The year comprises two separate periods. The first, the taught programme comprising lectures, tutorials and individual coursework assignments in the autumn and spring terms, and the second, in the summer term, comprising of a period of independent research towards submission of a research dissertation. The dissertation may be undertaken at College, within a Partner Research Institute or university, or in collaboration with industry. A number of projects have involved a period of data collection or field study abroad in countries including China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Malta, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.

The course maintains a careful balance between the issues affecting developing and the developed countries. Particular emphasis is placed on the selection of appropriate technology regardless of the area of application, based on economics and environmental impact factors as well as the construction and operating skills available in the community. 

• View the full syllabus

Assessments include individual and group coursework; projects and presentations; written examinations and a research dissertation. To complete the requirements of the degree, all assessments must be undertaken to the appropriate level. Successful candidates will be awarded the MSc degree of Imperial College London and the Diploma of Imperial College (DIC).

The MSc Cluster programmes in Environmental Engineering are vocational courses so the engagement with industry is of considerable importance at a number of different levels.  Links with industry for the benefit of the Cluster programmes are four-fold:

(i) Contributions by industry practitioners bringing specialist expertise to the taught programme from the water utilities, consultants, waste practitioners, government departments, manufacturers and research institutes. In this context, a formal link exists with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who contribute to the course on health aspects of water management in developing countries. 

(ii) Hosting of visits to industrial sites and facilities of particular relevance to the taught programme; 

(iii) Collaborative research with industry for the Individual Research Projects; and

(iv) Interface with The Chartered Institution of Water & Environmental Management (CIWEM) which holds meetings at the Department and all students are encouraged to attend these and become Members of this Institution and the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM). In addition, the British Hydrological Society also holds meetings in the Department. The Cluster programme benefits from its further links with industry through its two Visiting Professors, Prof. David Balmforth (MWH) past-President of the ICE and Prof. David Wilson (Consultant) and President of the CIWM, as well as its long-established links with Atkins; AECOM; Black & Veatch; Jacobs; Thames Water; and The Water Conservation Trust.

Each of these options comprise 120 hours of study and are taken as an alternative to the modules listed in the syllabus.

Syllabus for Business Management

• CIVE97019/20 Microeconomic Theory
• CIVE97021/2 Project Management
• CIVE97023/4 Business Environments and Construction Law
• CIVE97025/6 Innovation in Civil Engineering

These options also have some entry requirements, to find out more see the Business Management page.

• A good Upper Second or First Class Degree result (or International equivalent), in engineering or another numerate discipline, or Masters level degree qualification
• Good mathematical skills (B or above at A-level or equivalent qualification)
• Relevant Postgraduate industrial experience is favoured
• English Language qualification (where relevant)

Applicants for whom English is not their first language will be required to present an English language qualification, passed at the appropriate level. This may follow the application if not available at the time of submission. Please see the College English language requirements for postgraduate applicants for information. Please also check that your previous study meets the minimum academic requirements by country index. 

Note: The Department may set higher requirements than those specified by the College as minimum entry requirements and that places are not guaranteed for any applicant.  Relevance of degrees and eligibility can be checked with the Department.  

Who should apply. We welcome applications from well-rounded, interested and engaging candidates with excellent scientific and quantitative backgrounds; strong communication skills and a positive approach.  Applicants should demonstrate a strong track record of excellence inside and outside of the classroom alongside a clearly thought out and researched career plan. 

Attributes of an Imperial Student:  

• Independent, open-minded thinker 
• Effective team-worker 
• Self-aware 
• Active self-manager 

A full list of the Faculty of Engineering Competency Standards are listed here: 
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/faculty-of-engineering/civil/public/msc/Competency-Standards-MSc-Civil-2019-2020.pdf  

When to apply. The optimal time for submission of your application is dependent on whether you have already completed your degree.  The application panels, particularly for programmes where demand is extremely high, may require information not available to applicants who are in their final year of study.   

Students who are in this stage of education may consider applying from mid-January.   This will not impact negatively on consideration of the application, as it will make for a more complete application, provided the application guidelines set out below are followed.   

The application deadline. We do not have an official deadline for applications, we close to applicants when we have made sufficient offers to fill the available places.  Applications before the end of March of the year of entry is advised. 

Re-Applicants. If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. In your new application you should demonstrate growth by additional education, research and/or relevant work experience in the period since your first application.   

Note: Re-applicants will need to complete a new application in its entirety, including all supplementary documentation.  

1.0 Preparing and submitting your application 

The College has produced a general guide to applying, a copy of which can be downloaded from the following link: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/study/public/pg/PGP-2020_Guide-to-Postgraduate-Study_WEB.pdf. This should be read in conjunction with the information provided below, which is specific to the programmes offered by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. 

1.1 Evidence of academic standing 

Transcripts of Study. Provide transcripts for each degree you have undertaken.  [If they are not in English, please include a translated copy]. :   

• Transcripts must list all modules you have undertaken, and the marks you have been awarded in each. This information to be provided for all years, whether or not they are weighted, and count towards your final degree. 
• If you have completed your studies, the final outcome of the degree must be clearly indicated, 
• If you are in your final year of study, you should provide  
  • a list of the modules you are taking in your final year; 
  • your current course average, and the predicted outcome of your degree; 
  • the title of your final year project; 
  • your cohort ranking (for your programme of studies) if available. 

Where the transcripts/outcome are not provided in percentage format, you should include a copy of your University/Programme Marking Scheme. 

Provide the weightings of each year towards the final outcome of your degree. 

1.2 Evidence of English Language

Updates to the information below are posted at http://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/covid-19/. 

Minimum English Language requirements are set by the College, and stated in the guide to applying.    Please ensure that you have familiarised yourself with the requirements and the expected level of achievement in each.  The website also includes information on exemption from the requirement. 

• The Department accepts the standard scores in IELTS, TOEFL and Pearson Academic (PFE), for all of its programmes. 
• Applicants must meet the English Language condition to qualify for entry. 
• For additional routes to meeting the minimum requirement, or improving your English language skills, please see https://www.imperial.ac.uk/academic-english/pre-sessional-english/ 

If, at the time of application, you have not yet completed an acceptable English Language test,  then please provide the details of tests for which you have registered, and the dates by which you will have received your results. 

1.3 Supporting Documents required:  

• An up-to-date CV-Resume; 
•  Personal Statement –  we strongly recommend that you  
  • follow the guidelines provided in the following link.  Writing Personal Statements (pdf)

• Consider and map to the MSc student potential Competency Standards as provided on:  https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/faculty-of-engineering/civil/public/msc/Competency-Standards.pdf 

Supporting Reference Letters 
Identify two individuals to act as referees on your behalf. Ensure that:  

• They are in a position to write a letter of support that is appropriate and relevant to the programme to which you are applying; 
• They are familiar with you, your abilities, your achievements and your potential for postgraduate study. 

We strongly recommend that you complete your details in the attached template and forward to your referees for completion.  The template addresses key information required to inform the decision-making process.  The completed template can then be uploaded by your referee. .Reference Form PG (.doc)

Reference letters are confidential and must come direct from the referee to the College, not via the applicant. The letters must be recent, relevant and dated.  

2.0 Completing the Application 

When completing the online form please ensure that you include: 

2.1 Brief details on Secondary Level education (in conjunction with 2.2 below); 

Information on how you propose to fund your studies.  If you are a scholarship applicant, then clearly indicate any deadlines or conditions which apply, and the scholarship confirmation date. 
Please clearly state if you wish to be considered by us for any available funding. [Please note that such funding is both limited and partial]. 

2.2 Highlight your mathematical qualifications and capabilities   

• Follow the instructions provided.
• Check for errors. 
• Ensure that the information required by the Admissions Panel is prominent, clear and visible.  

3.0 The Departmental Process

3.1 You can track the completeness of your application, including receipt of references via your application self-service account.    
3.2 Your e-service will show when your application record has been transferred to the Department. It will not show further updates until a decision has been made on your application. 
3.3 The Department will undertake an initial check to ensure completeness of the application in accordance with the guidelines stated above. 
3.4 Completed applications will be sent through to Admissions Panels, who will undertake initial reviews.  Allow up to 6-8 weeks for that process.  Outcomes will be notified as follows: 

• Conditional Offer (notified via e-service) 
• Unsuccessful (notified via e-service)
• Hold (individual direct correspondence) 

3.5 Incomplete applications will remain pending for a period of up to two months, and if no updates have been received within that period, will be assumed as withdrawn, and will be rejected. 

3.6 Supplementary or updated documentation may be submitted for upload to engineering.admissions@imperial.ac.uk .  All correspondence should include your Application reference number (this is an 8-digit number starting with 01, and is also known as your College Identifier number or CID). 
The CID is system-generated and notified to you within 10 days of application. 

Application Essentials

Scholarship Information https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/fees-and-funding/scholarships/