Energy and Environment MSc

The sustainable use of energy is 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 the expertise that’s in demand across almost every industry globally.

Whether you’re from an engineering, scientific or technical background, our Energy and Environment MSc will equip you with specialist knowledge in critical areas in energy technologies and impacting environmental factors, preparing you to handle the complex challenges created by the growing energy demands and urban growth of the 21st century.

You’ll study in the School of Process and Chemical 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 the environment — 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.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Energy Institute (EI) under a licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council, which adheres to the requirements of further learning for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

Learning and teaching

Our groundbreaking research feeds directly into teaching, and you’ll have regular contact with staff who are at the forefront of their disciplines. You’ll have regular contact with them 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 pilot-scale wave power, wind and solar labs and rigs.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.

Programme team

The Programme Leader, Professor Timothy Cockerill, is a Professor of Efficient Energy Utilisation at the Centre for Integrated Energy Research and a co-director of Energy Leeds. He’s been interested in energy technologies since 1996 when he started work on early offshore wind energy systems. More recently, his research interests have included many key technologies of the future including carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, and electricity storage.

The wider programme team has a broad and extensive experience across a range of chemical and process engineering disciplines.

In this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers 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.

Why study at Leeds:

• Graduate with an MSc in Energy and Environment that has been accredited by the Energy Institute (EI).
• Learn the latest innovations in areas such as sustainable systems from the impactful, world-leading research conducted right here in our School.
• 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 such as combustion theory, energy management or fuel processing.
• Conduct your own individual research project as part of your course and gain industry and academic experience in developing and executing an innovative research plan, whilst building professional skills in project management, teamwork and decision-making.
• Access research-grade equipment 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.
• Master the most up-to-date practices and techniques recognised in the industry on a course that has been directly informed and advised by the Industrial Advisory Board.

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 energy management and conservation, or how developments in engine technology are making transportation more fuel efficient, among other topics.

Project work

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 produce an independent study, reflecting the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired. This will enable you to gain experience in 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.

You’ll choose your topic — normally related to one of our world-class research areas — and work closely with your supervisor to apply what you’ve learned to a real-life problem.

Previous projects have included:

• Potential of marine biomass for the production of chemicals and biofuels
• Influence of particle size on the analytical and chemical properties of Miscanthus energy crop
• Assessing the exposure of commuters to traffic-generated particles:
• A comparison of transport options
• Location of solar farms under climate change
• Steam reforming of waste pyrolysis oils for sustainable hydrogen production

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

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Research Project (MSc) 60 credits
• Pollution Sampling and Analysis 15 credits
• Bioenergy & Waste to Energy 15 credits
• Atmospheric Pollution: Impacts and Controls 30 credits

Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

• Combustion Theory and Design 15 credits
• Energy Management and Conservation 15 credits
• Renewable Technologies 30 credits
• Fuel Processing 15 credits
• Energy Systems, Policy and Economics for Engineers 15 credits

Sustainability has become paramount in almost every industry worldwide – and the demand for specialists in areas like energy and the environment is ever-growing.

The broad range of skills and knowledge you’ll develop on our Energy and Environment 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, the University of Leeds is in the top five most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2022 report.

Our graduates from this course 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