Global Management of Natural Resources MSc
London, Bloomsbury and Adelaide, Mawson Lakes
More than ever, there is a growing demand for versatile specialists and managers in the globalised natural resources and commodities industries. These industries rely on effective collaboration between scientists, engineers, analysts, managers, and investors. This programme gives students the opportunity to develop an integrated understanding of resource genesis, production, supply, socio-environmental footprint and sustainable practice, which is now essential.
Please note this programme involves approximately 5 months of overseas study. The programme is taught in London between September and March, and in Adelaide, Australia between April and mid-September.
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
Duration
Programme starts
Applications accepted
Applications closed
Applications open
Entry requirements
Normally a minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline – preferably engineering, Earth sciences, chemistry or finance/business - from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Relevant work experience may be taken into account.
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The English language level for this programme is: Level 1
UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
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For advice on eligibility to study in Australia please contact the Student Centre.
Equivalent qualifications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.
About this degree
Why the GMNR programme?
The natural resource industries are critical to the continued development of both technology and society. However, they face challenges on many fronts: environmental and social practice and perception; financial, policy and governmental constraints; geopolitical impact on resource flows and supply chains; technological limitations; inefficient operations; very high levels of energy consumption and the availability of resources into the future.
This programme aims to deliver graduates who have a broad understanding of natural resources: where they come from, how we extract and use them as well as and the consequences of doing so. They will become aware of their socioeconomic responsibilities, will be able to operate within international constraints and will develop insight into the technical complexity of the challenges faced.
This will be key to leading the drive towards a more sustainable future for these industries and society. The programme is multidisciplinary in its approach, drawing upon specialisms across UCL and beyond, and aims to deliver an interdisciplinary outcome for graduates.
The programme is transcontinental (offered by UCL and the University of South Australia (UniSA)), is delivered in London by UCL Chemical Engineering, UCL Earth Sciences, UCL Bartlett, UCL School of Management. In Australia, teaching is delivered by the Future Industries Institute (FII) at UniSA. The programme was designed with input from industry.
Students will be expected to be in London from the start of the first term at the end of September, until the end of the second term at the end of March. Students must then travel to Adelaide, typically beginning studies the week after Easter in April. Studies typically finish in Adelaide at the end of the second full week of September. Final dates for the academic year are confirmed in the first term of studies in London. Details on costs associated with these overseas elements can be found in the additional costs section of this webpage.
UCL is solely responsible for admissions to the programme, and the degree issued is UCL only.
Who is this programme for?
The programme is designed to cater for a range of academic and career backgrounds, with optional modules to tailor the learning experience to the prospective student. The programme will consider prospective students from any academic background who are looking to improve their understanding of elements of the natural resource industries, including hydrocarbons, hard rock minerals (including nuclear fuel production and usage) and water management.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Those with business, marketing, management and finance backgrounds, wishing to gain a broad understanding of the scientific and technical elements of resource genesis, extraction and processing, along with an understanding of the environmental, social and sustainability impacts of such operations;
- Those with a background in Earth Sciences, wishing to develop a more complete understanding of the extractives industries, improving their managerial and decision-making skillset, along with evaluating the impact of sustainability, social and environmental practice on the future of these operations;
- Those with a background in science or engineering, wishing to develop their understanding of elements of natural resource development and use, decision making processes, the social and environmental impacts and how sustainability is impacting on the future of resources.
The international components and field trips in this programme are subject to national and international Covid-19 regulations and restrictions, and/or other significant future events. Field trips and the period of overseas study may not be possible; in such circumstances the field trips will be substituted by alternative learning (e.g., virtual field trips or lecture based material), and the material taught in Australia (Social Licensing and the Dissertation) will be delivered remotely in London, but with significant input from the University of South Australia.
Who this course is for
This programme is suitable for graduates in chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, chemistry, Earth sciences, geology, environmental sciences, petroleum engineering, mining and allied fields.
What this course will give you
The MSc developed in association with the European-funded research project ShaleXenvironmenT (in which UCL was an academic partner), in collaboration with industry partners. There is an increasing demand for managerial professionals with enhanced industry knowledge in existing and developing natural resources fields.
UniSA is one of Australia’s leading universities for interdisciplinary research with the ability to offer industry facing or focused opportunities in science and engineering.
Our programme aims to produce global citizens and offers networking opportunities in London and Adelaide. We offer career advice throughout the programme and foster transferable skills through our multidisciplinary environment. Students on this programme will have the opportunity to become well-versed in multiple aspects of the natural resources industries, to develop excellent communication skills, appropriate research skills, and to become competent in management practice, which can lead to careers across the breadth of the natural resources sector.
The programme includes a field trip to explore sedimentary formations similar to shale plays in the UK, and a visit to Olkiluoto nuclear waste repository in Finland. There are further field trips to mine sites and processing facilities in South Australia.
The foundation of your career
Examples of alumni careers and further study following graduation from this programme can be found on our student life webpage and alumni testimonial web page.
Employability
The Global Management of Natural Resources MSc will prepare graduates for highly skilled, multidisciplinary managerial and specialist jobs in the natural resources sector. Recent university graduates will gain a global perspective on the natural resources sector. Mid-career professionals already employed will expand their range of knowledge and expertise. Graduates will also be equipped for further postgraduate research in relevant disciplines.
Networking
In partnership with UCL Careers, we organise careers events during the academic year, where you learn how to impress potential employers with your postgraduate achievements and enhance your CV writing skills. The department also organises a regular seminar series, where expert academic speakers from different Universities around the world are invited to give talks on topical research issues, with an opportunity to network afterwards.
Throughout the degree there may also be occasions where various modules may have guest lectures from industry professionals.
Accreditation
The Global Management of Natural Resources MSc is an accredited programme of study, with accreditation at the CEng with further learning level (CEng is FL), on behalf of the Engineering Council by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3).
Upon graduating from this programme, graduates who already have an accredited MEng in engineering/technology, or an accredited Bachelors (with Honours) in engineering/technology will have fulfilled the educational requirements for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, site visits, independent reading and research as well as online material. Some of the modules taught in London will be co-taught by experts at UniSA via remote teaching methods, and one module as well as the research project will be taught and conducted in Australia.
Assessment is by examination, coursework, process design, oral presentation, online quizzing, reports and essays, with some components involving group work.
All full-time students are expected to study 40 hours per week during term time. This time is made up of formal learning and teaching events such as lectures, seminars and tutorials, as well as independent study. You are expected to read around the subject matter given in lectures. Your lecturers will not prescribe exactly what you should do in your private study time.
Some modules may have asynchronous content in Moodle (resources for you to study at your own pace) as well as weekly face-to-face sessions on campus to give you the chance to learn in real time with your lecturers and this will be a chance to ask questions.
Normal teaching hours are Mon – Fri 9am to 6pm, and all sessions will take place during these hours. There may be additional events, e.g. careers sessions, which may take place outside of these hours. Wednesday afternoons are normally kept free to allow time for sports and other activities.
Modules
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Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of six compulsory modules, two optional modules and a dissertation.
Seven modules are taught in London, along with research methods and associated assessment as part of the Dissertation. Social Licensing and remainder of the Dissertation, including the research project itself are delivered in Adelaide, South Australia.
In the first term, students engage with elements of science and engineering as applicable to the resource industries, providing an overview of resource genesis and identification, extraction, processing and the manufacture of final products. This is from perspectives within the hydrocarbon, solid mineral and nuclear industries, and is blended with elements of project management, process design and safe and secure practice within these sectors.
The second term engages students with aspects of governance, policy, business management, environmental and social practice and additional specialised technical knowledge. The technical knowledge developed in the first term underpins the application of skills and knowledge developed in the second; students will be able to consider evidence and make appropriate decisions, with an appreciation of the challenges that exist within the natural resource sector.
Students spend the third term and the summer at UniSA’s Mawson Lakes Campus in Adelaide, South Australia. Here, students undertake their research projects with leading academics in aspects of natural resources, as well as further learning in Social Licensing and other relevant activities, including field trips, seminars and presentations. These international engagements broaden student horizons, exposing them to another research-intensive institution, a new country with different opportunities, natural resources, and breadth of appropriate research activities, allowing access to numerous industries directly engaged in natural resource activities.
The dissertation is comprised of an individual research project, an associated poster presentation, a presentation, an executive summary exercise and a small number of quiz assessments. Dissertations will be provided in areas of cognate research to natural resource management and should have some level of technical complexity associated with them.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Global Management of Natural Resources.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork offers the opportunity for students to observe and discuss many of the topics discussed in lectures, seminars and tutorials. This is particularly helpful in geological contexts. Fieldwork may include:
- A four- day trip to Dorset in the reading week of the first term (November) for those on GEOL0034 Geology for Global Managers and Engineers;
- A two-day trip to Helsinki, Finland to visit the Onkalo nuclear waste repository in February as part of CENG0036 Prevention and Remediation of Environmental Contamination;
- Trips to visit relevant sites in South Australia as part of CENG0037 the Dissertation;
- Shorter trips that may be arranged on an annual basis.
The international components and field trips in this programme are subject to national and international Covid-19 regulations and restrictions, and/or other significant future events. Field trips and the period of overseas study may not be possible; in such circumstances the field trips will be substituted by alternative learning (e.g., virtual field trips or lecture based material), and the material taught in Australia (Social Licensing and the Dissertation) will be delivered remotely in London, but with significant input from the University of South Australia.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2024/25) | £22,700 |
| Tuition fees (2024/25) | £41,000 |
Australian students will be classified as Overseas for fee purposes. Students will need funds to cover the cost of travel between UCL and UniSA and for field trips.
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.
Additional costs
The field trip to Finland may require some students to apply for a Finnish or Shengen visa for entry. The cost of the visa is €80 as of August 2022. The visa must be applied for any time after October of the academic year, for which a sponsorship letter is provided by the department.
Approximately 5 months to be spent in Australia will incur some additional compulsory costs, correct as of 2021/22 (note that these may be impacted and/or increased by the Coronavirus pandemic and inflation):
- Flights to and from Australia, starting at approximately £650;
- Overseas healthcare costs in Australia, approximately £250;
- Australian student visa cost, currently £390;
There may be additional costs associated with applying for visas in Australia. This may include:
- Healthcare evaluations (depending on your country of origin, and costs may start around £100 depending on where these checks are conducted, and now extensive they are);
- Variable visa costs, this could exceed £400;
- There may be additional costs associated with travel to and from the United Kingdom and to and from Australia with regards to national and international COVID-19 regulations. These costs may be associated with, but not limited to quarantine and testing.
These costs are typically paid between January and April of the academic year. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to investigate what the costs of applying for an Australian student visa and associated travel costs would be for their own personal circumstances before applying for the programme. Further information can be found on the Australian visa website.
You would be expected to pay for your living costs and accommodation in Adelaide, South Australia. These are typically less than the equivalent costs in London.
The cost of field trips to Dorset, Finland and the field trip in Australia, apart from personal costs (e.g., food, visas, appropriate clothing and footwear, pens and pencils etc.) will be met separately by the Department. Any additional optional field trips arranged with short notice within the U.K. may incur some additional travel costs, estimated to not exceed £100.
Students may apply for travel grants, bursaries and scholarships associated with the programme of study and the department to help with the costs of their studies.
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
Funding your studies
For those who who have applied (with completed references) by the 31st March 2023:
- One studentship of £5,000 based on academic merit and/or professional excellence;
- Up to three bursaries of £ 2,000 based on demonstrable financial need;
We will contact you to apply for these funds after the cut-off date.
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
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Brown Family Bursary
Deadline: 20 June 2024Value: £15,000 (1 year)Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial needEligibility: UKUCL East London Scholarship
Deadline: 20 June 2024Value: Tuition fees plus £15,700 stipend ()Criteria Based on financial needEligibility: UK
Next steps
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- Why you want to study Global Management of Natural Resources at graduate level;
- Why you want to study Global Management of Natural Resources at UCL;
- What particularly attracts you to this transcontinental programme;
- How your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme;
- Where you would like to go professionally with your degree.
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.
Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.
Choose your programme
Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.
Got questions? Get in touch
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