Environmental Data Science and Analytics MSc

Course overview

As global discussions are increasingly focused on the environment and sustainability, the need to understand and interpret both built and natural environmental data is more crucial than ever. Governments, organisations, and industries across the world are seeking individuals who can leverage data to make informed, sustainable decisions.

Our Environmental Data Science and Analytics MSc is designed to give you a fuller understanding of data and what appropriate interpretation and insight generation means in various environmental contexts. Throughout, you'll develop a broad understanding of environmental issues and how data driven analysis can help address these.

You’ll build the skills needed to analyse, understand, interpret and visualise complex environmental data; generating insights that address real-world environmental challenges. You’ll apply techniques from data science including environmental modelling, machine learning, visualisation and data curation to environmental data, with a focus on analysis through programming.

Here at Leeds, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from leading researchers in the field, with input from the School of Geography, the School of Earth and Environment, and the School of Computer Science.

By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped with the specialist knowledge and skills that are sought after across multiple industries, especially those dealing with large scale environmental data to address the needs of society.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a relevant subject. Those with a background in geography, environmental science, natural sciences, or related discipline, who can also demonstrate good quantitative and/or computing skills are particularly encouraged to apply. Alternatively, those with a background in engineering, computer science, or related discipline, with demonstratable academic, volunteer, or work-based experience are also encouraged to apply.

Applicants should also possess a keen interest in harnessing data science to understand the natural environment and address environmental issues.

Applicants with any of the following will be considered on a case-by-case basis:

• Several years of professional experience in a relevant field where applicants do not meet the above requirement. In this case, please contact the Admissions Team to discuss your suitability for the programme.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

Career opportunities

The specific environmental context of the course allows you to enter specialised careers that require a contextual understanding of data and context from the environmental domain, including environmental consultancies, transport, engineering, utilities (e.g. water, energy, renewables) and government agencies.

More widely, the course will equip you with data science and analytical skills that are vital to many industries across the globe. Growth in the data science field is only increasing, with the number of opportunities growing year on year, from positions in local authorities and governments, industry (e.g. finance, telecoms), NGOs; wherever there is a need for data scientist or data analyst.

Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research, meaning our graduates are highly sought after by some of the most reputable companies in the field.