Course summary

Why study an MSc in Advanced Water Management? A pathway to a successful and rewarding career in the water sector; shaping a more resilient and sustainable future for all. Managing water is one of society’s greatest challenges. What was once an abundant natural resource now requires careful management to ensure its availability and quality for future generations. The Advanced Water Management MSc builds on our 30-year legacy in Environmental Water Management. It covers the urgent water issues which confront our communities and the ways to deliver innovative solutions which increase water security, water for health, sustainability, and resilience. The MSc is delivered by our world-leading experts and developed in partnership with a wide range of organisations from the water sector. Our graduates have the skills and expertise to solve global water challenges and contribute to the advance of Sustainable Development Goals (e.g., SDG6, SDG11, SDG13 and SDG15) through a variety of career paths. Who is it for? The course is ideal for graduates wishing to develop the expertise needed to solve water management problems. It is designed to complement and expand your existing knowledge of science, policy and practice, making it suitable for students from a range of backgrounds. Recent students have joined us from undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in engineering (civil, hydraulic, agricultural), physical geography, chemistry and environmental sciences, as well as from professional careers. Our strong industry links make the course particularly suited for those looking to work in the water industry, government or environmental and engineering consultancy, and a wide range of roles including water quality, water resources, aquatic habitat and wildlife, flood defence and policy. The option to undertake the course on a part-time basis allows you to extend your professional development within your current employment. We will design an individual study plan for you, taking into account your workload and working commitments. Why this course? At the UK’s only exclusively postgraduate university, you will benefit from the unique experience of working with researchers whose primary purpose is to support the needs of their sector. All components of the Advanced Water Management MSc are designed with the same end goal in mind: to produce the best graduates for jobs in water resources, hydrology, water quality, habitat conservation and creation, and flood risk management. To achieve this, you will first reinforce your knowledge of topics and methods in four core areas (hydrology and modelling, water quality and ecology, drought and flood risk management, and water management at urban and catchment scales). You will then integrate this learning and apply it to a real-world problem in the group project. Over a 9-week period, you will work in a team of 5-7 students from a range of Cranfield MSc courses on a consultancy project, handling all stages of project design and delivery from initial meetings to scope out the work to the final report and presentation. Topics vary yearly as they respond to the needs of our industrial partners, but typically relate to water resources and quality, aquatic ecology, and flood risk management. Finally, you will delve into a single topic for your individual thesis project, strengthening your skills in project design and management; data collection, analysis, and interpretation; and report writing, all of which are essential for your future career.