Hydrologist

You'll need a first degree, and often postgraduate training, to get into hydrology. Degrees include:

• environmental science
• geography
• civil engineering
• environmental engineering
• Earth sciences
• ecology

Postgraduate courses

After finishing your degree, you could complete a postgraduate course. You can find postgraduate courses through the British Hydrological Society.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

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• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You could apply for an Environmental Practitioner or Geoscientist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship before specialising in hydrology.

These can take up to 5 years to complete and are a mix of learning on the job and studying at an approved university.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

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• equivalent entry requirements
• apprenticeship levels

You could start as an assistant hydrologist or technical officer, if you have a degree in a science or environmental subject.

Your employer may encourage you to take a postgraduate qualification while you're working, like a master's degree in hydrology.

Career tips

The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology has information about hydrology, including work on water pollution, flooding and drought.

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the British Hydrological Society or Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.

This could help you find:

• industry news
• advice on professional development
• networking opportunities

Further information

You can learn about different types of hydrology work through the British Hydrological Society.

You can also find out more about being a hydrologist from The Geological Society.