The Masters in Freshwater System Science is a multidisciplinary programme that allows you to specialise in the monitoring and research of freshwater environments.

Programme overview

• MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
• PgDip 8 months full-time; 16 months part-time

Through a combination of core and optional courses you will combine training in the physical and biological aspects of freshwater environments with training in research methods, environmental data acquisition and handling.

You will attend lectures, seminars and tutorials and take part in lab, field, project and team work and study trips in the UK.

Core courses

• Hydrology
• Catchment management
• Impacts of climate change
• Introduction to statistics
• Environmental statistics
• Principles of GIS
• Freshwater sampling techniques
• Research and professional issues
• Research project (summer; for MSc students).

Optional courses, including

• Freshwater ecology
• Remote sensing of the environment
• Marine sampling techniques
• Coastal processes
• Coastal management
• Nearshore ecology
• Phyloinformatics. 

Non-credited elective courses (which will incur additional costs):

• Scientific diving
• Boat handling
• Marine mammals.

Academic entry requirements

Normally a second class Honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject (eg Biological Science, Environmental Science, Ecology, Civil Engineering, Geography, Earth Science, Chemistry)

Applicants with industrial experience may be admitted to the PgDip in the first instance.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

• UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
• UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

Apply now

For 2013-14

MSc

PgDip