MSc Civil Engineering (Water Management)
Please note: This page is for 2027 entry. Click here for 2026 entry.
| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer | 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) in a science or engineering discipline. |
|---|---|
| UCAS code | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years full time |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer | 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) in a science or engineering discipline. |
|---|---|
Why study MSc Civil Engineering (Water Management) at Exeter?
- Study with world-leading experts at Exeter’s Centre for Water Systems.
- Develop expertise in sustainable water supply, treatment and flood management.
- Gain hands-on experience with advanced surveying tools such as drones and LiDAR.
- Build the skills to manage global water infrastructure and environmental resilience.
- Option to apply your learning through a year in industry within the water sector.
Top 10 in the UK for General Engineering
Top 20 in the UK for Civil Engineering
18th for Civil Engineering in The Guardian University Guide 2026
£6.5million investment in our teaching labs, workshop spaces and equipment
Combine your Masters with a year working in Industry
Entry requirements
Typically, you’ll need a 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) in a science or engineering discipline. Applicants with relevant professional experience may also be considered.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.
The required IELTS test scores for this course fall under Profile B1.
Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
The MSc in Civil Engineering with Water Management equips you with the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to address global challenges in sustainable water systems. Delivered by world-leading experts at Exeter’s Centre for Water Systems, the programme combines advanced civil engineering principles with specialist training in water supply, wastewater treatment, and flood risk management. You will study innovative construction materials and explore cutting-edge surveying technologies such as drones and LiDAR, gaining a strong foundation in digital and environmental engineering. Specialist modules cover clean water treatment and distribution, coastal fluid dynamics and sustainable urban drainage systems.
Through a combination of research-led teaching and practical learning, you will develop the expertise to design, manage, and maintain resilient water infrastructure. The programme prepares you for professional roles in civil and environmental engineering, helping to deliver sustainable solutions to the world’s most pressing water-related challenges.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
180 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Conceptual Design of Buildings | 15 | |
| Sustainable Engineering | 15 | |
| MSc Dissertation | 60 | |
| Digital Mapping and Survey | 15 | |
| Environmental Risk and Resilience | 15 | |
| AI for Environmental Management | 15 | |
| Clean Water Supply | 15 | |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment | 15 | |
| Advances in Sustainable Construction Materials | 15 | |
ECMM153: Conceptual Design of Buildings
This module discusses principles governing the conceptual design of buildings and their implementation in engineering practice. In particular, you will know about form and functionality, actions on buildings, structural design of tall buildings, sustainability and passive buildings, construction and demolition, resilience of buildings, operation and performance tracking.
You will have the opportunity to examine case studies among others the exotic shape of the Transamerica Pyramid (San Francisco), the revolutionary cell apartments Unité d'Habitation (France), the unusual plan distribution of luxury apartment block (Berlin), the energy efficient Shard London Bridge, and to discuss and implement principles of conceptual design in practical applications.
To provide you with knowledge of fundamental aspects of conceptual design of buildings and implementation in engineering practice.
Lecturers will cover a number of topics including:
- form and functionality;
- actions on buildings;
- sustainability of buildings;
- construction and operation;
- resilience and maintainability.
ECMM163: Sustainable Engineering
Sustainable engineering concerns the design or operation of systems with the aim of reducing energy demand, resource extraction and carbon emissions with the goal of minimising the impact on the environment. By transforming any sector to be more sustainable, it can play a major role in reducing the threat of climate change. But as a practising engineer you must also be aware of the wider role that sustainability plays for example in equality diversity and inclusion issues. This module discusses the interdependency between changes required across all activities of human life across all scales. This module will make you think across disciplines with the goal of evaluating sustainability on a whole system basis including resource supply and demand, energy supply and demand and sustainable management.
This module aims to provide you with an appreciation of the complexities which arise from considering sustainability and the need to tackle the issue from an interdisciplinary perspective. This module aims to provide some of the tools required to assess sustainability as well as the ability to critically analyse the extent to which a product, building, industry or service could be considered to be sustainable.
ECMM164: MSc Dissertation
This dissertation will give you the chance to demonstrate your knowledge, to exercise your initiative and personal responsibility, and to use the research techniques and skills you have developed throughout your degree.
You will be required to solve a research or industrially-related practical problem based on the topics learned within, but not exclusive to, the MSc programme you are registered for. The project work will lead to a major piece of work (dissertation) of approximately 15,000 words (max. 80 pages, including references and appendices) that involves project planning, analytical, experimental or empirical results and their interpretation, showing how the goals of the project have been met. You will receive a list of potential projects and will be required to express your two preferences. Alternatively, you can discuss your own dissertation ideas with the module leader / potential supervisor (academic staff) with a view to explore if they offer required technical rigour and research challenge. You will be encouraged to discuss your preferences with relevant academic staff before we allocate projects. As part of the research project, you are expected to undertake a considerable amount of self-study. There is no formal taught component in the module, apart from the writing support lectures and the suggested regular meetings with your supervisor.
ENGM036: Digital Mapping and Survey
Understanding the location in which you intend to build, and the opportunities and constraints that offers, is extremely important to the Civil Engineer. This module will allow you to get to grips with topographical survey methods such as LIDAR and drones, as well as underground investigative techniques, such as ground penetrating radar. You will study topography, the earth’s upper strata and map types, so that you have a strong understating of environment in which you aim to operate. And for the areas that you cannot get sufficient information, you will learn about the best techniques to find out more.
The module aims to give you a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the investigative tools at your disposal, and how you might employ them to assist you in making better decisions about your project. And it will equip you with the ability to use digital tools to manage and analyse the significant amount of data produced by surveys.
ENSM016: Environmental Risk and Resilience
Environmental Risk and Resilience explores high-profile water and environmental challenges in modern engineering practice, focusing on how society can manage risk and build resilience to extreme events. The module covers key topics associated with fluvial, stormwater, groundwater and coastal risks, whilst also exploring the approaches used in practice and research to manage these risks and enhance our urban environments using nature-based engineering.
This module will benefit from both industry masterclasses and recent developments in research outputs from the University of Exeter’s Centre for Water Systems.
Assessment will take place via an extended project on flood risk which will take students through key tasks associated with planning a conceptual flood management strategy. Progress on this project will be guided by workshops throughout the module, which will be supported through software demonstrations and industry-led masterclasses, providing an opportunity for ongoing formative feedback.
This module aims to provide a basic knowledge of contemporary problems in water risk and resilience. It also offers practical experience in using risk and resilience management tools, with a focus on bridging academic content with future environmental engineering careers.
ENSM017: AI for Environmental Management
This module introduces you to key applications of data science and artificial intelligence (AI) within water and environmental engineering, equipping you with core knowledge and skills to respond to future challenges in the sector, including cutting edge AI techniques, real-world application and ethics.
Designed to prepare you for a career in water and environmental engineering, you'll learn how to apply your knowledge to a broad range of real-world problems, which include water resources, water distribution, urban stormwater, urban wastewater, and water pollution problems. You will explore in detail how data science and AI techniques can be used to develop digital solutions and support informed decisions for sustainable water and environmental management.
This module covers the topics of data analytics, water systems modelling and optimisation methods, using a problem-based learning approach in the case studies, and examining them through tutorials and assignments. You will develop independent learning skills through a combination of guided learning, background reading, private study and computational analysis.
You'll become familiar with key aspects of data science and AI, including data analytics, deep learning and optimisation methods, and have a deep understanding of their potential impacts on water and environmental systems and challenges from social-economic and ethical perspectives.
ENSM019: Clean Water Supply
With climate change, population growth, and ageing water infrastructure, the right balance between water consumption and supply from limited natural resources is becoming ever more important.
This module will develop your theoretical and practical knowledge of classical and contemporary issues related to the management of water supply and distribution systems. You will deal with design and sustainability aspects for the urban water supply and distribution design, modelling and management. You will learn about different types of water sources, how to build, calibrate and use various models to optimally (re)design and/or operate water distribution systems. Current situation analysis and the effectiveness of interventions is explored using a range of resources, including computational tools and numerous case studies from both developing and industrialised countries. By the end of the module, you will be able to use and manage pressures, leakage, demands and water quality, all in an integrated risk-based asset management type framework, to identify more sustainable and resilient solutions to practical, real-life problems. It also offers you practical experience in using different water supply and distribution modelling tools, problem-solving exercises to apply the theory to practical water industry scenarios, and a site visit.
ENSM020: Water and Wastewater Treatment
This module will provide you with comprehensive knowledge of water and wastewater treatment processes, including advanced techniques for contaminant removal and efficient resource recovery. It covers the urban water cycle, addresses the water-energy nexus, and prepares you to tackle future challenges in the industry. By the end of the module, you will understand the key treatment processes related to water quality for engineering applications as well as the challenges and opportunities facing the water sector and their implications on other areas.
The module aims to provide a deep understanding of processes associated with water and wastewater treatment processes. The first part of the module covers chemical, physical and biological processes. The second part of the module covers water-energy nexus and sustainability in the water sector.
ENSM033: Advances in Sustainable Construction Materials
The challenges posed by infrastructure decay, resource limitations, and climate change demand a transformative approach to construction. This module encourages a critical reassessment of energy-intensive and environmentally taxing construction materials, proposing sustainable alternatives to reduce the carbon footprint. You will expand your understanding of structural engineering through the study of cutting-edge advancements in materials engineering and emerging construction technologies.
This module aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to address modern challenges in construction, including infrastructure decay, resource scarcity, and climate change. By critically evaluating the sustainability of traditional construction materials, students will explore the potential of innovative and emerging materials in civil engineering, fostering a forward-thinking perspective on the future of construction.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
120 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| MSc Dissertation | 60 | |
| MSc Industrial Placement | 60 | |
ENGM028: MSc Industrial Placement
This module aims to provide students with experience beyond the theoretical and taught environment of the university by placing them in a real-world industrial setting directly relevant to their development as an experienced professional.
Students will experience every part of an industry career from the searching for and securing a suitable placement, to integrating and assimilating themselves into a team industrial environment and working in that setting for an extended period between 9 and 12 months. This will allow students to develop individual skills not necessarily or explicitly taught but gained from exposure to a real working environment. During this time the module aims to build resilience, reflectivity and self-assurance in students.
You will get the chance to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired from taught modules to authentic problem solving in the work place. Collaborating with your work placement employer, you will identify an engineering-based project that will constitute your MSc dissertation. Ideally, the dissertation should be based on the work that you will undertake during the placement, but this is not compulsory.
The placement will involve a substantial technical role in the host organisation. Individual placements are subject to availability and approval by the programme coordinator.
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£14,300 full-time
International fees per year:
£30,600 full-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer the University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship for University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship worth 20% of the cost of your first year tuition fees.
Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply.
Dr Alessandro Tombari is a Senior Lecturer in Digital Design in Civil Engineering, specialising in geotechnical earthquake engineering and computational structural mechanics. His research focuses on seismic soil–structure interaction, Structure-Soil-Structure Interaction, and the use of Virtual Reality and digital construction tools in civil engineering.
He also develops industry-oriented software and offers consultancy in computational modelling, FEM, and SSI analysis. Dr Tombari welcomes research students with strong analytical and numerical skills to work on topics including seismic design, soil behaviour and ground motion modelling.
Read more from Dr Alessandro Tombari
Dr Alessandro Tombari
Programme Director
Teaching and research
Teaching and assessment
The programme is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, industrial presentations, case studies, industry visits, computer simulations, project work and a dissertation.
You will develop transferable skills such as management and communication skills, computational techniques, data handling and analysis, problem solving, decision making and research methodology. Many of these will be addressed within an industrial and commercial context.
Personal Tutor
You will be allocated a Personal Tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies, along with support and mentoring from graduates who are now in industry. There is also a Postgraduate Tutor available to help with further guidance and advice.
A research and practice-led culture
We believe every student benefits from being taught by experts active in research and practice. You will discuss the very latest ideas, research discoveries and new technologies in seminars and in the field. Plus, you’ll become actively involved in a research project yourself.
All our academic staff are active in internationally-recognised scientific research across a wide range of topics. You will also be taught by leading industry practitioners.
Careers
Graduates of the MSc in Civil Engineering with Water Management will be well prepared for careers addressing the urgent global need for sustainable and resilient water systems. The programme develops highly sought-after skills in clean water treatment, wastewater management, flood risk mitigation, and environmental resilience - key areas for engineering consultancy firms, water utilities, and government agencies. Your expertise in digital surveying, structural analysis, and sustainable design will make you an asset to employers tackling climate-related water challenges around the world.
The transferable skills gained on this MSc will also open opportunities in broader civil and environmental engineering roles, from infrastructure planning to project management. You will be equipped to work for international engineering consultancies, construction companies, environmental regulators, and non-governmental organisations focused on sustainability and resource management. For those interested in further study, the programme provides an excellent foundation for doctoral research in water systems and environmental engineering.
Industrial Placement
The year in industry will give you the chance to put what you have learnt to practical advantage in a commercial or industrial environment, thereby gaining a valuable insight into the interplay between theoretical skills and understanding acquired at university and the practicalities of deployment in a “real-world” setting.
Dedicated careers support
All students, current and alumni, receive support from our dedicated Career Zone team who provide excellent career guidance at all stages of the career planning cycle. The Career Zone provides one-on-one support and is the home of a wealth of business and industry contacts. Additionally, they host useful training events, workshops and lectures which are designed to further support you in developing your enterprise acumen. Please visit the Career Zone for additional information on their services.
