MSc Water Management for Development (Distance Learning, Full-time) degree

Qualifications available: MSc, PGDip, PGCert

Entry requirements
2:2 +
Full-time
1 year
Part-time
See part-time listing
Start date
September 2020
UK / EU fee
£10,950
International fee
£23,500
Location
Online
Department
Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Application status
Open

We've made some changes to our master's degrees to provide reassurance and flexibility for applicants wishing to join us in 2020/21. Read our options to start a master's degree in 2020/21 to find out more.

This degree is also available part-time with a different fee.

How to apply
Open days
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Overview

Our MSc Water Management for Development (Distance Learning) programme is designed to develop careers managing water and environmental sanitation services for low- and middle-income countries. It is aligned with our Water Management for Development MSc programme taught at the Loughborough campus.

Our MSc in Water Management for Development (Distance Learning) programme is managed by the Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC) in the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering. The programme is delivered online from the WMFD Portal.

WEDC programmes are well-established, and held in high regard by practitioners and employers from both international development and emergency sectors. Modules are taught by experts in a broad range of disciplines who have considerable experience of working in low- and middle- income countries.

This programme is designed to: 

  • provide the multidisciplinary knowledge and skills to coordinate, plan, manage and monitor water and environmental sanitation services, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries
  • support the professionalization of the sector, through policy development, performance improvement, institutional reform, change management, benchmarking services and aiming for financial viability
  • encourage a critical approach to the global principles and local practice of sustainable water and environmental management for the public good
  • equip students with appropriate expertise and skills for relevant work in management of water and environmental sanitation for low- and middle-income countries
  • encourage critical analysis through in-depth study of a specialist topic

Loughborough attracts and appoints outstanding academics, many of whom are expert leaders in their fields. By studying our Water Management for Development programme, you will benefit from working with specialists who are enthusiastic about their subjects and at the forefront of current research. Visit the WEDC website for details of the WEDC staff team.

Who should study this programme?

The Water Management (Distance Learning) programme is for graduates who wish to develop careers in managing water and environmental sanitation services in low- and middle-income countries. The structure of the programme suits the needs of international students, and/or those who may be returning to study.

What is online distance learning?

Distance learning enables you to learn new knowledge and develop skills whilst maintaining existing employment. This has a number of benefits to both you as a student and to your employer:

You will be able to directly apply new skills and knowledge and thus reinforce your learning, and at the same time become a more valuable asset to your employer
Employers can maintain continuity and also develop their workforce
You can learn and study flexibly and at your own pace, for up to a period of five years if you wish
The cost of study is spread over a longer time period and can be paid on a module-by-module basis

Our learning materials are carefully designed to be comprehensive and easy to follow. At the start of each module, students will be able to access these materials online and on a USB pen drive for portability. The online materials include:

Study guidance
A set of highly illustrated self-study notes
Additional reading materials
Self-assessment questions and answers
Subject-specific references and texts

Why you should choose us

1st in the UK for Building Engineering The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020
Top 100 in the world for Architecture/Built Environment QS World Rankings 2020
Top 10 in the UK for Architecture Complete University Guide 2021
12th in the UK for Civil Engineering Guardian University Guide 2020
Top 20 Ranked in top 20 in the UK for Civil Engineering Complete University Guide 2021
4th Loughborough University ranked 4th in the UK out of 121 UK universities Guardian University Guide 2020
5th Loughborough University ranked 5th out of the UK's top 30 universities Times Higher Education 'Table of Tables' 2019
5th Loughborough University ranked 5th in the UK The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020
6th Loughborough University ranked 6th out of 130 UK universities The Complete University Guide 2021

Why you should study this degree

What makes this programme different?

  • Water Management programmes are highly regarded by sector employers
  • All WEDC’s postgraduate programmes are accredited by The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)
  • Excellent facilities including equipment for field sampling, analysis of water and wastewater, and hydraulics experiments
  • Outdoor facilities for practical exercises including the largest single site collection of handpumps used for maintenance training

What you'll study

The modules on our Water Management for Development (Distance Learning) are designed to develop your understanding of important aspects of sustainable public health infrastructure and services for all levels of consumers, and equip you with appropriate expertise and skills for work in low- and middle-income countries.

Modules

Modules are prepared by WEDC teaching staff, all of whom have extensive experience working in low- and middle-income countries. They draw upon their field experience to explain how current theoretical approaches can be practically and realistically applied to address the challenges in relevant low- and middle-income working contexts.

The following information is intended as an example only and is based on module information for the 2019/20 year of entry. Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes. Updated Programme and Module Specifications are made available ahead of each academic year. Please see Terms and Conditions of Study for more information.

This module will introduce the principles, concepts, challenges and key issues of managing sustainable water supply and environmental sanitation development programmes in low- and middle-income countries, using the management of solid waste as a practical example.

Topics covered may include:

  • poverty and development
  • benefits, progress and plans for improved water, sanitation and health engineering (WASH)
  • stakeholders in WASH
  • governance, accountability and the enabling environment
  • institutions, capacity development and institutional change
  • participatory approaches
  • service delivery approaches
  • project planning and management
  • basic economic/financial aspects of WASH services
  • project cycle and results framework/theory of change
  • an introduction to solid waste management
  • solid waste storage and primary collection
  • solid waste transfer and secondary storage
  • waste disposal options
  • a case study on recycling and reuse
  • human rights, equity and inclusion for WASH.

This module will provide you with a critical understanding of, and skills relating to, aquatic environments by examining the quantities, qualities and ecologies of natural water resources and how these relate to the needs of society. The module will also demonstrate the need for, and processes, of environmental assessments in low- and middle-income countries.

Topics covered may include:

  • the natural environment
  • water resources
  • integrated approaches to environmental management
  • water quality
  • environmental health
  • environmental pollution
  • rainfall
  • surface water
  • groundwater
  • livelihoods and water use
  • land and river management
  • water pollution control
  • environmental assessment process
  • types of environmental assessment
  • mitigation of impacts.

This module will provide you with a critical understanding of, and skills relating to, the important aspects of the provision, operation, maintenance and management of sustainable small water supplies for low-income communities.

Topics studied may include:

  • communal and household point water sources for urban and rural areas
  • estimating water demand and storage
  • water safety and drinking water quality
  • choosing technologies and service options
  • rainwater harvesting
  • groundwater abstraction
  • spring protection
  • point-of-use and point-of-collection water treatment systems
  • management of rural water supplies
  • cost-recovery
  • financial management
  • procurement and contracting
  • household self-supply, strategic planning and monitoring
  • enabling sustainable outcomes.

This module will develop a critical understanding of, and skills relating to, the reasons, principles and constraints in carrying out research, monitoring and evaluation in a variety of resource poor contexts. It will also introduce you to subject specific data gathering and assessment tools relating to water and sanitation services in low and middle-income countries

Topics studied may include:

  • methodology
  • literature review
  • variation and sampling
  • physical and environmental data
  • social and economic data
  • ethics and risk
  • data gathering
  • participatory methods
  • data management
  • assessment tools
  • evaluating data
  • quantitative data presentation and analysis
  • qualitative data presentation and analysis
  • communication and advocacy.

This module will provide you with a critical understanding of, and skills relating to, the complex mix of institutional, environmental, social, economic and human factors that have to be considered when facilitating the improvement of sanitation in rural, small town, peri-urban and informal urban settings. It willl also enable you to understand the importance of changing people's attitudes and behaviours, as well as delivering infrastructure improvements.

Topics studied may include:

  • contextual factors of rural, small town, peri-urban and informal urban settings
  • hygiene promotion
  • on-site sanitation technologies for rural settings: the sanitation ladder
  • sanitation in small town, peri-urban and informal urban settings
  • non-networked ('stand-alone') on-site sanitation
  • promotion and management of sanitation
  • school sanitation: key design and operation features
  • accessibility: design criteria and features of latrine technologies
  • a case study of rural sanitation
  • behaviour change: awareness-raising and promotion techniques
  • CLTS/SLTS to end open defecation
  • institutional support to increase uptake and use of safely managed sanitation
  • developing capacity and skills: ensuring sustainable use and safely managed facilities and services
  • sanitation at scale: the enabling environment for achieving safely management sanitation in rural, small town, peri-urban and informal urban settings
  • case study: eg managing innovation.

This module will provide you with a critical understanding of, and skills relating to, the design, operation and management of water supplies in urban areas. It will also familiarise you with the principles of the organisational design and management of water utility services in low- and middle-income countries.

Topics studied may include:

  • urban water supply
  • water sector overview and typical reforms
  • an introduction to water distribution and treatment
  • operation and maintenance
  • developing services and organisations
  • utility financial statements, ratios and tariffs
  • demand and willingness to pay issues
  • serving the urban poor
  • customer services and marketing
  • developing human resources
  • managing organisational change
  • public-private partnerships
  • case study.

This module will equip you with the methods of planning and managing sanitation services in urban areas of low- and middle income countries. It will also enable you to work with technical staff to produce sustainable, integrated sanitation solutions.

Topics studied may include:

  • institutional arrangements for urban sanitation
  • strategic approaches to sanitation provision
  • sanitation planning
  • investment planning and cost-recovery
  • wastewater treatment
  • sewerage
  • surface water management
  • latrine emptying and transportation of faecal sludge and septage
  • sanitation as a business
  • site planning
  • sanitation in informal settlements
  • sanitation marketing
  • service-based networks: sanitation service chains and faecal sludge management
  • managing treatment and disposal facilities.

This module will provide you with experience of the process and methodology of research by defining and studying (on an individual basis) a complex problem in a specialised area relating to your programme of study.

Module content will provide advice on planning research activities, report writing, time management, guidance on conducting library resources for online literature searches and the use of Mendeley for citing references. Following this, individual supervision and self-study will address relevant additional topics. The specific content of the study will be as defined by an agreed Project Definition Document.

Choose one

This module will introduce you to sustainable Disaster Risk Management (DRM) activities (structural and non-structural) worldwide. It will also help you to discover the links between engineering interventions and increases or decreases in disaster risk.

Topics studied may include:

  • the impact of disasters globally
  • global urbanism
  • international and national approaches to DRM
  • natural hazards
  • manmade threats in urban environments
  • increasing the resilience and sustainability of the built environment
  • the role of construction professionals
  • structural adaptation principles
  • earthquake engineering
  • flood mitigation
  • counter-terrorism measures
  • integrating sustainable DRM and urban resilience into construction practice
  • DRM strategies
  • managing disaster risks in global cities
  • case study.

This module will show how a flexible approach, based on appropriate assessments, supports the design and implementation of an emergency water supply and/or sanitation (WASH) intervention that meets the needs of the users whilst addressing environmental, institutional and time-based issues.

Topics studied may include:

  • an introduction to emergencies and the role of water supply and sanitation
  • engineering assessments in emergencies
  • stages of an emergency
  • the role of SPHERE in decision making
  • key stakeholders and their roles
  • dealing with vulnerable populations
  • water and sanitation contributions to epidemic control
  • disposal of dead bodies
  • exit strategies
  • managing emergency interventions
  • management of people
  • managing organisations
  • provision of water, sanitation and solid waste management in emergencies.

How you'll study

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Independent study
  • Group work
  • Workshops
  • Practical sessions

Your personal and professional development

The School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering is committed to helping you develop the skills and attributes you need to progress successfully in your chosen career.

Graduate destinations

Water Management for Development graduates join a respected global community of WEDC alumni which numbers more than 1000 from over 70 countries. Many WEDC alumni work for international NGOs (MSF, Oxfam, SCF, GOAL, WaterAid, etc.) and agencies (such as UNICEF), or national governments. Several alumni have held high ministerial office and have shaped national government policy in the water and sanitation sector in their countries.

Graduate job titles include:

  • Sanitation Technical Manager
  • Water and Sanitation Consultant
  • Project Manager
  • Environmental Engineering Consultant
  • Civil Engineering Specialist

Your personal development

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

  • international and local initiatives and institutions that promote water and sanitation for all
  • the links between water and environmental sanitation services (including water resources, water treatment and supply, excreta, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste management), hygiene behaviour, health and socio-economic development
  • the key issues in relation to environmental and social impact, equity, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and replicability in planning and managing sustainable water and environmental sanitation services
  • the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to the management of water and environmental sanitation and ways to integrate technical, social, economic and environmental perspectives in financing, coordinating, planning, promoting, managing, and monitoring services.
  • the range of appropriate water and environmental sanitation technologies and the level of service they provide
  • the assessment, planning, facilitation, regulation and management of social, institutional, economic and environmental issues at sector-wide, institutional and project implementation levels that ensure the sustainability and improvement of water and environmental sanitation services
  • effective qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and dissemination

Skills and other attributes you'll develop

On successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:

  • critique past and current initiatives to deliver water and environmental sanitation services to unserved populations globally distinguish socially excluded groups and individuals within target populations
  • integrate and interpret users’ water and environmental sanitation needs and demands based on conflicting and limited information
  • appraise institutional, social, economic, environmental and technical contexts and determine possible solutions
  • justify appropriate sustainable institutional, social, economic and environmental solutions to meet users’ needs and demands for water and environmental sanitation services
  • investigate relevant emerging challenges facing the sector.

On successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:

  • categorise different socio-economic contexts and physical/ natural contexts
  • plan surveys and collate suitable data sources relating to the enabling environment, sector, institutional and organizational performance, social conditions, economic performance and environmental status
  • choose appropriate methods to review, validate, analyse, interpret and communicate dissimilar data sets using appropriate methods
  • negotiate and defend various approaches to managing and improving water and environmental sanitation services.

On successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:

  • find and evaluate a variety of existing sources of data, information and knowledge where the quality and quantity of publications is limited
  • collect and record a range of views, especially from socially excluded or vulnerable groups
  • identify the strengths and weaknesses of working both as a member or leader of a team and as an individual
  • communicate effectively in writing, verbally and visually to a range of audiences to disseminate quantitative and qualitative information, advocate change and promote new ideas
  • demonstrate flexible working with the constraints of limited time, resources and information by initiating, planning, organising and prioritising activities in an ethical manner
  • demonstrate appropriate selection and use of IT.

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements are listed using standard UK undergraduate degree classifications i.e. first-class honours, upper second-class honours and lower second-class honours. To learn the equivalent for your country, please choose it from the dropdown below.

A 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in any discipline.

First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Masters 95% 85% 70%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diplomë e Nivelit të Pare (First Level (University) Diploma (from 2010) 9.5 8.5 8
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licence (4 year) / Diplome d'Inginieur d'Etat / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures 16 14 12
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Argentina 8.5 7.5 6.0
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalavri Kochum 90% 80% 70%
Magistrosi Kochum 3.9 3.5 3.0
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Honours degree (AQF level 8) First Class, 80% Upper Second, 70%, H2A Lower Second, 60%, 2B
Ordinary degree - AQF Level 7 pass (mark 46 or 50) High Distinction (80% or 85%) Distinction (75% or 80%) Distinction (70% or 75%)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree/ Diplomstudium / Magister degree A (or 1.5) mit Auszeichnungbestanden 60% or B or 3.0 (or 2) 50% or C or 2.7 (or 3)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalavr Diplomu 4.5 4 3.5
Diplomu (Specialist Diploma) 90% 80% 70%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree from University of the West Indies only 1st (GPA 3.6) 2:1 (GPA 3.0) 2:2 (GPA 2.5)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale 3.5 3.0 2.8
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
BUET or 'Good Private' University - 4 year degree BUET - 1st (70%) / 3.5 BUET - 2nd (60%) / 3.0 BUET - 2nd (55%) / 2.75
Other universities - Masters (1-2 years) following a 3 or 4 year degree 80% / 4.0 65% / 3.25 50% / 2.5
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Barbados - Degree from University of the West Indies only 1st (GPA 3.6) 2:1 (GPA 3.0) 2:2 (GPA 2.5)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Specialist Diploma (5Yr) 9 7 5
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor degree Magna Cum Laude Cum Laude 60%/12
Licenciaat 80% 70% 60%
Licencie 17 14 12
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree from University of the West Indies only 1st (GPA 3.6) 2:1 (GPA 3.0) 2:2 (GPA 2.5)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Maitrise 18 15 or Bien 12 or Assez Bien
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree from University of the West Indies only 1st (GPA 3.6) 2:1 (GPA 3.0) 2:2 (GPA 2.5)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
A Licenciado, 4 years Private (public/private) 85/78 75/66 67/55
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja / Diplomirani 10 9 8
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's degree A or 80% B or 70% C or 60%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Brazil - 4 yr Bacharel or Licenciado/Licenciatura or Título Profissional 8.5 (A) 7.5 6.0
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Brunei First Upper Second (60%/B/3.1) Lower Second (50%/C/2.7)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
5 yr Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie (Diploma of Completed Higher Education) 6 5 4
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 years 90% or 9 or 4.0 80% or 8 or 3.5 70% or 7 or 3.0
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor degree or Diplome d'Etudes Superiures de Commerce 1st or 15 2:1 or 14 2:2 or 12.5
Diplome d'Ingenieur or Diplôme d'Ingénieur de Conception or a Maitrise or a 4 year Licence 20 or GPA 3.7 20 or Bien (GPA 3.4) 20 or Assez Bien (GPA 3.1)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0/percentage scale 3.7/85% 3.3/75% 2.7/68%
Out of 9 8 6 5
Out of 12 10 8 6
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Grado de Licenciado / Título (Profesional) de [subject area] (4 years) 6 5.5 5

Students are required to have a bachelor degree (4 years) for entry to a postgraduate programme. The University uses the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities to identify the required final mark, as outlined on the table below:

First class (70%) Mid 2:1 (65%) 2:1 (60%) Mid 2:2 (55%) 2:2 (50%)
Shanghai Rank Top 250 85% 81% 80% 78% 77%
Shanghai Rank 251-500 89% 84% 83% 81% 80%
Shanghai Rank 501+ 92% 87% 86% 85% 82%

The University will consider students from Affiliated Colleges in the following way:

Applicants from colleges affiliated to universities in the top 250 Shanghai rankings will considered if they have achieved or are likely to achieve final marks of 80%-84%.

Applicants from colleges affiliated to universities which are 251-500 in the Shanghai rankings will considered if they have achieved or are likely to achieve final marks of 82%-87%.

Applicants from colleges affiliated to universities which are above 500 in the Shanghai rankings will considered as follows:

  • School of Business and Economics: not considered
  • All other programmes if they have achieved or are likely to achieve final marks of 82%-87%.

Applicants from a small number of Chinese universities that specialise in business, management, finance or creative arts will be given special consideration by the University. The full list of these universities and the Shanghai band under which they will be considered can be found in the PDF below.

Download the list of Chinese universities given special consideration here

Students who do not meet the above requirements may occasionally be considered if they have a relevant degree, can show good grades in relevant subjects, and/or have substantial relevant work experience.
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciado / Título de [subject area] 4.5 3.75 3.2
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciado 9 8 or 80 7 or 75
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Baccalaureus / Prvostupnik 4.5 3.8 3.0
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
4-year Titulo de Licenciado / Licenciatura 5 4 3
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Cyprus 8.5 7.0 6.5
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalár (after 2001) 6 yr integrated Magistr 1 1.5 2
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
5 year Candidatus/Candidata Magisterii or Bachelor degree (7 point scale) 12 10 7
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 year Licenciado 3.8 Magna Cum Laude 3.5 Cum Laude 3.2
Título de [subject area] - 85% 82%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Título de Licenciado 8.5 8 7
Título de [subject area] 85% 80% 70%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Egypt 3.5 3.2 2.8
Universities only BA 90%, BSc 85% BA 80%, BSc 75% BA 65%, BSc 65%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
5 year Licenciado 8.5 7.5 6.5
Título de Ingeniero 85% 75% 65%
Arquitecto - Muy Bueno Bueno
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalaureusekraad or Magister or Magistrikraad 5 or A 4 or B 3 or C
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's A/GPA 4.0 A/GPA 3.5 B/GPA 2.8
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Kandidaattii/Kandidat (out of 3) 3 2 1
Maisteri/Magister (out of 5) 4.5 3 2.5
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licence (3 years)/ Maitrise/ Diplôme d'Ingénieur 14 12 11
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
4-year degree (% = new system) 5 (95%) 4.5 (85%) 4 (75%)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
German Bachelor/ Diplom, Magister Artium / Zeugnis über den Zweiten Abschnitt der Ärztlichen Prüfung 1.5 2.5 3.0
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Ghana First Upper second/60% Lower second/50%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
AEI 8.5 7.0 6
TEI 8.5 7 6.5
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree from University of West Indies - classification 1st 2:1 2:2
Degree from University of West Indies - grade / percentage A B / 75% C / 55%
Degree from University of West Indies - GPA 3.6 3.0 2.0
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Liceniado / Titulo de (subject area) - 4years 90% (public university) / 95% (private university) 80% (public university) / 85% (private university) 60% (public university) / 70% (private university)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's GPA 4 GPA 3.5 3.0
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Título de Licenciado / Grado Académico de Licenciatura (4 year degree) - GPA out of 5 GPA 5 or 90% GPA 4 or 80% GPA 3.5 or 70%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale 3.5 3.0 2.5
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Alapfokozt or Egyetemi Oklevel / Bachelor 5 4 3
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Baccalaurreatus degree or Kandidatsprof/Candidatus Mag 8.5 7.5 6.5
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Institutions listed on the Indian Ranking of Higher Educational Institutions Framework 65% (First) 60% (First) 55% (Upper second)
All other Indian institutions 70% (First with distinction) 65% (First) 60% (First)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Sarjana I (S1) from A (or B) credited Universities 3.7 (4.0) 3.3 (3.7) 3 (3.3)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Iran 17 15 13
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Iraq 80% 75% 70%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Republic of Ireland First (70%) Upper second (60%) Lower second (50%)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
3 yr Bachelor Degree 90% 80% 70%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma di Laurea 109/110 104/110 (or 27) 100/110 (or 26)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures 16 14 (Bien) 12 (Assez Bien)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by UCJ and CCCJ 1st (GPA 3.6) 2:1 (GPA 3.0) or B 2:2 (GPA 2.0) or C
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Japan 85% 80% or B or 3.0 70% or C or 2.0
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale 3.5 3 or 3.5/5 or 75% 2.8 or 65%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 5.0/percentage scale 4.5 or 90% 4 or 85% 3.5 or 80%
GPA 4.33 scale 3.9 3.7 3.2
GPA 4.0 scale 3.7 3.4 3
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Kenya First / 70% / A Upper second / 60% / B Lower second / 50% / C
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Kosovo 10 9 8
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale 3.6 3.0 2.8
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Latvia 9 7 6
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
American 90% (3.5) 80% (3.2) 70% (2.8)
French 18 15 12
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's 4.0 or 90% 3.5 or 85% 3 or 80%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
BSc Engineering, Architecture, Medicine 85 (3.6) 75 (3.0) 65 (2.5)
Other bachelor's degree from a university 90 (4.0) 85% (3.6) 75% (3.0)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Lithuania 9 8 7
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Macau 1st or GPA 3.7 2:1 or GPA 3.0 2:2 or GPA 2.5
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Macedonia 10 9 8
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's only MSc 75% MSc 70% MSc 65%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Classification First Class 2.1 2.2
GPA 4.0 scale 3.5 3.0 2.8
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Malta 1st (80%) 2:1 (70%) 2:2 (55%)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Mauritius 1st or 70% 2:1 or 60% 2:2 or 50%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Mexico 9 8 7
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma de Licenţă (Diploma of Licentiate) 10 9 8
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma) 90% or 3.5 80% or GPA 3.2 70% or GPA 3.0
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Morocco 17 15 13
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 year Licenciatura 16 14 12
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
2 year Master's degree 5 or 85% 5 or 75% 4.5 or 65%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Namibia 80% or A 70% or B 60% or C
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's (after 3 year bachelor degree) 90% or 3.9 GPA 80% or 3.8 GPA 65% or 3.3 GPA
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Netherlands 8 7 6
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 Year Honours degree (480 credits) - Level 8 First (7.0) Upper Second (6.0) Lower Second (4.0)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciatura (4 year) 90% 80% 70%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
7 point Scale 6 5 4
5 point scale 4.5 3.8 3.5
4 point scale 3.5 3 2.5
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Norway A B C
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale 3.5 3.0 2.5
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Public Universities 4 Year degree only First with distinction (75%) / 4.0 First (65%) / 3.2 Second (59%) / 2.6
Private Universities 4 Year degree only First with Distinction (85%) First (75%) First (65%)
2 or 3 year bachelor's plus Master's First (60%) Second (55%) Second (50%)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor Degree A / 90% / 3.7 B+ / 85% / 3.3 B / 80% / 3.0
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 Year Licenciado / Título de [subject area] 91 (A) 81 (B) 71 (C)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Papua New Guinea 1st 2:1 2:2
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Paraguay - 4 3.5
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 Year Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area] 14 13 12
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree from prestigious state universities or Centres of Excellence (COE) Summa Cum Laude 4.0 / 96% / 1.0 Magna cum Laude 3.5 / 92% / 1.5 Cum Laude 3.0 / 87%/ 2.0
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor Degree (post 2003) Magister (pre- 2003) 5 4.5 / 4+ 4
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Portugal 18 16 14
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale 3.5 3.0 2.8
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma de Licenta/ Diploma de Inginer 9 8 7
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Russia 4.5 4.0 3.5
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 year bachelor (Hons) degree (480 credits) 1st, 16/20 (80%) 2:1,14/20 (70%) 2:2, 12/20 (60%)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale 3.5 3.0 2.8
GPA 5.0 scale 4.5 3.75 3.5
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies,Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees 16/20 or Tres Bien 14/20 or Bien 12/20 or Assez Bien
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diplomirani/ Bachelor's degree 9 8 7
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Classification - 2:1 2:2
Percentage grading - 60-69% 50-59%
Letter grading - B+ B
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Classification First Upper second Lower second
GPA 4.0 scale 3.7 3.0 2.7
GPA 5.0 scale 4.5 3.5 3.0
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Slovakia 1.5 or B 2.0 or C 2.5 or C/high D
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Slovenia 9.5 8.5 7
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Classification 1st 2:1 2:2
Percentage scale 75-100% 70-74% 60-69%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA out of 4.5 4.0 / A 3.5 / B 3.0 / C+
GPA out of 4.3 4.0 / A 3.0 / B 2.7 / C+
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciado / Título de Ingeniero / Título de Arquitecto 8.5 7 6.5
UCM grading 3.0 2.0 1.5
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Sri Lanka 70% 60% 55%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Sudan (North and South) 1st or 70% or B+ 2:1 or 66% Mid 2:2 or 60% or B
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Sweden - Overall grade of VG with a minimum of 90 credits at VG Overall grade of G with a minimum of 90 credits at G
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Switzerland 6 5 4
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
State universities 4 years of study 80% 70% 60%
Private universities 4 years of study 90% 80% 70%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Category 1 (4 year degree) 80% 75% 70%
Category 2 (4 year degree) 85% 80% 75%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Tajikistan - 4.5 4
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Tanzania 1st 2:1 2:2
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale 3.5 3.2 2.8
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by ACTT 1st or B+ or 70% 2:1 or B or 65% 2:2 or B- or 60%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licence, Maîtrise, Diplôme National d'Ingénieu 15 (tres bien) 14 (bien) 11 (assez bien)
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Lisans Diplomasi or a Műhendis Diplomasi 3.5 3 2.5
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Turkmenistan - 4.5 4
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Uganda 1st or 4.4 2:1 or 3.8 2:2 or 3.0
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Dyplom Magistra or a Bachelors degree (11 / 5) 11 or 5 9 or 4.5 8 or 4
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale 3.5 3.0 2.6
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale 3.5 3.2 2.8
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciado (4 year) 10 9 8
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalavr Diplomi / Diplomi (Specialist Diploma) 90% or GPA 4.5 80% or GPA 4.0 70% or GPA 3.0
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciado/Professional title. (4 year) 18/20 or 8/9 16/20 or 7/9 14/20 or 6/9
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Vietnam 8.0 7.0 6.0
4-point GPA scale 3.5 3.0 2.2
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's A or 4.0 or 80% B+, 3.5 or 70% B or 3.0 or 60%
First-class honours (70%) Upper second-class honours (60%) Lower second-class honours (50%)
3/4 year degree 1st or 75% 2:1 or 65% 2:2 or 60%

English language requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the international website.

IELTS overall score of 6.5 with not less than 6.0 in each test.

Fees and funding

UK / EU fee

Full-time degree per annum
£10,950

International fee

Full-time degree per annum
£23,500

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

The fee stated is for a full-time student undertaking a master’s programme of 180 credits. Part-time students should divide the published fee by 180 credits and then multiply by the number of credits they are taking to calculate their tuition fees.

We regularly secure scholarships and bursaries in support of our students. Please see our website for the latest information.

Find out more about master's degree funding

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