Overview
What is the impact of deforestation? Are everyday chemicals passing into our rivers? How can science help us to understand the effects of our actions? Brunel’s Environmental Sciences MRes will provide you with the skills and knowledge to really make a difference to the future of our planet.
This course is designed to provide you with research skills and an in-depth understanding of research methodology with specific relation to environmental sciences.
You’ll build your scientific and technical expertise and focus on areas such as ecology, environmental toxicology and environmental health. You’ll study taught modules and undertake an extended research project which will be tailored to your research interests.
Brunel’s MRes students receive the same support as PhD students. Your supervisory team for your research project will consist of a principal supervisor and a secondary supervisor to facilitate cross-disciplinary research.
You’ll benefit from the expertise of our award-winning academic team of leading environmental scientists and receive support from specialist technical staff in a well-equipped research environment.
Dean’s International Scholarship: This course is eligible for a £2,000 fee waiver, per academic year, subject to availability. This Scholarship is for full-time international students only. Find out more.
For information on Vice Chancellor's Excellence Award which offers £5000 fee reduction for self-funded international students please click here
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
The main focus of your course is an extended research project. You’ll spend a large proportion of your time planning and conducting research which can be desk-based, in the laboratory or in the field. Your research project could cover areas such as environmental toxicology; environmental engineering; ecology; environmental health; environmental chemistry; environmental biology; climate science and environmental analysis. You may choose to carry out multi-disciplinary research encompassing two or more of these subjects.
Compulsory
- ES5700 - Research and Analytical SkillsThis module aims to develop professional, research and critical skills necessary to support higher learning and an integrative approach to problem solving, necessary for success in careers in a variety of disciplines and in an academic environment. It aims for students to become familiar with, and critically reflect on, methods and techniques for data gathering and knowledge development (experimental design concepts), including approaches to problem formulation, literature searches, and systematic review methodology.
- ES56XY - Research Planning and Communication Skills
- ES55XY - Research Project in Environmental Sciences
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Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
After completing the course, you’ll be equipped with the skills to pursue a range of environmental careers. You may wish to work as an environmental researcher, an environmental consultant, an environmental analyst or perhaps start up your own consultancy or business. If you’re considering progression to PhD level, then an MRes is the perfect stepping stone as you’ll graduate with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of research.
Some of Brunel’s graduates have started their own businesses supporting SMEs to remove toxic chemicals from wastewater. There are opportunities in business, industry, education or government and local councils.
UK entry requirements
2025/6 entry
2:2 or equivalent internationally recognised qualification. A wide range of disciplines are acceptable, for example: Environmental Science; Engineering; Physics; Chemistry; Biology; Geography; Environmental Health; Marine Science; Maths; Agricultural Science; Law; Business and Economics, Pharmacy, Biosciences, Medical Sciences
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2025/26 entry
UK
£13,280 full-time
£6,640 part-time
International
£24,795 full-time
£12,395 part-time
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
Lectures, seminars and practical sessions will take place on campus with few exceptions, and you'll be expected to be present in order to benefit fully from the immersive and interactive sessions that underpin problem-based and inquiry-based learning approaches, and the collaborative approach to learning that we use.
To supplement our full timetable of on-campus teaching, learning will be supported with a range of resources on our new Brightspace Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) including, for example, lecture recordings, videos, interactive activities, and links to additional reading. Please note that while recordings and online resources will help if you are unable to attend a particular teaching session, learning from the online materials alone will not be an adequate substitute for participating in a lively in-person discussion on campus alongside your peers.
Keep in mind that this is a campus-based degree programme, not an online programme – and attendance on campus will be essential for some events (e.g. lectures, seminars, workshops, practical sessions, demonstrations and student-led sessions in class). Module / block leaders may offer additional briefing, revision, and/or Q&A sessions on online platforms where appropriate to support on-campus learning.
Coursework will be submitted via Wiseflow and exams will be a mix of on-campus in-person invigilated written exams and online open-book style assessments that will require access to a personal computer.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
You’ll be taught by Environmental Scientists whose research into pollution and exposure to harmful chemicals has changed government attitudes and policy. The Environmental Sciences team at Brunel is a previous winner of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for two decades of pioneering research. This means that our award-winning lecturers will bring their experience, passion and renowned expertise to your lectures.
Assessment and feedback
Assessment will take the form of written coursework, reports, research presentations and an MRes research thesis.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.
