Skip to Content
Postgraduate Taught 2025
PgCert | Postgraduate Taught

Environmental Engineering

Apply now Register Interest
Entry year
Academic Year 2025/26
Entry requirements
2.2
Attendance
9 months (Part-time)
Places available
10 (Part Time)

Environmental Engineers work at the interface between the Natural and the Built Environment. Environmental Engineering deals with the Impacts of the Built Environment and Human Activities on the Natural Environment and vice versa.

The Programme provides the Technical Understanding of these Interactions across the Engineering and Environmental Sciences and develops your Practical Skills to Characterise and Monitor these key Processes and to find Solutions to address these Challenges.

In doing so, Environmental Engineering is key to supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to finding and implementing Solutions to Mitigate and to Adapt to Climate Change.

Environmental Engineering is a broad discipline which is accessible to those from many different backgrounds. The Programme offers a wide variety of elective modules across Environmental Engineering to suit your particular interests.

The Programme provides the opportunities for a career in the environmental, consultancy, regulatory, management, and engineering industry at home or abroad.

PLEASE NOTE:

Applications for this course received after 16th August 2025 may not be accepted. In addition, if not funded by DfE a deposit will be required to secure a place

The programme focuses on active, collaborative and problem-based learning including field and laboratory practicals to develop a comprehensive understanding of key processes and practical skill sets for a successful professional career.

Environmental Engineering highlights

Industry Links

Teaching Staff at the School of Natural and Built Environment maintain close links to industry partners and governmental agencies across the field of Environmental Engineering.

Individual modules on the programme include field trips and site visits in collaboration with industry partners.

Internationally Renowned Experts

Queen’s is ranked 24th in the UK for Engineering with 96% of our research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. (REF 2021/ Times Higher Education).

You will be taught by staff with an active research portfolio of international standing, with a wide range of interests across the Environmental Engineering Discipline.

NEXT
Course content

Course Structure

The PostGraduate Certificate is awarded to students who successfully complete the taught element of the programme in a combination of Compulsory Core Modules (60 CATS points)

Module Information Text

Typically part-time students complete 60 CATS points worth of modules over the year.

Module Review

All modules for2025/26 are currently under review and subject to change in advance of the programme commencing in September 2025

Modules

Land & Water Quality (20 CATS)

Engineering Hydrology & Hydrogeology (20 CATS)

Assessment of Environmental Impacts (20 CATS)

Sustainability Management (20 CATS)

People teaching you

Course Director

SNBE
Email: u.ofterdinger@qub.ac.uk

Contact Teaching Hours

Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

0 (hours maximum)
Lectures: Typically 4 hours per week depending on individual choice of Elective Modules. Tutorials: Typically 4 hours per week depending on individual choice of Elective Modules

Teaching Times

Teaching typically focuses on 2-3 days per week, depending on choice of Elective Modules

Learning and Teaching

The programme is delivered as a combination of lectures, tutorials, site visits and field/laboratory practicals as well as individual and group-based self-directed study.

-

-

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

  • Continuous assessment (individual and group-based coursework assessments)

PREV
Overview

NEXT
Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

PREV
Course content

NEXT
Entry requirements

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a relevant Engineering/Science discipline, e.g. Civil Engineering. Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient mathematical background (a minimum of A-level standard or equivalent) however undergraduate courses with a high mathematical content, e.g. Statistics, will be considered on a case-by case-basis.

A 2.1 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University, is required for those with an insufficient mathematical background.

Applicants with qualifications below 2.2 Honours degree standard (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) will be considered on a case-by case-basis.

Professional Qualifications may be considered alongside extensive relevant professional experience.

A limited number of fully funded places (provided by the Department for the Economy) are available for this programme. Where there are more eligible applications received than places available, the academic selectors for this programme will make offers in rank order based on academic merit and potential as evidenced in the totality of the information provided in each application. We will operate a waiting list as required to allow us to fill all available funded places. If you have not been selected for a funded place, we will accept self-funded or employer-funded applicants, if spaces are available.

If you have already applied for this course but did not know about the funded places available, your original application will still be considered equally for a funded place. We will contact you if this applies to you.

Further information is available at the link below.

Closing date for applications is Friday 22nd August 2025 at 12 noon. However, we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than the deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the portal against the programme application page.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/skill-up-flexible-skills-fund/

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

PREV
Modules

NEXT
Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

Environmental Engineers are in high demand. The challenges of Sustainable Development, Decarbonisation and Climate Change Adaptation require technical competencies alongside practical skills to find and implement solutions to these challenges. The programme provides its graduates with the relevant competencies and skills for successful careers in environmental engineering, monitoring, management and consultancy, and establishes a basis for interdisciplinary research studies.

Over the past two decades, the programme has developed a strong recognition with employers in industry, governmental agencies and academia with many of our past graduates having become Senior Industry Leaders and actively recruiting from the programme. Past graduates have found employment with a wide range of employers, eg environment regulatory agencies, civil engineering and specialist contractors as well as engineering and environmental consultancies in the UK, Ireland and abroad.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Prizes and Awards

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

PREV
Entry Requirements

NEXT
Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 DfE Funded students: Free / Other students: £2,434
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £2,434
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £3,083
EU Other 3 £8,600
International £8,600

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

Students are expected to supply their own waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear to participate in field-based activities, where applicable. Students who choose to undertake their MSc research project in collaboration with external organisation may be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure Check with Access NI costing £33.

Terms and Conditions for Postgraduate applications 

1.1  Due to high demand, there is a deadline for applications. 
1.2  You will be required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the course.
1.3  This condition of offer is in addition to any academic or English language requirements.

Read the full terms and conditions at the link below:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/EPS/terms-and-conditions/

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

PREV
Careers

NEXT
Apply

How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Download a prospectus

PREV
Fees and Funding

Take a Virtual Tour of Campus

Explore our immersive 360 degree tours of campus buildings, facilities, accommodation and Belfast city.
Take your next step with Postgraduate Study

Find out more about Postgraduate Study at Queen's
The Thomas J. Moran Graduate School

Supporting your development as a postgraduate at Queen's.
Accommodation

Some of the most affordable, purpose-built student accommodation in the city.
Course location

Natural and Built Environment

Can't find something?

We're here to help with any questions or queries you may have about this course

Ask a question
Close Menu - Off Canvas