Study an Environment MSc at Cranfield
Management of the natural environment is increasingly important in all sectors from business to public policy. This course will equip you to critically evaluate environmental issues and contribute to the economic and policy decision making process in organisations of any size.At a glance
- Start dateFull-time: October. Part-time: October
- DurationOne year full-time, two-three years part-time
- DeliveryTaught modules 40%, group project 20% (dissertation for part-time students), individual thesis project 40%
- QualificationMSc, PgDip, PgCert
- Study typeFull-time / Part-time
Who is it for?
This course provides students with the necessary up-to-date knowledge and understanding of environmental issues as they impact on the public, private and voluntary sectors. It also provides students with the ability and skills to critically appraise alternative environmental measures and develop the ability to identify and recommend suitable solutions for effective environmental management.
Core modules develop a range of knowledge and skills including environmental principles (such as the ecosystem services framework), economic and financial methods, and social, policy and governance viewpoints. Electives allow further development of economics and strategic thinking methods, or other skills including risk communication, environmental life cycle analysis and environmental auditing.
This course will equip you to critically evaluate environmental issues and contribute to the economic and policy decision making process in organisations of any size. It will give you the skills and experience required to monitor and critically evaluate business practice through the environmental auditing and other assessment methods, or to participate in economic and policy decision making.
Why this course?
- Employment prospects – our reputation and links with employers ensure outstanding opportunities to secure excellent positions.
- Flexibility – Five core modules and three pairs of electives allow you to emphasise business issues or economics and policy. A wide choice of topics for your personal project means that you can choose your own specialism. The course is available on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Excellence in teaching – In the last Teaching Quality Assessment our courses were rated as “excellent”. Eighty percent of the staff are members of the Registered Practitioners with the Higher Education Academy.
- Track record – we have been providing Masters-level training for over 20 years.
- Professional recognition – We regularly consult with senior representatives of key industries on questions of course and curriculum design to ensure that the programme continues to reflect the changing needs of the various sectors in which our students aim to work. The course is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM).
- Postgraduate level – Cranfield University is entirely postgraduate. Many of the students on the course have considerable professional experience.
- Expert staff – The course is designed and delivered by experts in the field of environmental management.
- Practical focus – We believe in giving you as much hands-on work as possible so that you are learning by doing.
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I have already started to develop my own business idea following the support of Cranfield and the content of my course.
Georg Eriksson, Environmental Management for Business MSc
Informed by Industry
Our courses are designed to meet the training needs of industry and have a strong input from experts in their sector. These include:
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Your teaching team
You will be taught by a combination of University academics and external experts who are practitioners in the subjects they deliver. Cranfield University has established itself internationally in a range of environmental disciplines and sustainable development. As such, teaching staff are uniquely placed to deliver this important course.
Dr David Parsons - Course Director – Principal Research Fellow in Operational Research and Natural Resources. David is a mathematician specialising in the use of modelling, risk assessment and optimisation in decision making related to natural resources.
The teaching team includes:
- Professor Philip Longhurst – Centre for Bioenergy & Resource Management
- Dr Gill Drew – Lecturer, Environmental Management
- Dr Anil Graves - Senior Lecturer, Land Use Systems
- Dr Paul Burgess - Reader in Crop Ecology and Management
- Dr Sophie Rocks - Senior Lecturer in Emerging Risks
- Dr Nazmiye Balta-Ozkan - Senior Lecturer in Environmental/Energy Economics
- Dr Adrian Williams - Reader in Environmental Systems
- Dr Simon Jude - Lecturer, Climate Change Risk & Adaptation
- Miss Fiona Lickorish – Principal Research Fellow, Horizon Scanning and Futures (Head of Cranfield Institute for Resilient Futures)
- Dr Kenisha Garnet - Lecturer in Decision Science
- Dr Andrew Angus - Senior Lecturer in Economics
- Dr Monica Rivas-Casado - Lecturer in Applied Environmental Statistics
- Dr Joy Sumner - Lecturer in Energy Materials
- Dr Pietro Goglio - Lecturer in Life Cycle Assessment and Systems Modelling
Invited lecturers include:
- Paul Stevens – Managing Director at Aviso Ltd.
- Adam Faiers – Spedan Ltd
Accreditation
This degree has been accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM).
Course details
This course comprises eight modules, an individual project and a group project. Part-time students normally complete individual dissertations in place of the group project.
Group project
Group projects, which run between February and April, enable you to put the skills and knowledge developed during the course modules into practice in an applied context while gaining transferable skills in project management, teamwork and independent research. Group projects are usually sponsored by industrial or public sector partners who provide particular problems linked to their businesses. Projects generally require the group to provide a solution to the operational problem. Potential future employers value this experience. The group projects are across the MSc courses in the environment programme, giving the added benefit of gaining new insights, ways of thinking, experience and skills from students with other backgrounds.
During the project you will develop a range of skills including learning how to establish team member roles and responsibilities, project management, and delivering technical presentations. At the end of the project, all groups submit a written report and deliver a presentation to the industrial partner. This presentation provides the opportunity to develop interpersonal and presentation skills within a professional environment. The project is assessed through a written report and an oral presentation by the group. In addition, a poster exhibition provides the opportunity to develop presentation skills and effectively handle questions about complex issues in a professional manner.
Part-time students normally complete individual dissertations in place of the group project.
Recent group projects include:
- Promotion of two agroforestry practices: invisible fencing and grazed orchards (AGFORWARD)
- Development of a social benefit monitoring protocol for chalk stream restoration (Environment Agency)
- Assessing the environmental, technological and economic feasibility of potential reuse of tea waste (Unilever)
- Data visualisation approaches in supporting 10-year investment planning decisions in East Anglian flood and coastal management (Anglian Water)
- Development of full life cycle costs at National Grid for the UK gas distribution (National Grid).
Individual project
The individual research project allows you to delve deeper into a specific area of interest. As our academic research is so closely related to industry and public sector organisations, it is very common for our partners to put forward real-world problems or areas of development as potential research topics.
The individual research project component takes place between April/May and August for full-time students. For part-time students, it is common that their research projects are undertaken in collaboration with their place of work under academic supervision, given the approval of the Course Directors.
Individual research projects undertaken may involve a wide range of techniques from qualitative analysis to quantitative modelling.
Recent individual projects:
- Systematic examination and analysis of European Court decisions based on the precautionary principle
- Sustainability key performance indicators for a media business
- Benchmarking agricultural water value and environmental performance
- How can the fast-moving consumer goods sector help create a market for waste treatment by-products?
- Disruptive chemical technologies - building and interpreting a Delphi exercise to engage stakeholder viewpoints
- An environmental evaluation of urban mobility based on an LCA approach
- Evolution of UK and US shale gas sectors
- Managing the adoption of circular economy in SME
- Exploring social media and networks as a driver to promote sustainable behaviour: case analysis and policy implications
- Evaluation of methods for sustainability assessments of new, emerging and/or renewable energy technologies
- Exploration of WEEE regulations and the potential for additive manufacturing materials
- 3D visualisation for marine spatial planning and risk assessment.
Assessment
Taught modules 40%, group project 20% (dissertation for part-time students), individual thesis project 40%University Disclaimer
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the core modules and some optional modules affiliated with this programme which ran in the academic year 2017–2018. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2018 entry. All modules are subject to change depending on your year of entry.
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course
Principles of Sustainability
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Aim |
Human population growth and increased resource use per capita is placing unsustainable demands on the global ecosystem. This module explores sustainability using three approaches. The “Ecosystem Service” approach provides a framework for society to address key environmental issues such as food production, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and water use. The “Circular Economy” approach refers to the development of “restorative” industrial systems that are grounded on the lessons of non-linear, feedback-rich ecosystems. The third approach is to explore the nexus between renewable energy, food, and other ecosystem services using per capita energy and food consumption. This module introduces and critiques the three approaches and examines their application to resolve real-world problems and create commercial opportunities. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Environmental Valuation
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Aim |
In the search for methods that combine economic analysis and environmental assessments to achieve the goal of sustainable development, the measurement of environmental costs and benefits is an increasingly important element of the appraisal of policies and projects. This module explores economic concepts and techniques that can be used for the valuation of the environment, how these support decisions regarding the optimal allocation of resources and the design of policy interventions. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Financial and Economic Appraisal
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Aim |
Financial (or investment) appraisal is a decision making process used by institutions and individuals to compare the efficiency of competing projects. Economic appraisal (or social cost-benefit analysis) is the process of identifying, measuring, and comparing the societal costs of an investment project or programme. Projects can be judged in terms of their relative monetised net benefits (total benefits minus total costs), including environmental impacts or enhancement; the project with the largest benefit: cost ratio is considered to deliver the most social benefits from the options under consideration. This module explains the principles of financial and economic appraisal and students will acquire the knowledge and skills in the application of such appraisals. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Environmental Policy and Risk Governance
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Aim |
A critical application of environmental risk management is in the development and appraisal of Policy in Central Government. Policies are developed to manage environmental risks and selection of policy options must be informed by risk based tools and techniques. Doing so demands a comprehension of the technical, organisational and human elements of governing environmental risks and developing environmental policy. This module draws these themes together by introducing core concepts and then illustrating these concepts with case studies and finally application via a group exercise. Core lectures are supported by multiple case studies, a workshop and module assignment. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Technology, Environment and Society
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Aim |
While technological change is seen as the root cause of many environmental problems, it is simultaneously viewed as the means of solving such problems. This module explores technological change as part of positive sum strategies put forward by ecological modernisers. Theories of technological change are reviewed such as evolutionary, path dependent and long wave and used to formulate technology policy to achieve transition to a low carbon economy. These are then set in practical contexts such as innovation for a low carbon economy and low-carbon living. |
Syllabus |
Development of associated policy frameworks, market failure, the role of governments, policies and mechanisms to address this Innovation: Technology Development, transfer, adoption and diffusion Innovation and sustainability, utility which process offers in this context, drivers and barriers Integrated Sustainable Technology Assessment in context Clusters, technology road-maps and the development of sustainable technologies: Renewable energy |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Elective modules
A selection of modules from the following list need to be taken as part of this course
Risk Communication and Perception
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Aim |
The aim of this module to develop an appreciation of the importance of individual and group attitudes towards the perception of risk and how this may influence views, conduct and actions in the face of a range of risks including the development of communication methods to disseminate information about risk(s) to a range of audiences and how to determine its effectiveness. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Environmental Econometrics
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Aim |
To acquire knowledge and skills in quantitative methods of economic analysis to support decision making in natural resources and environmental management. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Evaluating Sustainability through Lifecycle Approaches
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Aim |
The goods and services that we consume impose impacts on the environment. These include globally influential ones, like greenhouse gases and local ones, like water pollution. We need to quantify these to compare production or consumption methods and understand what our collective and individual consumption demands impose on the earth’s environment. We must also apply mature, critical thinking to environmental claims. A life cycle perspective forms the basis of much of the module. |
Syllabus |
Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Carbon and Water Footprints, the Ecological Footprint, Environmental Impact Assessment, Uncertainty in LCA, Social aspects of LCA, Life Cycle Costing Application areas:Manufacturing, businesses, food production and consumption, energy systems, waste management, decision makers (e.g. procurement), fishing and farming. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Natural Resource Economics
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Aim |
Natural resources underpin economic activity. This module explores the functional role of the environment in the economy and examines how natural resources can be classified. It uses economic theory to explore the relationship between the stocks of natural capital and the flows of services that emanate from them. Economic models are used to analyse current resource management challenges, distinguishing between renewable and non-renewable resources. The importance of non-market benefits of natural capital is examined and approaches to management of these benefits are critically examined. The module is delivered mainly through case studies focussing on major types of natural resources. |
Syllabus |
In exploring public governance and policy in relation to environmental agendas, this module will combine formal lectures and case studies with interactive practical exercises, and will cover: |
Intended learning outcomes |
To acquire knowledge and skills in economic analysis applied to the management of natural resources, consistent with the principles of sustainable development. On successful completion of this study the student should be able to:
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Strategic Foresight
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Aim |
Strategic foresight research refers to a range of methods that can be used to identify, analyse and communicate insights about the future. Standard methods include horizon scanning, trend research, and scenario planning. Outputs include emerging issues, trends, visions, scenarios, and wild cards. The methods employed and insights produced are used by both private and public sector organisations to inform a wide range of policy, risk, strategy and innovation processes. Foresight research is a truly inter-disciplinary ‘science’, covering and combining developments in society, technology, economy, ecology, politics, legislation and values. Crucially, foresight research is as much about analysing the past and present, as it is about looking to the future. Once we understand how a system developed and works today, we can explore how it may evolve and look in the future. Strategic foresight techniques consider ranges of possible, plausible futures so that planning can be put in place to adapt to and mitigate against various conditions. It is designed to add resilience, adaptability and flexibility to organisations in an increasingly complex and fast changing world. This module will explore how: |
Syllabus |
In exploring strategic foresight research in relation to its utility by environmental organisations, this module will combine formal lectures with interactive practical exercises that will cover: |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Environmental Management in Practice
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Aim |
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the practical issues associated with implementing Environmental Management Systems (EMS) into organisations. This requires a thorough understanding of the concept of an EMS, as well as the most commonly used frameworks, namely the ISO 14000 series of standards. In addition, knowledge of the potential barriers and pitfalls during implementation and the practical measures that can be implemented is required. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Fees and funding
European Union students applying for university places in the 2017 to 2018 academic year and the 2018 to 2019 academic year will still have access to student funding support. Please see the UK Government’s announcement (21 April 2017).
Cranfield University welcomes applications from students from all over the world for our postgraduate programmes. The Home/EU student fees listed continue to apply to EU students.
MSc Full-time | £8,500 |
MSc Part-time | £1,635 * |
PgDip Full-time | £6,500 |
PgDip Part-time | £1,635 * |
PgCert Full-time | £3,250 |
PgCert Part-time | £1,635 * |
Fee notes:
- The fees outlined apply to all students whose initial date of registration falls on or between 1 August 2018 and 31 July 2019.
- All students pay the tuition fee set by the University for the full duration of their registration period agreed at their initial registration.
- A deposit may be payable, depending on your course.
- Additional fees for extensions to the agreed registration period may be charged.
- Fee eligibility at the Home/EU rate is determined with reference to UK Government regulations. As a guiding principle, EU nationals (including UK) who are ordinarily resident in the EU pay Home/EU tuition fees, all other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees.
For further information regarding tuition fees, please refer to our fee notes.
MSc Full-time | £19,000 |
MSc Part-time | £19,000 ** |
PgDip Full-time | £15,200 |
PgDip Part-time | £15,200 ** |
PgCert Full-time | £7,600 |
PgCert Part-time | £11,310 ** |
Fee notes:
- The fees outlined apply to all students whose initial date of registration falls on or between 1 August 2018 and 31 July 2019.
- All students pay the tuition fee set by the University for the full duration of their registration period agreed at their initial registration.
- A deposit may be payable, depending on your course.
- Additional fees for extensions to the agreed registration period may be charged.
- Fee eligibility at the Home/EU rate is determined with reference to UK Government regulations. As a guiding principle, EU nationals (including UK) who are ordinarily resident in the EU pay Home/EU tuition fees, all other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees.
For further information regarding tuition fees, please refer to our fee notes.
Funding Opportunities
To help students in finding and securing appropriate funding we have created a funding finder where you can search for suitable sources of funding by filtering the results to suit your needs. Visit the funding finder.
GREAT China Scholarship
The GREAT Cranfield University Scholarship China is jointly funded by Cranfield University and the British Council. Two scholarships of £11,000 each for Chinese students are available.
Students from developing countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK can apply for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship which includes tuition fees, travel and monthly stipend for Master’s study, jointly supported by Cranfield University.
Butterfield Postgraduate Environment ScholarshipA USD$25,000 scholarship for students pursuing a postgraduate degree in study related to the protection and improvement of island environments. Applications close on 28 April 2017.
The Cranfield ScholarshipWe have a limited number of scholarships available for candidates from around the world applying for the 2017 intake. Scholarships are awarded to applicants who show both aptitude and ability for the subject they are applying. Find out more about the Cranfield Scholarship
Postgraduate Loan from Student Finance EnglandA Postgraduate Loan is now available for UK and EU applicants to help you pay for your Master’s course. You can apply for a loan at GOV.UK
Santander MSc ScholarshipThe Santander Scholarship at Cranfield University is worth £5,000 towards tuition fees for full-time master's courses. Check the scholarship page to find out if you are from an eligible Santander Universities programme country.
Chevening ScholarshipsChevening Scholarships are awarded to outstanding emerging leaders to pursue a one-year master’s at Cranfield university. The scholarship includes tuition fees, travel and monthly stipend for Master’s study.
Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing CountriesStudents from developing countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK can apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship which includes tuition fees, travel and monthly stipend for Master’s study.
Future Finance Student LoansFuture Finance offer student loans of up to £40,000 that can cover living costs and tuition fees for all student at Cranfield University.
Erasmus+ Student LoansThis new loan scheme for EU students is offered by Future Finance and European Investment Fund and provides smart, flexible loans of up to £9,300.
Cranfield Postgraduate Loan Scheme (CPLS)The Cranfield Postgraduate Loan Scheme (CPLS) is a funding programme providing affordable tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time UK/EU students studying technology-based MSc courses.
Conacyt (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia)Cranfield offers competitive scholarships for Mexican students in conjunction with Conacyt (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) in science, technology and engineering.
Delta Foundation Chevening Scholarships TaiwanThe Chevening/Delta Environmental Scholarship Scheme is designed to promote environmental awareness and increase future activity to tackle environmental issues, in particular climate change, by offering two joint scholarships for students from Taiwan.
Entry requirements
This course is suitable for graduates with science, engineering, social science or business related degrees keen to pursue careers in resource management; or graduates currently working in industry keen to extend their qualifications; or individuals with other qualifications who possess considerable relevant experience.
English Language
If you are an international student you will need to provide evidence that you have achieved a satisfactory test result in an English qualification. Our minimum requirements are as follows:
- IELTS Academic - 6.5 overall
- TOEFL - 92
- Pearson PTE Academic - 65
- Cambridge English Scale - 180
- Cambridge English: Advanced - C
- Cambridge English: Proficiency - C
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English III - minimum overall score of pass
In addition to these minimum scores you are also expected to achieve a balanced score across all elements of the test. We reserve the right to reject any test score if any one element of the test score is too low.
We can only accept tests taken within two years of your registration date (with the exception of Cambridge English tests which have no expiry date).
Students requiring a Tier 4 (General) visa must ensure they can meet the English language requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and we recommend booking a IELTS for UKVI test.
Applicants who do not already meet the English language entry requirement for their chosen Cranfield course can apply to attend one of our Presessional English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses. We offer Winter/Spring and Summer programmes each year to offer holders.
Your career
Successful students develop diverse and rewarding careers in government ministries, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), environmental and business consultancies, public sector organisations such as environmental protection agencies, and the manufacturing and service industries in the private sector.
The international nature of the course means that career opportunities are not restricted to the UK. Cranfield graduates develop careers around the world.
We have been providing Masters level training for over 20 years. Our strong reputation and links with potential employers provide you with outstanding opportunities to secure interesting jobs and develop successful careers. The increasing interest in sustainability and corporate and social responsibility has also enhanced the career prospects of our graduates.
Our careers team support you while you are studying and following graduation with workshops, careers fairs, vacancy information and one-to-one support.
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Whenever I mentioned I got my master’s degree from Cranfield University, my potential employer knew what level of knowledge they could expect.
Petra Psenickova, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Applying
Online application form. UK students are normally expected to attend an interview and financial support is best discussed at this time. Overseas and EU students may be interviewed by telephone.
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