A researcher holds a jar with samples for soil analysis

Environmental Data Science MSc, PGDip

1-2 years, full- or part-time

How do the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere interact? This course will develop your skills in data manipulation and interpretation in order to understand and model natural systems and help solve the world’s pressing environmental issues. You will gain the ability to find patterns and trends in datasets to uncover new insights. As a trained data scientist, many careers are open to you.

Environmental Data Science MSc, PGDip, 1-2 years, full- or part-time

Start date:

UK fee £10,950

International fee £23,650

Taught by School of Geography, Geology and the Environment

School of Geography, Geology and the Environment

Course description
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Careers and employability
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Course description

Whether working in the earth sciences, ecology, hydrology, oceanography, meteorology, climate science or environmental chemistry, Environmental Scientists increasingly need strong data manipulation, analysis, modelling and visualisation skills.

The interdisciplinary MSc in Environmental Data Science equips students with these skills, which enable improved understanding of environmental processes and inform societal action and sustainable decision-making. The uptake, use, and commercialisation of environmental data has created a demand for expertise in Data Science and you will be trained in a broad range of fundamental data science techniques. These skills could lead to careers focus on applications of environmental data analyses as well as a wide range of other data science opportunities. They address the shortage of qualified data scientists in the UK and abroad and will place you in a strong position for a data science career.

NB. The PGDip in Environmental Data Studies has the same modules as the MSc in Environmental Data Science, but does not include a dissertation.

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Careers and employability

Related courses

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Fees and funding

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Course structure

Core modules
Option modules
'With Industry' option

Core modules

Plus your Dissertation

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Option modules

'With Industry' option

The 'With Industry' variant of this degree gives you the opportunity to take an Industrial Placement as part of your Masters. This is a work placement with an employer where you develop your skills in a 'real world' setting.

Placements last between 3 and 12 months and are normally paid, full-time posts with a formal contract between you and the placement provider. They usually commence at the end of the taught component of the course (from July) but before your dissertation which is completed at the end of the placement.

Whilst we cannot guarantee a placement, you will be fully supported in your search for a placement opportunity. The University’s Careers and Employability Service publicises placement opportunities, and provides advice on job hunting strategies and on recruitment and selection processes including writing CVs and covering letters, completing application forms, and preparing for interviews and assessment centres. A dedicated School Placements Officer will offer guidance and support during your placement and encourage you to reflect on the work-based skills, learning and achievements you have gained as you prepare for graduation.

By studying a ‘With Industry’ degree you will:

Gain an understanding of working in a work-based setting (industrial/commercial/non-commercial)
Experience real-world scenarios in a company
Develop hands-on experience of project management and working to deadlines
Improve your employment opportunities through gaining essential transferable skills and experience
Gain a clearer understanding of the career you wish to pursue.

Recent placements include:

Data Analyst/Application Developer with Odeva, Leicester Start-up, grocery delivery market
Earth Observation Analyst for OilX Ltd, Oil Industry Market Analyst
Machine Learning Research Engineer for Open Climate Fix, Business Energy Consultancy
Environmental Data Analyst for CSX Carbon, a Biodiversty Net Gain (BNG) and Carbon Offsetting Broker
GIS Analyst for PyroGenesys Ltd, bio-energy technology start-up providing access to renewable energy across Sub-Saharan Africa

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Why Leicester?

Data Science MSc courses in the School of Geography, Geology and the Environment

Accessible to students without a strong computing or mathematical background.

Transferable data science skills are explicitly taught and developed within strong disciplinary and vocational contexts.

Taught by staff who have international reputations as researchers and consultants to businesses and government agencies, who are actively engaged in tackling a wide range of globally important environmental problems and who contribute to policy debates of national and international significance.

Students taking the ‘with industry’ version of the degree can seek placements with a range of commercial organisations associated with environmental and data science sectors of the economy.

Teaching and learning

The programme is taught using a range of methods including lectures, seminars, practical classes and workshops, tutorials, project supervision and fieldwork. The programme includes a blend of assessment including traditional (essays and examinations) and authentic (e.g. problem based tasks based on real-world scenarios/data sets) assessment types. Much more emphasis is placed on coursework rather than end of module examination since this allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding in real-world contexts using a wide range of transferable skills (e.g. in the form of oral presentations and different styles of writing including policy briefs and scientific and technical reports). The precise balance of teaching and assessment methods depends on the modules chosen.

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Course	Qualification	Duration	Start Dates	Availability
Course Environmental Data Science	Qualification MSc	Duration 1 year, full-time	Start Dates September each year	Availability Apply Now
Course Environmental Data Science	Qualification MSc	Duration 2 years, part-time	Start Dates September each year	Availability Apply Now
Course Environmental Data Science with Industry	Qualification MSc	Duration 2 years, full-time	Start Dates September each year	Availability Apply Now
Course Environmental Data Studies	Qualification PGDip	Duration 1 year, full-time	Start Dates September each year	Availability Apply Now
Course Environmental Data Studies	Qualification PGDip	Duration 2 years, part-time	Start Dates September each year	Availability Apply Now

Environmental Data Science MSc, PGDip

1-2 years, full- or part-time