Water and Wastewater Processes MSc - Environmental Science route

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Make a difference in Water and Wastewater with your career

Our MSc in Water and Wastewater Processes offers you two distinct study routes to ensure you can tailor your study to your specific needs and career prospects.

In this Environmental Science route, students will apply scientific principles to assess the environmental impacts of climate change, pollution discharges and emerging contaminants on the quality and treatability of water resources, proposing solutions in a water and wastewater treatment context.

Water and Wastewater Processes MSc - Engineering

Overview

Start dateFull-time: October, part-time: October
DurationFull-time: one year, part-time: two-three years
DeliveryTaught modules 80 credits/800 hours, Group projects 40 credits/400 hours, Individual project 60 credits/600 hours
QualificationMSc, PgDip, PgCert
Study typeFull-time / Part-time
CampusCranfield campus

Who is it for?

The Environmental Sciences route is ideal for those who want to make a real difference in protecting public health, providing vital infrastructure for society, and improving the health of our rivers, lakes, groundwaters and coastal areas.

It is well-suited to those from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including (but not limited to) environmental science, social sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and public health.

8 reasons to study water at Cranfield

Your career

This MSc equips the students with the knowledge and skills required to pursue a career in environmental science in both public and private sectors. In addition to providing a basis to pursue further studies (PhD), the course prepares the students for a wide range of careers including process scientist, regulatory scientist/inspector, researcher government and NGO roles, catchment scientist, environmental consultant, water quality scientist, sustainability scientist.

Cranfield Careers and Employability Service

Cranfield’s Career Service is dedicated to helping you meet your career aspirations. You will have access to career coaching and advice, CV development, interview practice, access to hundreds of available jobs via our Symplicity platform and opportunities to meet recruiting employers at our careers fairs. Our strong reputation and links with potential employers provide you with outstanding opportunities to secure interesting jobs and develop successful careers. Support continues after graduation and as a Cranfield alumnus, you have free life-long access to a range of career resources to help you continue your education and enhance your career.

Cranfield opened a lot of doors for me. I got my job offer with Mott MacDonald, three months away from finishing the course. I believe the experience I got from Cranfield, and especially the group project helped me.

It is the best place because the interactions between students and lecturers are superb.

The MSc Water and Wastewater Engineering course has been challenging but also stimulating and exciting. The lectures are very interactive and engaging and oftentimes, there are even external presenters including Cranfield alumni, who deliver presentations on certain topics.

The deep learning I have acquired, especially in the key principle of wastewater treatment systems, the constant opportunity to interact with experienced water professionals during classes and the site visits to UK water company facilities have helped me a lot to deepen the knowledge that I have acquired during classes.

Why this course?

Water and wastewater systems are under increasing strain from demographic and climatic changes. Our course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to help find sustainable solutions to those pressures and make a real difference for future generations. On this course you will:

Study a truly interdisciplinary course, rooted in a system-level understanding of water and wastewater
Complete your thesis on a real-world project to suit your interests
Learn from internationally leading faculty who undertake cutting-edge research
Hear about relevant challenges (like sewage and river health) from a wide range of experts working across the sector
Visit active water and wastewater treatment sites to see technologies in the real world
Benefit from innovative, problem-oriented teaching activities
Develop practical skills and networking opportunities

Informed by industry

This MSc is supported by organisations from across the water sector, including water utilities, consultancies, regulators, and NGOs. They support us with guest lectures, problem-based activities, by hosting field trips (), and by sponsoring thesis projects. These links can give your career a boost by providing networking opportunities and giving you a real-world perspective on the topics discussed in the classroom. Many of our graduates have gone on to take up jobs within the organisations that participate in our course.

Course details

In this section

In the Environmental Science route, students will critically assess the water environment and its quality, how it is monitored, its influence in water and wastewater treatment systems, and how treated wastewater influences environmental water quality. They will also assess the processes that influence water resources, the impact of weather events and climate change and their consequences on water quality and availability.

The course comprises a taught programme of of five core modules, two route modules, and one elective module. You will then go on to study a group project and an individual project.

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Course delivery

Taught modules 80 credits/800 hours, Group projects 40 credits/400 hours, Individual project 60 credits/600 hours

The group project is an applied multidisciplinary team-based activity. It provides students with the opportunity, whilst working in teams under academic supervision, to apply principles taught during modules whilst taking responsibility for project tasks. Success is dependent on the integration of various activities, working within agreed objectives, deadlines and budgets. Students submit project reports and present their findings to representatives from industry. This develops professional practice in communication skills for technical and business areas of process development. Part-time students complete a single design project individually in a field of their choice.

Recent group projects include:

Students select their individual project in consultation with the thesis project coordinators. This provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate independent research ability working within agreed objectives, deadlines and budgets. The project is sponsored by industry and usually includes a four-month placement with the sponsoring company. Placements previously have been offered by all ten of the UK water utilities, the leading two French utilities, as well as multinational companies and SMEs operating in the water sector. Part-time students usually undertake their individual project with their employer.

Modules

Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.

To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.

Course modules

Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course.

Aim	The Global Water Sector module introduces students to the key players that make up the water and wastewater sector, and their roles and responsibilities, both in the UK and on the global stage. We will discuss some of the important trends that are shaping the sector’s ambitions and activities – including carbon neutrality, the need for environmental improvement, contaminants of emerging concern, sustainable financing, and public trust – and explore how these trends are affecting the development and implementation of treatment technology. This module aims to set the scene for the remainder of the course.

Aim

The Global Water Sector module introduces students to the key players that make up the water and wastewater sector, and their roles and responsibilities, both in the UK and on the global stage. We will discuss some of the important trends that are shaping the sector’s ambitions and activities – including carbon neutrality, the need for environmental improvement, contaminants of emerging concern, sustainable financing, and public trust – and explore how these trends are affecting the development and implementation of treatment technology. This module aims to set the scene for the remainder of the course.

Aim	This module is an introduction to key processes used in water and wastewater treatment, and the scientific principles on which they are based. We will explore the nature of contaminants in water systems, their contribution to water and wastewater quality and their treatability. At the end of this module you will be able to critically select appropriate treatment processes, based on water and wastewater quality.

Aim

This module is an introduction to key processes used in water and wastewater treatment, and the scientific principles on which they are based. We will explore the nature of contaminants in water systems, their contribution to water and wastewater quality and their treatability. At the end of this module you will be able to critically select appropriate treatment processes, based on water and wastewater quality.

Aim	The module will equip the students with the basic scientific and engineering principles and knowledge to enable them to investigate and assess the operational performance of water and wastewater treatment process to define solutions and improvements. The principles on water chemistry, kinetics and reactor theories covered in the module will empower the students to confidently approach any design and diagnosis procedures and will form a strong basis on which students can build their ability to address the fundamental challenges for the water industry and drive innovation with a strong scientific approach.

Aim

The module will equip the students with the basic scientific and engineering principles and knowledge to enable them to investigate and assess the operational performance of water and wastewater treatment process to define solutions and improvements. The principles on water chemistry, kinetics and reactor theories covered in the module will empower the students to confidently approach any design and diagnosis procedures and will form a strong basis on which students can build their ability to address the fundamental challenges for the water industry and drive innovation with a strong scientific approach.

Aim	The module is designed to provide students with the process science and engineering knowledge necessary to be able to effectively select, design, and monitor the biological, chemical and physical treatment processes used for conventional water and wastewater treatment. On successful completion of this module a student should be able to appraise the operation of conventional treatment water and wastewater treatment processes using theoretical and empirical principles, develop the basis of design for water and wastewater treatment processes and evaluate how treatment processes can be applied for removal and processing of contaminants and waste streams.

Aim

The module is designed to provide students with the process science and engineering knowledge necessary to be able to effectively select, design, and monitor the biological, chemical and physical treatment processes used for conventional water and wastewater treatment. On successful completion of this module a student should be able to appraise the operation of conventional treatment water and wastewater treatment processes using theoretical and empirical principles, develop the basis of design for water and wastewater treatment processes and evaluate how treatment processes can be applied for removal and processing of contaminants and waste streams.

Module Leader	Professor Bruce Jefferson
Aim	The challenges that water and wastewater treatment processes need to tackle to maintain their efficacy of treatment is ever evolving and in recent times appears to be accelerating in complexity and scale. The combination of climate change, population growth, emerging chemicals and tightening regulations are compounded through greater awareness and response form the general public. In light of this it can be argued that traditional flowsheets are challenged. Consequently, change is needed, and the associated people involved (process scientists, engineers, etc) need to embrace change in terms of the technologies we use and the flowsheets that contain them. This module will help you navigate this journey and equipment them with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the delivery of solutions against such challenges and feel confident in when and how to adopt new technology.

Module Leader

Professor Bruce Jefferson

Aim

The challenges that water and wastewater treatment processes need to tackle to maintain their efficacy of treatment is ever evolving and in recent times appears to be accelerating in complexity and scale. The combination of climate change, population growth, emerging chemicals and tightening regulations are compounded through greater awareness and response form the general public. In light of this it can be argued that traditional flowsheets are challenged. Consequently, change is needed, and the associated people involved (process scientists, engineers, etc) need to embrace change in terms of the technologies we use and the flowsheets that contain them. This module will help you navigate this journey and equipment them with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the delivery of solutions against such challenges and feel confident in when and how to adopt new technology.

Module Leader	Dr Robert Grabowski
Aim	Climate change and human activity are having profound impacts on catchments. Increasing temperatures, more frequent and intense rainstorms, and more prolonged droughts are causing direct and indirect changes to vegetation, soils and rivers that affect water quantity and quality via multiple mechanisms. In this module, you will develop the knowledge and skills to conceptualise the climate change impacts on the water environment, at catchment scale, based on an understanding of hydrological, geomorphic, chemical and ecological processes.
Syllabus	Catchment hydrology, Precipitation and evapotranspiration, Climate change impacts on precipitation and evapotranspiration, Soil structure, diversity and hydrology, Soils, vegetation and nutrients, Human impacts on soils, Groundwater principles, Groundwater flow through the landscape, Groundwater flow to pump, water quality issues, Climate change impacts on groundwater levels and quality, Runoff generation, River discharge and hydrograph analysis, Probably – hydrological data and applications, Rivers – geomorphology, Rivers – water chemistry, River process interactions – hydrological, geomorphic, chemical and ecological, Climate change impacts on river processes.
Intended learning outcomes	Appraise how water moves through catchments and the hydrological changes induced by human activities and development, Evaluate how soil, geological and river characteristics affect the flow and chemical characteristics of water, considering the influences of vegetation and impacts of human activity, Integrate and evaluate data and information from a variety of sources to characterise the factors affecting catchment processes in a case study catchment and assess the impacts of climate change.

Module Leader	Dr Pablo Campo Moreno
Aim	Water of good quality is necessary for domestic, environmental, industrial, recreational and agricultural applications. As a result of the conditions prevailing in the catchment area, natural and anthropogenic constituents in water bodies will define potential uses according to established criteria. Hence, for those working in water science, a comprehensive understanding of regulations applicable to water quality is needed. This module provides you with an overview of Water Framework Directive and other relevant water quality regulations and policies that govern the management and assessment of surface waters. If quality is to be adequately monitored, it is also important to acquire knowledge about sampling and measurement of water parameters and interpretation of acquired data. It also provides background in ecological processes, aquatic communities, and survey design and data analysis to help those working in environmental water management to interpret water quality data in the context of the catchment characteristics and pressures.
Syllabus	Importance of water quality for human health, drinking water and the environment. Water quality regulation and standards. UK methods to assess the status of surface water bodies. The physical and chemical attributes and processes structuring the biological community in aquatic ecosystems in the landscape (e.g. rivers, lakes, floodplains, estuaries and coastal zones). Design of water quality monitoring programmes: sampling strategies, sampling methods, quality assurance, and data handling. Water quality sampling & analysis: field sampling techniques and laboratory analysis methods. Statistical analysis of ecological and water quality data.
Intended learning outcomes	Evaluate the chemical, biological and hydromorphological processes and their interactions that determine the ecological status of a surface water body. Critically analyse water quality based on knowledge of the sampling and data analysis methods, and analyse them to identify significant spatial and temporal differences. Classify major point and non-point sources of water pollution derived from natural sources and human activities, and identify emerging threats to water quality.

Elective modules
One of the modules from the following list needs to be taken as part of this course.

Module Leader	Dr Gabriela Dotro
Aim	The increasing global concern for water scarcity, pollution, and the need for sustainable infrastructure calls for the importance of nature-based solutions (NBS) for water and wastewater treatment. NBS offers a paradigm shift, leveraging natural processes and ecosystems to enhance water quality, mitigate flooding, and restore ecological balance etc. To understand the roles of NBS and their functional mechanisms, learning from existing successful implementations is essential to support system design and operational guidance, allowing NBS to deliver not only regulatory standardised treatment effluent but also contribute to broader ecological benefits. This module aims to equip you with a cutting-edge education that combines theoretical knowledge with practical design skills on NBS for water and wastewater treatment.
Syllabus	Introduction of NBS in water and wastewater: Examples, trade-offs and opportunities, Latest innovation sin NBS interventions, Optimising resources for maximum NBS impact. Treatment wetlands design: Wetland components and processes, Sizing for sewage applications, Sizing for industrial wastewater, Tutorial and exercise. Treatment wetland implementations: Ancillaries and hydraulic design, Commissioning and monitoring, Incorporating multiple benefits in wetland design, Wetland design tutorial: multiple benefits, Wetland benchmarking – building a business case, Visit Cranfield experimental wetlands. Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDs): Introduction of SuDs, SuDs design: CIRIA guidance, and SuDS in practice, SuDS design equations, SuDS design tutorial and exercise - Ecosystem restoration - Biodiversity net gain - Visit MK SuDS schemes.
Intended learning outcomes	Evaluate different nature-based solutions and their implementations for water and wastewater treatment, Critically appraise the multiple benefits and evaluate the limitations and trade-offs of nature-based solutions, Size Treatment Wetlands to meet specific sewage treatment targets, Design sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) for water management based on guidance and best practices.

Module Leader	Professor Ana Soares
Aim	The water sector is embracing sustainable practices to effectively manage water and wastewater, aligning with circular economy principles and striving towards NET-ZERO goals while promoting resource recovery. This paradigm shift entails comprehensive, interdisciplinary strategies that prioritize not only technological advancements but also the establishment of metrics and key performance indicators. Considering regulatory frameworks and engaging local stakeholders are pivotal aspects. This module offers insights into the latest advancements in resource recovery from water, municipal, and industrial wastewater. It explores the drivers, challenges, opportunities, success stories, and tools essential for evaluating resource recovery implementation within the water sector.
Syllabus	Sustainable practices to manage water and wastewater. Circular economy. Resource recovery strategies and processes. Regulatory framework around resource recovery. Nutrient recovery. Energy recovery/net zero
Intended learning outcomes	Appraise sustainable practices in managing water and wastewater, including their alignment with circular economy principles and NET-ZERO targets. Derive strategies for resource recovery technologies applicable to water, municipal, and industrial wastewater treatment processes. Evaluate of drivers and challenges on the adoption of resource recovery practices. Assess tools and metrics to explore opportunities for resource recovery within the water sector, including potential economic, environmental, and social benefits.

Teaching team

Cranfield is recognised internationally as a centre of excellence for postgraduate courses. The Water Theme at Cranfield is the UK's largest academic group specialising in process science and technology.

Our MSc course is delivered by leading academics and industry practitioners, with real-world research feeding into the coursework.

The Course Director is Dr Irene Carra and the Admissions Tutor is Dr Emma Goslan.