Full time: 12 months (Sept start), 17 months (Jan start)
Location: Headington, Distance learning
School(s): School of the Built Environment
Overview
All sorts of industries such as offshore wind, mineral extraction and construction depend on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). Although, many are struggling to find people with the right technical knowledge.
The master’s at Oxford Brookes is a gateway to many potential careers consulting, project managing, developing regulations, or championing sustainability.
Your future is a top priority for us. We designed the course alongside industry partners to make sure you’re equipped with the skills they’re looking for. You’ll work on projects and submit reports. You’ll collaborate with students on other courses to get a feel for how their disciplines work. And you’ll have opportunities to network, and develop your confidence in reaching out to employers.
You also have the option to join us part-time through distance learning. You can study alongside work or other commitments, joining our live-streamed classes or catching up on the recordings.
Why Oxford Brookes University?
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Beyond theory
As the course is delivered by the School of the Built Environment, there’s a very practical focus. We always emphasise how an idea applies in real life, whether that’s a construction project or natural resource extraction.
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Think big
We won’t just teach you to do assessments, we’ll show you ways of communicating impact and helping organisations transform the way they work.
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Experience it
Visit real sites like gravel quarries or incinerators to explore assessing impact on a live project and hear first-hand from practitioners working in the field.
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Learn from our experience
Our teaching staff are actively consulting and researching and will use their specialist knowledge to inform your classes.
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Proven track record
We’ve been teaching the subject since 1988, leading the field and even writing the standard textbooks.
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Accreditation(s)
Accredited by Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) as a Specialist Programme. Full RTPI accreditation when combined with PGDip in Spatial Planning or RTPI partially accredited UG course: BA Urban Design, Development & Planning; BSc Property Development & Planning. Accredited by Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for Environmental Surveyor pathway to chartered membership. Accredited by IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) and an Approved University Partner.
Course details
Course structure
To gain the full MSc, you’ll complete 4 core modules, the Research Methods module, and a dissertation. You can choose to finish with a PGCert or PGDip instead or take individual modules for professional development.
We designed the course by consulting with our industry partners to make sure the content is relevant to your future career. You’ll understand challenges in the industry, get to know best practice, and hear the latest developments directly from our researchers.
The content applies to EIA all over the world. Our students are from a diverse range of backgrounds and have diverse perspectives. It’s a rewarding environment to study in. You’ll come away with inspiring ideas to apply in your own career.
If you’re joining us through distance learning, we’ve made the course as flexible as possible. You can join face-to-face sessions and meet the students on campus. You can join live lectures and seminars through video call. Or you can catch up on the recordings if you have previous commitments. You’ll study 1 module each semester, with classes taking place 1 day each week.
Start this course in January or September
You have the option to start this course in January. You will study a range of modules between January and May. Between September and December you will complete your final modules and focus on your dissertation between January and May of the following year.
Study modules
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Research
The School of the Built Environment has an impressive list of funders and clients covering UK and EU government, research funding councils and industry.
- the European Commission
- UK Government/Agencies
- local government
- the commercial sector.
Research areas and clusters
Infrastructure and energy continue to be a key focus as they are the essential components of a rapidly urbanising world.
Research groups:
- Smart Construction and Impact Assessment (SC&IA)
- Land Design and Development (LDD)
- Planning, Policy and Governance (PPG)
We have links with universities worldwide so there are exciting opportunities for collaborative research, exchanges and study overseas.
Careers
Whether you’re looking to move into a new career or you’re using the course as CPD to gain new knowledge, you’ll develop plenty of practical, career-enhancing skills at Oxford Brookes. Previous students are working in companies like WSP, Ramboll, AECOM, ERM, RPS Group, and Savills.
Your new EIA talents will be useful in a range of areas such as:
- environmental and management consultancy,
- local government,
- regulatory agencies,
- statutory consultees,
- environmental NGOs,
- major development companies,
- engineering firms.
Or you might use the course as a stepping stone to a strategic or executive-level role where a strong technical background would be a huge benefit. For example, recent graduates have gone into management roles.
As the course is accredited by Royal Town Planning Institute and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, you could also work towards a specialist career like environmental surveyor.
Our Staff
Dr Bridget Durning
Dr Bridget Durning is an academic, sustainability and impact assessment specialist.
Read more about BridgetDr Graham Wood
Graham's teaching interests include environmental assessment and management; GIS and information technology in environmental planning and management; environmental decision-making; and research methods.
Read more about GrahamEntry requirements
Specific entry requirements
This course is open to applicants who hold a 2.2 undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent) in any subject.
We will actively consider applications from candidates with lower degrees, who can evidence relevant experience (or an alternative qualification) that demonstrates ability to study at postgraduate level.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English you will require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all components.
OR
An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University.
Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Terms and conditions of enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
International qualifications and equivalences
How to apply
Application process
We advise applying in advance to secure places, and allow sufficient time for applications to be reviewed.
There is no formal application deadline (recruitment closes when teaching capacity is reached).
Applicants should also factor any time needed to meet offer conditions, arrange accommodation, and obtain a UK Student visa (if applicable).
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.
Optional costs
| Additional costs | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
| Intensive study periods for open-learners: accommodation fees | From £100 per night |
UK field trip |
Typically £150-400 |
It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online. |
From £30 |
| You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand. | £20-60 per book |
Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills) |
£94-265 per week |
Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs) |
£122-180 per week |
Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41. |
Typically £0-200 |
Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. BrookesBus travel is subsidised for full-time undergraduate students that are on a course with a fee of £9,250 or more, or living in an Oxford Brookes hall of residence. There is an administration fee for the production of a BrookesKey. |
From £10 |
Funding your studies
Financial support and scholarships
Featured funding opportunities available for this course.
All financial support and scholarships
Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been
published on the website. For more information, please visit our
changes to programmes page.