Overview
Environmental engineering assesses and mitigates pollution for the benefit of human health and the environment. It brings together many disciplines. It requires an understanding of:
- biology
- chemistry
- physics
- engineering
- socio-economics
- legislation
We work towards the sustainable provision of clean air, land, and water. By pursuing research in the School of Engineering, you’ll join a successful research group. Our focus is on environmental civil engineering. Our mission is to foster, promote and conduct research of international quality. We attract high-quality graduates and researchers and train them to international standards.
This research programme is ideal if you are enthusiastic about environmental engineering research. Our main research themes in environmental engineering are:
- engineered biological systems
- manipulation of the fate of micro-pollutants
- pollutant sequestration
- bioremediation
- risk assessment
- sanitation and low-cost water supplies for developing countries
- waste stabilisation ponds
- constructed wetlands
- minewater treatment
- carbon neutral initiatives
- geothermal energy
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Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
MPhil, PhD
An MPhil is available in all subject areas. You receive research training and undertake original research leading to the completion of a 40,000 – 50,000 word thesis.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
A PhD is a doctorate or doctoral award. It involves original research that should make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject. To complete the PhD you will produce a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis. A PhD usually takes three years full time.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
How you’ll learn
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Thesis
- Viva
We offer a wide range of projects for the thesis. These will be provided by our academics. You can also propose your own topic.
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Find out more about our postgraduate research student support
The Environmental Engineering subject group page links to our specialist research areas. You’ll be able to:
- explore possible research programmes
- find out more about staff working in these research areas
- identify a potential research supervisor
Your development
Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) researcher development programme
Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:
- perform better as a researcher
- boost your career prospects
- broaden your impact
Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.
You’ll cover:
- techniques for effective research
- methods for better collaborative working
- essential professional standards and requirements
Your programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.
Doctoral training and partnerships
There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within a:
- Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
- Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)
Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits:
- they combine research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics.
- you’ll study alongside a cohort of other PhD students
- they’re often interdisciplinary
- your PhD may be funded
If there are currently opportunities available in your subject area you’ll find them when you search for funding in the fees and funding section on this course.
The following centres/partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area in the future:
- EPSRC Aura Centre for Doctoral Training in Offshore Wind Energy and the Environment
- IAPETUS2 Doctoral Training Partnership
- ONE Planet Doctoral Training Partnership
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Facilities
The School of Engineering has an exceptional range of laboratories equipped with a wide range of analytical instrumentation supporting our research, teaching and contract research projects.
Located on our Newcastle city centre campus, the Environmental Engineering group has activities across three buildings, in state-of-the-art chemical and biological research labs and with access to a wide range of analytical facilities. In addition, we have unique field research facilities, such as the BE:WISE municipal wastewater treatment pilot-scale research facility, The Urban Observatory, the National Green Infrastructure Research Facility, and access to research farms and unique industrial water pollution treatment facilities such as the Force Crag mine water treatment system.
We have extensive contacts in the UK and overseas. This enables research to be carried out in collaboration with industry and government agencies. Research projects are supervised by staff with a wide range of industrial and academic experience.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 Honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject. However, combinations of the following can be taken into consideration:
- undergraduate qualifications
- masters qualifications
- relevant work experience
Please contact us if you wish to discuss your individual circumstances.
