Sustainable Energy Futures
Gain the skills needed to join the next generation of leaders in the energy sector.
Gain the skills needed to join the next generation of leaders in the energy sector
Understand global energy issues and how sustainable energy technologies interact with economics, the environment and policy
Apply a range of interdisciplinary skills to an extensive research project
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MSc
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Duration
1 year
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Start date
September 2025
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£18,500 Home
£42,900 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard
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First-Class Honours in Engineering or Physical Sciences
Course overview
Explore global energy issues, sustainable energy technologies, and their interactions with economics, the environment and policy on this Master's course delivered by Energy Futures lab.
You'll take a quantitative approach to the study of technology and systems to gain a more strategic perspective on energy issues.
Guided by departmental experts and industry leaders, you'll develop the critical evaluation skills, research techniques and methodologies essential for assessing real-world energy systems.
You'll apply these skills to an extensive research project in the summer term.
Projects are available from all Imperial College London departments engaged in energy research, and also in partnership with industry.
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 mandatory foundation modules in the autumn term to build your interdisciplinary skills. In the spring term, you'll take specialised modules.
These are taught as a sequence of intensive, two-week units by experts from academia, industry and government.
Core modules
Understand the fundamentals of modern/future energy systems, focusing on solar, nuclear and wind energy, in terms of their technical properties and economic and environmental impacts.
Examine a range of tools for the analysis of energy systems and resources from both technical/capability and environmental impact viewpoints.
Unravel the key issues in energy economics and policy, and how they tie in with technology development initiatives.
Explore current energy issues and improve your debating skills.
The workshops will prepare you for the research project, how to operate effectively in teams, manage simple projects and be better prepared for leadership as an energy sector professional.
Examine different elements of entrepreneurship relating to the renewable energy sector.
Analyse the importance of cities as centres of energy service demand and as opportunities for improved efficiency, from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
Bioenergy and Hydrogen form the basis of this module, in which raw biomass can be converted into 'drop-in' gaseous, liquid, and solid energy carriers. Additionally, issues related to storage, transportation, and efficiency of hydrogen systems will be discussed.
Build your awareness of the potential role of data science and digitalisation in energy system management and development.
Explore transmission network issues towards the large-scale integration of wind vision for future distributed energy systems.
Broaden your understanding of the issues associated with sustainable transport, including passenger and freight transport.
You'll undertake a research project, with the opportunity to engage with project proposals from across all departments involved in energy-related research.
You'll complete an assessed critical literature review early in the spring term, a thesis at the beginning of September, and present your research findings at our student conference in late September.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Case studies
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Independent project work
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Lectures
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Tutorials
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Workshops
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Research project
Balance of assessment
Key
- Modules
- Research project
- 50% Modules
- 50% Research project
Assessment methods
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Coursework
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Examinations
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Literature review
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Presentations
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Reports
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Thesis
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
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
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?
Acquire a range of multidisciplinary skills required to work in roles within the energy sector or an energy-related industry.
The Sustainable Energy Future course also gives you access to a network of over 500 alumni who live and work around the world.
Over 90% of graduates from this course currently work in the energy sector.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44(0)20 7594 5816
- Email: mscinsef@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Fei Teng
Visit the Department of Mechanical Engineering website.
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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