A student looks into a microscope in a laboratory

Taught Master's Degrees

We have designed our Taught Master's Degrees so that you can tailor them to suit your particular interests. You can select from a wide range of modules, conduct a personal research project, and choose to study full-time or part-time.

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  • Conservation and Biodiversity MSc

    This vocational degree offers you the chance to blend ecological and environmental science topics with those from areas such as social science, geography, and statistics. You will gain an understanding of the relationships between living organisms and their physical, chemical and biotic environment whilst learning important skills related to environmental monitoring and management.

  • Environment and Development MSc

    For those with a natural or social sciences background, this degree will prepare you to address global environmental and international development challenges. With over 30 available modules, this programme offers you the opportunity to blend Natural Science topics with areas from the Social Sciences and create a Master's that suits your individual interests. The broad research interests of our staff ensure there is a wide variety of research projects available, including options for overseas fieldwork.

  • Environmental Management MSc

    Whether it is monitoring, providing solutions or managing resources in the environment, students on this scheme can select from our wide range of modules to tailor their Master's to their career plan. You can take the opportunity to study a broad range of different options or, if you prefer, you can select modules leading to specialisms in water, energy, food security or pollution.

  • Flood and Coastal Risk Management MSc

    High levels of rainfall and devastating floods plague communities around the world. Developing Master's-level skills and knowledge, you will engage with flood risk management challenges and learn about how we can overcome them.

  • Political Ecology MA

    This unique Master's programme in Political Ecology offers the conceptual tools and practical skills to ask the difficult questions of human-environment relations, to not accept the status quo uncritically, and to drive transformative action.

  • Sustainable Water Management MSc

    This degree combines modules in hydrology, water quality and ecology with a research project that will develop skills relevant to a career in the UK or international water sector. You will be taught by world experts in the field, including staff from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and industry leader JBA Consulting. Your specialised project (including placements) will benefit from our strong research links with external organisations.

  • Volcanology and the Environment MSc

    This MSc provides training in the field, theoretical and laboratory volcanology, and includes a highly popular field course to Etna. Specialist taught modules on volcanic and other geological hazards complement modules that give broader training in environmental science, management and data analysis. A dissertation project supervised by an internationally recognised expert is an integral part of the training.

  • Data Science MSc

    Develop your skills and expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science with our flexible Master's programme that allows you to select modules, guided by pathways (including the Biodiversity pathway), to develop an enhanced understanding of modern data science technologies.

Master's by Research

A Master's by Research degree is for those who would enjoy the chance to carry out an in-depth research project. This can offer an excellent grounding for continuing to PhD study and provide preparation for research careers in the public and private sectors.

Master's by Research
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Further Information

  • Scholarships and Funding

    If you are considering applying for a place on a Master's programme at the Graduate School, you may be able to benefit from our range of scholarships and funding streams. We are pleased to offer a range of scholarships to potential Master's students.

  • Research Advantages

    The programmes have been designed to make the most of our broad range of natural and social sciences expertise. You will have the opportunity for you to work in collaboration with staff across our sites. You will benefit from lectures and seminars run by research-active scientists, have the chance to use state-of-the-art facilities and be given opportunities to conduct fieldwork in the UK and around the world.

  • Facilities

    Lancaster Environment Centre, Rothamsted Research and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology all provide excellent facilities for research. Together, as the Graduate School for the Environment, we offer you a wonderful range of opportunities.