This MSc course has been developed to address the increasing demand for creative and innovative professionals who can help deliver flood management initiatives to protect communities against flooding. The course is led by Brunel and co-delivered with HR Wallingford, a world-renowned civil engineering and environmental hydraulics organisation.

You will develop advanced technical engineering understanding and skills required to plan, design, implement and manage projects and strategies dealing with flood and coastal risk mitigation and management.

You’ll have access to Brunel’s testing facilities that include hydraulic benches and flumes. In addition, you’ll benefit from the hydraulics testing facility at HR Wallingford, the largest in the UK. Their world-class test facilities include: big tanks and flumes; several physical modelling basins; fast flow facility; and tsunami generator.

The course is enhanced by a strong professional development programme that runs in parallel with the academic content supported by practical work. You’ll enjoy a series of seminars, workshops, lectures from guest speakers and site visits. There’s also the opportunity to go to conferences and exhibitions where you’ll network with key water industry professionals. You’ll share knowledge and experiences with your peers and receive mentor support. This continued professional development helps you along the accreditation route to become a Chartered Engineer.

During the MSc degree in flood and coastal engineering, you will take part in the residential summer school at HR Wallingford which provides you with hands-on learning experience. Here you’ll have the opportunity to experience world-class experimental facilities and contact with senior researchers. There are challenging team building tasks such as the design, build and testing of your own flood product. Civil engineering site visits are also arranged, where you’ll observe key flood risk management assets.

Our Flood and Coastal Engineering MSc course is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM). It is also accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a partial CEng accredited undergraduate first degree*.

The Flood and Coastal Engineering MSc has a high profile within the Environment Agency and other flood risk management authorities in the UK, as well as environmental and community non‑governmental organisations and commercial construction businesses worldwide.

You’ll find career opportunities in fields such as construction and maintenance of flood defences, community liaison, environmental assessment, and strategic and operational planning.

Graduates go on to work in roles related to: asset performance, natural flood management and resilience, partnerships and strategic overview, field teams, flood modelling and forecasting, national capital programme management, and incident response.