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University of Oxford: Water Science, Policy and Management
| Institution | University of Oxford |
|---|---|
| Department | Geography and the Environment |
| Web | http://www.ox.ac.uk/study |
| graduate.admissions@admin.ox.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | +44 (0)1865 270059 |
| Study type | Taught |
MSc
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
The MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management is a taught course covering water science, society, and management. Topics include hydrology, water governance, health, climate, and sustainable development, with fieldwork and research training.
The course aims to equip the next generation of water professionals with the blend of skills necessary to make a significant contribution to sustainable water management pathways across competing priorities of water for ecosystems, food, energy, economic growth and human consumption.
Course structure The course objectives are assessed through three themes: water science, water and society, and water management, delivered through seven core modules.
Teaching takes place through lectures, seminars and field visits, including a one-week field trip during the Easter vacation. Contact hours are usually between 12-15 hours per week.
You will also select one elective module in Michaelmas Term and one elective module in Hilary Term. The elective modules offer a tutorial-style teaching and discussion environment within smaller groups, based on a suite of contemporary research themes that reflect the specific interests of core faculty and visiting research associates. The teaching aim is to foster discussion and debate between academic staff and students to identify and explore theory, methods and practice in an academic space that encourages a critical dialogue.
Field trips typically include a residential field trip within Britain as part of the induction to the course, a one-week residential field trip during the Easter vacation and day field trips throughout the year to explore various aspects of water management.
An independent and original dissertation is an integral component of the course.
Core faculty staff will lead a series of training sessions that will build core transferable research skills in the natural and social sciences. The skills training will focus on both strengthening capabilities to conduct high quality research for your dissertation and on future professional development.
The department has several research clusters, in biodiversity, ecosystems and conservation; climate systems and policy; landscape dynamics; technological life; economy and society; environmental interactions, and political worlds, which hold seminars throughout term-time. Graduate students are encouraged to attend these seminars.
Research skills training is provided in preparation for the dissertation. As well as developing an understanding of the research process, these sessions will cover such things as social surveys, data analysis and statistical techniques. Throughout the course, fieldtrips and visits to external organisations support the lectures and seminars and deliver valuable skills training.
For the full descriptions, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
MPhil The MPhil in Water Science, Policy and Management aims to equip the next generation of water professionals with the blend of skills necessary to make a significant contribution to sustainable water management pathways across competing priorities of water for ecosystems, food, energy, economic growth and human consumption. The second year is devoted to researching and writing a thesis.
The MPhil is a two-year course. In the first year you will take the coursework associated with the MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management. The MSc course comprises seven core modules within three thematic areas – water science, water and society, and water management – and two elective modules.
The water science theme develops knowledge and understanding in physical, chemical, ecological and epidemiological aspects of water science in temperate, tropical and semi-arid zones. It provides a foundation in basic processes in each key subject area, as well as interactions throughout the hydrological cycle, and the role of society in altering natural hydrological processes and function, and the impact this has on health.
The water and society theme explores how contested domains of power, interests and knowledge influence water decision-making, illustrated through institutional, socio-economic and policy analysis. This covers areas of water security and governance, law and regulation, water economics, water finance, water access, ownership and rights, water for development, climate change, water risks and interactions between the state and civil society within dynamic and varied political, cultural, social and economic contexts.
The water management theme integrates the knowledge and understanding of water developed in the other thematic areas to better enable you to tackle the big water management challenges that we face. Geographic case studies are developed to compare the trade-offs that occur between science and society in these contexts. Interactions with experts with different perspectives and expertise will help you to understand the challenges faced by water managers.
MSc The MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management aims to equip the next generation of water professionals with the blend of skills necessary to make a significant contribution to sustainable water management pathways across competing priorities of water for ecosystems, food, energy, economic growth and human consumption.
The course is broken down into three thematic areas – water science, water and society, and water management.
The water science theme develops knowledge and understanding in physical, chemical, ecological and epidemiological aspects of water science in temperate, tropical and semi-arid zones. It provides a foundation in basic processes in each key subject area, as well as interactions throughout the hydrological cycle, and the role of society in altering natural hydrological processes and ecosystem function, and the impact this has on health.
The water and society theme explores how contested domains of power, interests and knowledge influence water decision-making, illustrated through institutional, socio-economic and policy analysis. This covers areas of water security and governance, law and regulation, water economics, water finance, water access, ownership and rights, water for development, climate change, water risks, and interactions between the state and civil society within dynamic and varied political, cultural, social and economic contexts.
For the full descriptions, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
Master of Philosophy - MPhil
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
MPhil The MPhil in Water Science, Policy and Management aims to equip the next generation of water professionals with the blend of skills necessary to make a significant contribution to sustainable water management pathways across competing priorities of water for ecosystems, food, energy, economic growth and human consumption. The second year is devoted to researching and writing a thesis.
The MPhil is a two-year course. In the first year you will take the coursework associated with the MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management. The MSc course comprises seven core modules within three thematic areas – water science, water and society, and water management – and two elective modules.
The water science theme develops knowledge and understanding in physical, chemical, ecological and epidemiological aspects of water science in temperate, tropical and semi-arid zones. It provides a foundation in basic processes in each key subject area, as well as interactions throughout the hydrological cycle, and the role of society in altering natural hydrological processes and function, and the impact this has on health.
The water and society theme explores how contested domains of power, interests and knowledge influence water decision-making, illustrated through institutional, socio-economic and policy analysis. This covers areas of water security and governance, law and regulation, water economics, water finance, water access, ownership and rights, water for development, climate change, water risks and interactions between the state and civil society within dynamic and varied political, cultural, social and economic contexts.
The water management theme integrates the knowledge and understanding of water developed in the other thematic areas to better enable you to tackle the big water management challenges that we face. Geographic case studies are developed to compare the trade-offs that occur between science and society in these contexts. Interactions with experts with different perspectives and expertise will help you to understand the challenges faced by water managers.
MSc The MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management aims to equip the next generation of water professionals with the blend of skills necessary to make a significant contribution to sustainable water management pathways across competing priorities of water for ecosystems, food, energy, economic growth and human consumption.
The course is broken down into three thematic areas – water science, water and society, and water management.
The water science theme develops knowledge and understanding in physical, chemical, ecological and epidemiological aspects of water science in temperate, tropical and semi-arid zones. It provides a foundation in basic processes in each key subject area, as well as interactions throughout the hydrological cycle, and the role of society in altering natural hydrological processes and ecosystem function, and the impact this has on health.
The water and society theme explores how contested domains of power, interests and knowledge influence water decision-making, illustrated through institutional, socio-economic and policy analysis. This covers areas of water security and governance, law and regulation, water economics, water finance, water access, ownership and rights, water for development, climate change, water risks, and interactions between the state and civil society within dynamic and varied political, cultural, social and economic contexts.
For the full descriptions, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
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