Emil, MSc Cleantech Innovation

Emil’s academic journey began in Azerbaijan, where he completed an undergraduate degree in Baku and co-founded a cleantech startup, developing a biodegradable hydrogel to improve water efficiency in agriculture. Participating in international startup accelerators and innovation events, further strengthened his interests in pursuing a Master’s degree in Cleantech Innovation at Imperial.

Emil standing by a plant wall with a 'Grantham Institute' sign

From engineering roots to climate innovation – why I picked Imperial

The course allows students to design clean technologies and develop them into real startup projects that can be continued beyond the programme.

I completed my undergraduate studies in Petroleum Engineering at Baku Higher Oil School, one of Azerbaijan’s leading technical universities. Before starting my Master’s at Imperial, I co-founded a cleantech startup called Agroficient. The startup developed a biodegradable hydrogel designed to improve water efficiency in agriculture by storing excess water for usage later.

Imperial stood out to me as one of the world’s leading universities. Its location in London, one of the largest startup hubs in Europe and globally, was a major factor in my decision to do my Master’s here.

During my university search, I attended an online information session organised by Imperial which was really helpful as the programme team clearly explained the structure of the course, expectations and the career opportunities after graduation.

I also had the opportunity to ask specific questions live during the session and the responses were detailed and encouraging. This interaction gave me confidence that the course was well-organised and student-focused.

I chose to study MSc Cleantech Innovation as I wanted to deepen my knowledge in the field while utilising my engineering background at the same time. The course also gives students the unique opportunity to design clean technologies and develop them into real startup projects that can be continued beyond the programme which I was really interested in.

I was positively surprised by how strongly the university and my department support student ventures developed during the programme. The Greenhouse accelerator is particularly interesting as it provides not only mentorship but also financial support to help with early testing and development of ideas.

Learning by doing –

MSc Cleantech Innovation

Emil with a group dressed up in PPE in a large warehouse facility

Visiting the Beddington Energy Recovery Facility to explore sustainable waste-to-energy systems.

The course is a hands-on, interdisciplinary programme that combines engineering, design and entrepreneurship to address real sustainability challenges. It focuses on developing clean technologies through practical projects and startup-style learning rather than relying only on theoretical study or traditional lectures. The course’s project-based structure encourages self-learning and continuous improvement, an approach that enables me to stay connected to engineering while continuously learning new technical concepts.

Being surrounded by people from diverse academic and professional backgrounds has also broadened my perspective and enriched my learning experience from the very beginning.

Finding support within Imperial’s global community

The academic support at Imperial is clearly one of its strongest aspects and is well recognised globally.

Being part of Imperial’s global community has been a very positive and supportive experience. Whether for startup related advice or personal and professional development, people connected to Imperial are always willing to help.

Even when I contact alumni or affiliates whom I’ve never met before, they are open, responsive and supportive, as if we already share a connection. This has shown me how strong and far-reaching Imperial’s global network truly is, and how actively its community supports one another across countries and disciplines.

The academic support at Imperial is clearly one of its strongest aspects and is well recognised globally. I also found the Careers Service very helpful when I had questions about my career direction, as they provided practical guidance and clarity for decision-making. Their feedback helped me better position my experience and clarify my professional direction, which was especially useful given my entrepreneurial background.

In addition, the university’s approach to student wellbeing is evident through initiatives such as keeping Wednesday afternoons free to encourage participation in social and extracurricular activities. I’ve also only had positive experiences when reaching out to and using Imperial’s wellbeing and mental health support services.

The services were easy to access and the support provided was professional, confidential and genuinely helpful. Knowing that help is available and well-structured made my transition to university life much smoother.

I’d highly recommend these services to other students as they are accessible, supportive and designed to help students succeed both academically and personally.

Emil in the Dyson School of Design Engineering Building

Careers support from day one

Our Careers Service can help you translate your Imperial degree into a purposeful and rewarding future.

Find out more

Life in London

You may not live in London again at this stage of your life, so take advantage of the city, meet people and make the most of every opportunity it offers.

Living and studying in London has been an incredibly enriching experience. What I enjoy most is how easily accessible everything is. Whether it’s professional opportunities, cultural experiences, networking events or simply trying something new, London offers endless possibilities, and how much you gain from it truly depends on your curiosity and initiative.

Being in London has also opened me up to so many learning and development opportunities outside the classroom. I regularly attend networking events, exhibitions and talks, and I really appreciate that many museums are free, making it easy to learn and explore in my free time.

For future Imperial students, my main advice would be to explore as much as possible. You may not live in London again at this stage of your life, so take advantage of the city, meet people and make the most of every opportunity it offers.

Exploring Chinatown and experiencing London’s cultural diversity

Emil with his coursemates sat around a table with a big whiteboard with post-its on in the background

Brainstorming with the team to create a sustainable cooling hat

Looking to the future

Consistent effort, smart prioritisation and active engagement with Imperial’s resources significantly increase your chances of success in London’s job market.

After graduating, my main ambition is to continue developing my startup or to build a new one. My long-term goal is to create the first unicorn startup from my home country, as I strongly believe there is untapped potential for globally impactful innovation.

I aim to work at the intersection of technology, sustainability and entrepreneurship, using the knowledge and experience gained at Imperial to build scalable solutions with real-world impact.

For future Master’s students, my advice would be to stay proactive and strategic. Apply for opportunities early, but do so thoughtfully and focus on roles and programmes that truly align with your goals. The job market in London is competitive, but consistent effort, smart prioritisation and active engagement with Imperial’s resources significantly increase your chances of success.

If you make use of the resources, support services and opportunities available, Imperial can open many doors for you both academically and professionally.

Want to learn more about our courses?

Visit our Study site to search our postgraduate courses and find out more about how to apply.

Search our postgraduate courses