MSc route

The usual route into a career in hydrogeology is to obtain an MSc or PhD qualification in Hydrogeology. These courses provide a firm foundation in hydrogeological knowledge, and are now a pre-requisite for most employment in Hydrogeology.

Dedicated Hydrogeology MSc courses

Helen Bonsor, BGS © NERC 2012.

There are currently two mainstream hydrogeology MSc courses available in the UK:

• Hydrogeology MSc - University of Birmingham
• Environmental Hydrogeology MSc - Cardiff University

A third MSc Hydrogeology course is due to start at Strathclyde University, Glasgow in 2012/13.

More specialist hydrogeology courses available within the UK are:

• Contaminant Hydrogeology MSc - University of Sheffield - Initiated in 2005, this course offers both full and part-time study and is aligned with the other mainstream UK hydrogeology postgraduate courses in providing integrated training in contaminant hydrogeology;
• Applied Hydrogeology MSc - University of Newcastle upon Tyne - This course offers a flexible learning option, in addition to full and part-time courses, for an MSc in applied hydrogeology;

Other MSc courses

There are many other MSc courses in the UK which include some groundwater training. Most are environmental science courses which contain only one or two modules of groundwater science. However, there are a few, which are listed below, that provide significantly more groundwater teaching, and can provide a good background in hydrogeology.

• Environmental Engineering MSc and MRes - University of Strathclyde
• Environmental Management of Urban Land and Water MSc - University of Sheffield
• Environmental Sciences MSc - University of East Anglia
• Environmental Engineering MSc - Queens University, Belfast
• Hydrology for Environmental Management MSc - Imperial College, London
• Geoscience MSc - University College, London

This list is by no means comprehensive and more courses can be found through the links:

• http://www.postgrad.hobsons.com/;
• http://www.findamasters.com/firstmain.asp;

MSc course requirements

Helen Bonsor, BGS © NERC 2012,
Permeability assessment, Scotland

For all courses, applicants will need a first or second class degree in a relevant subject area. Sometimes evidence of mathematics training, usually to A level standard or equivalent, is required, as well as evidence of an adequate standard of English for those not from the UK.

Funding

In the past the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has provided studentships to some MSc courses, but from 2011/12 entry, NERC studentships have been withdrawn from all UK MSc courses. Individual University departments will be able to advise if any other funding may be available. International students may gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or through their home government.

For people already employed in general environmental work, it is sometimes possible to gain sponsorship from employment to undertake a Hydrogeology MSc course full- or part-time. Alternatively, a company maybe unable to sponsor an employee, but will be willing to guarantee employment on completion of the MSc.

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