British Hydrological Society and JBA Trust Studentship Award Scheme
Specialist skills are needed to manage the water environment. We therefore work closely with the British Hydrological Society to support students working towards relevant Master’s qualifications who will go on to play a vital part in the future management of the water environment.
The Studentship Award Scheme supports talented MSc and MRes students wishing to pursue development of their academic experience and qualifications in hydrology and catchment management.
The studentships will be awarded to a small number of students to help towards Master’s degree tuition costs at UK Higher Education Institutions. Awards are anticipated to be between £2,000 and £2,500 depending on the number and quality of applicants.
You can find out more about how to apply and the experiences of some our previous studentship recipients below.
How to apply for the Studentship Award
The application window for the 2024/25 academic year is now closed. We hope to be able to support the awards again next year, please check back in May 2025.
If you have any questions about the awards or application process in the meantime, please feel free to contact us.
Recipients of the Studentship Awards
Since 2012, we have supported over 100 students to develop their skills and knowledge and pursue their passion for hydrology. We asked some of the recipients to explain why they chose to study a hydrology related subject, and what the award means to them.
Hannah Champion, MSc in Sustainable Water Management at Lancaster University
“The range of experiences I gained in my BSc in Environmental Sciences all inspired me to continue my studies. We need to improve understanding of hydrological issues at local and global scales, and seek collaborative, inter-disciplinary and cross-sector approaches to resolve them. I want to make a difference within the hydrological environment, as a hydrology career is challenging and rewarding.”
Maria Dancel, MSc in Hydrogeology at the University of Birmingham
“As a child, I was fascinated by water being drawn out of the ground as I pulled down on a pump lever in a remote Philippine village, and this has developed into an interest in groundwater resources. My MSc will enable me to contribute towards water resource management challenges such as increasing demand and climate change. It will also provide financial support allowing me to focus on my goal of becoming a hydrogeologist to help develop sustainable water resources.”
Mawahib Jama, MSc in Water: Science and Governance at Kings College London University
“Whilst carrying out my undergraduate degree, I become interested in pollution, wastewater management and their effects on public health. Pursuing a career in water research is challenging, although a rewarding experience, one that will allow me to advocate for greater water security. This MSc will give me the necessary training for investigating and solving water health issues both locally and globally, as well as the socioeconomic policies governing clean water distribution.”
Jonathan Mells, MSc in Hydrogeology and Water Management at the University of Newcastle
“In the face of rising global population and global warming, I firmly believe that water scarcity will be one of the greatest challenges faced by humanity over the coming decades I would like to use my MSc to support a career tackling this problem by understanding how we can utilise ground water resources both domestically and abroad to allow for a sustainable future.”
Dularee Goonetilleke, MSc in Water and Environmental Management at the University of Bristol
“I’ve chosen to study a Water and Environmental Management MSc course as I am eager to pursue a hydrology career in the future. I have a particular interest in environmental analysis, management and modelling of hydrological systems which I am keen to learn more about in the duration of my course.”
Adam McCue, MSc in Water and Environmental Management at Queen Mary University of London
“My undergraduate studies and my work for the Environment Agency helped me to build upon my interests in hydrology, water management and flood risk management. I’m undertaking this MSc in Water and Environmental Management in order to equip me with the tools to pursue a career in the hydrology sector and support development of successful water management in order to reduce flood risk.”
Rachel Hurst, MSc Sustainable Water Management at Lancaster University
“Throughout my BSc studies I found learning about hydrological processes and how we interact with the water environment fascinating, both the use of water as a resource and the impact that flooding has on communities. During my masters degree, I hope to explore these issues in more depth and conduct research helping to understand how to manage water resources sustainably to reduce the impact we have on the water environment. I also hope to gain skills to equip me for a career in the water sector”
Isabelle Finlay, MSc in Environmental Monitoring and Research Management at Loughborough University
“During my undergraduate Geography degree, I developed a keen interest in water quality and the pressures faced by freshwater ecosystems from anthropogenic pollutants. Thinking about how we create solutions to such problems has inspired me to pursue this Master’s programme to understand how science and policy can be integrated within catchment management to improve water quality. The course will also equip me with the practical and analytical skills needed to evaluate dynamic environmental data which is essential to a career in sustainable water management.”
