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    KEY FACTS

    • Title
      MSc Environmental Consultancy
    • Award
      Master of Science - MSc
    • Study mode
      Full-time (Part-time route available)
    • Duration
      1 year
    • Start date
       September 2012
    • Fees
       £4650 (UK/EU)
Skip Navigation LinksPlymouth University > courses > postgraduate > MSc Environmental Consultancy

​Introduction to environmental consultancy

Masters students training as expert witnesses at mock public enquiry
The programme aims to provide up-to-date professional training in the latest techniques used in the management (Environmental Management Systems) and assessment of developmental-related environmental impacts (Environmental Impact Assessment).
The strengths of this programme lie in the expertise that Plymouth has in areas such as ecological impact assessment, species and habitat restoration, evaluation of contaminated environments, environmental law, geographical information systems, waste management and marine sciences.
 
The programme consists of a 12-week (autumn) and 7-week period of taught modules followed by an 8-week work placement (spring) and 18-week dissertation period (summer). The six autumn period modules provide training in research methods as well as subject-specific knowledge and practising consultants will give you an insight into opportunities within the environmental sector. There are two field weeks and you will be given lots of support to develop your field survey skills. In the spring period you will have the opportunity to carry out your own environmental impact assessment from data acquisition to public inquiry. In mini conferences, workshops and during site visits you will hear from businesses, consultants and planners about their approaches to environmental management to reduce development and operational impacts, before embarking upon your environmental work placement. The programme includes a sustainability dimension.
Mock Planning Inquiry: Refusal of Planning Permission for Tungsten Reprocessing at Devon Great Consuls, near Tavistock, West Devon. Starring MSc students from School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at Plymouth University.

​career prospects in wind turbinesenvironmental consultancy

Fifteen out of the twenty one students in 2010 secured work within the environmental sector, prior to their graduation, the majority as environmental consultants, many securing employment as a direct result of their work placement experience. The majority are employed as ecological, marine and contaminated land consultants as well as carbon, energy and waste management specialists.
 
So if you want to influence future environmental practice and developments and work within organisations to exert positive change then this could be a career for you; working alongside highly trained professional individuals who care passionately about the environment. You will need to be at the cutting edge of environmental innovations and standards. Your workload will be incredibly varied and highly demanding but you will receive some of the best training support that industry has to offer. You will probably need to travel and you will certainly need to be pragmatic.

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

The MSc (Hons) Environmental Consultancy programme builds on one of the most longstanding and most successful Environmental Science courses in Western Europe. The award has received considerable support and recognition from employers and professional bodies (e.g. Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM), Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA)); you will be advised on which Institutes would be suitable for your needs and you will also be working towards achieving chartered environmentalist status through your masters.
 
There is a field week investigating how environmental constraints have been managed in the South West. This is at the start of your programme and provides an excellent opportunity to get to know staff and your fellow postgraduates. As well as lots of opportunities for field work in the South West, the University is able to offer state-of-the-art analytical equipment for environmental monitoring and a boat for marine sampling. A key component of this programme is an eight-week placement, within the environmental sector completed during your second semester, which will allow you to make contacts and give you a taste of employment within the sector. Perhaps the most fulfilling part of your programme is your research project representing around four months' full-time research, during which you will be encouraged to develop a solution to a problem-based research question, working where possible in association with industry and your academic advisor.moorland scene
 
  • Support and recognition from employers and professional bodies
  • Field week investigating how environmental constraints have been managed in the South West
  • State-of-the-art analytical equipment for environmental monitoring and a research vessel 'Falcon Spirit' for marine sampling
  • 8-week placement in the environmental sector
  • Project that takes 4 months of full-time research

​PROGRAMME LEADER AND TEACHING TEAM

Dr Paul Lunt, the programme leader, has recently returned from industry following a period as a principal consultant. He maintains many links with employers, provides specialist training within the sector for the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) and has many years' experience of running postgraduate programmes. The majority of the teaching team are involved in applied environmental research, many with industrial experience and established links with professional bodies.
 
The largest contribution to the programme is made by staff from the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science (SoGEES), in particular the environmental science and chemistry subject groups, with contributions from the School of Marine Science and Engineering, School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences and the School of Law. There is also a substantial input from invited speakers and specialist guest lecturers from industry.
 
SoGEES has a longstanding reputation for excellence in teaching and research and you will be joining an exciting and established postgraduate community.
Dartmoor Peatlands Research TeamDartmoor Peatlands Research Team

​What our students say

"I never got chance to say thank you for all the help over the past year - the course was brilliant :) Thanks!
 
I had to share with you the news of my new position, mainly because it is the MSc that has propelled me forward in my career (already). I have just been offered the position of Commercial Projects Assistant here at Marine Ecological Surveys - can't quite believe it! They were really impressed with the environmental statement we produced during the course and the tender presentation, etc. The MSc has been invaluable to me and I can't thank you enough!"
 
Angela De Burgh Thomas BSc MSc
Marine Ecological Surveys Ltd

Elinor recently sent a card stating, “To all the lecturers on the MSc Environmental Consultancy. Thank you! Just wanted to send you my business card and thank you for a great year and a fabulous qualification. Thanks for all your help in achieving a distinction”.

Miss Elinor Bowes BSc (Hons) MSc (Graduated Dec 2011 with a Distinction)
Now employed as an Environment & Safety Project Engineer, Precision Disc Castings Ltd, Poole Dorset
Find out more about our graduate Sarah Strong, Marine Environmental Scientist, Royal Haskoning, Exeter.​