Course description
The benefits of an attractive, accessible and well-managed environment are increasingly recognised. Regular use of the natural environment can provide social benefits and improve our health and wellbeing through • outdoor recreation • tourism activity • environmental education • community unity • economic regeneration.
Sustaining public use and exploiting the natural environment needs careful management, particularly in areas of cultural heritage value or specially protected areas.
This course gives you the skills and understanding to manage and enhance the public benefits of a high quality environment. You also gain knowledge of a range of environmental issues relating to people, places and nature.
It is ideal if you already have good technical environmental skills, but wish to gain expertise in the area of people and communities. It is also suitable if you have a background in education or communication and wish to focus these skills in the environmental sector.
We work in close partnership with professional institutes and public and private organisations to make sure the course meets the needs of employers.
Because of this, many assignments focus on work-based scenarios. The consultancy project module requires you to complete a project, often in partnership with a real organisation. Previous examples include
• an assessment of the economic benefits to tourism of re-wilding an area within a national park
• evaluation of the accessibility of a local footpath network for disabled people
• a review of the visitor management services provided at heritage attractions and countryside sites
You explore current and emerging issues with professionals during field visits and specialist visiting lecturers.
Associated careers
Typically you can find employment in
• government agencies
• national park authorities
• local authority countryside management services
• campaigning organisations
• user groups
Many graduates achieve posts in the area of their choice, before or shortly after completing their studies.
Most part-time students are supported by employers and many find that they progress in their workplace after completing the course.
Course content
Core modules
• environmental perspectives and policy development • valuing the environment • social inclusion and cohesion • professional management skills • visitor and sustainable tourism management • cultural landscapes and protected area management • consultancy project
To complete the masters you also take • applied research methods • dissertation
Options
One from • environmental impact assessment • sustainable rural development • introduction to countryside access • wider access issues • geographical information systems • geographical information systems and the environment