Environmental Protection and Management MSc

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Earth, Environmental and Ecological Sciences

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2026
Part-time
  • MSc | up to 3 years | Start date: multiple dates

Key facts

School

School of GeoSciences

College

College of Science and Engineering

Study location

King's Buildings campus

Accreditation

Available

Apply now

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About the degree programme

The MSc Environmental Protection and Management will give you an in-depth understanding of natural resource management based on a scientific understanding of the issues involved. It also offers you the opportunity to explore these same issues from the perspective of other disciplines, creating a multi-faceted understanding of issues related to natural resource management.

We will equip you with key skills and knowledge about the processes that give rise to environmental degradation and, crucially, possible strategies to effect sustainable change.

Our programme has been successfully delivered for over 25 years and continues to grow from strength to strength, with a continually growing worldwide alumni network.

Scotland's Rural College

This programme is delivered in collaboration with Scotland's Rural College (SRUC).

You will benefit from being a fully enrolled student at the University of Edinburgh and have access to all of the complementary staff, expertise, and resources at SRUC. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded your degree by the University of Edinburgh.

Visit the SRUC website

Video: Study an MSc in Environmental Protection and Management

Study an MSc in Environmental Protection and Management.

Study options

Part-time study

Two and three-year part-time study options are available for this programme. Part-time study requires daytime weekday attendance. Therefore, we recommend living within a commutable distance from Edinburgh.

We encourage you to contact us to discuss part-time study in more detail.

Programme benefits

  • You will be able to develop or enhance your scientific understanding of environmental issues, in parallel with learning about complementary and essential interdisciplinary approaches required for successful environmental management.
  • As a result of this interdisciplinary approach to environmental management, our programme attracts students from a variety of backgrounds, allowing you to benefit from a diverse set of insights and perspectives.
  • You can tailor the content of the degree through assessment, course choices and dissertation topic, to develop the skills and knowledge desired for different career paths, or bring in your own areas of interest.
  • This programme has a strong and well-developed global alumni network. Alumni contribute regularly to the programme, allowing you to tap into their expertise both during and after the programme.

I chose MSc Environmental Protection and Management with the aim of developing valuable knowledge and technical skills applicable across many environmental careers. Through opportunities to work with a range of encouraging academic staff, my interests in environmental monitoring and field-based research were heavily enhanced during the course. My dissertation served as a valuable platform for me to pursue a PhD. Overall, the experience provided me with a new wealth of skills, friends, connections and memories.

Charlie Willis MSc Environmental Protection and Management, graduated 2025
Charlie Willis, MSc Environmental Protection and Management, graduated 2025

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time
Part-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

If you receive an offer of admission you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place.

  • £1,500 (this contributes towards your tuition fees)

Find out more about tuition fee deposits

Costs

Additional programme costs

Field trips and field courses

Your programme fees will cover the costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence on compulsory field trips or field courses. However, you must pay for incidental or personal expenses. You may wish to budget approximately £100 to £150 for suitable outdoor clothing and footwear for compulsory field work.

Depending on the location of the fieldwork, you may need to pay for any visa costs. However, this cost will be reimbursed.

Dissertation costs

The School of GeoSciences operates a fund to support you with activity related to your dissertation project, such as specialist software licenses or travel expenses for site visits. 

On the rare occasion that costs exceed the funding amount, you may be required to cover additional costs. This is not common, and the University is typically able to provide any resources required to undertake your dissertation project.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

Funding opportunities

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) alumni discount

The SRUC alumni discount aims to encourage SRUC graduates to take up opportunities to study a taught masters (MSc). SRUC may provide a financial contribution towards tuition fees for eligible applicants for SRUC programmes delivered in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh.

SRUC will notify you if you are eligible to receive the discount on tuition fees during the application and admissions process. Please tell us if you are a SRUC graduate on your application, as this will help speed up the process. For further information, get in touch with the Programme Administrator.

Visit the SRUC website

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in biological science, environmental science, physical science, geography, engineering, economics or other relevant subject. 
 
We may also consider a UK 2:2 honours degree, or its international equivalent, with relevant industry experience.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 6 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

This MSc programme (total 180 credits) comprises:

  • compulsory and option courses (total 120 credits)
  • a dissertation (60 credits)

Compulsory courses

Our compulsory courses (80 credits) include courses such as:

  • Land Use/Environmental Interactions
  • Professional and Research Skills in Practice
  • Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Environment
  • Environmental Survey and Monitoring

These courses are designed to give you a scientific basis for understanding environmental issues and management, whilst also exploring these issues from different perspectives and through different disciplines.

These courses reinforce key general skills such as data collection and analysis, and communication skills through different mediums, helping to prepare you for the job market.

Dissertation

You will also complete an independent research project called a dissertation. This is your opportunity to explore, in-depth, a topic of your choice in relation to the programme. It can be designed to develop your skill set for your individual interests and career goals.

The dissertation is worth 60 credits and typically consists of producing a written paper of 10,000 to 15,000 words. You may also be required to write a project proposal or present on the findings from your dissertation.

Your dissertation can incorporate both desk-based and practical skills and methodologies used within the wide-ranging field of environmental protection. You can use the dissertation to demonstrate your work to potential employers.

Your project is mostly completed over a period of several months between April and August. However, the teaching team will work with you throughout the programme to help you prepare for the dissertation project.

Dissertations with external partners

Your bespoke project can be developed from your own idea and/or in collaboration with external organisations, or with current ongoing research conducted at SRUC and the University of Edinburgh.

You may have the opportunity to complete a dissertation in collaboration with an external organisation. We also work with our wide network to support you with finding opportunities for dissertation projects with external organisations, enhancing the real-world relevance of your degree.

This option is not guaranteed and may require an additional application or interview, depending on the popularity and competitiveness of the project offered by the external organisation.

Option courses

You can choose 40 credits of option courses from a wide variety available. 

This is an opportunity for you to tailor your taught experiences by either exploring new topics and disciplines, or delving deeper into areas based on your existing interest or relevance to your future career.

Although we try to provide a wide range of option courses to choose from, these can be subject to change or cancellation at short notice. Places on option courses can be limited due to course capacity and timetabling constraints. It may not be possible to guarantee every offer holder their top choice of option courses.

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time
Part-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Disclaimer

Fieldwork course review

The School of GeoSciences is undergoing a review of its fieldwork courses. This review focuses on improving the inclusivity and accessibility of fieldwork, whilst delivering sustainable and low-carbon experiences, and maintaining pedagogical excellence.

As a result, field course locations may vary year to year, but will always align with course learning outcomes.

Field trips

Our compulsory field trips or field courses are free, including travel, food and accommodation. 

You will have the opportunity to participate in a residential field trip as part of this programme at the end of Semester 2. This will enable you to put into practice the skills you have learned as well as develop new tools and techniques for your dissertation and future career.

Previous field trips

On recent trips based in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, our students learned a range of field and data collection and analysis techniques, covering topics such as:

  • water quality and biodiversity
  • UAV (drone) surveying and flood modelling
  • carbon footprinting of local agriculture
  • evaluating tourist and local community attitudes to sustainable tourism
  • soils, land use and biodiversity
  • air quality monitoring
Local field trips

We also typically offer trips as part of your compulsory courses to explore the surrounding environments. This includes day trips to get to know Edinburgh during your first weeks with us, and a residential dissertation retreat in the Highlands. You will also be encouraged to attend relevant local events, such as the Royal Highland Show.

Accessibility on field trips

We are committed to making our degree as accessible and inclusive as possible. In the event that you cannot attend a fieldwork trip, we will provide alternatives with comparable learning outcomes where necessary.

MSc Environmental Protection and Management field trip to the Atlas Mountains, Morocco.
MSc Environmental Protection and Management students during a field trip to the Atlas Mountains, Morocco.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will experience a range of learning styles, depending on the subject matter and courses you are taking.

Teaching for this programme will typically involve a mix of:

  • lectures
  • guest speakers
  • workshop-style activities
  • problem-based learning
  • hands-on fieldwork experience

Assessment

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, such as:

  • essays
  • reports
  • policy briefs
  • presentations (individual and group)
  • webpages
  • creative pieces (multimedia)

Learning outcomes

By studying the MSc Environmental Protection and Management, you will:

  • Develop a scientific understanding of some of the major processes which influence the quality of land, air and water resources.
  • Acquire knowledge of the most effective methods of environmental protection and the sustainable management of resources.
  • Develop interdisciplinary skills through learning how other disciplines integrate with a scientific approach and understanding.
  • Have the opportunity to study the integrated protection and management of particular ecosystems or resources.
  • Be exposed to cutting-edge technology and data analysis tools.
  • Develop high-level core skills, such as communication and writing skills, that will be vital in the future job market.

Support for your studies

Student Experience Team

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a Student Adviser within the School's Student Experience Team, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.

How we support you

Cohort activities

You will also have access to a range of cohort activities. These are a mix of social and academic support events. 

Social events are typically student-led. Previous programme cohorts have organised activities such as:

  • potluck dinners
  • film nights
  • local hill walks

Academic events often include workshops to support you with planning for your dissertation project. This programme also aims to run a dissertation retreat.

You may also be able to participate in student-led discussions and study groups.

Our academic staff

Courses are delivered by staff who are active researchers and/or practitioners in each field. Their expertise is supplemented by selected guest speakers, generally from our excellent network of industry and other research organisations, often including programme alumni.

Where you will study

Study location

This programme is primarily based at the King's Buildings campus. Depending on the courses you are studying, you may study at various campus locations in Edinburgh, such as the University's Central campus.

SRUC is also based at the King's Buildings campus.

Academic facilities

This programme is delivered in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). Therefore, you will have access to facilities across both institutions.

University of Edinburgh

You will have access to the University's facilities across all University campuses.

For example:

  • libraries
  • study spaces (some of which are open 24 hours)
  • laboratories
  • computing facilities
  • social spaces
  • leisure facilities

You will also have access to the Masters Hub, located in the ECCI building at the Central campus. 

Visit the ECCI website

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)

You will have access to SRUC’s student facilities. These include facilities at SRUC Edinburgh, which is located within the University of Edinburgh's King's Buildings campus.

SRUC Edinburgh campus

Accreditation

The MSc Environmental Protection and Management through Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), allowing students on this programme to become members.

The IES provides news about jobs and events, free journal access and free or reduced entry to IES events.

Upon completing our MSc programme, you can upgrade to become an Associate of the Institution for free.

Visit the Institution of Environmental Sciences website

Career opportunities

Our graduates have a strong record of finding employment in the environmental sector around the world, with the data knowledge and skillsets they gain from our programmes being in demand with employers. 

Common career paths include:

  • consultancy roles
  • working for NGOs
  • government departments/regulators
  • further studies

In this programme, you are exposed to industry speakers and visits, providing insight into possible future roles and career paths. 

Graduate destinations

This programme has a strong alumni network, demonstrating how graduates can develop their careers over time. 

Examples of the organisations in which our graduates have gained employment include:

  • Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)
  • Talisman Energy
  • Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
  • Vegware
  • Tearfund
  • Global Green Growth Institute
  • Water Witness International
  • IUCN
  • Veolia UK

Examples of roles our graduates have gone on to include:

  • Environmental Protection Officer
  • Lecturer
  • Policy Officer
  • Planning Consultant
  • Scientific Publisher
  • Catchment Management Officer
  • Ecological/Environmental Consultant

Professional links

Professional networks

Throughout this MSc, you will engage with a range of environmental professionals and practitioners through:

  • guest speakers on courses
  • field visits
  • dissertations with external partners
  • careers events and discussions

Alongside your own class and our alumni network, meeting people is not only an opportunity to learn from them, but also to develop your professional network.

SAC Consulting

SRUC works closely with colleagues in our consulting division, SAC Consulting. In recent years, several graduates of this programme have obtained consultancy roles. 

Visit SAC Consulting

Alumni network

We have strong links with our programme alumni, and they are strongly integrated with the student experience.

Our alumni are often involved in:

  • being formal guest speakers on taught courses
  • participating in careers sessions
  • joining informal social networking events
  • meeting with new students in Welcome Week

By integrating our alumni throughout the programme, this helps you to build your professional networks from the beginning and establish relevant contacts.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Graduates from this programme have gone on to pursue PhDs in subjects such as:

  • stakeholder engagement in water resource management
  • carbon sequestration by agriculture
  • air pollution modelling
  • human-wildlife conflicts
  • use of UAVs (drones) in environmental monitoring
  • Arctic Ocean circulation systems

Graduate profiles

Laura Young

Laura poses for a photo with trees in the background

Degree: MSc Environmental Protection and Management

Year of graduation: 2019

Current work: PhD student

It was one of the best academic years I have completed. I was immersed in such a wide range of environmental issues. I took my dissertation as an opportunity to do an internship with Scottish Power Energy Networks. I now work for an international development NGO. In addition, I run the environmental platform "Less Waste Laura" on social media as an ethical influencer. There is so much opportunity at Edinburgh, make sure to not let it skip you by!

Laura's profile

Video: Our student Malina, on studying the MSc

Our student Malina (graduated 2022) on studying an MSc in Environmental Protection and Management.

Hear from our alumni about their experiences during, and after, postgraduate study

School of GeoSciences postgraduate alumni profiles

Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:

  • tailored advice
  • individual guidance and personal assistance
  • internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
  • access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.

Careers Service

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

You should avoid applying to more than one degree within the School of GeoSciences. Applicants who can demonstrate their understanding and commitment to a specific programme are preferred.

If you plan to apply to more than one programme within the School, you should discuss your choices with us before you submit your application.

Where possible, we may make an alternative programme offer if you have been unsuccessful in your chosen programme.

School of GeoSciences deadlines

When to apply

Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines.

We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications may close earlier than the published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

We may make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis. However, the majority of applications will be held until the advertised deadline.

We aim to make the majority of decisions within eight weeks of the selection deadline.

If we have not made you an offer by a specific selection deadline this means one of two things:

  • your application has been unsuccessful, in which case we will contact you to let you know
  • your application is still being considered, it will be carried forward for consideration in the next selection deadline, and we will be in touch once a decision is made

The final deadline may be extended if any places remain on the programme.

If the final deadline is extended, we encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

Selection deadlines

RoundApplication deadlineDecisions made or applications rolled to the next deadline
115 December1 March
231 March31 May
331 May31 July

When to submit your supporting documents

You must submit all supporting documents by the application deadline, or we will be unable to consider your application. Regardless of when you apply, you have 28 days from submitting your application to supply any supporting documents through the Application Hub, after which we will automatically reject your application.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

For this programme, you will need to submit a CV/Resume with your application.

Find out more about applications and CVs for further study

References

You must submit one reference with your application.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

What our students say

No one knows what it is like to study here better than the students themselves. Our students are sharing their experiences - from studying to living in Edinburgh and everything in between.

Get social with us:

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Admissions

Lines open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.

College of Science and Engineering Admissions Enquiries
Phone:+44 (0)131 650 5737

Academic contact

For programme-specific enquiries, please get in touch with the Programme Director.

Professor Alistair Hamilton

Programme Director

Contact details

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