Energy and Environmental Engineering MSc

Course overview

Sustainable energy supplies are 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 Environmental Engineering MSc will equip you with specialist knowledge in critical areas of energy technologies and their environmental impacts, 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 associated environmental impacts — 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:

• 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 & sustainable transport and energy systems policy & economics.
• 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

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

The School of Chemical and Process Engineering at Leeds has a successful history of delivering courses accredited by the Energy Institute (EI) on behalf of the Engineering Council. This means our courses have consistently met the quality standards set by the EI.

As we have recently reviewed our curriculum on this programme, we are currently seeking accreditation from the EI.

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 understanding energy use in transportation, or how policy and innovation can speed up the transition to more sustainable systems.

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.

Compulsory modules

Energy Production Technologies – 15 credits

You’ll be introduced to the key renewable energy production technologies of wind, solar, hydro, tidal and wave. In addition to exploring theoretical principles, the module discusses applications and includes multiple hands-on laboratory-based practical sessions.

Energy Vectors and Networks – 15 credits

In this module, you’ll start with a whole systems perspective of the energy system, learning how different renewable technologies can be deployed together to provide reliable and sustainable energy. The module also looks at some key technologies that will underpin future sustainable energy systems including hydrogen, geothermal energy and solar thermal energy.

Impacts of Atmospheric Pollution – 15 credits

You will understand the local to global impacts of the main atmospheric pollutants arising from industrial, transport and domestic sources, together with expected future trends. You will study how pollutants are dispersed through the atmosphere, and gain experience of advanced pollution dispersion modelling software with application to currently relevant case studies.

Bioenergy & Energy from Waste – 15 credits

Bioenergy is one of the most important and flexible sources of renewable energy, and also one of the most complex, with multiple routes to application. You’ll explore the range of possible sources of biomass, along with the chemical and thermal processes essential for their sustainable exploitation.

Biorefining and Future Fuels – 15 credits

This module focusses on biorefinery concepts that convert biomass into energy as well as other industrial products such as bio-fuels and bio-chemicals. Applications will include sustainable transport fuels (for surface, aviation and marine use) and sustainable hydrogen production.

Carbon and Energy Management – 15 credits

Discover a variety of techniques and technologies useful to those responsible for implementing carbon reduction and net zero strategies in a commercial or industrial setting. You’ll cover economic evaluation, lifecycle carbon auditing, and emissions trading, as well as techniques for reducing carbon emissions from commercial buildings and industrial processes.

Pollution Analysis and Control Techniques – 15 credits

In this module, you will learn a range of techniques for the analysis and control of environmental pollutants arising from anthropogenic sources. The module covers both theory and practical approaches applicable to particulates, greenhouse gases, VOCs and sulphur, amongst other pollutants.

Research Project (MSc) – 60 credits

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.

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

Optional modules

Please note: The modules listed below are indicative of typical options.

Energy Systems, Policy and Economics for Engineers – 15 credits

Develop a systems approach to understanding how energy is produced, supplied and consumed, exploring the challenges in transitioning to a sustainable energy supply system. The module will introduce you to key issues that link energy systems engineering, policy and economics. You’ll explore the way in which engineering, policy, and micro-economics are uniquely intertwined within the energy domain.

Energy & Sustainable Transport – 15 credits

Transport accounts for about 30% of global energy use, and 25% of energy related carbon dioxide emissions thanks to a heavy reliance on fossil fuels. This module takes a systems approach to understanding how to transition to a sustainable transport system across a range of modes. You’ll explore different approaches to transport decarbonization that include behavioural aspects as well as new technologies.

Learning and teaching

Our globally-renowned 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 lab-scale wave power, wind and solar rigs.

Programme team

The wider programme team has a broad and extensive experience across a range of energy, 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.

International

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

Please read our How to Apply page for full details, including application deadlines and what to include with your application.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

30 June 2025 – International applicants

12 September 2025 – 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: £14,500 (Total)

International: £33,000 (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 environmental engineering is ever-growing.

The broad range of skills and knowledge you’ll develop on our Energy and Environmental Engineering 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 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.

Explore more about your employability opportunities at the University of Leeds:

Find out more about career support.