Powering the future from the ground up
Key information
Duration: 1 year full-time
Campus: South Kensington, London
ECTS: 90 Credits
Contact: adalovelace-admissions@imperial.ac.uk
Note: All queries relating to offer conditions (including CAS numbers) should be directed to Registry
To meet global green energy targets, the number of renewables projects has to increase dramatically over the next two to three decades. Wind, solar, wave and tidal energy continue to grow rapidly every year. Underpinning this rollout is a need for geoscientists equipped with a modern toolkit including coding, machine learning, AI and data science skills.
This interdisciplinary course will allow you to develop the essential AI and data science skills necessary to solve renewable energy challenges, as well as the geoscience knowledge necessary to apply these skills to the characterisation of the subsurface for renewable energy applications. You will have the opportunity to get hands-on with geophysical surveying equipment, data collection and processing using cutting-edge techniques. The programme is supported by a number of companies in the renewables sector, and you will gain exposure to the renewables industry via guest lectures, seminars and work placement opportunities.
Find the most recent course information and specifications on the Imperial MSc READY course page.
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Who is the MSc for?
This programme will suit you if you have/are:
• a background in geology, geophysics or other geoscience subject, and wish to learn about data science and machine learning and how these can be used as modern data-driven problem-solving and analysis tools in the renewables sector;
• a strong methodological background in engineering or physical sciences and are wishing to move to, or specialise in, an applied field with an emphasis on subsurface site characterisation for renewable energy applications;
• a professional in the renewables industry who would like to develop your skills or wish to transition to the renewables sector
Why should I apply for the MSc?
This programme is ideal for students looking to gain hands-on experience and work closely with experts in both academia and industry. Throughout the course, you will tackle real-world problems in subsurface site characterisation for renewable energy applications, exploring areas like sedimentary geology, geomorphology, geohazards for engineering, high-resolution geophysics, soil mechanics, and geotechnics.
Collaborative learning is a key part of the course, as you will work alongside peers in other MSc courses. You will also have the opportunity to complete a summer research project (industry placement or in-house).
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As renewable energy projects expand, there is a growing demand for specialists who can integrate geoscience expertise with machine learning and data science to characterise sites accurately, reduce uncertainty, and optimise resource development. This programme prepares graduates to apply AI-driven approaches to complex subsurface and environmental datasets, supporting smarter, faster, and more sustainable energy solutions. Dr Rebecca Bell MSc READY Course Director
Course Information
The Renewable Energy with AI and Data Science: Geology and Geophysics (READY) MSc programme is one of four computational programmes in ESE. The study programme consists of taught modules, mini projects, and one individual research project.
You will study the following taught courses:
- Numerical programming in Python
- Computational Maths
- Data Science and Machine Learning
- Deep-Learning
- Subsurface Fundamentals and Renewable Tech
- Depositional Settings and Geohazards
- Geomechanics and Geotectonics
- Geophysics, Data Integration and Ground Models
You can see the teaching schedule represented visually below. If you would like an accessible version of this information, please contact ESE webmaster.
Based on previous cohorts of students from our existing suite of MSc programmes, approximately one-third go on to further study either another MSc programme or a PhD.
The other two-thirds work mainly in industry. The principal employers of graduates from this programme will be the growing renewables industry, including the companies who support and contribute to this programme. After graduation, you could also find employment in large data and computer companies, consultancies offering services to the energy industry and working on natural geo-hazards, and the wider energy industry.