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The global challenge of environmental sustainability highlights the need for holistic design and management of complex environmental and technological systems. This interdisciplinary Master's programme presents environmental issues and technologies within a systems engineering context. Graduates will understand interactions between the natural environment, people, processes and technologies to develop sustainable solutions.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2020
Modes and duration
Application dates
Tuition fees (2020/21)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website. Fees for flexible, modular study are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session.
This degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a partial CEng accredited undergraduate first degree. See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.
Entry requirements
A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree in a cognate subject or related discipline or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard is usually required. Extensive work experience covering related areas will be considered.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.
Select your country:
About this degree
Students will develop an understanding of systems engineering and environmental engineering. Environmental engineering is a multidisciplinary branch of engineering concerned with devising, implementing and managing solutions to protect and restore the environment within an overall framework of sustainable development. Systems engineering is the branch of engineering concerned with the development and management of large complex systems.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of four core modules (60 credits), a collaborative environmental systems project (30 credits), two optional modules (30 credits) and an individual environmental systems dissertation (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) is offered.
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Environmental Systems Engineering. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Environmental Systems Engineering.
Compulsory modules
- Collaborative Environmental Systems Project
- Environmental Systems
- Systems Engineering and Management
- Systems Society and Sustainability
- Environmental Modelling
Please visit our Environmental Systems Engineering MSc programme page for further compulsory module details.
Optional modules
Optional modules are subject to change and timetable availability.
- Advanced Research Writing
- Building Acoustics
- Energy Systems and Sustainability
- Energy Systems Modelling
- Engineering and International Development
- Indoor Air Quality in Buildings
- Industrial Symbiosis
- Life Cycle Assessment
- Light, Lighting and Wellbeing in Buildings
- Natural and Environmental Disasters
- Offshore and Coastal Engineering
- Politics of Climate Change
- Project Management
- Smart Energy Systems: Theory, Practice and Implementation
- Urban Flooding and Drainage
- Waste and Resource Efficiency
- Water and Wastewater Treatment
Please visit our Environmental Systems Engineering MSc programme page for further optional module details.
- Further information about these modules is available on the department website.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an independent research project addressing a problem of systems research, design or analysis, which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory classes and projects. The individual and group projects in the synthesis element involve interaction with industrial partners, giving students real-life experience and contacts for the future. Assessment is through written examination, coursework, presentations, and group and individual projects.
Additional costs
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
Funding
Some funding schemes are available globally, but they are extremely competitive.
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.
Brown Family Bursary
- Note:
- Deadline: 14 May 2020
- Value:
- £15,000 (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- UK
- Criteria:
- Based on both academic merit and financial need
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
Career paths for environmental systems engineers are diverse, expanding and challenging, given the pressures of increasing populations, the desire for improved standards of living and the need to protect environmental systems. There are local, UK and international opportunities in all areas of industry, including in government planning and regulation, with regional and municipal authorities, as consultants and contracting engineers, in research and development organisations, and in education and technology transfer. Examples of recent career destinations include Ford, KPMG, EDF Energy, Brookfield Multiplex, and the Thames Tideway Tunnel Project.
Employability
The discipline of environmental systems engineering is growing rapidly with international demand for multi-skilled, solutions-focused professionals who can take an integrated approach to complex problems.
Why study this degree at UCL?
The discipline of environmental systems engineering is growing rapidly with an international demand for multi-skilled professionals who can take an integrated approach to solving complex environmental problems (e.g. urban water systems, technologies to minimise industrial pollution). Environmental engineers work closely with a range of other environmental professionals, and the community.
Skills may be used to:
- design, construct and operate urban water systems
- develop and implement cleaner production technologies to minimise industrial pollution
- recycle waste materials into new products and generate energy
- evaluate and minimise the environmental impact of engineering projects
- develop and implement sound environmental management strategies and procedures.
UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering is an energetic and exciting environment in which to explore environmental systems engineering. Students have the advantages of studying in a multi-faculty institution with a long tradition of excellence in teaching and research, situated at the heart of one of the world's greatest cities.
Accreditation:
This degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a partial CEng accredited undergraduate first degree. See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.
Department: Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering
What our students and staff say
"The main focus of my research is to develop engineering solutions that reduce the spread of infectious disease in the built environment, such as hospitals, offices and transport systems. An example is a current project where we are collaborating with chemists, materials scientists and clinicians to develop antimicrobial filters for water and air.
London is a real melting pot and provides many excellent opportunities for research and collaboration and UCL is very good at forging relationships within and outside the university. As well as this, London also provides an excellent subject for our research."Lena Ciric
Environmental Systems Engineering MSc
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £80 for online applications and £105 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
This MSc is suitable for students and professionals with a first degree and/or work experience in engineering, environmental science or a related field, who wish to develop the skills necessary to progress in the diverse, expanding and challenging field of environmental systems engineering.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 24 July 2020
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Environmental Systems Engineering at graduate level
- why you want to study Environmental Systems Engineering at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to this programme
- how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging programme
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.
Applicants are required to have a Good level of English. Enligh language assessment methods and associated grades can be found by visiting the UCL English language requirements website.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 5 March 2020