Water

Our integrated suite of MSc courses provides a choice of specialist training within a common framework of sound hydrological and water resource management. The courses contain six modules in common. Each module provides a solid foundation in the basic principles of:

• hydrology
• data capture and management
• computer modelling
• river basin management
• mathematical methods
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

These modules equip students with the basic expertise needed to become hydrological and water management professionals.

Students then take four further modules to develop the specialism of individual courses. For example, they may choose to study:

• climate change impact and adaptation
• flood forecasting
• groundwater modelling and assessment
• pollution control engineering
• hydrosystems processes and modelling

Some of these specialist modules are common to more than one course. Many are global in scope, and cover case studies and research from around the world.

A dissertation project complements the taught element. Students apply their learning in a short research study relevant to their chosen specialism.

The integrated nature of the courses allows flexibility in making a final choice after students arrive at Newcastle. It also means that students from all the courses study together on many occasions. This creates a more sociable learning environment. It maximises the opportunities for developing professional relationships.

In Semester 2, students from the European MSc course in Hydroinformatics and Water Management (EuroAquae) join the modules. This further enhances the international composition of the classes.

All our courses are accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators, ensuring a strong foundation for a career as a professional engineer.

Find out more

• Hydrogeology and Water Management
• Hydrology and Water Management
• Hydroinformatics and Water Management: EuroAquae

Undergraduates have the opportunity to specialise in Water Resources Engineering in Year 4 of the Civil Engineering MEng Honours programme.

• Undergraduate Programmes in Civil Engineering
• Masters Courses in Civil Engineering

The management of water resources is a source of potential conflict all over the world. This is particularly the case where supplies cross political boundaries. Newcastle University has earned a global reputation for applying solid science to bring resolutions to such issues.

Read more about Managing global water supplies

We use climate models to identify future changes in flooding, droughts and heatwaves. These are affecting many European cities. The landmark study shows that the incidence of extreme weather will exceed previous predictions.

Read more about Preparing our cities for climate change

We are tackling the global problem of freshwater pollution by metals discharged by active and abandoned mines. Our expertise has shaped international guidelines on mining pollution management. It has informed policy and practice at a national and regional level.

Read more about Cleaning up mine water pollution

Our research into stochastic rainfall models has transformed impact assessment of climate change and risk assessment of environmental hazards. Many industrial and business sectors now base assessments on our work.

Read more about Robust climate change risk assessment

Richard Dawson, Head of the Water Group, is a member of the Committee on Climate Change Adaptation Committee. He plays a key role in helping to provide expert advice to the UK and devolved governments and parliaments on preparing for, and adapting to, climate change.

Read more about Advising the government: UK Committee on Climate Change

The town of Belford in Northumberland has records of flood events dating back to 1877. Traditional flood defences are not suitable. We worked in partnership with the North East Local Levy team. Together, we addressed the flood problem using soft engineered runoff management features.

Read more about Nature-based engineering solutions to reduce the impact of flooding

We belong to the UK Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium (ITRC). The consortium is a collaboration of seven universities and over 55 partners from infrastructure policy and practice. The UK’s first National Infrastructure Assessment was backed by ITRC analysis.

We showcase our work in a variety of ways. In 2017, FLOOD! was hosted at the Great North Museum. Visitors experienced a mixture of interactive games, videos and virtual reality. They found out what floods are, why they happen, and how they might change.

• Read more about Communicating our work to the wider public

We developed the first published hydrogeological map and spatial databases realted to aquifer use and protection, groundwater flow and pollution models.

Read more about Sustainable Management of the West Bank and Gaza Aquifers (PDF: 620KB)

We co-lead the Urban Observatory. We use the largest set of publicly available real time urban data in the UK to improve our ability to forecast flooding.

Read more about Transforming Newcastle into a Smart City at the Urban Observatory

Flood Force: finding solutions in good company is the result of a winning idea submitted to the first LWEC short film competition. The submission was by Northumbrian Water and Newcastle University. We used the North East’s experience of flooding from extreme rainfall to show how leading UK research can contribute to better decision-making. It places a particular emphasis on how business can take action to reduce the risk and the costs of flooding.

Watch the video Flood Force: finding solutions in good company

Partnering with Arup, City of Melbourne and others, we co-developed new approaches to finance urban green infrastructure.

We work with NWG on a variety of projects. For example, take a look at Flood Force: finding solutions in good company, a short film on managing urban flood risk.

JBA co-supervised an MSc project to improve how their JFlow model simulated river channel conveyance.

Contact Head of Group Professor Richard Dawson or any other member of staff in the group to discuss how we can collaborate in our education or research activities.