.jpg)
Engineering Fluid Mechanics for the Offshore, Coastal and Built Environments
Gain hands-on experience in fluid mechanics, as well as theoretical knowledge
Address challenges in fluid mechanics across a multitude of environments
Perform and observe experimental investigations in a world-class Hydrodynamics Laboratory
Carry out an independent project and produce original research
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
-
Course overview
Prepare yourself for a future career as an engineer specialising in fluid mechanics on this one-year Master's course.
Deepen your knowledge of the critical area of mechanical engineering for offshore, coastal and built environments, and equip you with the broad range of skills required to excel in this unique area.
This programme caters to both scientists and engineers by combining rigorous treatment of fundamental fluid mechanics principles with applied design activities, carried out alongside internationally-leading industrial partners
You will gain hands-on experience with access to our world class Hydrodynamics Laboratory to perform and observe experimental investigations and have access to the Imperial College High Performance Computing facility for computationally-intensive research work.
The course is both theoretical and practical, and also includes a strong design component to bolster your knowledge of the discipline.
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.
Pre-session modules are not assessed, and aim to ensure all students have a similar level of knowledge at the start of the course.
Pre-sessional modules
Build the fundamental mathematical skills needed to succeed in your studies.
Familiarise yourself with Matlab, mathematical computing software for engineers and scientists.
You’ll take all of these modules.
Core modules
Deepen your knowledge of the coupled atmosphere ocean system, wave spectra, and the role of the Earth’s rotation in geophysical fluid dynamics.
Obtain a detailed understanding of fluid motion driven by density differences and its relevance to civil engineering calculation and design.
Learn how to determine the nearshore characteristics of waves, currents, tides and storm surges plus the measures needed to protect coastal structures.
Analyse the computational methods used for the simulation and analysis of engineering fluid mechanics and solve practical numerical modelling problems.
Gain a wider understanding of engineering design and improve your project skills for a career in industry.
Review various marine renewable energy technologies and explore the numerical modelling of wind and wave energy conversion systems.
Understand the essentials of fluid loading and examine various flow regimes.
Explore the fundamentals of fluid mechanics and gain foundational knowledge for further studies in this area.
Apply your knowledge of fluid mechanics with mathematical and practical modelling tools and deploy them to solve genuine physical phenomena.
Extend your understanding of transport processes in fluid mechanics and turbulent mixing.
Explore current thinking on modelling the built environment and discover the tools required for both internal and external fluid flows in the built environment.
Advance your appreciation of wave mechanics and study commonly applied wave theories and recent research developments in this field.
Carry out significant independent study and original research on the MSc Research Project, which makes up up one third of your qualification.
You’ll undertake a dissertation with regular guidance from a College supervisor, by private study or by arrangement at your place of employment.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
-
Lectures
-
Seminars and presentations
-
Case studies
-
Experimental demonstrations
-
Group work
-
MapleTA
-
Virtual learning environment
Balance of assessment
Key
- Coursework and practicals
- Examinations
- 48% Coursework and practicals
- 52% Examinations
Assessment methods
-
Written exams
-
Individual and group coursework
-
Project reports
Entry requirements
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
Full-time
£18,500
Part-time
£9,250per year
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
Full-time
£42,900
Part-time
£21,450per year
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?
Specialise in fluid mechanics specifically in offshore, coastal, and built environments to prepare for a career in engineering.
Develop contacts with UK scholars and industry experts at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.
Structural/offshore structural engineering, water management, and transport planning are just some of your options.
-(1).svg){kind=icon}
After graduating, many students continue to study or train.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44(0) 020 7594 5932
- Email: cvpgo@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Adrian Callaghan
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