Water Science, Policy and Management

The MPhil is a two-year course. In the first year you will take the coursework associated with the MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management. The MSc course comprises eight core modules within three thematic areas – water science, water and society, and water management – and two elective modules. At the end of the first year you take the examinations associated with the MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management. You must pass the examinations in order to proceed into the second year. In the first year there are two assessed essays linked to elective courses.

The water science theme develops knowledge and understanding in physical, chemical, ecological and epidemiological aspects of water science in temperate, tropical and semi-arid zones. It provides a foundation in basic processes in each key subject area, as well as interactions throughout the hydrological cycle, and the role of society in altering natural hydrological processes and function, and the impact this has on health.

The water and society theme explores how contested domains of power, interests and knowledge influence water decision-making, illustrated through institutional, socio-economic and policy analysis. This covers areas of water security and governance, law and regulation, trans-boundary water, water economics, water access, ownership and rights, water for development, and interactions between the state and civil society within dynamic and varied political, cultural, social and economic contexts.

The water management theme integrates the knowledge and understanding of water developed in the other thematic areas to better enable you to tackle the big water management challenges that we face. Geographic case studies are developed to compare the trade-offs that occur between science and society in these contexts. Interactions with experts with different perspectives and expertise will help you to understand the challenges faced by water managers.

Teaching takes place through lectures, seminars and workshops which provide in-depth exploration of key issues. The elective modules offer a tutorial-style teaching and discussion environment within smaller groups, based on a suite of contemporary research themes that reflect the specific interests of core faculty and visiting research associates. The teaching aim is to foster discussion and debate between academic staff and students to identify and explore theory, methods and practice in an academic space that encourages a critical dialogue.

There is a one-week field trip to the Ebro Basin in Spain during the Easter vacation and day field visits to a variety of destinations during the year.

The second year of the MPhil is devoted to researching and writing a thesis of 30,000 words. The research topic will be devised in your first year and, once approved, you will be allocated a specialist supervisor will be allocated to you. The thesis accounts for half the marks for the degree. In addition, in the second year you will take a further elective course, assessed by a submitted essay.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the School of Geography and the Environment and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the School of Geography and the Environment.

The aim of the course is to train future decision makers, managers and policy makers in water policy and management.

Past graduates have gone on to obtain positions in a range of water-related jobs. Examples include policy positions in government departments (eg Environment Canada, UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); Chinese Ministry of Works), business/enterprise (eg Arup, ERM, Halcrow, Mott MacDonald, Public Utilities Board-Singapore, SMEC, Global Water Intelligence, etc.), non-governmental organisations (eg WaterWise, Children's Hunger Fund, CSE, WWF) and international agencies (eg World Bank, UNICEF, European Commission, IFAD, GTZ, USAID, etc). A number of students use the course as a gateway to start DPhil (PhD) research.

The department's Alumni Office helps alumni keep in touch with each other and organises alumni events.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

All graduate courses offered by the School of Geography and the Environment

Biodiversity, Conservation and Management MSc

Biodiversity, Conservation and Management MPhil

Environmental Change and Management MSc

Environmental Change and Management MPhil

Geography and the Environment DPhil

Nature, Society and Environmental Governance MSc

Nature, Society and Environmental Governance MPhil

Water Science, Policy and Management MSc

Water Science, Policy and Management MPhil

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Entry requirements