Newcastle University Postgraduate programs
Hydrology and Water Management MScNewcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
DURATION
12 months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 30,050 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* no application closing date for this course
** international students | GBP 13,900 - home students full-time
Key Summary
Introduction
Our Hydrology and Water Management MSc will provide you with the opportunity to understand and address major contemporary global issues and challenges. Taught by leaders in their field and informed by the latest research, you'll learn about hydrological processes and develop specialist technical skills in the context of:
- water management (including water security and flood protection)
- climate change and climate risks
- global development and urbanisation
The course will also contribute to your personal development by providing you with versatile, employable skills including:
- modelling and coding
- time and project management
- team-working
- writing for technical audiences
- presentation skills
You'll also broaden your understanding of policy and practice, completing the set of tools you’ll need for a professional career in the water sector. Our past graduates are in demand by a range of organisations, including:
- regulatory bodies
- water companies/providers
- local government
- major multi-disciplinary international consultancies and specialist consultancies in the water sector
This course is for both practising professionals and graduates in subjects such as:
- engineering
- geography
- environmental sciences
- earth sciences
- mathematics
- physics
- geology
- computer sciences
Drawing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the course offers a global perspective on hydrology in the context of sustainability.
You will also benefit from our research facilities and equipment including our hydraulics laboratory which includes a state-of-the-art hydraulic flume. We also offer industry guest lectures, which ground the course in hydrological and engineering practice.
Professional accreditation and recognition
Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)
Joint Board of Moderators (JBM)
The course is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising ICE, IStructE, CIHT and IHIE), as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for students with an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng Honours degree or Accredited IEng (Full) BEng/BSc Honours.
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Rankings
- We are proud to be ranked in the top 100 for Civil and Structural Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University - QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
Curriculum
What you'll learn
The course provides an advanced knowledge and understanding of:
- key scientific and technical subject areas such as hydrology and hydraulics
- the theoretical basis for methods of analysis and modelling
- the regulatory and socio-economic aspects of water management
- specific examples of water management, drawing on examples from developing and industrialised countries
These provide the basis for development of skills and experience in areas including:
- programming for data management and modelling
- field-based hydrometric measurement
- application of tools and methods used in industry
Most of our students undertake the full set of standard compulsory water modules. You also choose one optional module. This provides a coherent integrated educational experience. You may also be able to select modules from other MSc courses (with the agreement of the Degree Programme Director).
Compulsory Modules
- Quantitative Methods for Engineering
- Integrated River Basin Management
- Climate Change: Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation
- Modelling and Forecasting of Floods
- Water Management: Issues and Challenges
- Hydrosystems Processes and Data Analysis
- Hydrosystems Modelling and Management
- Fundamentals of Conceptual and Numerical Groundwater Modelling
- MSc Project and Dissertation in Water Resources
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Optional Modules
- Environmental Engineering in Low and Middle Income Countries
- Computational Hydraulics
Career Opportunities
Graduates with this MSc are in high demand from employers in the UK and internationally. Graduate destinations include:
- Environment Agency of England and Wales
- water companies
- local government
major multi-disciplinary international consultancies and specialist consultancies in the water sector such as:
- Arup
- Mott MacDonald
- Atkins
- JBA
Our MSc also provides a route into further study at PhD level.
Networking opportunities
You'll benefit from our multidisciplinary approach to teaching. You'll have the opportunity to engage with fellow students from other engineering disciplines and courses. This includes international students from around the world on our ERASMUS Euroaquae MSc.
You'll be working alongside industry professional delegates taking modules as Continuing Professional Development. This provides a rich and diverse learning experience and a network allowing you to enhance your employability.