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Nanotechnology MSc

This MSc is designed for graduates from the physical sciences and relevant engineering disciplines who wish to develop skills in this new and exciting area. Nanotechnology is rapidly establishing itself as a key technology, in industries ranging from microelectronics to healthcare, with a consequent demand for appropriately trained graduates.

Covid-19 programme updates

Due to COVID-19, there may have been updates to this programme for the 2020 academic year. Where there has been an update, these are indicated with a red alert and a link which will provide further information.

Key information

Programme starts

September 2020

Modes and duration

Full time: 1 year
Part time: 2 years

Application dates

All applicants
Open: 1 November 2019
Close: 11 August 2020
Notification
Due to the large number of applications received, this programme is no longer accepting applications for 2020/21 entry. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Applications for 2021/22 entry will open later in the year.

Tuition fees (2020/21)

UK/EU:
£13,640 (FT)
£6,810 (PT)
Overseas:
£27,850 (FT)
£14,320 (PT)


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.

Optional qualifications: This degree is also available as a PG Diploma with fees set accordingly.
Accreditation:

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Location: London, Bloomsbury

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.

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: Standard

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

The programme introduces students to, and provides training in, the skills essential for almost all fields of nanotechnology research, including key laboratory skills and techniques in planning, building devices, analysis, and results comparison. The core lecture programme covers essential topics in physics, electrical and electronic engineering, and biology.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of six core modules (75 credits), three optional modules (45 credits) and a research project (60 credits).

A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) is offered. The diploma consists of six core modules (75 credits) and three optional modules (45 credits).

Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Nanotechnology. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Nanotechnology.

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.

Compulsory modules

  • Physical Science for Nanotechnology
  • Nanoscale Processing and Characterisation for Advanced Devices
  • Experimental Techniques for Nanotechnology
  • Nanotechnology and Society
  • Electrical Transport in Nanosystems
  • Photonics in Nanosystems

Optional modules

  • Quantum Computation and Communication
  • Order and Excitations in Condensed Matter
  • Molecular Biophysics
  • Molecular Physics
  • Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice
  • Bioprocess Microfluidics
  • Physics of Advanced Materials
  • Physics and Optics of Nanostructures
  • Materials and Energy Materials

Please refer to the Electronic and Electrical Engineering department page for further information on modules.

Covid-19 module updates
Due to COVID-19, there may be updates to the modules for your chosen programme of study this year. Some modules may not be available or may need to be moved to a later term or year of study. These updates are relevant for 2020-21 academic year only.  The full list of modules will be available in the module catalogue from late August.  From the first week of September, you will be invited to complete module selection from Portico, our student record system. There may need to be additional updates or changes to modules during the academic year to allow for new guidance from the UK Government and Public Health England. Your department shall keep you updated of these changes as they become available.

Dissertation/report

All students undertake an extensive research project on an experimental or theoretical topic which is assessed through an interim report, dissertation and oral examination.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, laboratory classes, tutorials and seminars. Student performance is assessed through coursework, laboratory notebooks, case studies, written examination, a dissertation, and written and oral presentations.

Covid-19 contact hours on campus
In Term One, while campus will be open, all the learning activity for the core content of your modules will take place online – including lectures, tutorials, seminars and assessments. By “core content” we mean everything you need to learn to complete the module successfully. In addition to these online contact hours, we will be offering some face-to-face educational activities for students on campus, and we will provide alternative online activities for those students unable to join us on campus. These activities, which will include contact with academic staff, will be relevant to your programme of study may include seminars, academic and employability skills workshops, small-group or individual tutorials, lab and practice-based teaching. UK Government safety guidelines will limit the amount of ‘in person’ activity we can offer and while it will vary from programme to programme, is likely to be no more than 1-2 hours per week. This will vary across departments, particularly if your programme includes laboratory/practical/studio/workshop sessions. You will be updated with more specific details as they are available and your timetable will indicate which sessions will be on campus and which will be available online.
Covid-19 assessment updates
There may be changes to the format of assessments for modules in this programme due to COVID-19. These will be summarised for each module on the module catalogue from 17 August 2020.   If any changes to assessments need to be made during the academic year due to updates in government guidance, these will be communicated to you as soon as possible from your department.    
Communicating further Covid-19 mitigation plans
We are continuing to follow UK Government guidance, as well as the expertise of our researchers, including specialists in health, education, human behaviour and infection prevention, to make sure UCL is as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. If it becomes necessary to make further changes to your programme as a result of new guidance/regulations, UCL and your department will communicate these as soon as this becomes clear. We will keep you up-to-date with our plans throughout term one, so you have the information you need to be able to take decisions that are right for your circumstances. Please ensure that you keep in touch with your department by regularly checking your UCL emails, Moodle courses, the Coronavirus FAQs for Students page and any UCL online groups or social media you follow.

Additional costs

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

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) also awards competitive scholarships for postgraduate study, for details visit www.theiet.org

Please visit the UCL Electronic and Electrical Engineering Scholarships website for more information on funding.

Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.

Brown Family Bursary

Note:
This scheme is now closed for 2020/21
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

Recent graduates have gone on to work as engineers for companies including EDF Energy and Intel, as analysts and consultants for firms including Standard Bank PLC and DN Capital, or to undertake PhD study at the Universities of Oxford, Bath and Glasgow.

Employability

This MSc programme provides a broad and comprehensive coverage of the technological and scientific foundations of nanotechnology, from the basis of the fabrication of nanostructures for advanced device applications, to fundamental quantum information and molecular biophysics, from nanotechnology in life science to nanotechnology in healthcare, and from experimental technology to theoretical modelling. Nanotechnology MSc graduates are expertly equipped either to pursue PhD study or become consultants or engineers in a wide range of nanotechnology fields.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN) is a new UK-based multidisciplinary enterprise operating at the forefront of science and technology.

Forming a bridge between the physical and biomedical sciences, it brings together two of the world's leading institutions in nanotechnology, UCL (University College London) and Imperial College London.

The centre aims to provide leading-edge training in nanotechnology and students on this programme benefit from excellent new facilities, including a £14 million research building furnished with state-of-the art equipment, and a £1 million teaching facility in UCL Electronic & Electrical Engineering.

Accreditation:

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Department: Electronic & Electrical Engineering

What our students and staff say

Staff view

"Through UCL I’ve benefited from access to an internationally leading research community and from interaction with exceptional students."

Dr Tony Kenyon

PhD training in EEE EngD in Molecular Modelling and Materials, Science CDT in Photonics Systems Development, Nanotechnology MSc, and Wireless and Optical Communications MSc
Reader in Photonic Materials

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?

The programme is designed for graduates from the physical sciences and from relevant engineering disciplines who wish to develop the skills necessary for a career in this field, either as industrial researchers, technical managers or academic researchers.

Application deadlines

All applicants
11 August 2020

For more information see our Applications page.

Apply now

What are we looking for?

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Nanotechnology at graduate level
  • why you want to study Nanotechnology at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • how you envisage your career path after the MSc.

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.

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.

Page last modified on 13 August 2020