MEngSc Water, Waste & Environmental Engineering

Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

This programme prepares graduates to work in the broad field of environmental protection and management. Students in this programme will gain advanced theoretical and conceptual knowledge and understanding in the area of environmental engineering on topics such as engineering hydrology, environmental modelling, water and wastewater treatment, solid waste management, and environmental data analysis, among others. 

Module Information: 
Under the "What modules can I take?" section below you will see general module information, for a more detailed description including module selection rules click here.

Environmental engineering involves the application of engineering and scientific principles to solve or prevent environmental problems. This programme allows you to gain competencies in the design of facilities to treat water, wastewater and wastes; in the development and protection of water resources; in the design of flood protection system; in the analysis of environmental data; and in the design of infrastructure that respects the principles of environmental sustainability. It is delivered by a culturally diverse group of internationally renowned academic staff deliver the programme.

Curricular information is subject to change


Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

This MEngSc is a twelve month programme that prepares graduates to work in the broad field of Water, Waste and Environmental Engineering, including environmental protection and management. This programme is suited to both Civil Engineering graduates or graduates from closely related disciplines, such as Science or Physical Geography. Through a mixture of core and optional modules and a research project you will gain advanced theoretical and conceptual knowledge and understanding in areas of water, waste and environmental engineering. With optional modules and our research project you will have the ability to personalise your learning to those aspects that most interest you, such as environmental data analysis, environmental modelling, hydraulic modelling, water and wastewater treatment and solid waste management, amongst others.
Competencies in Water, Waste and Environmental Engineering are developed through a mixture of lectures, laboratory work, tutorials and group/individual projects in the Autumn and Spring Trimesters and through your individual research project during the Summer Trimester, with teaching methods varying to suit the range of subjects covered. A key competency expect from this programme’s graduates is the ability to work with colleagues from a range of disciplines, and this is fostered through the mixed cohort of engineers and scientists that take many of the modules together. These competencies are then assessed through a combination of continuous assessment and end of trimester examinations.
Graduates from this programme can expect possible career opportunities both nationally and internationally, in both engineering and environmental consultancies, regulatory authorities and in research.

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the theoretical background that underpins environmental issues especially on water and solids waste.
  • Demonstrate awareness and working understanding of the legislation related to the water, waste and environmental sector.
  • Demonstrate effective and clear oral and written communication skills.
  • Have a general working knowledge of field surveying methods to obtain relevant water, waste and environmental information and demonstrate a practical ability to conduct surveying techniques.
  • Have the ability to source, evaluate and synthesise current scientific information related to water, waste and environmental technologies and produce scientific reports with reasonable recommendations made and conclusions drawn.
  • Have the ability to work with water, waste and environmental data, understand the methods used to collect different types of data, conduct descriptive and analytical statistics.
  • This programme allows graduates to gain the concepts, theories of water, wastes treatment and environmental protection; in analysis, design and management of various treatment facilities including flood protection systems; preparing graduates towards EI professional title of Chartered Engineer.
  • Through work experience develop an understanding of how the knowledge gained can be applied to the work environment and develop skills necessary to work effectively in the work place.

Graduates from the programme will find employment as engineers in the private sector (e.g., engineering consultancy, engineering design, project management, risk assessment,waste management), in the public sector (e.g., environmental protection, regulation, standards development, local government, river basin management), and in the non governmental sector (e.g., environmental advocacies, NGO’s), or may wish to pursue further qualifications (e.g., PhD, MBA) to become even more specialised.

Graduates will be equipped with the skills that allow them to be lifelong learners, whether in the pursuit of knowledge for personal use or in connection with their engineering careers. Employers of environmental engineers include commercial firms, engineering consultancies, government agencies, and non-governmental organisations,  all well known in Ireland and many with global operations. Some of these include: • RPS Group • White Young Green • Nicholas O’Dwyer • Atkins • Greenstar • Arup • McKinsey and Company • Mazars • Environmental Protection Agency • Local Authorities • Engineers Without Borders • Engineers Against Poverty • Friends of the Earth

View All Modules Here

This section links to general module information, for a more detailed description including module selection rules click here.

MEngSc Water, Waste & Environmental Engineering (T277) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9300
nonEU    fee per year - € 29100

MEngSc Water, Waste & Environmental Engineering (T278) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 4750
nonEU    fee per year - € 14550

***Fees are subject to change

Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see www.ucd.ie/global/scholarships/

The College of Engineering & Architecture also offer scholarships for non-EU students, for more information see: www.ucd.ie/eacollege/study/noneuscholarships.

  • An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ level 8) with minimum 2:1 award  or international equivalence in civil engineering, other related engineering (such as chemical engineering, environmental engineering, agriculturial engineering), physical science or environmental related degree programme.              
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
  • Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the  English language requirements, may enter the programme upon  successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/ 
  • These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes 

Graduate Profile - Tessa Clarizio, CRH

I pursued a Master’s in Water, Waste, and Environmental Engineering at UCD due to my desire to gain an international perspective on environmental issues, UCD’s strong reputation in engineering, and its relationship with my undergraduate university in the U.S. Through this course, I reinforced my knowledge on environmental engineering principles as well as enhanced my skillset through learning about green infrastructure, waste management, and software such as GIS and R. I also was able to learn about EU environmental legislation, listen to class speakers from Ireland’s EPA, and visit water treatment facilities. There were a number of different research topics to pursue for my thesis as well as the possibility to propose my own topic, which speaks to the breadth of expertise and dedication present in UCD’s civil engineering department. UCD’s career resources and connections were likewise useful, and helped me achieve an internship with CRH’s Dublin office in their sustainability group upon completion of my masters. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in furthering their skillset as an environmental engineer.

The following entry routes are available:

MEngSc Water, Waste & Environmental Engineering FT (T277)
Duration
1 Years
Attend
Full Time
Deadline
Rolling*
MEngSc Water, Waste & Environmental Engineering PT (T278)
Duration
2 Years
Attend
Part Time
Deadline
Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised