Energy and Sustainability: Energy, Environment and Buildings (MSc)

You’ll need a 2:1 BEng or BSc degree in one of the following subjects: 

• engineering 
• physics 
• maths 
• chemistry 

Or you can demonstrate the study of maths in your degree, in a subject like: 

• geography 
• biological sciences  
• environmental sciences 

You’ll also need good A-level grades in Mathematics and Physics or other equivalent qualifications.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

Information for students who have studied in China

This programme only accepts applicants who have studied at an X1, X2, X3 or X4 institution. 

View acceptable grades from Chinese universities.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This one year course is made up of 8 modules across 2 semesters followed by a dedicated research project from June to September.      

In semester 2, you are able to choose your 8th module from the ‘Energy, Resources and Climate Change’ pathway. You can choose to study Waste Resource Management or Bioenergy module.   

The last four months of the course will be dedicated to research. You will complete a significant research project and may have the opportunity to work with one of our many industrial partners; typically a utility or energy consultancy, to develop your professional experience. 

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

You’ll learn through: 

• interactive lectures 
• seminars 
• tutorials 
• group tasks 
• discussions 
• field and laboratory classes 
• workshops. 

You will be encouraged to reinforce and develop your knowledge through independent study time.  

Fieldtrips will provide you with real world insight, translating concepts discussed in lectures to case study sites. During your year, you will receive feedback on all work and learn to approach a problem and solve it – preparing you for your future career. 

Assessment

Your assessment will depend on the modules that you take, but assessment methods may include: 

• written examinations 
• assessed coursework  
• design exercises 
• presentations 
• essays 
• individual projects 
• group projects 

Dissertation

You’ll need to use the methods and skills you learn on the taught part of the course to write a research project. You will need to demonstrate in depth knowledge of chosen subject areas you’ve studied, addressing a problem that requires the application of new research. 

Academic Support

We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor. 

Students graduating from our MSc degrees obtain employment as graduate engineers with many leading employers as consultants and contractors and also at regulatory authorities and local authorities.  

Our students gain transferable skills, making them attractive to a wide range of graduate recruiters, from financial services through to IT and management consultancy. 

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £31,500.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

This course is part of the Shared Scholarship Scheme, an initiative between the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and UK universities to support students from developing commonwealth countries.  

You may be eligible for this scholarship if you are: 

• from a developing commonwealth country 
• would not be able to study a master’s degree in the UK 

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. . 
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

• International students who require an ATAS: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
• International students who do not require an ATAS: Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

If you're an international student you'll need approval from the UK's Academic Approval Scheme before you can study this course.

The ATAS certificate is required for certain sensitive postgraduate subjects.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000