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Equipping you with professional skills and experience

Our graduates are highly employable in the growing market for environmental managers and consultants. To prepare you to meet this demand, we:

  • create extensive opportunities for you to network with potential employers
  • design coursework assignments to reflect the outputs of industry, ensuring that you have the opportunities to develop the necessary skills for your future career
  • provide in-service training if you’re already working within the profession.

Expert lecturers

You'll be taught by lecturers with expertise across a broad range of areas, including:

  • contaminated land
  • air pollution
  • environmental economics
  • environmental law
  • ecosystem service
  • project management.

 

They have extensive experience in both academic and industrial applications, and will show you how to develop and apply your skills.

Many of our academics are well-known within the scientific world. For example, Professor Chris Collins' research into the bioavailability and bioaccessability of environmental pollutants has been recognised by appointments to two Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) committees that advise the UK government on the environmental chemistry of hazardous substances and veterinary products.

Find out more about Professor Nick Branch and his research into climate resilience in the Peruvian Andes

Professor Hannah Cloke's research on flooding focuses on developing techniques to help us prepare better for flooding by improving forecasting. It saves lives through improving early warning systems in flood-prone parts of the world, and reduces the impact of flooding on businesses.

Read more about Professor Cloke's research


On the MSc you study with a diverse group of people of all ages, knowledge and career backgrounds. You learn from each other through discussions, field classes, group work and exam preparation. This learning experience was invaluable to me.

Abi Ravichanthiran

MSc Environmental Management graduate

Your future career

Overall, 91% of graduates from Geography and Environmental Science are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation; of those in full-time employment, 91% are in graduate-level roles (based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22; includes all Geography and Environmental Science responders). 

Many of our graduates have gone on to work in public and private sector organisations within the UK and internationally, as well as continuing their research in a wide variety of academic posts. Past graduates who studied MSc Environmental Management at Reading have gone on to work for employers such as Berkeley Group, Environment Agency, PwC, Syngenta and Thames Water.

(Based on HESA data © HESA 2020 - 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18 - 2021/22; includes MSc Environmental Management responders)

Graduates also go on to study for PhDs.

Dedicated careers adviser

The School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science has a dedicated Careers Consultant. They offer careers advice that incorporates coaching techniques, and have developed career learning in both higher education and school settings. They provide additional support and actively help build links with industry both locally and nationally.

To find out more, visit the Careers Centre site.

RED Award

The RED Award (Reading Experience and Personal Development) is a formal record of all your placements and volunteering and is included in your University transcript. This allows you to make the most of extra-curricular activities and experiences undertaken outside of your academic course and to share these with prospective employers on graduation.

 

Henry Bortey-Otchwemah now works as a consultant in Climate Change and Development

Abi Ravichanthiran is building a career in sustainability at Veolia UK

Our course

Our master's programme will help you to establish a firm grounding in your chosen specialism and take your knowledge and skills to the next level.

How you'll study

Through our high-quality fieldwork and research projects we train you to the highest standards as a preparation for professional employment or doctoral study. 

Life in the Department

Join a vibrant and welcoming department at a University named Sustainable University of the Year (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025). 

Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences of IES
Athena SWAN Silver Award