There are three main areas that environmental engineers try to address:
• Maintaining the balance of the ecosystem
• Protecting human health
• Improving quality of life
Once qualified as an environmental engineer, you’ll be using your knowledge of science and engineering to design technologies, systems and processes that will help humans prevent a range of threats to our environment and reverse damage that’s already been done, from preventing flooding to combating air pollution.

Most M.Sc. (Master of Science) or M.Eng. (Master of Engineering) qualifications in environmental engineering will expect an undergraduate engineering degree, but they are not always essential. Some will accept a related qualification, such as chemistry, environmental science or geology. The typical requirements for International Baccalaureate is 35 points, with typical IELTS requirements being 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each element. Studies usually last one-year full time, or two or more years part time.

Courses typically integrate elements from a wide range of disciplines, from engineering and environmental sciences to chemistry, physics, data-based modelling and ecology, though the details will vary from course to course. The subject matter you focus on will directly address the key issues facing the environment today. So you’ll learn about:
• Drainage and flooding
• Water supply and sanitation
• Waste disposal and pollutant management
• Environmental compliance
• Infrastructure and development
• Land recovery
The modular approach to learning followed in the UK means you will be able to focus on the areas that interest you most and specialise as you go, whilst getting all the essential industry-related skills you need to excel once you graduate. From problem-solving, creative thinking, analytical skills and collaboration, it’s the best possible preparation for taking on unique challenges in different parts of the world – with all kinds of different people.

The UK’s engineering knowledge is in high demand all over the world and we are home to three of the top engineering universities . Our environmental engineering courses blend that knowledge and heritage with world-leading science and conservation. From the excellence on offer in the classroom to the practical learning experiences you’ll have outside it, the UK offers the best possible start to a career devoted to environmental causes.

Environmental engineering can be seen on display all over the UK, as well as exported overseas. From the cutting-edge research being undertaken in our universities to a booming renewables industry worth £46.7 billion, it’s a great place to launch a career or a new business.

All environmental engineering graduates who study in the UK will find a wide array of career opportunities open to them once they are qualified. UK graduates are among the most desirable in the world, according to employers, and you could choose any number of paths. Many graduates choose to specialise in a specific field of environmental engineering, such as toxic waste or sewage, and take that expertise to different projects and roles. Alternatively, you may want to choose more of a management route, supervising other engineers or technicians, or entire projects. Lots of larger engineering and construction firms offer graduate entry schemes, though you can find them with smaller or medium sized companies too. Whether you choose to work freelance, search for full time roles in the public or private sector, or set up your own environmental engineering consultancy, you’ll find plenty of demand worldwide – and you’ll have the transferable skills you need to make the most of them. Salaries for environmental engineers tend to start between £18,000 and £28,000. Experienced engineers can earn up to £45,000 while chartered engineers and project engineering managers tend to earn around £40,000 to £60,000, or more depending on the country and sector.

(* as per British Council)