MSc Civil Engineering (Water Management)

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. 

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 we outline here 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.

Fees

2026/27 entry

UK fees per year: 

£14,300 full-time; £7,150 part-time 

International fees per year: 

£30,600 full-time; £15,150 part-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 University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.

^{*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details..}

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. 

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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. 

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