Environmental Toxicology & Pollution Monitoring - Online

This course investigates why pollution occurs, what the risks are to both humans and the environment, and what approaches to management we might have.



You will gain an understanding of:

• The general mechanisms of toxicity

• The basis of setting environmental quality standards

• The behaviour of contaminants in water, air and soil

• The legislative controls on contaminants

• Analysing large datasets using techniques such as Geographic Information Systems



The Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) is made up of four taught modules (30 credits per module). One module is taught in each semester (late September to early January and late January to early May). It takes 2 academic years to complete the award of PgDip (120 credits). At this stage you can take the PgDip award or continue studying for the MSc. This entails completing a research project module (60 credits) over a further two semesters. This leads to the award of Master of Science (MSc) worth in total 180 credits. The full PgDip/ MSc programme normally takes three years part-time (6 semesters).



Professional recognition

Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES)

Students will study the following modules;

• Pollution Monitoring

• Water Management

• Environmental data analysis

• Environmental Toxicology

• Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Monitoring Project

Entry to the PgDip:

You must hold an honours degree in a science or other suitable discipline or demonstrate your ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL).



Entry to the MSc:

You initially register for the Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) and if you complete the PgDip with an overall mark of 50% or higher you can proceed to the MSc programme.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 (with no band score less than 5.5). Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

This course is offered fully online and is completed part-time by distance learning. You do not need to visit Ulster at any stage to successfully complete this course.

Start dates:

September 2025

January 2026

Career options

Our students enrol for this course to develop their professional knowledge and to acquire new skills. They do this to improve their career and promotion prospects, change their career, or, if they are recently graduated, to specialise in a new subject area to enhance their job prospects.



Experience has shown that the majority of students who register on this course are already working in the environmental field. We therefore aim to be as flexible as possible in terms of the topics studied and will give you the opportunity to focus on areas of particular interest to you and/or the organisation for which you work where possible.



Strong links to consultancies and environmental agencies both private and governmental ensure that the course remains current and relevant to the needs of potential employers.