After attending Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield, Emery studied at Sheffield University, where he subsequently received a BEng degree in civil and structural engineering in 1972 and a PhD degree in public health engineering in 1976.
After attending Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wakefield, Emery pursued his education at Sheffield University, where he earned both a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree in civil and structural engineering in 1972 and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in public health engineering in 1976.