Environmental engineering is a discipline focused on preserving the environment and enhancing living standards, incorporating scientific and engineering techniques to address issues like pollution, waste management and climate change. This field aims to design and implement solutions that reduce the negative impact of human activities on the environment.
UK environmental engineering degrees, usually lasting three to four years at undergraduate level, provide students with an all-encompassing understanding of environmental science and engineering concepts, though it’s worth noting that environmental engineering and environmental science are distinct subjects with different areas of focus.
Students gain practical exposure through lab work, field trips and group projects, and some UK universities also offer specialised routes such as Environmental Systems Engineering, Water and Environmental Engineering, or Sustainable Engineering.
10 Great UK Universities for Environmental Engineering
Below are ten UK universities offering genuinely well-matched environmental engineering courses, listed alphabetically.
The University of Bath offers Chemical Engineering with Environmental Engineering as a specialist MEng route. The first three years build core chemical engineering knowledge, before students specialise in environmental engineering in the final year, exploring the economic, legislative and ethical issues that shape environmental protection and sustainability, including clean technologies such as water treatment and waste management.
- Suggested course: Chemical Engineering with Environmental Engineering MEng (Hons)
Cardiff’s Civil and Environmental Engineering degree gives students an in-depth understanding of civil engineering with a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility and control. The accredited course combines laboratory sessions, field trips and design classes, giving students hands-on experience designing and working with the built and natural environment, including waste management, contaminated land and water treatment.
- Suggested course: Civil and Environmental Engineering BEng
Greenwich’s Water, Waste and Environmental Engineering MSc is designed for graduates from a range of environmental engineering backgrounds who want to apply sustainable strategies to increasingly complex problems. The course combines science, public health and engineering, covering desalination and water reuse, water resource engineering, hydraulics, hydrology and environmental remediation.
- Suggested course: MSc Water, Waste and Environmental Engineering
Imperial’s environmental engineering course curriculum addresses significant areas in environmental services, including water supply, wastewater treatment, sustainable resource management and pollution control, with perspectives spanning both developed and developing countries. Students gain practical experience through lab-based training, learning to measure key parameters and detect pollutants in environmental media, taught by full-time staff alongside visiting lecturers and industry professionals.
- Suggested course: MSc Environmental Engineering
Expert View
“Look closely at what “environmental engineering” actually means at each university, some courses are civil engineering with an environmental module, others are dedicated water or sustainability specialisms, and the career outcomes can differ quite a bit between them.” – Vijayalakshmi V, Counsellor, StudyIn.
Leeds’ Environmental Engineering and Project Management MSc offers an in-depth understanding of fundamental environmental engineering topics, including water resources, solid waste and emissions control. Alongside this technical knowledge, students gain professional project management skills, enabling them to devise economically viable and environmentally friendly solutions.
- Suggested course: Environmental Engineering and Project Management MSc (Eng)
Manchester’s environmental engineering postgraduate research degree provides the opportunity to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and learn from leading academics. Leveraging the university’s expertise in bioenergy and biomass, sustainable nuclear energy, low carbon transport and carbon capture and storage, the course focuses on practical solutions to some of today’s most urgent environmental challenges.
- Suggested course: MPhil Environmental Engineering
Newcastle’s MSc Environmental Engineering equips students with the knowledge and skills to apply scientific and engineering principles to resolve environmental issues and contribute to environmental protection and public health. Students gain practical knowledge sampling and analysing water and soils, providing clean water solutions, treating wastewater, managing solid waste, remediating pollution and controlling air pollution across countries at different income levels.
- Suggested course: MSc Environmental Engineering
Nottingham’s Environmental Engineering BEng holds a top 10 ranking in both the Guardian and Complete University Guide for Chemical and Environmental Engineering, and is accredited by IChemE and IOM3, enhancing its global recognition. The course combines core environmental engineering principles with the practical skills needed to address real-world sustainability challenges.
- Suggested course: Environmental Engineering BEng
Surrey’s MSc Water and Environmental Engineering equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to address pressing challenges related to water resources and environmental sustainability. The course combines technical engineering training with a strong focus on real-world water management and environmental protection challenges.
- Suggested course: MSc Water and Environmental Engineering
UCL’s Environmental Systems Engineering MSc cultivates a deep understanding of both systems and environmental engineering. Environmental engineering is a multidisciplinary field focused on creating, implementing and managing solutions to protect and restore the environment within a sustainable development framework, while systems engineering focuses on developing and managing large, complex systems.
- Suggested course: Environmental Systems Engineering MSc
What Are the Typical Entry Requirements for Environmental Engineering in the UK?
Entry requirements vary by university and by study level, but most UK environmental engineering courses expect the following as a baseline.
| Study Level |
Typical Requirement |
| Undergraduate (BEng) |
A-levels typically ABB to AAA, usually including Mathematics and a science subject such as Physics or Chemistry, or the International Baccalaureate equivalent |
| Postgraduate (MSc) |
An upper second-class (2:1) UK Bachelor’s degree, or international equivalent, in engineering, natural sciences, earth sciences or a related numerate discipline |
| English language |
IELTS or an accepted equivalent, for applicants whose prior study was not in English |
Some courses ask for a lower second-class (2:2) degree instead of a 2:1, and standardised test scores such as the GRE are occasionally required for postgraduate applicants, particularly for research-focused degrees. It is worth checking the specific requirements for your shortlisted course, since these vary meaningfully by university.
How Much Does Environmental Engineering Cost to Study in the UK?
International tuition fees for environmental engineering courses in the UK vary by university, study level and course length, but generally fall between around £26,000 and £39,000 per year for postgraduate courses, with undergraduate fees often somewhat lower. Some research-focused postgraduate degrees use banded fee structures depending on the type of research involved, which can push costs towards the higher end of this range.
Beyond tuition, budget for lab and fieldwork-related costs, since environmental engineering courses often include residential field trips as a core part of the curriculum. It is worth checking directly with each university for their current fee schedule and any available scholarships, since these are reviewed annually.
Why Study Environmental Engineering?
Environmental engineering combines scientific and engineering principles to address some of today’s most pressing global challenges, including climate change, pollution and sustainable resource management. Graduates work at the intersection of technical problem-solving and environmental protection, giving the field a strong sense of practical purpose alongside solid career prospects.
What Careers Are Available After Studying Environmental Engineering?
Career opportunities for environmental engineers are diverse and span both the public and private sectors. Common roles include:
- Environmental consultant
- Sustainability consultant
- Water quality engineer
- Waste management officer
- Soil scientist
- Environmental compliance engineer
In the private sector, energy, manufacturing and construction industries are among the largest employers of environmental engineers. In the UK, environmental engineers earn an average salary of around £33,000 to £37,000 per year, with graduate starting salaries typically between £25,000 and £30,000, rising to £45,000 to £65,000 or more at senior and experienced levels.
Study Environmental Engineering in the UK
Choosing the right environmental engineering course means looking beyond the course title, since programmes badged similarly can differ significantly in focus, from civil engineering with an environmental module through to dedicated water or sustainability specialisms.
StudyIn’s counsellors provide full-cycle support, helping you compare course content, entry requirements and career outcomes so you can make a well-informed decision rather than choosing on name alone.
FAQs
What are the best UK universities for environmental engineering?
Strong options include Imperial College London, UCL, the University of Leeds, the University of Manchester, Newcastle University, the University of Nottingham, the University of Bath, Cardiff University, the University of Greenwich and the University of Surrey, each offering a genuinely well-matched environmental engineering course.
Are the best universities for environmental science the same as for environmental engineering?
Not always. Environmental science tends to focus on studying and understanding environmental systems, while environmental engineering applies engineering principles to design practical solutions, such as water treatment or waste management systems. Several universities on this list, including Imperial College London, UCL and Newcastle University, also offer well-regarded environmental science courses, but it’s worth checking each course’s specific focus before applying.
What are the admission requirements for environmental engineering?
For an undergraduate degree, you typically need strong grades in mathematics and a science subject at A-level or equivalent. For a master’s, a relevant bachelor’s degree, usually at 2:1 level, is typically required, along with English language proficiency for international applicants.
What is the average salary for an environmental engineer in the UK?
Environmental engineers in the UK earn an average salary of around £33,000 to £37,000 per year, with graduate starting salaries typically between £25,000 and £30,000, rising to £45,000 to £65,000 or more at senior level.
Is it worth studying environmental engineering?
Yes, for most students. It allows you to apply scientific and engineering principles to pressing global issues such as climate change, pollution and waste management, and leads to a range of stable career paths across both public and private sectors.
How many years does an environmental engineering degree take?
An undergraduate degree in environmental engineering typically takes three to four years, while a master’s degree usually takes one to two years, depending on the course and university.
What careers can you pursue after studying environmental engineering?
Common career paths include environmental consultant, sustainability consultant, water quality engineer, waste management officer and soil scientist, with employers spanning energy, manufacturing, construction and environmental consultancy.
