Water and Environmental Engineering MSc - 2026/7
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MSc Water and Environmental Engineering
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| PGCert | Water and Environmental Engineering |
| PGDip | Water and Environmental Engineering |
Professional recognition
European Accreditation of Engineering Programmes (EUR-ACE)
This Programme is accredited by the European Accreditation of Engineering Programmes (EUR-ACE)
Joint Board of Moderators (JBM)
This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). To hold accredited qualifications for CEng registration, candidates must also hold a Bachelor (Hons) degree that has been accredited as partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.
*It should be noted that candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited Bachelor degree accredited for IEng only or a non-accredited bachelor degree will need to apply for an academic assessment to determine whether they will meet the educational base for CEng registration.
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | PFB61007 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
| Part-time | PFB61008 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
| Distance Learning | PFB61017 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Engineering (Master)
Other internal and / or external reference points
UKSPEC
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences - Sustainability, Civil & Env Engineering
Programme Leader
POND Katherine (Sust & CEE)
Date of production/revision of spec
15/11/2024
Educational aims of the programme
- A comprehensive and robust understanding of key areas of water and environmental engineering
- Skills that will enable students to explore, critically assess and evaluate problems and produce systematic and coherent solutions integrating core engineering science with practical applications both independently and within a team structure
- An understanding of how this knowledge can be articulated around sustainable development practices
- A sound base for enhanced communication skills both oral and written
- A pathway that will prepare graduates for successful careers in the field including, where appropriate, progression to Chartered Engineer status.
- To develop skills that enable active participation in a digital, connected water and environmental engineering discipline and professional practice
- To develop individual, interpersonal and professional skills, relevant to the professional field of water and environmental engineering.
- To develop competencies to engage effectively with people from different backgrounds in ways that respect the interests of cultural groups and individual rights
- To create the conditions in which students become resourceful and resilient
- Recognize issues related to sustainability in the domain of water and environmental engineering and develop skills to manage the associated complexity
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Fundamental principles underpinning the key topics covered in the subject area; | K | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Investigation and research techniques which provide a sound base for critical evaluation, selection and use of a wide range of scientific, technical and management processes relevant to the field; | K | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| The multidisciplinary nature of the subject area and its underlying principles and the importance of developing integrated approaches to solving complex problems; | K | PGDip, MSc | |
| The importance of identifying emerging trends to existing knowledge structures and theoretical frameworks and propose new alternative application and methodological approaches relevant to the student' s research interests; | K | MSc | |
| Management, organisation and communication skills including problem definition, project and experimental design, time management, decision making processes, independent and team work, knowledge transfer via written and oral presentations. | K | PGDip, MSc | |
| Integrated and multidisciplinary approach to solving complex problems using professional judgment taking into consideration the engineering, economic, social and environmental impacts; | C | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Ability to critically evaluate outcomes and accurately assess and report on own/others work with justification and relate them to existing knowledge structures and methodologies | C | PGDip, MSc | |
| Ability to formulate, conduct and write-up a systematic and coherent research programme topic demonstrating in-depth knowledge and high level of problem solving skills | C | MSc | |
| Critical review of the scientific literature for effective justification and support of results and decisions; | P | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Acquisition of the necessary skills to collect as well as generate data via laboratory experiments or computer-based programmes. | P | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Critical analysis of results/recommendations and their presentation in a concise and logical manner; | P | MSc | |
| Preparation of technical reports and presentation of work to an informed audience; | P | PGDip, MSc | |
| Awareness of difficulties and ethical issues likely to arise in professional practice and an ability to formulate solutions in dialogue with peers, industry professionals, institutional professionals and others. | P | MSc | |
| Critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of complex information and data; | T | PGDip, MSc | |
| Communication and knowledge transfer through oral presentations and written reports; | T | PGDip, MSc | |
| Selection and use of appropriate advanced research methods; | T | PGDip, MSc | |
| Integrated and multidisciplinary approach to problem solving; | T | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Time + resource management; | T | PGCert, MSc | |
| Effective use of a range of communication and technology tools aimed at different audiences; | T | PGDip, MSc | |
| Learn and work effectively independently and as a part of a team. | T | PGCert, PGDip, MSc |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over one academic year, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Part-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied part-time over three to five years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Distance Learning
This Master's Degree programme is studied part-time/distance-learning over three to five years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 7
Students must select one optional module from the listed available
Unstructured (3-5 years) - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Unstructured (3-5 years) - FHEQ Level 7
Students must select one optional module from the listed available
Unstructured (3-5 years) DL - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Unstructured (3-5 years) DL - FHEQ Level 7
Students must select one optional module from the listed available
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | N | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.