EIAM7001
30 credits
This module explores the systematic process of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) / Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and the conceptual...
Accredited by Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA)
MSc Environmental Impact Assessment and Management
Develop specialist insight into environmental impact assessment and how it informs environmental planning and management.
Key facts
- Duration
- Full time: 12 months (Sept start), 17 months (Jan start)
- Part time: 24 months (Sept start), 29 months (Jan start) (distance learning only)
- Level
- Master's and postgraduate
- UCAS code
- P015395
- Location
- Headington
- Distance Learning
- School
- School of the Built Environment
About this course
All sorts of industries such as offshore wind, mineral extraction and construction depend on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). Although, many are struggling to find people with the right technical knowledge.
The master’s at Oxford Brookes is a gateway to many potential careers consulting, project managing, developing regulations, or championing sustainability.
Your future is a top priority for us. We designed the course alongside industry partners to make sure you’re equipped with the skills they’re looking for. You’ll work on projects and submit reports. You’ll collaborate with students on other courses to get a feel for how their disciplines work. And you’ll have opportunities to network, and develop your confidence in reaching out to employers.
You also have the option to join us part-time through distance learning. You can study alongside work or other commitments, joining our live-streamed classes or catching up on the recordings.
Accreditations
- Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
- Accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
- Accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
Beyond theory
As the course is delivered by the School of the Built Environment, there’s a very practical focus. We always emphasise how an idea applies in real life, whether that’s a construction project or natural resource extraction.
Think big
We won’t just teach you to do assessments, we’ll show you ways of communicating impact and helping organisations transform the way they work.
Experience it
Visit real sites like gravel quarries or incinerators to explore assessing impact on a live project and hear first-hand from practitioners working in the field.
Learn from our experience
Our teaching staff are actively consulting and researching and will use their specialist knowledge to inform your classes.
Research expertise
The School of the Built Environment has an impressive list of funders and clients covering UK and EU government, research funding councils and industry.
- the European Commission
- UK Government/Agencies
- local government
- the commercial sector.
Research areas and clusters
Infrastructure and energy continue to be a key focus as they are the essential components of a rapidly urbanising world.
Research groups:
- Smart Construction and Impact Assessment (SC&IA)
- Land Design and Development (LDD)
- Planning, Policy and Governance (PPG)
We have links with universities worldwide so there are exciting opportunities for collaborative research, exchanges and study overseas.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| IELTS | IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all skills. For more information, please see our English language requirements. |
This course is open to applicants who hold a 2.2 undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent) in any subject.
We will actively consider applications from candidates with lower degrees, who can evidence relevant experience (or an alternative qualification) that demonstrates ability to study at postgraduate level.
Fees and funding
Fees
| Fee types | 2026/27 | 2027/28 |
|---|---|---|
| Home distance learning | £5,625 | £6,050 |
| Home full-time | £11,250 | £12,100 |
| Home part-time | £5,625 | £6,050 |
| International distance learning | £9,250 | £9,650 |
| International full-time | £18,500 | £19,300 |
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page.
Questions about fees?
Learning and assessment
To gain the full MSc, you’ll complete 4 core modules, the Research Methods module, and a dissertation. You can choose to finish with a PGCert or PGDip instead or take individual modules for professional development.
We designed the course by consulting with our industry partners to make sure the content is relevant to your future career. You’ll understand challenges in the industry, get to know best practice, and hear the latest developments directly from our researchers.
The content applies to EIA all over the world. Our students are from a diverse range of backgrounds and have diverse perspectives. It ’s a rewarding environment to study in. You’ll come away with inspiring ideas to apply in your own career.
If you’re joining us through distance learning, we’ve made the course as flexible as possible. You can join face-to-face sessions and meet the students on campus. You can join live lectures and seminars through video call. Or you can catch up on the recordings if you have previous commitments. You’ll study 1 module each semester, with classes taking place 1 day each week.
We use an 'applied' approach to learning, sometimes called 'problem based learning' or PBL. You will work in groups and learn by actively puzzling through problems. These are adapted from complex real situations and case studies.
Full time students
Our teaching methods include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- workshops.
Study time during the semester usually consists of:
- two x 2 hourly sessions per week for each of the two core modules
- a weekly 2 hour session for research methods (reducing to approximately two class sessions in the semester 2)
- independent learning and work on coursework assignments.
Open (distance) learning mode
Online learning material is provided via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Teaching methods include:
- webinars
- recorded lectures
- discussion forums
- Question and Answer sessions.
You will have the opportunity for face-to-face contact within the Intensive Study Periods.
Assessment
You will be assessed solely by coursework. There are no examinations on the programme due to the problem-solving nature of our teaching methods.
You will develop and practice different skills based on the range of assessment methods which include:
- report writing
- verbal presentations
- essays
- journal entries
- quizzes
- collaborative group assignments.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
EIAM7002
30 credits
The importance of collaborative working and the challenges and skills-gap associated with communication and knowledge management have been widely recognised...
EIAM7003
30 credits
This module examines new concepts in environmental and social risk management that are demonstrating evidence of traction in terms of research, policy...
EIAM7004
30 credits
This module develops the knowledge and skills required to critically engage with the call for more ‘intelligent’ EIA/ESIA i.e. the use of ICT to harness new...
CMNR7003
10 credits
This module provides you with the fundamentals of research design highlighting the difference between qualitative and quantitative research paradigms and...
ARCH7030
50 credits
This is your opportunity to undertake a self-directed piece of work and explore an issue or theme in depth. You will develop your research ideas during semester...
Careers
Whether you’re looking to move into a new career or you’re using the course as CPD to gain new knowledge, you’ll develop plenty of practical, career-enhancing skills at Oxford Brookes. Previous students are working in companies like WSP, Ramboll, AECOM, ERM, RPS Group, and Savills.
Your new EIA talents will be useful in a range of areas such as:
- environmental and management consultancy,
- local government,
- regulatory agencies,
- statutory consultees,
- environmental NGOs,
- major development companies,
- engineering firms.
Or you might use the course as a stepping stone to a strategic or executive-level role where a strong technical background would be a huge benefit. For example, recent graduates have gone into management roles.
As the course is accredited by Royal Town Planning Institute and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, you could also work towards a specialist career like environmental surveyor.
How to apply
We advise applying in advance to secure places, and allow sufficient time for applications to be reviewed.
There is no formal application deadline (recruitment closes when teaching capacity is reached).
Applicants should also factor any time needed to meet offer conditions, arrange accommodation, and obtain a UK Student visa (if applicable).
Our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, so module availability and course structures may vary from what is listed here. On rare occasions, we may also need to make updates to our course programmes after publication; for full details, please visit our changes to programmes page (opens in a new tab)