Control and Optimisation
Study aspects of control theory and optimisation and their application to the design of automated systems.
Design the complex automated systems that shape our future
Gain hands-on expertise with industry-standard software and computational tools for modern engineering
Pioneer original research by tackling a significant challenge in a specialist area
Course key facts
Qualification
MSc
Duration
1 year
Start date
September 2026
Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£19,400 Home
£45,000 Overseas
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard
First-class Honours in Electrical / Electronic Engineering or a related subject with a substantial Electrical / Electronic Engineering component.
Course overview
Master the core principles of control theory and optimisation, and apply them to the design of sophisticated automated systems.
You will gain hands-on expertise with industry-standard computational tools for modelling and design, translating complex theory into practical, high-performance solutions.
This course equips you with the specialist knowledge to excel in critical sectors such as robotics, aerospace, biomedical systems, and smart energy grids.
Through intensive individual and team projects, you will develop the leadership, communication, and collaborative skills essential for driving innovation in modern industry.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll take two core modules.
Core modules
Understand best practice in experimental work in this laboratory-based module.
Carry out a piece of individual research with originality and scientific rigour, in the culmination of your postgraduate studies. The project will require you to adopt analytical, computation and/or experimental methods.
You will be supervised by staff who are experts in the topic area of the project. This project will be assessed by written report and a poster presentation.
You’ll also choose eight optional modules in total:
- At least four must be from Group A
- Up to four from Group B
- Up to one from Group C
Group A
Broaden your knowledge of advanced modern control methodologies and explore topics including Kalman filtering and tracking, fault detection and isolation, and linear matrix inequalities.
Explore the principles for designing linear multivariable control systems to meet a range of practical applications.
Gain a thorough overview of the analysis, control and simulation of discrete-time systems and discover theoretical techniques for studying them.
Learn how to design computer algorithms for finding minima and maxima and discover how to interpret and modify algorithms found in standard computer packages.
Gain an appreciation of the fundamental principles in predictive control, the most widely used advanced control technique in industry.
Understand the concepts and theoretical techniques needed to study the stability and stabilisation of nonlinear control systems.
Analyse different methods for constructing stochastic models of dynamic systems from measurements of input and output signals.
Group B
Become equipped with the tools required to formulate and solve applied optimisation problems and build on your existing knowledge of descent methods and constrained optimisation.
Discover the basic techniques involved in the modelling, analysis and control of discrete event systems and recognise the systems suitable for modelling in a discrete-event setup.
See how learning algorithms can be derived from risk minimisation and exploit these to derive distributed counterparts of the algorithms, both in federated and decentralised settings.
Explore theoretical approaches for the modelling and control of multibody mechanical systems, and distinguish between the two main branches of classical mechanics.
Uncover the theory of optimal control and learn how control laws maximise defined performance measures of linear and nonlinear dynamical systems.
Gain the analytical skills required to study random phenomena in engineering systems and learn how to set up probabilistic models for engineering problems.
Deepen your understanding of advanced modern control methodologies.
Group C
Discover the applications, basic formulations and concepts that underpin pattern recognition.
Discover a framework for formulating and solving decision-making processes and understand the relevance of game theory to information science.
Learn the strategy and protective actions that help ensure round-the-clock electricity supply.
Demonstrate your problem-solving skills as you explore the common issues encountered by a DSP engineer. Perform real-time DSP as part of your coursework.
Professional accreditation
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to fully meet the CEng registration educational requirements.
Our accreditation agreement with the Institution of Engineering and Technology is renewed every 5 years, and the current agreement runs between 2025 and 2029.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
This is a general guide to how teaching and learning are usually balanced across this course. The methods used may change based on the modules you take.
Key
- Lectures, seminars and tutorials
- Independent study
- 20% Title 1 goes here
- 35% Title 2 goes here
- 45% Title 3 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Problem-solving classes
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Laboratory sessions
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Tutorials
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Virtual learning environment
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Group work
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Individual projects
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Independent study
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may be different depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Coursework
- Examinations
- Practical
- 50% Title 1 goes here
- 40% Title 2 goes here
- 10% Title 3 goes here
Assessment methods
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Written exams
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Coursework
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Individual project
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Round 2 closes on Wednesday 7 January 2026
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Round 1
Business School courses only.
Round 2
- Applications open on Monday 29 September 2025
- Applications close on Wednesday 7 January 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 4 March 2026
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 8 January 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 11 March 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 6 May 2026
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 12 March 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 29 April 2026
- Decision by Thursday 2 July 2026
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
The application fees for postgraduate courses are:
- £90 for all Master's applications, excluding those to Imperial Business School
- £125 for MSc applications to Imperial Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to Imperial Business School
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Fees and funding
Home fee
2026 entry
£19,400
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £12,858 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2025.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note:
- The loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start.
- If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Overseas fee
2026 entry
£45,000
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £12,858 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2025.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note:
- The loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start.
- If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Scholarships
View all scholarshipsEEE MSc Studentships
Value per award
- Will cover difference between Home and Overseas fees.
Who it's for
- Prospective students of specific EEE MSc courses.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Develop engineering skills in a wide range of fields that employers highly value.
With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of engineering sectors including electrical, aeronautical, chemical and process control, and mechanical.
Other potential career paths include consultancy, finance, or management.
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Our graduates often pursue further study in master's programs or doctoral research.
Further links
Contact the department
Email: eee.pgadmissions@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Giordano Scarciotti
Visit the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering website.
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Request info
Find out more about studying at Imperial. Receive updates about life in our community, including event invites and download our latest Study guide.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications