Admission Criteria

Candidates must be able to satisfy the general admission requirements of the University of the West of Scotland as specified in Chapter 2 of the University Regulatory Framework together with the following programme requirements:

Appropriate Undergraduate Qualification

Other Required Qualifications/Experience

Non-standard Entry: entry to the postgraduate course (other than Masters direct) may be open to holders of an HND or DipHE award in an appropriate discipline, or a professional qualification accepted as of equivalent status and usually at least three years’ relevant experience. Candidates without formal qualifications who possess extensive professional experience deemed to equip the applicant with the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully complete the course (normally at least eight years) may also be admitted to the postgraduate programme. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Guidelines will be followed.

All students will normally be interviewed by one or more members of the course committee. During the interview, evidence of relevant experience will be required to determine if the applicant has the range of knowledge and ability to lead in to the postgraduate programme. International student applications are reviewed by the programme leader, references checked and transcripts considered to ensure the applicant’s qualifications and background are suitable for the programme.

Applicants may also be considered with other academic, vocational or professional qualifications deemed to be equivalent.

We welcome applications from international students with equivalency of qualifications. Scholarships may be available on application.

Further desirable skills pre-application

It would be desirable that all entrants to SCQF level 11 have skills in the following areas: numeracy, communications (including report writing and presentations) and investigation techniques. It would also be desirable if entrants had a background in elements of the natural environment, industrial development and/or waste management.

General Overview

On completion of the Waste and Resource Management programme, you will gain the following Graduate Attributes:

• You will be a critical thinker working collaboratively with colleagues on research-minded projects
• You will be an amibitious, motivated work ready professional, able to show future employers you are a problem solver and an effective communicator
• Your research will be innovative and creative producing resilient solutions to our environmental and waste management challenges

A Postgraduate Diploma / Master of Science degree programme in Waste and Resource Management has been designed to meet the evolving demands placed on the waste and environmental professional. This programme is offered both part-time and full-time and enables the student to study waste management and resource management as they apply to natural environments, industry and business with a strong focus on the implications of injudicious waste disposal,  environmental impacts, management options and technical solutions using new and emerging technologies and methods.  The approach, through a combination of environmental, waste and process modules, provides an introduction to the environment, law and systems along with modules that build on foundations established in Trimester 1. The emphasis of the programme is on the physical and environmental elements of industrial development followed by sustainable approaches to reduction of environmental impact and appropriate technologies to deal with waste streams from a wide range of industrial and land use sources.  Incorporated within the programme is a link with management systems, audit and environmental indicators, all geared to providing the student with an ability to avoid and mitigate negative environmental impacts. The strength of this programme is in its practical, industrial bases, linking with business, local authorities and other academic and training centres throughout Scotland and beyond. There is a strong international element to the programme, with aspects of legislation and regulation, environmental assessment, management systems and the practice of waste management being enhanced with case study examples from around the world.

 The key academic aims of the programme are to:

1/ Develop critical problem-based learning skills and transferable skills to prepare the student for employment in  a position dealing with waste management, pollution control, technological options and emerging solutions

2/ Prepare the student for a professional position in waste and resource management

3/ Enable the student to confidently present material to peers, employers and the academic community

4/ Assist the student to gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainability, the role waste management plays in protecting the environment, and the opportunities for development and application of emerging technologies

5/ Guide the student in developing an independent approach to a research topic, investigating a topic and presenting the findings in a form that is suitable to a post-graduate level degree

The post-graduate diploma / MSc in Waste and Resource Management is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM).

Graduates have appropriate qualifications to apply for positions in both the public and private sectors. Students may consider further study to PhD level.

Students will attend lectures and tutorials and extend their studies through independent learning and seminars with problem solving scenarios using field exercises and case studies. Class discussion is expected and students will present individual study topics to peers and supervisors. Teaching and learning will be supported by the MoodleTM web-based virtual learning environment. Students will be bound by the general assessment regulations of the University as specified in Chapter 3 of the University Regulatory Framework. Assessment criteria are specified on each module descriptor and timetables. Further information is provided in the PgD/MSc student handbook along with specific learning outcomes for each module. Assessment takes the form of coursework assignments, group written report, individual presentations, group presentations, research proposal and the final MSc dissertation.  For all modules, pass marks will be awarded in line with Chapter 3. This mark will be an aggregate mark from the continuous assessment elements and in some modules the assessments and examination component. In the event that a student, having accumulated the necessary passes in the modules, fails to complete the MSc Dissertation satisfactorily, a Postgraduate Diploma will normally be awarded. A student who fails to complete the requirements of the Postgraduate Diploma but has successfully completed modules worth 60 credits will normally be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Waste and Resource Management.

Graduate Attributes, Employability & Personal Development Planning

The programme has a strong practical base. The involvement of representatives from public and private sector agencies and companies ensures that students receive current information in waste and resource management. Students will gain a wide range of skills and abilities in assessing environmental conditions, auditing waste situations, planning for impact reviews and recommending appropriate solutions to problems. Written and oral communication are required throughout the programme. Personal development planning is a major part of the programme. Actual industrial and business examples are referred to in all modules and guest speakers are involved to allow students to explore current industry and government needs. The MSc dissertation provides students with opportunities to meet with professionals in government, industry and business.

On completion of the Waste and Resource Management programme, you will gain the following Graduate Attributes:

• You will be a critical thinker working collaboratively with colleagues on research-minded projects
• You will be an amibitious, motivated work ready professional, able to show future employers you are a problem solver and an effective communicator
• Your research will be innovative and creative producing resilient solutions to our environmental and waste management challenges

Work Based Learning/Placement Details

While there is no specific programme of industrial placement, students will have access to business and industry and there is potential for them to carry out MSc research with case studies taken from local agencies and companies. The incorporation of current waste, technological and environmental examples provide the students with opportunities to contact regulatory agencies and businesses and independently enquire about potential for involvement.

Engagement

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time.

Where a programme has Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements these will be listed here:

Students are expected to attend all timetabled sessions and to engage with all formative and summative assessment elements of all the modules that are included in the programme specification as core modules as well as any optional module when applicable.

Equality and Diversity

The University's Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Procedure can be accessed at the following link: UWS Equality and Diversity Policy

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Regulations of Assessment

Candidates will be bound by the general assessment regulations of the University as specified in the University Regulatory Framework.

An overview of the assessment details is provided in the Student Handbook and the assessment criteria for each module is provided in the module descriptor which forms part of the module pack issued to students. For further details on assessment please refer to Chapter 3 of the Regulatory Framework.

To qualify for an award of the University, students must complete all the programme requirements and must meet the credit minima detailed in Chapter 1 of the Regulatory Framework.

Combined Studies

There may be instances where a student has been unsuccessful in meeting the award criteria for the named award and for other more generic named awards existing within the School. Provided that they have met the credit requirements in line with the SCQF credit minima (please see Regulation 1.21), they will be eligible for an exit award of PgCert/ PgDip in Combined Studies.