COURSE CURRICULUM

The MSc Environmental Sciences at UEA is a full-time, one-year program combining taught modules with an independent research project. The course totals 180 credits, with 100 credits from taught modules and 80 from the research component. Students have the flexibility to tailor their curriculum by selecting five 20-credit taught modules from a wide range of topics within the School of Environmental Sciences or other relevant schools. This personalised approach allows students to concentrate on a specific area of environmental science or create an interdisciplinary path aligned with their career goals. The taught modules are completed over two semesters, after which students shift focus to the research phase. Planning for the research project begins in the autumn semester and progresses through spring and summer, culminating in the submission of a final dissertation and a research seminar presentation in August. The research element consists of two compulsory modules: Research Skills and the Dissertation. The Research Skills module (20 credits) prepares students for independent work through training in literature reviews, research ethics, and statistical analysis, while also offering practical instruction in social science methods such as survey design and qualitative data analysis. The 60-credit Dissertation involves conducting original research under the supervision of an academic or, in some cases, a partner organisation, with the aim of applying analytical and interpretative methods to real-world environmental data. Students can also choose from two specialised sustainability pathways within the MSc: Science, Society and Sustainability or Ecology and Economics for Sustainability, each offering a more targeted focus on the intersection of environmental science and sustainability issues. The structure of the course, along with access to UEA’s research expertise and flexible learning options, equips graduates with both the practical skills and academic grounding to pursue careers or further study in the environmental field.