StudyLink logoHome
Students on a university campus

Geological and Environmental Hazards, MSc, University of Portsmouth

the United Kingdom

University of Portsmouth

Study options for this course

The award How you will study Study duration Course start Domestic course fees International course fees
MScFull-time, Part-time1 - 2 yearSeptember, JanuaryGBP 0 per yearGBP 0 per year

About Geological and Environmental Hazards, MSc - at University of Portsmouth

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.

When you graduate, you'll have the vocational skills you need to work in this specialist field – and the educational qualifications to progress to Chartered Geologist (CGeol) or Chartered Scientist (CSci) status.

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). Alternatively, you could proceed to a research degree in earth and environmental sciences.

Each of the modules that make up this course has been designed with employability in mind, for example, assessment exercises such as presentations and reports are modelled on those that take place in professional settings. 

Each year we organise a programme of guest speakers from industry to talk about their work, new developments in their field, careers paths and opportunities.

When you successfully complete this course – and after your first few years of professional work experience – you'll be able to use your Geological Society of London accredited Master's qualification in your application to become a Chartered Geologist (CGeol) or Chartered Scientist (CSci).

Graduates of this course have gone onto areas such as:

  • Environmental consultancy
  • Marine and offshore consultancy
  • Flood risk consultancy
  • GIS and remote sensing consultancy
  • Engineering geology companies
  • Re-insurance and insurance sectors

Graduates of this course have gone onto roles such as:

  • Civil engineer
  • Geo-environmental consultant
  • Geo technical 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

Notes about fees for this course

https://www.port.ac.uk/study/masters-and-postgraduate-taught/fees-and-funding

Entry 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.

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

Courses you may be interested in at other institutions

Below are some suggested courses at other providers that you may also be interested in:

Finance MSc

University of Vaasa

Find out more

Computing Science Master Degree

University of Groningen

Find out more

Software, Data and Technology BSc

Constructor University

Find out more

Postgraduate pathways and pre-masters at other institutions

If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course then consider one of these postgraduate preparation courses from another institution:

Psychology

University of Bolton

Find out more

Pre-Master's Certificate - Study Skills

Oxford Brookes University Pathways

Find out more

Law - GDL

Oxford Brookes University

Find out more
See all Postgraduate pathway courses

Other courses at University of Portsmouth

There are 492 other courses listed from University of Portsmouth. A selection of these are displayed below:

Accounting and Data Analytics MSc

University of Portsmouth

Find out more

Accounting and Finance MSc

University of Portsmouth

Find out more

Accounting with Finance BA (Hons)

University of Portsmouth

Find out more

Accounting, Economics and Finance PhD, MPhil

University of Portsmouth

Find out more
View all 492 courses at University of Portsmouth

Related Information

Find out more about studying in the United Kingdom