Pursuing an environmental engineering degree in the UK provides access to some of the world’s top programs in sustainability and developing solutions to environmental challenges. The UK’s pioneering research and commitment to reducing environmental impact make its universities prime destinations for students aiming to make a difference through environmental engineering.
This article explores the top universities for obtaining undergraduate and graduate environmental engineering qualifications in the UK.
Top Criteria for Selecting UK Environmental Engineering Programs
Several key factors set apart the UK’s leading environmental engineering programs. When researching schools, pay attention to these markers of excellence:
Accreditation: Many top universities have courses accredited by professional engineering bodies like the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). These ensure programs meet strict quality standards.
Practical focus: Look for degrees emphasizing hands-on training through lab work, fieldwork, internships, and industry collaborations. This develops real-world engineering skills.
Specialist research: Select universities actively pushing sustainability research and allowing undergraduates to join projects. This provides value-adding experience.
Cross-disciplinary approach: Environmental engineering connects multiple scientific fields. Favor programs incorporating insights from diverse specialties.
Emphasis on design: Solutions-orientated curriculums teaching the process of developing and implementing environmental systems are advantageous.
With these criteria in mind, here are the top universities for environmental engineering degrees in the UK.
Undergraduate Degrees
Imperial College London
Consistently ranked amongst the world’s best for environmental engineering, Imperial College London combines scientific fundamentals with practical, policy-orientated training.
Its accredited Environmental Engineering BEng provides research and industry opportunities galore. Students also enjoy field trips and sustainability design projects.
University of Nottingham
Through Nottingham’s IEnvE-accredited environmental engineering program, undergraduates gain broad environmental knowledge while tailoring degrees towards specialisms like water, land, or urban environments.
Real client project work and a year in industry make it an engaging, vocationally relevant course.
University of Southampton
Southampton offers multiple undergraduate environmental engineering pathways. Each emphasizes designing systems integrating ecological principles for sustainability.
Students benefit from the university’s interdisciplinary Sustainability Institute and get involved with fieldwork and research.
Newcastle University
Newcastle’s Envirolab facility provides the real-world context for its environmental engineering program. Students use Envirolab’s state-of-the-art technology to monitor environmental parameters and develop solutions.
The course also enables specializing in sustainable energy or water engineering from year two.
University of Strathclyde
Through Strathclyde’s four-year MEng Environmental Civil Engineering degree accredited by ICE and CIWEM, students gain well-rounded civil engineering knowledge plus environmental specialization.
Project modules see students tackle current industry and research challenges. Work placements are also encouraged.
Queens University Belfast
Queens University Belfast provides environmental engineering within both its accredited Chemical Engineering and Civil Engineering programs. Students thus build versatile engineering skills alongside environmentally focused ones.
During summer breaks, undergraduates often undertake industry placements to enrich knowledge.
Postgraduate Degrees
Imperial College London
Imperial College London has one of the UK’s foremost environmental engineering research groups. Its Civil and Environmental Engineering department offers various MSc degrees enabling graduates to develop specialisms and join pioneering projects.
Particularly suited to those wanting to advance sustainability policy and practice through engineering.
University of Exeter
Exeter provides world-leading environmental engineering research, especially regarding clean technology. Students on its Engineering for the Environment pathway learn to assess environmental impact and integrate conservation principles into engineering projects.
The program has a solutions-focused approach targeting real-world issues like renewable energy provision.
University of Sheffield
Sheffield offers an MSc in Environmental and Energy Engineering centering on urban sustainability challenges in developing countries. The degree balances engineering fundamentals with their application through design modules tackling current problems.
Students regularly contribute to Water, Engineering and Development Centre projects.
Cranfield University
Cranfield’s MSc in Environmental Engineering enjoys accreditation from major institutions like CIWEM and CIWM. The course covers diverse environmental engineering subjects while enabling students to carve niches through individual projects and optional modules.
Renowned for championing sustainability and green technology.
University of Waterloo
Water’s Environmental Engineering MSc stands out for its holistic approach encompassing technology, health, economics and more within engineering design. Students gain well-developed critical thinking abilities alongside technical knowledge.
Known for marrying theory and practice through fieldwork and practical activities.
Launching an Environmental Career from the UK
Armed with internationally recognized qualifications, environmental engineering graduates from British universities access thriving sustainability sectors. Many secure jobs with major engineering and environmental consultancy firms like Arup, Mott MacDonald, and Ricardo.
Meanwhile, others obtain positions within water authorities, resource management companies, or governmental advisory boards. Studying environmental engineering in the UK also provides a strong foundation for those pursuing further academic research or doctoral studies focused on developing green solutions.
So whether aiming to drive change through cutting-edge startups and technologies or influencing national environmental policies, the UK’s stellar academic institutions offer the perfect springboard.