Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

This programme is for graduates who wish to develop careers in managing water and environmental sanitation services in low and middle-income countries. It aims to: 

• provide the multidisciplinary knowledge and skills to coordinate, plan, manage and monitor water and environmental sanitation services, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries;
• support the professionalization of the sector, through policy development, performance improvement, institutional reform, change management, benchmarking services and aiming for financial viability.
• encourage a critical approach to the global principles and local practice of sustainable water and environmental management for the public good;
• equip students with appropriate expertise and skills for relevant work in management of water and environmental sanitation for low- and middle-income countries; and
• encourage critical analysis through in-depth study of a specialist topic.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

This specification has taken into account the descriptors for a qualification at Masters (MSc), Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) and Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) levels that are set out in the “Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.” 

In view of the management content of this programme the Subject Benchmark Statement for Master’s Awards in Business and Management has been consulted.  The programme draws on the core competencies required for membership of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), and the competencies for a water, sanitation and hygiene project manager published by a consortium of twelve international agencies (2017). 

In the absence of benchmark statements for Engineering MSc programmes. the Subject Benchmark Statement for Engineering that applies to first degrees in engineering has been used to inform the drafting of intended learning outcomes but with the expectation that postgraduate students attain a higher level than undergraduate students in relevant outcomes. Note has also been taken of the Engineering Council document ‘The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (published May 2014) for Master Degrees other than the Integrated Masters (MEng) (Accredited as further learning to masters level, partially meeting the educational requirements for CEng)’.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: 

PGCert:

K1        International and local initiatives and institutions that promote water and sanitation for all.

K2        the links between water and environmental sanitation services (including water resources, water treatment and supply, excreta, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste management), hygiene behaviour, health and socio-economic development

K3        the key issues in relation to environmental and social impact, equity, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and replicability in planning and managing sustainable water and environmental sanitation services

K4        the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to the management of water and environmental sanitation and ways to integrate technical, social, economic and environmental perspectives in financing, coordinating, planning, promoting, managing, and monitoring services.

K5        the range of appropriate water and environmental sanitation technologies and the level of service they provide

K6        the assessment, planning, facilitation, regulation and management of social, institutional, economic and environmental issues at sector-wide, institutional and project implementation levels that ensure the sustainability and improvement of water and environmental sanitation services.

PGDip and MSc: As above for PGCert and in addition: 

K7        effective qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and dissemination.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to… 

PGCert: 

C1       critically analyse past and current initiatives to deliver water and environmental sanitation services to unserved populations globally

C2       evaluate socially excluded groups and individuals within target populations

C3       critically appraise users’ water and environmental sanitation needs and demands based on conflicting and limited information

C4       critically appraise institutional, social, economic, environmental and technical constraints and review possible solutions

PGDip and MSc: As above for PGCert and in addition: 

C5       justify appropriate sustainable institutional, social, economic and environmental solutions to meet users’ needs and demands for water and environmental sanitation services

C6       investigate relevant emerging challenges facing the sector.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to… 

PGCert:

P1        synthesize  different socio-economic contexts and physical/ natural contexts

P2        plan surveys and collate suitable data sources relating to the enabling environment, sector, institutional and organisational performance, social conditions, economic performance and environmental status

P3        choose appropriate methods to review, validate, analyse, interpret and communicate dissimilar data sets using appropriate methods. 

PGDip and MSc: As above for PGCert and in addition: 

P4        negotiate and defend various approaches to managing and improving water and environmental sanitation services.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to… 

PGCert:

T4        communicate effectively in writing, verbally and visually to an range of audiences to disseminate quantitative and qualitative information, advocate change and promote new ideas

T6        demonstrate appropriate selection and use of IT.

 PGDip and MSc: As above for PGCert and in addition: 

T2        listen to and record a range of views, especially from socially excluded or vulnerable groups

T3        evaluate  the strengths and weaknesses of working both as a member or leader of a team and as an individual

T5        demonstrate flexible working with the constraints of limited time, resources and information by initiating, planning, organising and prioritising activities in an ethical manner

MSc: As above for PGCert and PGDip and in addition: 

T1        find and critically evaluate a variety of existing sources of data, information and knowledge where the quality and quantity of publications is limited.

4. Programme structure

4.1       Structure of MSc programme 

Semester 1 

Compulsory Modules 

Semester 2 

Compulsory Modules 

Optional Modules 

One module from 

Semesters 1 and 2 

Compulsory Module 

4.2       Structure of Postgraduate Diploma programme 

The structure for the Postgraduate Diploma is as shown above for the MSc, but omitting study of the Research Dissertation module. 

4.3       Structure of Postgraduate Certificate programme 

Semester 1 

Compulsory Modules 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Not applicable.