Course summary
Overview If you're interested in becoming part of the global network of professionals who predict and prepare for geological and environmental hazards such as earthquakes or volcanic activity, this Geological and Environmental Hazards Master's course will give you the technical skills, training and fieldwork experience you'll need. The course focuses on the physical processes that take place in the Earth that cause geological hazards. You'll be trained by experts in hazard identification, terrain evaluation, hazard modelling and risk assessment techniques. You'll learn how to manage – and mitigate – the impact of floods, earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes and coastal erosion. You'll use our geotechnics and rock mechanics labs to analyse and charactorise geological materials. You'll use spatial analysis tools, simulation software and data analysis to assess the risks of natural hazards. And, you'll design and implement an advanced research project, and produce a detailed report. A field trip to Sicily is an integral part of the Volcanology and Seismology module, where you'll record and report field data related to volcanic activity, seismology and earthquake geology in the Mediterranean region. Earth systems and environmental sciences at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 4th of all post-1992 universities for research quality as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. The School of Environment, Geography and Geosciences offers a limited number of scholarships for international postgraduate students. This course is accredited by The Geological Society of London. Eligibility This course accepts UK, EU, and international students. Course highlights
- Become skilled in the application of specialist techniques including numerical hazard modelling and simulation, catastrophe modelling, field reconnaissance and geomorphological mapping, geotechnical testing, spatial analysis and remote sensing
- Learn about physical processes that affect and control natural hazards, including volcanology and earthquakes, flooding and hydrological hazards, coastal erosion, slope instability and landslides
- Take part in research-based field trips, both locally and to Sicily where you’ll research volcanics and active tectonics
- Complete your own independent research project with opportunities to work with industrial partners on a joint project. Previous partners have included SOCOTEC and Fugro
- Civil engineer
- Geo-environmental consultant
- Geotechnical enginner
- Geographic Information Systems Analyst
- GIS Geographical Information Systems Technician
- Junior Catastrophe Risk Analyst
- Project engineer
- Technical integrator
- Fugro
- Radioactive Waste Management
- Gateley
- 12 hours (2 days) of on-campus, in-person teaching per week
- 25 hours of self-directed study time per week
- 6 hours (1 day) of on-campus, in-person teaching per week
- 12 hours of self-directed study time per week
Modules
All modules on this MSc Geological and Environmental Hazards (full-time) course are core.
- Geomechanics of Natural Hazards (30 credits)
- Hazard Modelling and Risk Assessment (30 credits)
- Research Skills and Project (60 credits)
- Terrain Evaluation and Natural Hazards (30 credits)
- Volcanology & Seismology (30 credits)
- Geomechanics of Natural Hazards (30 credits)
- Hazard Modelling and Risk Assessment (30 credits)
- Terrain Evaluation and Natural Hazards (30 credits)
- Volcanology & Seismology (30 credits)
- Research Skills and Project (60 credits)
- Geomechanics of Natural Hazards (30 credits)
- Hazard Modelling and Risk Assessment (30 credits)
- Terrain Evaluation and Natural Hazards (30 credits)
- Volcanology & Seismology (30 credits)
Assessment method
You'll be assessed through:
- coursework
- poster and oral presentations
- project and technical reports
- literature reviews
- lab reports
- essays
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- The Geological Society
Entry requirements
A second-class honours degree or equivalent in Geology, Earth Science, Applied Geology, Civil Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science or a related discipline. Industrial experience will also be considered on an individual basis.
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0. | |
Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169. | |
Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169. | |
TOEFL (iBT) | 91 with a minimum of 20 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 20 in Writing. | |
PTE Academic | An overall score of 61 with a minimum of 54 in each skill. |
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
EU | £10400 | Year 1 |
England | £10400 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £10400 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £10400 | Year 1 |
Wales | £10400 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £10400 | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £10400 | Year 1 |
International | £19200 | 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
Provider information
University of Portsmouth
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP