Water and Wastewater Processes MSc

Water and Wastewater Processes MSc - Engineering route

Develop a career in Water and Wastewater Engineering

Our MSc in Water and Wastewater Processes offers you two distinct study routes to ensure you can tailor your study to your specific needs and career prospects.

By choosing this Water and Water Processes - Engineering route, you will apply engineering principles for the effective selection, design and operation of water and wastewater treatment processes and assess performance, environmental impact, energy, risk and cost.

Water and Water Processes MSc - Environmental Science route

High value scholarships available:
重口味SM Merit Scholarships
Anglian Water Bursary
重口味SM India Scholarship
重口味SM Nigeria Scholarship
重口味SM Vietnam Scholarship

Overview

Start dateFull-time: October, part-time: October
DurationFull-time: one year, part-time: two-three years
DeliveryTaught modules 80 credits/800 hours, Group projects 40 credits/400 hours, Individual project 60 credits/600 hours
QualificationMSc, PgDip, PgCert
重口味SM typeFull-time / Part-time
Campus重口味SM campus

Who is it for?

This route is best-suited for those who want to pursue an engineering position in the water industry. This course will build on your existing knowledge with up-to-date skills and advanced concepts in the operation, control, design, regulation and management of the water systems and networks of the future. Whether you want to work for an organisation in the private or public sector or be an independent developer, inventor, scientist, or creator this course will provide you with the skills to meet your career aspirations.

The Engineering route is well-suited to those from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including (but not limited to) environmental engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and public health.

8 reasons to study water at 重口味SM

Your career

This MSc equips the students with the knowledge and skills required to pursue a career in water engineering in the public and private sectors or an academic career (PhD). This course prepares students for a wide range of careers including commissioning engineer, process engineer, asset manager, engineering consultant, process scientist, regulatory scientist/inspector, researcher government and NGO roles.

重口味SM Careers and Employability Service

重口味SM’s Career Service is dedicated to helping you meet your career aspirations. You will have access to career coaching and advice, CV development, interview practice, access to hundreds of available jobs via our Symplicity platform and opportunities to meet recruiting employers at our careers fairs. Our strong reputation and links with potential employers provide you with outstanding opportunities to secure interesting jobs and develop successful careers. Support continues after graduation and as a 重口味SM alumnus, you have free life-long access to a range of career resources to help you continue your education and enhance your career.

I'm currently a Design Engineer for Seven Trent Water. I would say my course has definitely impacted my careers prospects. The work I have done and the things I've been taught at 重口味SM, I've been able to directly transfer to my work. It's been very enriching that way.

重口味SM is a big name in the water sector with a lot of cutting-edge technology, which is being trialled here and a lot of companies want a piece of that action.

I chose 重口味SM because of the importance they give to the technical aspect of learning, it's more about how we can integrate what we do scientifically into what we achieve on field, on site. So it's a great opportunity and a place to learn before you move on in industry.

重口味SM is the best place regarding the facilities and the support and opportunities here.

After completing my master's, I am still here in 重口味SM. I'm currently doing my MSc by Research here. I am now working in PFAS Treatment, so I want to broaden my research and focus more on my research in the long term, maybe becoming an industry expert, a Process Design Engineer, focusing on micro pollutants and PFAS remediation from drinking water.

The MSc Water and Wastewater Engineering course has been challenging but also stimulating and exciting. The lectures are very interactive and engaging and oftentimes, there are even external presenters including 重口味SM alumni, who deliver presentations on certain topics.

重口味SM opened a lot of doors for me. I got my job offer with Mott MacDonald, three months away from finishing the course. I believe the experience I got from 重口味SM, and especially the group project helped me.

It is the best place because the interactions between students and lecturers are superb.

Why this course?

Water and wastewater systems are under increasing strain from demographic and climatic changes. Our course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to help find sustainable solutions to those pressures and make a real difference for future generations. On this course you will:

重口味SM a truly interdisciplinary course, rooted in a system-level understanding of water and wastewater
Complete your thesis on a real-world project to suit your interests
Learn from internationally leading faculty who undertake cutting-edge research
Hear about relevant challenges (like sewage and river health) from a wide range of experts working across the sector
Visit active water and wastewater treatment sites to see technologies in the real world
Benefit from innovative, problem-oriented teaching activities
Develop practical skills and networking opportunities

Informed by industry

This MSc is supported by organisations from across the water sector, including water utilities, consultancies, regulators, and NGOs. They support us with guest lectures, problem-based activities, by hosting field trips (), and by sponsoring thesis projects. These links can give your career a boost by providing networking opportunities and giving you a real-world perspective on the topics discussed in the classroom. Many of our graduates have gone on to take up jobs within the organisations that participate in our course.

Course details

In this section

In this Engineering route of the MSc, students get to learn more about the engineering aspects of water and wastewater treatment systems.

The course comprises a taught programme of of five core modules, two route modules, and one elective module. You will then go on to study a group project and an individual project.

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Course delivery

Taught modules 80 credits/800 hours, Group projects 40 credits/400 hours, Individual project 60 credits/600 hours

The group project is an applied multidisciplinary team-based activity. It provides students with the opportunity, whilst working in teams under academic supervision, to apply principles taught during modules whilst taking responsibility for project tasks. Success is dependent on the integration of various activities, working within agreed objectives, deadlines and budgets. Students submit project reports and present their findings to representatives from industry. This develops professional practice in communication skills for technical and business areas of process development. Part-time students complete a single design project individually in a field of their choice.

Recent group projects include:

Students select their individual project in consultation with the thesis project coordinators. This provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate independent research ability working within agreed objectives, deadlines and budgets. The project is sponsored by industry and usually includes a four-month placement with the sponsoring company. Placements previously have been offered by all ten of the UK water utilities, the leading two French utilities, as well as multinational companies and SMEs operating in the water sector. Part-time students usually undertake their individual project with their employer.

Modules

Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.

To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.

Course modules

Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course.

Module Leader	Dr Heather Smith
Aim	This module will showcase the drivers of change in the water sector and evaluate their impact on the selection of water and wastewater treatment systems and how global trends influence systems operation.
Syllabus	Introduction to the UK water sector. Overview of water resources. Overview of water supply systems. Protect the river. LMIC. Drivers of innovation– Net Zero, CE and digitisation.
Intended learning outcomes	Relate the global-scale challenges affecting water resources, water supply and wastewater services, and explain how these challenges differ between high and low income countries. Derive the basic elements of water and wastewater services, from catchment to treatment to discharge and recycling, relate these elements to the global-scale challenges and discuss how they are being impacted. Appraise key trends driving change in water and wastewater services, compare how these trends, and predict how services will respond.

Module Leader	Dr Irene Carra
Aim	To acquire general knowledge of the processes employed in water and wastewater treatment and the scientific principles on which they are based.
Syllabus	Classification, significance and concentration ranges of contaminants in water and wastewater, including: suspended and dissolved solids, organic and inorganic compounds, micropollutants, odour and pathogens. Physical processes for removing contaminants such as coagulation, clarification, filtration, adsorption and membrane separation. Chemical processes for removing contaminants such as oxidation, precipitation, coagulation and ion exchange. Adsorption and ion exchange. Biological processes such as aerobic and anaerobic processes, activated sludge and sludge digestion. Water recycling, resource recovery and options to achieve net zero. Nature based solutions, their benefits and limitations. Examples of flow sheets and unit operations used in treatment plants.
Intended learning outcomes	Relate the scientific principles of water and wastewater treatment processes. Assess the nature of contaminants in water systems and their contribution to water and wastewater quality and treatability. Critically select appropriate treatment processes, based on water and wastewater quality, and the intended use of the treated water.

Module Leader	Dr Luca Alibardi
Aim	You will learn about the basic scientific and engineering principles on which water and wastewater treatment processes are based including water chemistry, organic chemistry, chemical and biochemical kinetics, mass balance, reactor theory, mass and heat transfers. You will learn data analysis techniques and statistical tools that are relevant for the analysis of data generated during the operation and monitoring of water and wastewater treatment process, experimental tests or pilot scale trials. The knowledge that you will gain in this module will form the scientific and engineering basis to understand, apply and appraise process design procedures and methodologies as well as understand, appraise or develop reactor operation procedures and diagnosis approaches that will be presented in the next modules.
Syllabus	Aqueous chemistry: moles and equivalents, solubility, the behaviour of acids and bases and the concept of pH, kinetics, and equilibria. Basic concepts of organic chemistry. Basic concepts of microbiology and biodegradability. Kinetics – chemical and biochemical. Mass balances. Reactors – continuous stirred tank and plug flow reactors. Mass and heat transfers. Data analysis and statistical tools.
Intended learning outcomes	Review relevant fundamental scientific and engineering principles forming the basis for process design, diagnosis and operation that are relevant for water and wastewater treatment. Assess the chemistry and microbiology concepts involved in water processes. Critically assess the science and engineering principles for reactor design and operation of to water and wastewater treatment processes (mass balance, mass and heat transfers, reactor theory , chemical and biochemical kinetics). Appraise data analysis procedures and statistical tools for water and wastewater treatment systems.

Module Leader	Professor Peter Jarvis
Aim	The module is designed to provide you with the process science and engineering knowledge necessary to be able to effectively select, design, and monitor the biological, chemical and physical treatment processes used for conventional water and wastewater treatment.
Syllabus	Process science and application of water and wastewater treatment processes: Coagulation. Clarification. Filtration. Disinfection. Ion-exchange & adsorption. Membranes. Fixed film biological processes. Suspended biological processes. Sludge treatment. Anaerobic digestion.
Intended learning outcomes	Appraise the operation of different conventional treatment water and wastewater treatment processes using theoretical and empirical principles. Derive theoretical and empirical process science calculations in order to develop the basis of design for water and wastewater treatment processes. Evaluate how treatment processes can be applied for removal and processing of contaminants and waste streams.

Module Leader	Professor Bruce Jefferson
Aim	The challenges that water and wastewater treatment processes need to tackle to maintain their efficacy of treatment is ever evolving and in recent times appears to be accelerating in complexity and scale. The combination of climate change, population growth, emerging chemicals and tightening regulations are compounded through greater awareness and response form the general public. In light of this it can be argued that traditional flowsheets are moribund. Consequently, change is needed, and the associated people involved (process scientists, engineers, etc) need to embrace change in terms of the technologies we use and the flowsheets that contain them. This module will help you navigate this journey and equip you with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the delivery of solutions against such challenges and feel confident in when and how to adopt new technology.
Syllabus	Key emerging challenges for water and wastewater treatment. Development of future flowsheets and selection of suitable technologies. Four specific key challenges will be covered including: Details of the problem and potential flowsheets. Design, operation and challenges of the key technologies used. Economic and receptivity considerations where relevant. The challenges are: Bulk DOC removal and DBPs, impact of climate change and new regulations, PFAS, protect the river.
Intended learning outcomes	Explain key global challenges for water and wastewater treatment (e.g. PFAS, DBPs, protecting river ecosystems, indirect water recycling). Critically assess the benefits of emerging and/or novel technologies and mitigate uncertainties of their implementation. Develop suitable flowsheets and technologies for solving emerging challenges.

Module Leader	Dr Marc Pidou
Aim	Flowing water and hence hydraulics and pumping are essential to water and wastewater treatment processes. It is then critical for engineers involved in the design and operation of water and/or wastewater treatment plants to understand these principles. The aim of this module is then to provide the foundation in hydraulics and pumping systems with reference to water and wastewater treatment flow sheets.
Syllabus	Principles of channel flows, weirs and flumes. Hydraulic profiling. Flow distribution, divisions and combination. Flow through hydraulic structures and unit process. Pump-system calculations. Principles and sizing of pumps. Sludge pumping systems. Introduction to hydraulic modelling applied to water treatment.
Intended learning outcomes	Identify and explain hydraulic principles associated with typical processes and structures found in water and wastewater treatment works. Analyse flow and head losses in pipes and open channels. Appraise relevant fundamental engineering principles to design pumping systems, and calculate hydraulic profiles for water and wastewater treatment trains. Apply a process of hydraulic model design, building, calibration and validation to a water treatment case study to meet stated objectives, and critically evaluate the usefulness and uncertainty of the model.

Module Leader	Professor Paul Jeffrey
Aim	Asset management has become a central concern of the water and other utility sectors. Those working in the sector need to be versed with the context, tools and requirements of effective risk analysis and asset stewardship. This includes understanding asset management principles and planning processes as well as being able to assess asset health and link this to the prioritisation of maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement strategies. This module equips technologists with the skills to evaluate asset health in the context of risk and regulatory requirements and make related operational and investment decisions.
Syllabus	Risks to asset health and their consequences. Reactive, preventative, and predictive asset maintenance. Transitioning to Net Zero through Asset Management Investment Plans. Asset deterioration models. Reliability Engineering Tools. Operational maintenance: Pigs, bots, and flushing. Asset Management Strategies and Planning. Risk Cultures in the Water Sector. AI applications in Asset Management. Communicating risk and uncertainty. Asset Condition Data Sources. Managing NbS Assets. AI applications in Asset Management.
Intended learning outcomes	Analyse the regulatory and operational context for asset management in the water sector and explain how considerations of risk and uncertainty are related to the pursuit of asset management. Evaluate the relative advantages of a range of asset condition and maintenance tools and techniques and select appropriate intervention strategies based on an understanding of asset health. Diagnose asset failure modes and effectively communicate the risks associated with compromised asset performance.

Module Leader	Dr Pablo Campo Moreno
Aim	Water of good quality is necessary for domestic, environmental, industrial, recreational and agricultural applications. As a result of the conditions prevailing in the catchment area, natural and anthropogenic constituents in water bodies will define potential uses according to established criteria. Hence, for those working in water science, a comprehensive understanding of regulations applicable to water quality is needed. This module provides you with an overview of Water Framework Directive and other relevant water quality regulations and policies that govern the management and assessment of surface waters. If quality is to be adequately monitored, it is also important to acquire knowledge about sampling and measurement of water parameters and interpretation of acquired data. It also provides background in ecological processes, aquatic communities, and survey design and data analysis to help those working in environmental water management to interpret water quality data in the context of the catchment characteristics and pressures.
Syllabus	Importance of water quality for human health, drinking water and the environment. Water quality regulation and standards. UK methods to assess the status of surface water bodies. The physical and chemical attributes and processes structuring the biological community in aquatic ecosystems in the landscape (e.g. rivers, lakes, floodplains, estuaries and coastal zones). Design of water quality monitoring programmes: sampling strategies, sampling methods, quality assurance, and data handling. Water quality sampling & analysis: field sampling techniques and laboratory analysis methods. Statistical analysis of ecological and water quality data.
Intended learning outcomes	Evaluate the chemical, biological and hydromorphological processes and their interactions that determine the ecological status of a surface water body. Critically analyse water quality based on knowledge of the sampling and data analysis methods, and analyse them to identify significant spatial and temporal differences. Classify major point and non-point sources of water pollution derived from natural sources and human activities, and identify emerging threats to water quality.

Elective modules
One of the modules from the following list needs to be taken as part of this course.

Module Leader	Dr Andrea Momblanch
Aim	The increasing global concern for water scarcity, pollution, and the need for sustainable infrastructure calls for the importance of nature-based solutions (NBS) for water and wastewater treatment. NBS offers a paradigm shift, leveraging natural processes and ecosystems to enhance water quality, mitigate flooding, and restore ecological balance etc. To understand the roles of NBS and their functional mechanisms, learning from existing successful implementations is essential to support system design and operational guidance, allowing NBS to deliver not only regulatory standardised treatment effluent but also contribute to broader ecological benefits. This module aims to equip you with a cutting-edge education that combines theoretical knowledge with practical design skills on NBS for water and wastewater treatment.
Syllabus	Introduction of NBS in water and wastewater: Examples, trade-offs and opportunities, Latest innovations in NBS interventions, Optimising resources for maximum NBS impact. Treatment wetlands design: Wetland components and processes, Sizing for sewage applications, Sizing for industrial wastewater, Tutorial and exercise. Treatment wetland implementations: Ancillaries and hydraulic design, Commissioning and monitoring, Incorporating multiple benefits in wetland design, Wetland design tutorial: multiple benefits, Wetland benchmarking – building a business case, Visit 重口味SM experimental wetlands. Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDs): Introduction of SuDs, SuDs design: CIRIA guidance, and SuDS in practice, SuDS design equations, SuDS design tutorial and exercise - Ecosystem restoration - Biodiversity net gain - Visit MK SuDS schemes.
Intended learning outcomes	Evaluate different nature-based solutions and their implementations for water and wastewater treatment, Critically appraise the multiple benefits and evaluate the limitations and trade-offs of nature-based solutions, Size Treatment Wetlands to meet specific sewage treatment targets, Design sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) for water management based on guidance and best practices.

Module Leader	Professor Ana Soares
Aim	The water sector is embracing sustainable practices to effectively manage water and wastewater, aligning with circular economy principles and striving towards NET-ZERO goals while promoting resource recovery. This paradigm shift entails comprehensive, interdisciplinary strategies that prioritise not only technological advancements but also the establishment of metrics and key performance indicators. Considering regulatory frameworks and engaging local stakeholders are pivotal aspects. This module offers insights into the latest advancements in resource recovery from water, municipal, and industrial wastewater. It explores the drivers, challenges, opportunities, success stories, and tools essential for evaluating resource recovery implementation within the water sector.
Syllabus	Sustainable practices to manage water and wastewater. Circular economy. Resource recovery strategies and processes. Regulatory framework around resource recovery. Nutrient recovery. Energy recovery/net zero
Intended learning outcomes	Appraise sustainable practices in managing water and wastewater, including their alignment with circular economy principles and NET-ZERO targets. Derive strategies for resource recovery technologies applicable to water, municipal, and industrial wastewater treatment processes. Evaluate of drivers and challenges on the adoption of resource recovery practices. Assess tools and metrics to explore opportunities for resource recovery within the water sector, including potential economic, environmental, and social benefits.

Teaching team

重口味SM is recognised internationally as a centre of excellence for postgraduate courses. The Water Theme at 重口味SM is the UK's largest academic group specialising in process science and technology.

Our MSc course is delivered by leading academics and industry practitioners, with real-world research feeding into the coursework.

The Course Director is Dr Irene Carra and the Deputy Course Directors are Dr Pablo Campo Moreno and Dr Kristell Le Corre Pidou (part-time).

Accreditation

The MSc of this course is accredited by the .

Click on the ‘Apply now’ button below to start your online application.

See our Application guide for information on our application process and entry requirements.

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Related courses

Water and Wastewater Processes MSc - Environmental Science route

QS rankings

重口味SM University has been ranked amongst the world鈥檚 top universities in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject.

In Engineering 鈥� Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing, 重口味SM has been ranked 27th in the world and attaining top scores in Employer and Academic Reputation.

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