About Msc Applied Earth System Sciences in Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh

The MSc in Applied Earth System Sciences is designed to equip the next generation of Earth and Environmental Science graduates and professionals with the multidisciplinary skills needed to tackle complex global issues associated with climate change and societal challenges.

The programme provides the highly integrated level of fundamental, applied and communication-based knowledge which is needed to identify, characterise, and effectively communicate these challenges. From a basic understanding of how the planet works as a holistic unit to socio-economic interactions between business and the environment, including the ability to communicate this knowledge to a broad spectrum of academic researchers, policy-makers and the general public.

The programme has seven core courses in multidisciplinary topics, with the potential for the student to widen their studies by choosing an optional course for further specialisation. Students will have the opportunity to perform their dissertation projects in collaboration with one of several world-leading research organisations (e.g. British Geological Survey (BGS) or Dynamic Earth).

This course is designed to lead to career opportunities for academic earth system and environmental scientists (e.g. future PhD students, University staff), non-academic environmental researchers (e.g. BGS, CEH, National Oceanography Centre (NOC), British Antarctic Survey (BAS)), industrial and political stakeholders (e.g. Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)), Environmental Agency (EA), Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), environmental consultants, Scottish and UK government departments, (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affair (DEFRA), Department for International Development (DFID)) and their consultants (e.g. Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)), all dealing with fundamental scientific knowledge, its practical application and development of environmental policy and regulation.

International equivalents of such organisations include examples such as NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US), WHOI (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, US), NIO (National Institute of Oceanography, India), CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia) and GEOMAR (Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Germany). These include both national and international employment opportunities and hence the graduates from this programme will have global employment and career opportunities. 

Industry links

• British Geological Survey (BGS)
• Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH)
• Dynamic Earth
• Scottish Parliament Information Centre
• National Museum of Scotland
• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Academic qualification equivalents

• A bachelor degree with related subject

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS :6.5 
• TOEFL IBT: 90
• PTE: 58-64

Heriot-Watt University Highlights

Heriot-Watt University Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses

International students applying through UCAS can find their exact tuition expenses by submitting the Fee Status Enquiry form. The cost of living will be determined by the course opted as well as the applicant's nationality. Edinburgh has a comparatively lower cost than other UK cities. Estimate cost of living on and off-campus for UK Campuses is tabulated below: 

Living in a rented flat may vary according to the type of accommodation and facilities being availed. The estimated monthly cost including food and travel is £923.