Course summary
Climate change, and air, water and soil pollution are critical societal problems that will affect most, if not all communities, companies, and countries across the globe over the next 50 years. This programme will train you in cutting-edge environmental analytical chemical techniques that are used to investigate such pollution and guide mitigation and remediation. Additionally, it will equip you with skills in advanced laboratory analysis, statistical and modelling approaches to interrogating and synthesising datasets, and reporting and communicating data. A particular feature of this MSc is the synthesis of data with training in written, oral, and other forms of communication. There will be particular emphasis on the use of such data to develop policy and/or practical recommendations. In the research project, you will be working on current topics drawn from environmental research such as urban air pollution, water quality and sustainable agriculture. This programme will appeal to a wide range of students with a science and engineering background. Although focused on environmental applications, you will gain a broad training that will facilitate progression to a diversity of future science and engineering-based careers. The need for experts in environmental analysis and remediation is predicted to increase, making graduates of this programme well placed to take up emerging jobs in companies and organisations requiring this type of expertise. The Organic Geochemistry Unit and the Atmospheric Chemistry Research Group that will run this course are both world-leading in environmental analytical science, being a home to a laboratory of the NERC-funded National Environmental Isotope Facility (NEIF) and a node of the NASA-funded Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) project. Therefore, the collection of state-of-the-art chromatography and mass spectrometry platforms (including organic and stable isotope ratio mass spectrometers and an 14C accelerator mass spectrometer) combined with world-leading research is unparalleled. In addition, the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol is home to the only Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in practical Chemistry (Bristol ChemLabS) founded in 2005 and has pioneered teaching of analytical chemistry through virtual instruments and smart worksheets. Therefore, the combination of leading analytical science and education methods makes this course unique.
Assessment method
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/postgraduate/admissions-statements/2025/msc-environmental-analytical-chemistry.pdf
How to apply
International applicants
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for postgraduate study. If you study or have studied at a university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualifications, scholarships and education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries
Entry requirements
An upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in one of the following degrees: Engineering (e.g Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering), Natural/Physical Sciences (e.g. Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, Geology, Geographical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Forensic Science, Food Science), Life Sciences (e.g. Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, Biophysics, Cell biology, Molecular biology, Physiology, Anatomy, Zoology, Plant sciences, Neuroscience, Psychology, Virology, Microbiology, Immunology, Medicine, Archaeological Science). Unfortunately we cannot consider applicants with Computer Science degrees for this programme. Applicants will also need to demonstrate competency in Maths and Chemistry with at least a grade 6 GCSE or international equivalent (whereupon a short quantitative methods primer course will be needed to be completed at the start of the course) or an You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in Engineering or one of the following Natural or Physical Sciences: Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Sciences, Food Science, Forensic Science, Geographical Sciences, Geology or Physics. Unfortunately we cannot consider applicants with Computer Science degrees for this programme. Applicants who have studied a science degree not listed above will need to demonstrate competency in Maths and Chemistry through one of the following: - At least a grade 6 GCSE (or international equivalent) You will also need to complete a short quantitative methods primer at the start of the programme. - An A-level (or international equivalent) at grade C or above - Undergraduate modules at 2.1 or above. Module examples: - Data Mining/Data Science/ Data Analytics - Mathematics - Mathematical Methods - Mathematics for Science - Probability - Quantitative Chemistry - Quantitative Methods - Quantitative Research Methods - Statistics/Statistical Methods/Statistical Analysis, etc. Mathematics and Statistics degrees may also be considered and will need to achieve a minimum of 4 science modules at 2.1 (or international equivalent) or above. Module examples: - Applied Mathematics - Applied Solid Mechanics - Biology - Biomedical Engineering - Biosciences - Biomaterials - Battery Technology - Chemistry - Chemical Engineering - Composites and Ceramics - Environmental Engineering - Epidemiological Methods - Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer - Fuels and Sustainability - Molecular Epidemiology - Physics - Physical Materials Science - Polymers - Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future - Structures and Materials - Sustainability - Solar Energy Engineering If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieve during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications: - evidence of relevant work experience with minimum of one year working (full, part-time or internships considered) in one of the relevant sectors: Analytical Science, Metrology and Instrument design, demonstration and manufacturing, and environmental consultancy . - a relevant postgraduate qualification from an accepted subject listed above. Specific module requirements would still apply.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £7250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £7250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £7250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £7250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £7250 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
For more information, please view the programme page on our website.
Provider information
University of Bristol
Beacon House
Queen’s Road
Bristol
BS8 1QU