Environmental Engineering
Analyse the principles and practices needed to protect the environment and human health.
Analyse the principles and practices needed to protect the environment and human health
Collaborate with leading scientific experts and environmental institutions
Build your research and problem solving skills for further PhD study
Course key facts
-
Qualification
-
MSc
-
-
Duration
1 year
-
Start date
September 2025
-
Study mode
Full-time
-
Fees
£18,500 Home
£42,900 Overseas
-
Delivered by
-
Location
-
South Kensington
-
Minimum entry standard
-
2:1 in Civil Engineering, Natural Sciences, Earth Sciences or other numerate subject
Course overview
Study this vocational programme, focused on the concepts of sustainability and delivery of engineered solutions to conserve resources and protect the environment and human health.
The course deals with major topics in the provision of environmental services such as water supply, wastewater treatment, sustainable resource management and pollution control – with perspecives on both developed and developing countries.
Practical lab-based training in analytical techniques to measure key parameters and detect pollutants in environmental media is provided. To complete the programme, students will use their knowledge acquired in the taught programme to tackle a challenging research project in key areas of environmental engineering.
All our MSc courses are career-orientated and cover both theoretical background and practical design considerations. Lectures are delivered mainly by full-time staff, but important contributions are made by visiting lecturers eminent in their field, from industry and business practitioners as well as overseas academics.
Many of our students continue their studies to undertake research towards a PhD.
All our MSc courses last one calendar year, comprising two terms of taught examinable material followed by a research dissertation.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll take all of these modules.
Core modules
Explore the principles of fluid mechanics and hydraulics and learn how to apply those theories to practical applications in river and environmental engineering.
Build your lab-based practical skills and undertake experiments that measure key parameters relevant for water treatment and environmental pollution assessment.
Analyse the effects of urbanisation on the hydrological cycle and learn how to apply basic methods of hydrological analysis.
Assess the key factors required for the safe containment of material, including waste degradation processes and the challenges of in-ground waste disposal.
Gain an insight into the role of chemistry and microbiology in environmental systems and explore the underlying principles that can both influence environmental processes and deliver environmental engineering solutions.
Acquire a mathematical foundation for environmental data analysis and the computational skills required to perform numerical modelling and data analysis.
Understand the problems associated with contaminated land that have arisen from the unmanaged release of pollutants into the environment.
Learn how to develop simple water quality models and solve a range of problems by building and applying these models.
Apply the theory and conceptual design of conventional unit processes for treating drinking water and wastewater to distinguish between their different functions and applications.
Explore how sustainable resource management can conserve materials and energy, preserve natural resources and protect public health and the ecosystem.
Carry out a small group project to gain insight into the design of environmental engineering processes and apply your knowledge to real world problems.
You’ll pick one of these optional modules.
Optional modules
Build on your existing knowledge of drinking water and wastewater treatment and further your understanding of water quality, standards and regulations.
Analyse the inter-relationships between water, wastes and health in developing countries and examine the issues of tropical public health.
Undertake a specific piece of independent research in the form of a critical review, laboratory- or field-based experimental investigation, modelling/numerical analysis project, or a design-related project.
Improve your technical, research and communication skills and produce a written research paper and a visual poster.
Professional accreditation
This MSc degree is accredited on behalf of the Engineering Council by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), comprising:
- Institution of Civil Engineers
- Institution of Structural Engineers
- Institute of Highway Engineers
- Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
- Permanent Way Institution
This degree is recognised 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**.
Registering as a Chartered Engineer will improve your career prospects and provide higher earning potential. It will also help to demonstrate your commitment to professional standards, the engineering profession and sustainable development.
Our accreditation agreement with members of the Joint Board of Moderators is renewed every five years. The current accreditation agreement is due to be renewed in 2026.
**Candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited IEng degree or a non-accredited Bachelor's degree will need to apply for an academic assessment to determine whether they will meet the educational base for CEng registration.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures, tutorials, group and laboratory work
- Independent study
- 20% Lectures, tutorials, group and laboratory work
- 80% Independent study
Teaching and learning methods
-
Lectures
-
Practical laboratories
-
Seminars and workshops
-
Tutorials
-
Virtual learning environment
-
Field data collection and overseas research
-
Group work
-
Individual research project
Balance of assessment
Key
- Coursework
- Examinations
- 55% Coursework
- 45% Examinations
Assessment methods
-
Coursework
-
Lab reports
-
Group projects and presentations
-
Design projects
-
Written exams
-
Research dissertation
-
Research poster
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Round 1 closes on Thursday 16 January 2025
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Application rounds
Round 1
- Apply by Thursday 16 January 2025
- Decision by Thursday 6 March 2025
Round 2
- Apply by Thursday 27 March 2025
- Decision by Thursday 1 May 2025
Round 3
- Apply by Thursday 15 May 2025
- Decision by Thursday 17 July 2025
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
- £80 for all taught Master's applications, excluding those to the Imperial College Business School.
- £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School.
- £150 for all MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2025 entry
£18,500
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
2025 entry
£42,900
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Build essential skills in communication, leadership, technical competence, and project management.
-(1).svg){kind=icon}
Gain the grounding you need to pursue a PhD through this accredited degree.
You’ll be highly sought after for employment in a range of diverse professions, from public, private and third sector organisations.
Potential career paths could include consultancies, industry, business, and government bodies.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44(0) 20 7594 5932
- Email: cvpgo@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Professor Sue Grimes
Visit the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering website.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/EngineeringDepart_s-007.jpg)
Request info
Find out more about studying at Imperial. Receive updates about life in our community, including event invites and download our latest Study guide.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/Newsletter.jpg)
Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/UG---Events.jpg)
Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications