Environmental Engineering, Master's Programme in Environmental Engineering, Master of Science (Technology) (2 years)

Basic information
Education type
Language of instruction
Scope of studies
Planned duration
Teaching time
Form of teaching
Tuition fee for non-EU/EEA citizens:
Scholarship
Description
The Master's programme in Environmental Engineering responds to challenges posed by global climate change. Study in an exciting learning environment at the heart of the green transition to use new technologies and approaches in resource-wise, carbon neutral environmental management.
Study programmes available for application
Joint application ( 1 )
Application begins:
Jan. 8, 2025 at 08:00 AM UTC+2
Application ends:
Jan. 22, 2025 at 03:00 PM UTC+2
Studies begin:
Autumn 2025
Prior education:
University Bachelor's degree
University of applied sciences Bachelor's degree
Doctoral degree
Licentiate degree
University of applied sciences Master's degree
Foreign Master's degree
Foreign Bachelor's degree
University Master's degree
Places of study:
20
Additional information
Learning Outcomes
The industry-branch-independent, phenomena-based approach of the Master's Programme in Environmental Engineering provides its students excellent talents to apply their learned skills into the different areas of environmental engineering. The studies contain courses on the technologies in the different branches of industry and on the phenomena related to energy systems and cleaner production methods, and give the students abilities to control, optimize, design and develop processes.
Further, the programme will educate the students on the methods for water and wastewater treatment, natural phenomena and processes related to water resources and water engineering, the causes of environmental loads, and the different methods, tools and technologies in controlling and reducing harmful environmental effects based on the selection of the study option.
The objective of the Master's Programme of Environmental Engineering is to train creative and co-operative academic professionals for engineering careers and as experts in their own area of specialization.
Content
During Master’s studies the student will acquire abilities for demanding design, research and development tasks of the field, and also a strong basis and eligibility for further doctoral studies. After completing the studies graduates can master biological, chemical, physical and mechanical processes, as well as the methods and techniques for design, development and research. In addition to these general skills, the graduates will be deeply familiar with their own specialization area (study option).
The Master’s Degree studies are composed of intermediate and advanced level studies and elective studies, which include an Advanced Practical Training course. A Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS) will be written as the final work for the degree.
Structure of studies
Get acquainted with the study structures in 2024-2025 curriculum for Master’s degrees.
The Study Guide of the University of Oulu for the academic year 2025-2026 will be published on 14.2.2025. As soon as the Study Guide has been published you will find the up-to-date study structure with courses included in the degree as follows:
Go to the page Study Guide. Choose the correct academic year from the menu in the upper left corner with academic years, that is year 2025-2026. Choose the level of education (for example, Degree Studies (3 + 2 yrs incl. Licentiates; Master´s Programmes; Bachelor´s Programmes), after which you will be able to choose the faculty and, further, the degree programme of your interest.
Further study opportunities
A Master of Science in Technology graduate from the degree programme of Environmental Engineering is eligible to apply for doctoral studies.
Specialisations
The Master’s Programme in Environmental Engineering includes three different study options (majors): Industrial Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Energy Systems and Hydrology and Water Management.
Applicants have to choose their preferred field of specialization, study option already when applying to the programme. The Master’s Programme in Environmental Engineering studies will progress according to the specific study option curriculum of each option right from the start. Each option will provide graduated with a specific set of skills and know-how, therefore each has its own criteria for the applicants.
The Industrial Environmental Engineering study option gives knowledge on industrial processes and provides skills for their environmentally friendly design, development and control. The environmental impacts and efficient treating methods of (water, air, energy) emissions and utilization of waste and side streams are explored. The students obtain comprehensive understanding on the principles of sustainable development and will be able to understand the importance of e.g. efficient use of raw materials and side products, production methods, closed circulations, catalysis, and life cycle assessment in the sustainable production.
The graduates will master the principles of renewable energy production, distribution and use, as well the basics of energy markets. They will obtain knowledge e.g. in the subjects like reactor design, catalytic processes, air and water treatment methods, industrial ecology, and environmental impacts of industry.
The Sustainable Energy Systems study option is for students who are motivated to take on the grand challenge of energy transition. In this study option, students will learn about alternative and conventional energy technologies, their societal and environmental impacts and economic benefits. They will also learn to use energy design tools and customize hybrid energy systems for customer needs. In addition, the curriculum contains multidisciplinary courses from across disciplines, including energy and environmental engineering, information and communication technologies and energy and environmental economics. Graduates will gain an interdisciplinary understanding of the contemporary need for sustainable energy solutions and will be well prepared to lead the transition to a sustainable energy future.
The study option Hydrology and Water Management produces experts in integrated water resources management. The graduates will be water engineering professionals, who will master overall understanding of natural processes and human activities influencing water quality and quantity, and advanced numerical methods and models to address water resource management issues in watersheds, groundwater, lakes and rivers; field methods and laboratory tests in hydrological and water treatment studies; designing municipal water treatment and supply solutions; and watershed management related to sediment transport, dam and hydropower operation.
Career opportunities
A Master of Science in Technology in Environmental Engineering Graduate can apply his/her skills to a wide variety of different industrial engineering tasks. He/she may work, e.g., in food, biotechnological, chemical, pulp and paper, energy, mining, or metallurgical industry; as a supplier, in planning, design or consultation agencies or educational and research organizations or public administration; for state, municipalities, towns or cities. He/she has the capabilities for working in planning and design, research, development, educational and/or administrative tasks or as a private entrepreneur in his/her area of expertise.
Graduate Profile can be, e.g: HSEQ Manager, Researcher, Specialist, Chemical Process Designer, Environmental Engineer, Plant Engineer, Development Manager and Production Manager.
Co-operation with other parties
The Master's Programme in Environmental Engineering offers business life diverse expertise in process development and environmental management. This education sector has a long tradition of cooperation with various industries and public authorities. Different forms of cooperation provide a framework for achieving excellent results with all partners.
The programme cooperates actively, e.g., with pulp and paper industry, metallurgical and extractive industries, chemical industry, water supply and infrastructure, and information technology organizations.
Internationalisation
There are many opportunities for internationalization during the studies in the Faculty of Technology of the University of Oulu. With the steadily growing number of international students at the University of Oulu there is a multitude of opportunities to actively participate in clubs, societies and other international organizations. All the assignments of the environmental engineering are international in some way.
Research focus
The research units in the areas of process and environmental engineering offer high level expertise for process development and environmental issues. They have long tradition in co-operation with companies and societies in the field. Students of the Master's Programme in Environmental Engineering may participate in these research projects e.g. during their advanced practical training or within their Master's thesis project.
Thesis
To be awarded a Master's Degree, a student must complete the required studies and a Master's Thesis. The Master's Thesis is an important element of the degree, preparing the student for independent engineering work. It is typically a solution to a relatively extensive technical assignment. Although the assignment often integrates further study, the idea is to encourage the student to solve it mainly using the skills acquired during master study. The work also further trains the student in technical documentation. Related to the Master's Thesis, the student writes a maturity essay demonstrating language proficiency in the language in which the student has been educated (Finnish, Swedish or English).
Information about the educational institution

The University of Oulu educates competent professionals who can apply the latest scientific and technological knowledge to real-life challenges. We encourage each student to achieve their full academic potential. In 60 years, the University of Oulu has grown into one of the largest and most multidisciplinary universities in Finland.
We take on science with an Arctic attitude. With this attitude, the University of Oulu has become an expert in technology, health, culture, environment, and Arctic conditions. Every day 2.6 billion people use technology developed in Oulu.
Admissions Team
E-mail:
admissions@oulu.fi
University of Oulu, Faculty of Technology
Postal address:
PL 4000, 90014 Oulun yliopisto
Street address:
Erkki Koiso-Kanttilan katu, 90570 Oulu
E-mail:
study.technology@oulu.fi