Energy and Environment MSc

Course overview

The sustainable use of energy is fundamental to the modern world. Our dependence on energy for transport, heating, lighting and business is ever growing, presenting many challenges in ensuring secure and economic supplies. At the same time, protecting the environment has never been more important than it is today. From the type of transport we use to how we treat waste, every organisation across the globe is being encouraged by governments to make more sustainable choices.

That’s why studying an MSc that advances your knowledge and skill set in real-world issues in energy and the environment will provide you with expertise that’s in demand across almost every industry globally.

Whether you’re from an engineering, scientific or technical background, our Energy and Environment MSc will equip you with specialist knowledge in critical areas in energy technologies and impacting environmental factors, preparing you to handle the complex challenges created by the growing energy demands of the 21st century.

You’ll study in the School of Chemical and Process Engineering, which is actively involved in ‘internationally excellent’ research with a global impact. This gives us first-hand insight into the latest trends and issues in energy and the environment — much of which is fed directly into the course.

This means that, once you graduate, you’ll be fully equipped with the forward-thinking, relevant and topical knowledge you’ll need to pursue a wide range of career paths in both the private and public sectors.

Why study at Leeds:

• This Masters degree has been accredited by the Energy Institute.
• Our globally-renowned research conducted right here in our School feeds into your course, shaping your learning with the latest thinking in areas such as sustainable systems.
• Advance your knowledge and skills in areas such as atmospheric pollution controls and renewable technologies.
• Tailor the course to specialise in your career interests through a variety of optional modules including energy management and fuel processing.
• Your individual research project gives you a chance to immerse yourself in internationally-leading research groups, collaborating and working alongside PhD students and active researchers to develop professional skills and experience in executing a research plan.
• Access UK-leading research laboratories and specialist facilities including a full-scale engine testing and transport emissions suite and lab-scale wave power, wind and solar labs and rigs.
• Experience excellent practical and theoretical teaching delivered by a programme team with a wealth of expertise and experience across many relevant areas such as renewable energy technologies.
• Enhance your career prospects and become part of our successful alumni who have pursued exciting careers in global companies including P&G and Siemens.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Energy Institute (EI)

Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students.

This course is accredited by the Energy Institute (EI) on behalf of the Engineering Council.

This Masters degree is accredited by the Energy Institute 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.

Course details

Core modules will develop your understanding of key topics such as how air pollution and carbon emissions can be measured and controlled, as well as their impact on the surrounding environment. You’ll also focus on renewable technologies such as wind, solar and geothermal energy and hydroelectricity.

In addition, you’ll consider waste and biomass as renewable technologies and how energy can be recovered from landfill and waste incineration. You’ll also gain a broader understanding of the contexts in which these technologies are emerging, including related legal, environmental and financial issues.

With this foundation, you’ll specialise in areas that suit your interests and career ambitions through a choice of optional modules. You could focus on energy management and conservation, more sustainable approaches to fuel processing, or how policy and innovation can speed up the transition to more sustainable systems, among other topics.

Project work

Every student undertakes a research project that runs throughout the latter part of the year. This project allows you to apply what you’ve learned to a piece of research focusing on a real-world problem, and it can be used to explore and develop your specific interests.

Throughout the research project, you’ll work alongside PhD students and experienced researchers developing an innovative, independent piece of work, reflecting the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired. This will enable you to gain experience of planning, executing and reporting research work of the type you’ll undertake in an industrial or academic environment. You’ll also have access to some of the outstanding facilities in the School of Chemical and Process Engineering.

You’ll choose your topic from a list of options — normally related to one of our world-class research areas — and work closely with your supervisor to apply what you’ve learned to a real-life problem.

Previous projects have included:

• Potential of marine biomass for production of chemicals and biofuels
• Influence of particle size on the analytical and chemical properties of Miscanthus energy crop
• Assessing the exposure of commuters to traffic-generated particles:
• A comparison of transport options
• Location of solar farms under climate change
• Steam reforming of waste pyrolysis oils for sustainable hydrogen production

Some projects may be formally linked to industry and may include spending time at the collaborator’s site over the summer.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Energy and Environment MSc in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Learning and teaching

Our ground-breaking research feeds directly into teaching, and you’ll have regular contact with staff who are at the forefront of their disciplines, through lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group work and project meetings. Independent study is also an important part of the programme, as you’ll develop problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge.

Specialist facilities

Our laboratory facilities are equipped with the latest technology for advanced fuel characterisation, environmental monitoring and pollution control.

There are also lab-scale combustion systems, and a wide range of experimental facilities researching the production of low carbon fuels and energy from waste and new materials such as biomass and algae. You’ll even find a full-scale engine testing and transport emissions suite and pilot-scale wave power, wind and solar labs and rigs.

Programme team

The Programme Leader, Professor Timothy Cockerill, is the Professor of Efficient Energy Utilisation and co-director of Energy Leeds. He’s been interested in energy technologies since 1996, when he started work on early offshore wind energy systems. More recently, his research interests have included many key technologies of the future including carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, and electricity storage.

The wider programme team has a broad and extensive experience across a range of chemical and process engineering disciplines.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including case studies, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, assignments and exams. Optional modules may also use alternative assessment methods.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:2 (hons) in engineering, a physical science or mathematics discipline.

Applicants must have strong marks across a breadth of relevant modules, including mathematics and physical sciences.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Engineering (6 weeks) and Language for Science: Engineering (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

31 July 2024 – International applicants

8 September 2024 – UK applicants

Click below to access the University’s online application system and find out more about the application process.

If you're still unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

The UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) operates a scheme called the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). If you are an international (non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen) applicant and require a student visa to study in the UK then you will need an ATAS certificate to study this course at the University of Leeds.

To apply for an ATAS certificate online, you will need your programme details and the relevant Common Aggregation Hierarchy (CAH) code and descriptor. For this course, the CAH code is: CAH10-01-09 and the descriptor is Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering. Your supervisor will be Timothy Cockerill.

More information and details on how to apply for your ATAS certificate can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Chemical and Process Engineering

Contact us

Postgraduate Admissions Team – Masters courses

Email: pgchemical@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £13,750 (Total)

International: £31,000 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Career opportunities

Sustainability has become paramount in almost every industry worldwide – and the demand for specialists in areas like energy and the environment is ever-growing.

The broad range of skills and knowledge you’ll develop on our Energy and Environment MSc will equip you with the topical and highly relevant insight needed to work in a wide range of job positions – from consultancy to engineering and beyond.

Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research.

Our graduates from this course have secured positions at companies such as:

• Process Engineer, Procter & Gamble
• Engineer, T7 Global Berhad
• Process Engineer, ExxonMobil Nigeria
• Proposals Engineer, Frames Energy System
• Controls Engineer, Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Ltd
• Electrical Site Supervisor, Blue Lake Global Resources Limited
• Postgraduate Student, The University of Leeds
• Application & Marketing Engineer, Al Khomassia Chemicals
• Commercial Analyst, Thai Oil
• Superintendent Disposal, National Water and Sewerage Corporation

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one. We have a wide range of careers resources — including our award-winning Employability team who are in contact with many employers around the country and advertise placements and jobs. They are also on hand to provide guidance and support through the whole job application process, ensuring you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.

• Employability events — we run a full range of events including careers fairs in specialist areas and across broader industries — all with employers who are actively recruiting for roles.
• MyCareer system — on your course and after you graduate, you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events.
• Qualified careers consultants — gain guidance, support and information to help you choose a career path. You’ll have access to 1-2-1 meetings and events to learn how to find employers to target, write your CV and cover letter, research before interviews and brush up on your interview skills.
• Opportunities at Leeds — there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.

Find out more about career support.