University of Portsmouth
Geological and Environmental Hazards MSc
University of Portsmouth

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Salary

Salary of all UK Graduates of

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £22481 £20177 £23660
25-75 percentile range £20119 - £25653 £15142 - £24804 £17699 - £30158

Course Description

Overview

If you're interested in becoming part of the global network of professionals who predict and prepare for geological and environmental hazards such as earthquakes or volcanic activity, this Geological and Environmental Hazards Master's course will give you the technical skills, training and fieldwork experience you'll need.

The course focuses on the physical processes that take place in the Earth that cause geological hazards. You'll be trained by experts in hazard identification, terrain evaluation, hazard modelling and risk assessment techniques. You'll learn how to manage – and mitigate – the impact of floods, earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes and coastal erosion.

You'll use our geotechnics and rock mechanics labs to analyse and charactorise geological materials. You'll use spatial analysis tools, simulation software and data analysis to assess the risks of natural hazards. And, you'll design and implement an advanced research project, and produce a detailed report.

A field trip to Sicily is an integral part of the Volcanology and Seismology module, where you'll record and report field data related to volcanic activity, seismology and earthquake geology in the Mediterranean region.

Earth systems and environmental sciences at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 4th of all post-1992 universities for research quality as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

The School of Environment, Geography and Geosciences offers a limited number of scholarships for international postgraduate students.

This course is accredited by The Geological Society of London.

Eligibility

This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.

Course highlights

  • Become skilled in the application of specialist techniques including numerical hazard modelling and simulation, catastrophe modelling, field reconnaissance and geomorphological mapping, geotechnical testing, spatial analysis and remote sensing
  • Learn about physical processes that affect and control natural hazards, including volcanology and earthquakes, flooding and hydrological hazards, coastal erosion, slope instability and landslides
  • Take part in research-based field trips, both locally and to Sicily where you’ll research volcanics and active tectonics
  • Complete your own independent research project with opportunities to work with industrial partners on a joint project. Previous partners have included SOCOTEC and Fugro

Careers and opportunities

Once you complete this MSc Geological and Environmental Hazards degree, you'll be able to apply your lab and field experience in small and medium-sized enterprises or in global businesses or non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Graduates of this course have gone onto roles such as:

  • Civil engineer
  • Geo-environmental consultant
  • Geotechnical enginner
  • Geographic Information Systems Analyst
  • GIS Geographical Information Systems Technician
  • Junior Catastrophe Risk Analyst
  • Project engineer
  • Technical integrator

Graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies such as:

  • Fugro
  • Radioactive Waste Management
  • Gateley

Career outcomes shown are sourced from the latest available graduate outcome surveys. The data shows career outcomes at 15 months after graduation.

Course structure

Full-time (1 year)

We recommend that full-time students allocate around 37 hours per week to their studies – equivalent to a full-time job. Approximately:

  • 12 hours (2 days) of on-campus, in-person teaching per week
  • 25 hours of self-directed study time per week

Part-time (2 years)

We recommend that part-time students allocate around 18 hours per week to their studies – equivalent to a part-time job. Approximately:

  • 6 hours (1 day) of on-campus, in-person teaching per week
  • 12 hours of self-directed study time per week

****You'll be assessed through:**** - coursework - poster and oral presentations - project and technical reports - literature reviews - lab reports - essays - online tests

Entry Requirements / Admissions

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic)

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Cambridge English Advanced

**Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015**

An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169

Cambridge English Proficiency

Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169.

TOEFL (iBT)

91.with a minimum of 20 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 20 in Writing.

PTE Academic

An overall score of 61 with a minimum of 54 in each skill.

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Geological and Environmental Hazards, MSc, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

A second-class honours degree or equivalent in Geology, Earth Science, Applied Geology, Civil Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science or a related discipline. Industrial experience will also be considered on an individual basis.

Costs

Tuition Fees Geological and Environmental Hazards MSc

EU £10400 year 1
England UK £10400 year 1
Northern Ireland £10400 year 1
Scotland £10400 year 1
Wales £10400 year 1
Channel Islands £10400 year 1
Ireland £10400 year 1
International £20200 year 1

Additional fee information

Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship

Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice.

Fees may also go up in later years, in line with inflation

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of University of Portsmouth in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of University of Portsmouth in related subject specific rankings.

Natural Sciences

    • #22 
    • #27 
    Geology
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #20 
    • #201 
    Geology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #23 
    • #431 
    Geology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #54 
    • #401 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 26 October, 2022]

See all 29 university rankings of University of Portsmouth

About University of Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth is located on the United Kingdom’s only island city, Portsmouth. This public university, which was previously known as Portsmouth Polytechnic, forms part of the University Alliance, an organisation whose aim is to promote growth and innovation in the UK by putting an emphasis on links with business and industry.

List of 234 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Portsmouth - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Portsmouth

undergraduates:
18085
postgraduates:
5005
Total:
23090
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Where is this programme taught

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