Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

On this page we have answered some of the questions that are most frequently asked about studying Water Management. Please read them to see if your question has been answered. If not, it may be covered in the School FAQs.

  1. What qualification will I get?
  2. Is there any financial support for the course?
  3. What are my career prospects when I complete the course?
  4. Who are the potential employers of Water Management postgraduates?
  5. Is the course relevant to the needs of employers?
  6. Will the course help develop my professional skills?
  7. Will I be able to get a job in the UK/EU if I choose the Community Water Supply elective?
  8. Are there opportunities for study and travel abroad?
  9. Can I follow the course on a part-time basis?
  10. Can I do my project linked to an outside organisation?
  11. What facilities does the university have for my project?
  12. Does the course have much field work?
  13. Is there much practical work?
  14. Do I need 'A'-Level maths?
  15. How is the course structured?
  16. How is the course assessed?
  17. Is the course recognised by a professional body?
  18. What accommodation is available?

 

1. What qualification will I get?

Successful completion of the 12-month course leads to the award of the Master of Science degree of Cranfield University in Water Management.  Successful completion of the 9-month course leads to the award of the Postgraduate Diploma of Cranfield University in Water Management.

2. Is there any financial support for the course?

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has awarded a number of Masters Training Grants for the Environmental Water Management option of the Water Management MSc.  These cover the course fees and include a stipend as well as a contribution towards research and fieldwork costs. Full funding is generally restricted to UK students although students from other EU countries may be eligible for fees-only awards.  Good quality candidates from the European Union may be considered for Cranfield bursaries.

Full details of funding opportunities for overseas and UK/EU students are available on this website, or for further details please contact us:

School of Applied Sciences
T: +44 (0)1234 754086
E: appliedsciences@cranfield.ac.uk

3. What are my career prospects when I complete the course?

Employment statistics vary from year to year. The statistics for those students graduating in 2001 are as follows*:

  • Environmental Water Management option:  93% relevant employment
  • Community Water Supply option:  100% relevant employment
  • Advanced Irrigation option:   100%

*where we have information from First Destination Returns / includes those progressing to research degrees and those working as volunteers for the charity SAFAD

4. Who are the potential employers of Water Management postgraduates?

Examples of recent employers of Water Management students include:

Action Against Hunger, BCEOM Société Francaise d'Ingénierie, Binnie, Black & Veatch, Concern, Entec, Environment Agency, Essex & Suffolk Water, Ewan Associates, Ghana EPA, Halcrow, Hannah-Reed Associates, Hyder Consulting, HydroLogic, JDIH, Jeremy Benn Associates, Lyonnaise des Eaux, Médecins Sans Frontières, Oekotec GmbH, Ondeo, Oxfam, Partners in Development, Posford-Haskoning, Scott Wilson, SEPA, Severn Trent Water, UNDP, United Utilities, Vivendi Water Systems, VSO, W S Atkins, Water Aid, World Bank, World View

5. Is the course relevant to the needs of employers?

Yes. The Water Management MSc has an Industrial Advisory Panel consisting of professionals from major sectors that employ our graduates. The panel regularly reviews the content and delivery of the course and advises on the needs of employers.

6. Will the course help develop my professional skills?

Yes. Particularly in the Group Project there is a strong emphasis on the development of professional skills such as team work, time management, presentation skill and professional report writing.

7. Will I be able to get a job in the UK/EU if I choose the Community Water Supply elective?

Many graduates of the Community Water Supply elective secure employment with UK/EU -based water management organisations such as the Environment Agency, water companies and consultants. This may occur for several reasons e.g. (a) they no longer wish to work overseas; (b) they have spent a some time overseas but now wish to settle down in the UK; (c) they have found it difficult to find the right job overseas. Employers will recognise that the MSc in Water Management provides an excellent foundation for many water-related career paths. In addition, employers are normally sufficiently open-minded to consider the full range of information available regarding an applicant including academic performance (school, first degree, Masters), work experience, references, and any stated career development goals.

8. Are there opportunities for study and travel abroad?

Yes, this is a popular option with some students. Our world-wide links make project work overseas possible. Recent students have worked in Bolivia, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and France.

On completion of the MSc a number of students (from all electives of the Water Management MSc) take the opportunity to engage in development work with SAFAD - a student run charity organization. This is particularly useful for those with no previous overseas experience who are looking for a career in development work.

9. Can I follow the course on a part-time basis?

Yes. The modular nature of the course permits students to take the programme over several years (normally 2-3). Projects can be undertaken in the workplace. For more details please view the Course structure for this programme.

10. Can I do my project linked to an outside organisation?

Yes. Many of our students do their projects with outside bodies, including the Environment Agency, Water Companies, English Nature and DFID.

11. What facilities does the university have for my project?

The university has excellent field and laboratory facilities. These include:

  • Soil and water laboratory
  • Hydraulics laboratory
  • Soil erosion research lab
  • Groundwater training facility
  • Water quality laboratory
  • Field irrigation laboratory

12. Does the course have much field work?

A major component of the Water Management MSc is the Group Project. For all the options this involves substantial field data collection and interpretation. Other field work is set as part of individual modules.

13. Is there much practical work?

Approximately 50% of modules have a "hands-on" practical element. We believe in giving you as much "hands-on" work as possible, so that you are learning through doing. Many other modules incorporate desk-based design exercises and field visits.

14. Do I need 'A'-Level maths?

No, this is not a pre-requisite for the course. However, the Water Management MSc does require a basic numeracy that we would expect from anyone with a science first-degree. The MathCentre web site contains useful self-learning material that you could go through before you start the MSc. More details and a list of pertinent topics are available online.

If you prefer to work from a book, we would suggest either a GCSE revision guide such as Parsons R (ed), GCSE Mathematics Guide Higher Level: the Revision Guide, Co-ordination Group Publications, 1998. ISBN: 184146001X or for the more advanced, an A-level revision guide.

15. How is the course structured?

The taught element of the course comprises ten modules. Each module is allocated two weeks although in many cases the contact time (lectures, seminars and practicals) may be confined to one of those two weeks. The taught element of the course is, assessed by way of in-module assessments written examinations and is worth 50% of the overall degree mark. Typical types of in-module assessments include practical assignments, essays, and design projects. The written exams will be taken on completion of the ten taught modules, normally in May.

A four-week Group Project is undertaken following the written examinations. Depending upon the option selected, this may involve field data collection and interpretation, "hand-on" field activities, and desk-based design projects.

The final component of the programme is the personal research project. This extends from early June through to the hand-in date at the end of August. The project may be desk, laboratory or field-based. Project ideas normally stem from academic staff but there are opportunities for students to develop their own project ideas. Projects may be based at the University or elsewhere. Occasionally projects are undertaken overseas. We try to provide ample opportunity for students to choose projects associated with external organisations.

16. How is the course assessed?

The course is assessed by in-module assessment, two written exams, assessment of the Group Project, the project thesis and a viva. Module assessment may take the form of assignments or tests (or both!).

17. Is the course recognised by a professional body?

Yes. The MSc, PgDip and PgCert in Water Management has been accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM).

18. What accommodation is available?

A variety of accommodation is available on campus or students may choose to live off-campus. More information on accommodation is available on the Cranfield website. Accommodation can only be arranged once an offer has been made.