials and Processes (IMP)
• Institute for Multiscale Thermofluids (IMT)

Graduates of this course are highly sought after in a wide range of fields ranging from communications to bioengineering to communications, fire safety, renewable energy, chemical processing, medical imaging, high technology and the semiconductor industry.

Visit the School website here.

FAQs

How good is the UK for Environmental Science?

The UK is among the best places to study Environmental Engineering as UK universities rank among the best in the world. The UK helped nurture some of the brightest environmental minds in the world.

According to QS ranking, UK universities rank among the top ten universities in the world to study Environmental Engineering (Oxford 4th, Cambridge 6th, Imperial College London 9th) boasting a high percentage of employee reputation.

The UK boasts of 82 Environmental Engineering courses offered at 22 different universities where students can get themselves ready through ad-hoc courses to compete for jobs on the world stage.

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