Geology - Applied Environmental Geoscience

Our MSc Applied Environmental Geoscience programme will provide you with comprehensive training in the theory and practice of environmental geoscience. Established in 2017, in consultation with industry and government agencies, our Geology programme was established by the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) in order to address a skills shortage identified in the environmental geoscience sector in Ireland.



There is global demand for graduates with applied environmental geoscience skills and this demand is projected to grow in the coming years. This multidisciplinary vocational programme equips graduates for careers in scientific, engineering, and environmental consultancies, natural resources and mining industries, regulatory agencies, and research in Ireland and further afield. Our course content is regularly reviewed by a panel of industry advisors from a range of local and international geoscience practice areas in order to meet the ongoing needs of the geoscience sector.



Our course also offers a unique opportunity for international students to gain EU-based work experience whilst studying for their Masters.

The course is delivered in two parts.



Part I comprises modules to the value of 60 credits involving field study, lectures, practical classes, seminars, and workshops.



Part II consists of a research dissertation based on independent research to the value of 30 credits (GL6019) which is completed between April and September.



EV6011 Principles of Environmental Assessment and Monitoring (10 credits)

GL6020 Hydrogeology, Contaminated Land and Assessment (10 credits)

GL6021 Engineering Geology (10 credits)

GL6022 Environmental Planning and Regulation (5 credits)

GL6023 Offshore Environmental Geology (5 credits)

GL6024 Applied Geophysics (5 credits)

GL6025 Geoinformatics for Environmental Geology (5 credits)

GL6028 Applied Hydrogeology Skills (5 credits)

GL6029 Applied Geotechnical Skills (5 credits)



Part II



GL6019 Applied Environmental Geology research project (30 credits)

Applicants must hold at least a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8) or equivalent in a Geology/Geoscience/Geography/Earth Sciences/Civil Engineering/Environmental Sciences area or have reached an equivalent standard through completion of a relevant postgraduate qualification.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.



In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Closing Date

Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Start Date 5 September 2026

Career Prospects

Our MSc-qualified environmental geoscience graduates are in high demand for technical roles in both the public and private sectors at home and abroad.



Typically, over 90% of our participants are in full-time employment or research positions related to their MSc studies within three months of completing Part II. In many cases, students were offered employment by their industry placement company.



Environmental geoscientists presenting a range of specialist and transferable skills are readily employed by civil engineering and environmental consultancies as well as geoscience service providers, natural resource companies, local authorities, regulatory and government bodies. Some students may wish to use the MSc programme to acquire additional practical skills prior to embarking on a research career leading to a PhD. For students interested in research, the programme offers comprehensive training in a broad set of transferable skills required for independent geoscience research.



Some students may wish to use the MSc programme to acquire additional practical skills prior to embarking on a research career leading to a PhD. For students interested in research, the programme offers comprehensive training in a broad set of transferable skills required for independent geoscience field research.