We live in increasingly complex cities and communities where we consume ever larger amounts of water and environmental resources. Our changing climate is testing the resilience of the infrastructure and systems that we have built. At the same time, the availability of environmental data, knowledge and skills has never been greater. We need to harness the potential of data science and AI to understand and manage the way we live in a rapidly changing world with limited resources.
If you want to pursue a career that uses data to tackle water and environmental challenges, both locally and globally, this MSc will equip you with the fundamental scientific and data analysis skills to do so.
You will develop a solid, discipline-specific background in water and environmental science, with an emphasis on hydrology theory combined with practical skills in AI and modelling.
Core units provide skills and knowledge to help you understand the basic principles of water and environmental data science. These include the fundamental processes that govern the water cycle through the climate and hydrological systems, the measurement and analysis of environmental data, modelling, machine learning and AI applications, alongside the interdisciplinary skills required to work in this field.
Optional units extend your fundamental understanding by teaching you relevant skills for working with big data and cloud computing, or practical field-work assessment methods. You'll also see how these contribute to real-world decision making. In addition, students taking the optional, large-scale data engineering unit will have the opportunity to gain AWS Cloud Practitioner certification.
During these units you will develop significant academic skills to prepare you for your final independent research project. Your dissertation will be supervised by one of our expert tutors, covering a wide range of topics and applications.
Visit our Water and Environmental Research group webpage to learn more about our research.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc Water and Environmental Data Science.
You will typically need a strong second-class honours degree (55% or higher) or an international equivalent in an Engineering, Science, Computing, Maths, Geography, Environmental Management or Studies, Agriculture, Resource Conservation, Public Health, Finance, Investment, or Economics subject.
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional qualifications. If you have the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing:
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels .
Apply via our online application system. For further information, please see the guidance for how to apply on our webpages.
Overseas applicants: 12 August 2027. Home applicants: 9 September 2027.
Please note that due to high demand, some programmes may close earlier than advertised. Early applications are advised to avoid disappointment. Places are limited and allocated on a continuous basis from September 2026 until all places are filled.