Environmental Data Science and Machine Learning
Apply computing techniques and machine learning to real-world environmental problems.
Apply computing techniques and machine learning to real-world environmental problems
Develop the expert skills required for a career as an environmental scientist or engineer
Undertake original independent research and learn how to critically evaluate data
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
£23,400 Home
£43,800 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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South Kensington
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Course overview
Advance your understanding of data science, machine learning and associated computational technologies on this 1-year Master's course.
Designed to prepare you for a career in environmental science or engineering, you'll learn how to apply your knowledge to a broad range of environmentally motivated applications.
The programme explores in detail how data science techniques can be used to develop solutions to a range of problems.
You'll become familiar with key aspects of data science. These will include cloud computing, remote sensing, environmental monitoring, modelling and computer code.
A research project is also a key component of this degree, where you'll contribute to an active research area and develop your critical analysis.
This course is part of the Ada Lovelace Academy, an initiative from the Department of Earth Science and Engineering aiming to deliver gender-balanced post-graduate education in computational subjects to solve the science and engineering challenges of the 21st century.
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 core modules.
Core modules
Receive an introduction to numerical programming using Python and use it to understand, interpret and solve earth science problems.
Explore the essential mathematics underpinning computational science, data science and machine learning.
Analyse concepts central to a data science approach and different types of classical machine learning algorithms.
Work collaboratively to solve problems using software and summarise your work using presentations.
Discover how to describe and critique the main categories of machine learning methods.
Obtain the core knowledge and skills required for processing and analysing data in the context of environmental science.
Examine the methods that can be used to extract useful information from incomplete, inconsistent and inaccurate physical datasets using practical computational resources.
Analyse how to develop and build C programs under both Windows and Linux operating systems and examine memory handling concepts.
Acquire the skills, knowledge and methods necessary to perform scalable data analytics in different situations.
You’ll also carry out a research project that contributes to an active research area.
The project must include a significant software development component, and can be produced under supervision by a department academic or as part of an industry placement.
Your work will include an intensive literature review and can be analytical, theoretical, experimental or numerical in nature.
The project will be assessed by a technical report and final presentation.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Seminars and formal presentations
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Practical coding activities
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Case studies
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Group work exercises
Balance of assessment
Key
- Coursework and practicals
- Research project
- 67% Coursework
- 33% Projects
Assessment methods
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Individual and group coursework
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Research project report
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Oral presentations
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
We strive to increase and broaden inclusivity and support everyone, regardless of background, in breaking down any barriers to your application the Department.
If you are interested in this MSc, we strongly encourage you to contact the postgraduate admissions officer prior to starting your application: ese-msc-edsml@imperial.ac.uk.
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
£23,400
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
£43,800
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?
Develop the essential core knowledge and skills for an environmental scientist and engineering career.
Meet the market demand for hands-on, applied data science knowledge.
Learn skills that are applicable across all of science and engineering, so your career options are endless.
Pursue research or careers in climate science, sustainability, natural hazards, and renewable energy.
Employers will find your advanced knowledge of environmental science and engineering solutions particularly attractive.
Potential employers include small environmental and engineering consultancies to large multinational organisations, including those in the energy and big tech sectors.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 9985
- Email: ese-msc-edsml@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Professor Matthew Piggott
Postgraduate Admissions Officer: Ying Ashton
Visit the Department of Earth Science and 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