Environmental engineering, a discipline focused on preserving the environment and enhancing living standards, incorporates scientific and engineering techniques to address environmental issues like pollution, waste management, and climate change. This field aims to design and implement solutions that reduce the negative impact of human activities on the environment.
UK environmental engineering degrees, usually lasting three to four years, provide students with an all-encompassing understanding of environmental science and engineering concepts. This includes environmental chemistry, ecology, water and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, and environmental policy and management. Moreover, students gain practical exposure through lab work, field trips, and group projects. Certain UK universities also offer specialised environmental engineering degrees, like Environmental Science and Engineering, Environmental Health and Safety Engineering, and Sustainable Engineering.
Environmental engineering offers a variety of job profiles, each contributing significantly to protecting and enhancing our environment. Common environmental engineering jobs include environmental consultant, sustainability consultant, water quality engineer, waste management officer, soil scientist, and more. The average environmental engineer salary is typically between £18,000 and £28,000, with experienced engineers earning between £28,000 and £45,000.
10 Great UK Universities for Environmental Engineering
1. Imperial College London
Imperial College London’s environment engineering course curriculum addresses significant areas in environmental services, including water supply, wastewater treatment, sustainable resource management, and pollution control, with perspectives that span both developed and developing countries.
You will gain practical experience through lab-based training, where you'll learn to measure key parameters and detect pollutants in environmental media. Led primarily by full-time staff with significant contributions from esteemed visiting lecturers and industry professionals, you’ll balance theoretical knowledge and practical design considerations.
- Suggested course: MSc Environmental Engineering
- Entry requirements: Bachelor’s degree 2:1 in civil engineering, natural sciences, earth sciences or other numerate disciplines
- International fees: £38,600
2. University College London
UCL’s Environmental Systems Engineering MSc cultivates a deep understanding of both systems and environmental engineering. Environmental engineering is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on creating, implementing, and managing solutions to protect and restore the environment within a sustainable development framework. On the other hand, systems engineering deals with developing and managing large and complex systems.
- Suggested course: Environmental Systems Engineering MSc
- Entry requirements: An upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree in a cognate subject or related discipline.
- International fees: £35,000
3. University of Leeds
Leeds Environmental Engineering and Project Management MSc course offers an in-depth understanding of the fundamental aspects of environmental engineering, touching upon essential topics like water resources, solid waste, and emissions control. Alongside this technical knowledge, you'll gain professional project management skills, enabling you to devise economically viable and environmentally friendly solutions.
- Suggested course: Environmental Engineering and Project Management MSc (Eng)
- Entry requirements: Bachelor's degree with a 2:1 (hons) relevant engineering, natural science or science-based subject.
- International fees: £28,000.
4. University of Manchester
The University of Manchester’s environmental engineering postgraduate research degree provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and learn from top academics. Leveraging the university’s expertise in bioenergy and biomass, sustainable nuclear energy, low carbon transport, renewable energy socio-economics, and carbon capture and storage, the University of Manchester fosters practical solutions to some of the most urgent environmental challenges society faces today.
- Suggested course: MPhil Environmental Engineering
- Entry requirements: Second Class honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the MPhil.
- International fees: Band A £26,500; Band B £28,500; Band C £33,500; Band D £40,500; Band E £54,000
5. Newcastle University
Newcastle’s MSc Environmental Engineering course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to apply scientific and engineering principles to resolve environmental issues and contribute to environmental protection and public health. You'll gain practical knowledge on how to sample and analyse water and soils/sediments, provide clean water solutions, treat wastewater, manage solid waste, and remediate pollution from contemporary and historic industrial and agricultural activities. You'll also learn to control air pollution and design suitable environmental engineering interventions in countries across different income levels.
- Suggested course: MSc Environmental Engineering
- Entry requirements: A 2:2 honours degree, or an international equivalent, in subjects such as engineering, science, or physical geography.
- International fees: £27,600
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6. University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield’s MSc Environmental Engineering course is designed in response to this need, preparing the upcoming generation of engineers and scientists to address the challenges in this critical and often debated field. As part of this course, you will be guided by knowledgeable faculty members who are actively engaged in the field, lending practical insights to theoretical concepts. Joining the course means joining a leading, research-intensive department housed within one of the UK's largest and most successful engineering facilities.
- Suggested course: MSc Environmental and Energy Engineering
- Entry requirements: Minimum 2:2 undergraduate honours degree in a science, technology or engineering subject.
- International fees: £28,700
7. University of Aberdeen
Proudly ranked 12th in the UK and 1st in Scotland for General Engineering (CUG 2024), the Aberdeen Engineering (Civil and Environmental), BEng closely mirrors the BEng Civil Engineering course structure. Aberdeen’s honours degree in environmental engineering delves into diverse areas of environmental engineering. One primary area of focus is Surface Water, where students examine the sources of water pollution, understanding their implications on the water environment and public health. Additionally, the course explores aspects related to water quality and supply, along with methods for wastewater treatment.
- Suggested course: Engineering (Civil and Environmental), BEng
- Entry requirements: A Level BBB with good performance required in Mathematics, plus at least one from Physics, Design & Technology, Engineering or Chemistry, IB 32 points including Mathematics and Physics at HL (6 or above).
- International fees: £24,800
8. University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham environmental engineering course aims to equip environmentally conscious students for fulfilling careers in the rapidly evolving field of applied geoscience. The course is seamlessly integrated with the university’s current Earth Sciences curriculum, giving students a firm understanding of the Earth's makeup, history, and processes. Unique to this course are its engineering and environmental modules, which are supplemented with content from the School of Engineering and placement opportunities with external partners.
- Suggested course: BSc Environmental and Engineering Geoscience
- Entry requirements: A Level ABB with at least one science° A level subject, IB 32 points overall with 6,5,5 at Higher Level.
- International fees: £25,860
9. Cranfield University
The Environmental Engineering MSc at Cranfield University is designed for graduates from engineering, science, and geography, and it aims to augment your career trajectory and enable you to devise innovative solutions for environmental protection. CIWEM, CIWM, and IAgrE recognise this course and prepare you to address a broad spectrum of environmental engineering issues, truly making a difference to our planet.
- Suggested course: Environmental Engineering MSc
- Entry requirements: A first or second class UK honours degree in a relevant engineering or science-based discipline.
- International fees: £26,580
10. University of Nottingham
Choosing the Environmental Engineering BEng at the University of Nottingham opens up several exciting opportunities. Firstly, you'll be part of a degree that holds a top 10 ranking in The Guardian and Complete University Guide for Chemical and Environmental Engineering, and it is also accredited by respected institutions, IChemE and IOM3, enhancing its global recognition.
- Suggested course: Environmental Engineering BEng
- Entry requirements: A Level AAA, A in Maths and A in either chemistry or physics. GCSE English grade 4 C, IB 36 including Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches - 6 at Higher Level.
- International fees: £26,500
FAQ
What are the admission requirements for environmental engineering?
For an undergraduate environmental engineering degree, you would need high school transcripts showing strong performance in maths and science subjects. Some universities require standardised test scores like SATs for international students. For a master's, a bachelor's degree in a related field is typically required, along with GRE scores in some cases.
What is the highest salary for an environmental engineer?
According to Glassdoor, the average base pay of environmental engineers in the UK is £33,921 per year, whereas the highest salary can go up to £92,060.
Is it worth studying environmental engineering?
Yes, studying environmental engineering is worthwhile for several reasons. It's a field that allows you to apply scientific and engineering principles to address pressing global issues such as climate change, pollution, and waste management.
How many years are there in an environmental engineering degree?
An undergraduate degree in environmental engineering typically lasts for four years, while a master's degree takes an additional two years.
What are the career opportunities for an environmental engineer?
Career opportunities for environmental engineers are diverse and growing. They can work in both public and private sectors. Possible roles include Environmental Consultant, Waste Management Officer, Water Quality Scientist, and Sustainability Consultant. In the private sector, energy, manufacturing, and construction industries often hire environmental engineers.
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