Overview
We are proud to be ranked in the top 100 for Civil and Structural Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)
Our Hydrology and Water Management MSc will provide you with the opportunity to understand and address major contemporary global issues and challenges. Taught by leaders in their field and informed by the latest research, you’ll learn about hydrological processes and develop specialist technical skills in the context of:
- water management (including water security and flood protection)
- climate change and climate risks
- global development and urbanisation
The course will also contribute to your personal development by providing you with versatile, employable skills including:
- modelling and coding
- time and project management
- team-working
- writing for technical audiences
- presentation skills
You’ll also broaden your understanding of policy and practice, completing the set of tools you’ll need for a professional career in the water sector. Our past graduates are in demand by a range of organisations, including:
- regulatory bodies
- water companies/providers
- local government
- major multi-disciplinary international consultancies and specialist consultancies in the water sector
This course is for both practising professionals and graduates in subjects such as:
- engineering
- geography
- environmental sciences
- earth sciences
- mathematics
- physics
- geology
- computer sciences
Drawing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the course offers a global perspective on hydrology in the context of sustainability.
You will also benefit from our research facilities and equipment including our hydraulics laboratory which includes a state-of-the-art hydraulic flume. We also offer industry guest lectures, which ground the course in hydrological and engineering practice.
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Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
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.
What you’ll learn
The course provides an advanced knowledge and understanding of:
- key scientific and technical subject areas such as hydrology and hydraulics
- the theoretical basis for methods of analysis and modelling
- the regulatory and socio-economic aspects of water management
- specific examples of water management, drawing on examples from developing and industrialised countries
These provide the basis for development of skills and experience in areas including:
- programming for data management and modelling
- field-based hydrometric measurement
- application of tools and methods used in industry
Most of our students undertake the full set of standard compulsory water modules. You also choose one optional module. This provides a coherent integrated educational experience. You may also be able to select modules from other MSc courses (with the agreement of the Degree Programme Director).
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
How you’ll learn
Group work
The programme structure is designed to allow you to share learning experience through group work. Examples include:
- assessment of water issues and challenges based on major international examples (eg the Nile Basin)
- review and critique of a range of current industry-standard modelling software
These activities support your learning skills and experience through:
- working as part of a team
- hearing the findings of your student colleagues across the group teams
Teaching methods
You will be required to earn a total of 180 credits throughout the course. This includes 120 credits in semesters 1 and 2 with 60 credits as part of a dissertation project in the third semester. Specialist modules in Semester 2 include topics in flood risk modelling, computational hydraulics, and climate change.
You will be taught through a combination of:
- lectures
- tutorials
- practical classes
- innovative blended teaching approaches
- coursework
- site visits
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Computer assessment
- Design or creative project
- Dissertation
- Oral examination
- Oral presentation
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Additional assessment information
Dissertation
You’ll put your specialist skills, knowledge, and understanding into practice by undertaking a significant individual research project and written dissertation.
Your project might involve you working within one of the School’s world-class research groups. Alternatively, you might work elsewhere in collaboration with another academic or industrial partner where we have strong links.
Wherever you work, you’ll be supervised, throughout your project. This will be by an experienced scientist or engineer.
Your supervisor will provide advice on the approaches and methods that are best suited to your research problem. They will also support you with your collection/analysis of data, and will guide you in producing a well-written dissertation.
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
You’ll be taught primarily by internationally-renowned academic staff in the Water Group, together with:
- researchers and PhD students working on related cutting-edge research programmes
- staff from the School of Engineering
Dr Stephen Blenkinsop
Senior Lecturer in Climate and Climate Change Impacts
Degree Programme Director
Areas of expertise:
- historical climate observations
- climate variability and change
- climate change impacts
- climate change and health
- climate education
Reader in Environmental Sustainability
Areas of expertise:
- sustainable management of natural resources and infrastructure
- integrated land and water management
- environmental management: institutions, regulation and policy
- sociotechnical systems and transitions
- developing countries
- stakeholder involvement
Professor Richard Dawson
Professor of Earth System Engineering
Areas of expertise:
- engineering urban areas for sustainability
- climate impacts analysis
- adaptation (particularly of civil infrastructure) to a changing climate
- flood risk assessment
- modelling of coupled human/natural/engineering systems
- infrastructure management
Professor Hayley Fowler
Professor of Climate Change Impacts
Areas of expertise:
- analysis of the impacts of climate change and variability on hydrological and water resources systems,
- analysis of climate model outputs and the development of new downscaling techniques
Lecturer
Areas of expertise:
- water resources
- computational hydraulics
- numerical methods
- sediment transport
- sustainability
Vassilis Glenis
Lecturer in Hydroinformatics
Areas of expertise:
- hydrodynamic modelling
- numerical methods: finite volume shock-capturing schemes
- urban flood modelling and blue-green infrastructure
- transient mixed flows in closed conduits
Dr Tess O’Hara
Lecturer in Engineering Hydrogeology
Areas of expertise:
- groundwater
- disaster emergency response
- citizen science
Professor Claire Walsh
Lecturer in Water Engineering
Areas of expertise:
- flood risk assessment and management in urban areas
- green infrastructure
- climate impacts on water resources
- infrastructure business models
- urban agriculture
- hydromorphology
Anna Murgatroyd
Lecturer
Areas of expertise:
- water resources planning and management
- global food systems
- computational modelling
- multi-objective optimisation
- climate impacts analysis
Your development
Technical skills
You’ll be guided throughout the course by our teaching team. They’ll help you to develop your technical understanding and skills through a range of learning and teaching approaches. These include:
- lectures and seminars from leading academics, researchers, and experts from a range of industry organisations
- hands-on field and computer-based studies
These are supported by individual and group tutorials, and the individual research project.
Transferable skills
These are structured through the programme to help you gain confidence in key transferable skills including:
- critical evaluation and design
- individual time and project management
- working with colleagues
- writing for technical audiences
- presenting ideas orally with confidence
Intellectual and practical skills
On completion of the course, you will have developed intellectual and practical skills relevant to industry including:
- how to apply appropriate mathematical methods for modelling and analysing relevant problems
- using scientific principles to develop mathematical and environmental solutions to practical problems
- creating new products or methodologies by combining ideas from a wide range of sources
- planning, executing and reporting research projects
- using instrumentation, IT tools and hydroinformatic technologies, including coding
Field activity
You’ll be taken on a series of ‘hydrological walks’ in the Newcastle area and the North East. You’ll be able to see:
- hydrological processes
- field methods
- water management issues and practices
You’ll also be able to see how natural hydrological behaviour interacts with, and is modified by, built infrastructure, including:
- water distribution and sewer networks and treatment centres
- sustainable drainage systems
- catchment scale engineering (working with natural systems)
- reservoirs
- flood management features
In addition to seeing standard industry practise, many of these are based around our current research which is advancing the field. An example is the National Green Infrastructure Facility (NGIF), located on part of the campus in Newcastle city centre. Together with specific field activities such as river gauging, these walks build understanding that directly feeds into class-based modelling and assessment exercises.
Your future
Graduate destinations
Graduates from this MSc are in high demand from employers in the UK and internationally. Graduate destinations include:
- Environment Agency of England and Wales
- water companies
- local government
- major multi-disciplinary international consultancies and specialist consultancies in the water sector such as:
- Arup
- Mott MacDonald
- Atkins
- JBA
Our MSc also provides a route into further study at PhD level.
Networking opportunities
You’ll benefit from our multidisciplinary approach to teaching. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with fellow students from other engineering disciplines and courses.
You may also be working alongside industry professional delegates taking modules as Continuing Professional Development. This provides a rich and diverse learning experience and a network allowing you to enhance your employability.
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.
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
Professional accreditation and recognition
Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)
Joint Board of Moderators (JBM)
This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). To hold accredited qualifications for CEng registration, candidates must also hold a Bachelor (Hons) degree that has been accredited as partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.
*It should be noted that candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited Bachelor degree accredited for IEng only or a non-accredited bachelor degree will need to apply for an academic assessment to determine whether they will meet the educational base for CEng registration.
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
The School Engineering has an exceptional range of laboratories equipped with a wide range of analytical instrumentation. These support our research, teaching and contract research projects. These include:
- Our own experimental array of about 12 boreholes up to 150m in depth at Cockle Park
- Novak Hydraulics and Hydrology Laboratory
- National Green Infrastructure Facility
- Urban Observatory
- Numerous catchment-based field sites
- Computational facilities for high-performance computing
- Chemical and Biological Research Laboratories
- Geotechnics, Soils and Structures Research Laboratories
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A good 2:2 honours degree, or international equivalent, in subjects such as
- engineering
- geography
- environmental sciences
- earth sciences
- mathematics
- physics
- geology
- chemistry
- computer sciences
- geomatics
Applicants with different or non-standard qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, particularly if you have relevant industrial experience.
