Environmental Data Science and Machine Learning
Apply computing techniques and machine learning to real-world environmental problems.
Apply computing techniques and machine learning to real-world environmental problems
Develop the expert skills required for a career as an environmental scientist or engineer
Undertake original independent research and learn how to critically evaluate data
Course key facts
Qualification
MSc
Duration
1 year
Start date
September 2026
Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£24,600 Home
£46,000 Overseas
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
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Course overview
Advance your understanding of data science, machine learning and associated computational technologies on this 1-year Master's course.
Designed to prepare you for a career in environmental science or engineering, you'll learn how to apply your knowledge to a broad range of environmentally motivated applications.
The programme explores in detail how data science techniques can be used to develop solutions to a range of problems.
You'll become familiar with key aspects of data science. These will include cloud computing, remote sensing, environmental monitoring, modelling and computer code.
A research project is also a key component of this degree, where you'll contribute to an active research area and develop your critical analysis.
This course is part of the Ada Lovelace Academy, an initiative from the Department of Earth Science and Engineering aiming to deliver gender-balanced post-graduate education in computational subjects to solve the science and engineering challenges of the 21st century.
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 all of these core modules.
Core modules
Receive an introduction to numerical programming using Python and use it to understand, interpret and solve earth science problems.
Explore the essential mathematics underpinning computational science, data science and machine learning.
Discover how to build neural networks to recognise images and language, generate new content, and make predictions by learning complex patterns from data.
Work collaboratively to solve problems using software and summarise your work using presentations.
Discover how to build neural networks to recognise images and language, generate new content, and make predictions by learning complex patterns from data.
Obtain the core knowledge and skills required for processing and analysing data in the context of environmental science.
Examine the methods that can be used to extract useful information from incomplete, inconsistent and inaccurate physical datasets using practical computational resources.
Master compiled programming in C++, including memory management, object-oriented design, and performance optimisation for building efficient and robust software.
Acquire the skills, knowledge and methods necessary to perform scalable data analytics in different situations.
You’ll also carry out a research project that contributes to an active research area.
The project must include a significant software development component, and can be produced under supervision by a department academic or as part of an industry placement.
Your work will include an intensive literature review and can be analytical, theoretical, experimental or numerical in nature.
The project will be assessed by a technical report and final presentation.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Seminars and formal presentations
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Practical coding activities
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Group work exercises
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 and practicals
- Research project
- 67% Title 1 goes here
- 33% Title 2 goes here
Assessment methods
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Individual and group coursework
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Research project report
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Oral presentations
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.
We strive to increase and broaden inclusivity and support everyone, regardless of background, in breaking down any barriers to your application the department.
If you are interested in this MSc, we strongly encourage you to contact the Postgraduate Admissions Administrator prior to starting your application: adalovelace-admissions@imperial.ac.uk.
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
£24,600
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
£46,000
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 scholarshipsHow will studying at Imperial help my career?
Develop the essential core knowledge and skills for an environmental scientist and engineering career.
Meet the market demand for hands-on, applied data science knowledge.
Learn skills that are applicable across all of science and engineering, so your career options are endless.
Pursue research or careers in climate science, sustainability, natural hazards, and renewable energy.
Employers will find your advanced knowledge of environmental science and engineering solutions particularly attractive.
Potential employers include small environmental and engineering consultancies to large multinational organisations, including those in the energy and big tech sectors.
Further links
Contact the department
Email: adalovelace-admissions@imperial.ac.uk
Please quote the course title in your email.
Course Director: Dr Rossella Arcucci
Visit the Department of Earth Science and 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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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