Become part of the next generation of sustainable hydrogeologists who will oversee and manage the global water crisis in the coming decades.
Groundwater resources are under threat around the globe from:
- over-exploitation
- anthropogenic contamination
- climate change
- land-use change
These threats put human and ecosystem health at risk by increasing the likelihood of water scarcity, water conflict, and water-related diseases.
Our MSc Applied Environmental Hydrogeology will develop your skills to tackle these challenges and sustainably manage groundwater resources to protect human and ecosystem health. You will learn to become a critical, innovative thinker in the field of hydrogeology with a focus on sustainable environmental practices.
What is hydrogeology?
Hydrogeology focuses on subsurface flow processes with an emphasis on protecting water resources. Groundwater resources supply a majority of the world's population with a portion of their daily water needs and approximately 40% of the world's crop irrigation. However, it is widely acknowledged that these resources are over-exploited and threatened with anthropogenic contamination.
Our inability to sustainably manage essential groundwater resources is already contributing to global crises such as:
- water conflicts in the Middle-East
- water-related disease outbreaks
- ongoing flood events across the UK
Also, legacy contamination issues threaten the safety of dwindling groundwater supplies, such as:
- nuclear waste
- coal mine drainage and changes to regional hydrogeology
- nutrient runoff due to anthropogenic farm practices
- heavy industry along with emerging contaminants
Highly skilled and numerate hydrogeologists are needed to manage these issues to ensure continued access to safe groundwater for domestic, industrial and agricultural use.
As a hydrogeologist, you get to explore topics such as:
- water resources management
- energy storage
- geofluid interaction
- waste storage
- energy resource exploitation
- remediating brownfield and legacy mining sites
- wider groundwater issues such as legislation, economics, climate change, land use and sustainability
A more sustainable future
Our social responsibility and sustainability values are embedded within each course, as we seek to ensure vital groundwater resources are sustainably managed and not over-exploited. We will teach you to recognise and address ethical dilemmas, social responsibility and sustainability issues and apply these to your own values to situations and choices.
Is the MSc for me?
The School of GeoSciences is a world-leading research centre in environmental geosciences and has specifically designed this exceptional MSc programme in Applied Environmental Hydrogeology.
The MSc has been designed in collaboration with industry and professional bodies. Their input will ensure you can develop sought-after skills in this industry, including significant employer demand for hydrogeologists with quantitative skillsets.
This MSc is ideal for those:
- ready to take the next step in their education
- upskill their knowledge, or
- switch careers to a more environmentally responsible role focused on sustainable management of environmental resources
What is it really like to study with us?
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:
When to apply
We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.
For dates and details, please refer to 'Application Deadlines' and 'How to apply' on the right panel of this page.
You should also avoid applying to more than one degree. Applicants who can demonstrate their understanding and commitment to a specific programme are preferred.
If you plan to apply to more than one programme, 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.