PhD and Master’s Research Programmes

     What is a PhD or a Master's degree? Why would you want to do one? Good questions! If you are a graduate in a biological or medical subject, and you want to gain more in-depth knowledge of a favourite topic, or do some real, novel research, or find out if a career as a scientist is your destiny, or if you just want to improve your job prospects, then a postgraduate ( = higher) degree might be for you.

MSc Environmental Science

The Environmental Science programme at the University of Aberdeen combines a diverse range of taught courses, practical work and a residential field trip through which we aim to provide a wide-ranging training in environmental science, applicable both to students with previous knowledge of a relevant sub-discipline and to those with little background in environmental science. We aim to provide students with theoretical knowledge, practical skills and an appreciation of the application of the subject.  We also develop students' communication and generic skills.

Many graduates from the Environmental Science programme move on to the private sector to work for environmental consultancies or take up positions in local government. A good proportion of graduates use the skills learned to continue in research either at universities or institutes, while some take advantage of the ‘fresh talent’ opportunities and gain valuable experience working in the UK.

"I studied for my MSc in Environmental Science at the University of Aberdeen in the 2001/02 academic year.  The masters course allowed me to learn many new aspects in environmental studies and equipped me with good knowledge and analytical experience.  The knowledge and skill I brought home from the course was very useful in my first job, as an environmental consultant, back in Hong Kong."

"The year in Aberdeen was a very great year for me.  I had a lot of fun with lecturers and classmates; they are very helpful and friendly and I have no problem at all to settle in right away.  Also the field trip experience was so interesting and unforgettable.  On the whole, the MSc course in Environmental Science is a very high quality one and I strongly recommend all of you to join."

KWOK Wing-chung (Wilson).

Executive Officer, Hong Kong SAR Government.

"Although, more traditionally oversea students favour business and finance courses over environmental subjects, I saw that in the future China’s job market will come to value highly, people skilled in this area. It is said that by 2020 the Chinese Environmental sector will be worth 555 billion US dollars, so I feel happy I made a wise decision."

"I enjoyed the range of different modules available to me at Aberdeen, the friendly lecturers and the diversity of people I met. Because the class sizes were small you really got to know everyone on the course, which meant I could quickly make friends. I learnt so much not just about Scottish culture, but of French, Spanish, German, Japanese, and American life too."    

HE Junwen (Veronica). Researcher. Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Beijing.