Materials for Energy and Environment MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The global challenges of climate and energy require new technologies for renewable energy sources, methods of energy storage, efficient energy use, techniques for carbon capture and storage, climate engineering, as well as an appreciation of the impact of these on the environment. This is a broad-based MSc, ideal for you if you wish to acquire skills in energy and materials chemistry in order to participate in the emerging challenges to meet climate change targets.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£15,100
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£37,500
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

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. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Taught modules are delivered through a mixture of lectures, workshops and tutorials. These modules will enhance your subject knowledge in materials science, and chemistry as applied to the areas of energy, and environment, and also develop your transferrable and professional skills.

Who this course is for

This MSc offers science and engineering graduates with a strong chemistry background the opportunity to expand into materials science and is suitable for materials graduates who intend to focus on energy and climate-related careers.

What this course will give you

This programme is designed for graduates from a wide range of science and engineering backgrounds who wish to broaden their knowledge and skills into materials science with an emphasis on the energy and climate change issues that will drive markets over the next century. It delivers courses from two departments depending on options and includes a self-managed research project which is intended to introduce the challenges of original scientific research in a supportive environment.

Research activities span the whole spectrum of energy-related research from the development of batteries and fuel cells to the prediction of the structure of new water-splitting catalytic materials.

Students develop experience in scientific method, techniques for reporting science and in the many transferrable skills required for a future career.

The foundation of your career

This MSc programme seeks to train the next generation of materials scientists with particular interest in the energy and environment fields and strong relevance to net zero target. Students will gain skills in materials synthesis, characterisation, analysis and applications by using the state-of-the-art methods and equipment and in many areas that are closely related to energy storage, energy conversion, sustainability, biochemistry, and so on, many of which have direct relevance to industry and practical use.

Students will gain the skills through teaching delivery and project participation, as well as important professional skills learning. The MSc will equip students with strong awareness of energy and environmental issues, in-depth knowledge of materials chemistry, communication skills, practical skills via research projects, critical thinking, and problem solving ability. All of these are valuable to enhance students’ employability.

Employability

The UK has committed to 80% reduction in CO2 emissions on a 1990 baseline by 2050. CERES, the organisation that represents the largest institutional investors would like to see 90% reduction by 2050. National Systems of Innovation (NSI), which includes the universities, research centres and government departments working in conjunction with industry, will need to apprehend new opportunities and change direction, diverting personnel to energy and climate issues in response to changing markets and legislation. This MSc will contribute to the supply of personnel needed for the era of sustainability.

Networking

You will have opportunities to visit the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Royal Society (both situated in central London), to attend public lectures and meetings given by eminent national and international scientists. The student run ‘Chemical Physical society’ which is the oldest student run chemical society also holds weekly social events and scientific discussions and seminars on a variety of topical chemical and physical aspects. In addition, there are many scientific events offering networking opportunities organised by several societies across UCL, ranging from Life Science to Data Science.

Accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Accreditation of degree programmes by the Royal Society of Chemistry is a mark of assurance that teaching and learning meet the standards expected from a university. Furthermore, accredited programmes ensures the needs of employers and students are fulfilled.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of online and face-to-face lectures, seminars and workshops.

The programme is delivered through a combination of online and face-to-face lectures, seminars, self-study and research supervision. Assessment is through unseen written examination and coursework. The literature project is assessed by written dissertation and the research project is assessed by a written report, supervisor assessment, an interim oral presentation with a viva voce and poster presentation.

On average it is expected that a student spends 150 hours studying for each 15-credit module. This includes teaching time, private study and coursework. Modules are usually taught in weekly sessions (approx. 2 hours per week) over 10 weeks each term.

Modules

Students take all of the following compulsory modules, totalling 150 credits, including a 90-credit research dissertation.

Students take a total of 30 credits (2 optional modules) drawn from the list of optional modules.

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 are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits across a variety of key disciplines. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Materials for Energy and Environment.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £15,100
Tuition fees (2024/25) £37,500

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

There are no programme-specific costs.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

Students can be self-funded or find sponsorship from alternative sources, for instance via those shown on the UCL scholarships and funding pages

If you are seeking support through the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme and have submitted an application for this Scholarship to support your MSc in Materials for Energy and the Environment, please notify us directly at masters.chem@ucl.ac.uk.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Brown Family Bursary

Deadline: 20 June 2024
Value: £15,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

UCL East London Scholarship

Deadline: 20 June 2024
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,700 stipend ()
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

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 £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study Materials for Energy and Environment at graduate level. Please elaborate on the motivational factors that have drawn you to our subject. Our experience is that applicants from many different first degree backgrounds participate in the programme and you should explain how your own background leads you to this MSc.
  • Why you want to study Materials for Energy and Environment at UCL. Tell us how UCL can help to improve your career path and give an indication of your willingness to participate in the wider UCL activities in energy and environment during your time here.
  • How your academic background meets the demands of a challenging programme. The MSc is a broadening degree which will lead you into areas that lie outside your first degree subject. How comfortable are you about that? We find that some students have a clearly defined academic identity which inhibits them from applying their skills to subjects outside their boundary. How will you respond to this? How adventurous are you?
  • What would you like to be able to do following your Master's?

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.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Got questions? Get in touch

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