Machine Learning and Process Systems Engineering
Develop coding and mathematical skills relevant to the process industries.
Build practical skills in advanced computing methods to solve challenging chemical engineering problems
Personalize your experience with electives to match your career goals
Work with world-leading researchers on an independent project
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MSc
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Duration
1 year
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Start date
September 2025
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£18,500 Home
£42,900 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard
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2:1 in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Life Sciences or Biomedical Sciences
Course overview
The MSc in Machine Learning and Process Systems Engineering is hosted by the Sargent Centre for Process Systems Engineering. The Sargent Centre is the world’s largest multidisciplinary research centre in Process Systems Engineering focused on the development and implementation of computational tools and digital technologies to chemical and biochemical systems.
Our MSc programme will enable you to develop coding skills and an understanding of the mathematics relevant to machine learning and systems engineering.
On this programme, you’ll learn to solve a range of real-life chemical engineering problems through machine learning and other advanced digital technologies – and add a distinctive element to your CV.
The Department of Chemical Engineering offers three advanced programmes, with the opportunity to take a general overview or specialise in areas of chemical engineering in more depth:
- Advanced Chemical Engineering
- Advanced Chemical Engineering with Biotechnology
- Machine Learning and Process Systems Engineering (this stream)
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 study all of these core modules.
Core modules
Learn how to formulate, solve and interpret meaningful optimisation problems, embedding dynamic systems.
Learn about state-of-the-art optimisation-based techniques for process synthesis, process design and molecular design, with a particular focus on mathematical programming.
Learn how to systematically develop physics-based models of chemical processes and solve them using state-of-the-art computational tools.
Develop the ability to design and build automation solutions and autonomous systems for a wide range of industrial applications.
Master programming tasks from scratch with real-life, scientifically relevant examples and solutions drawn from chemical engineering practice.
Develop your understanding of advanced statistical learning and machine learning to solve a range of real-life chemical engineering problems.
Acquire working knowledge to equip you for advanced coursework in machine learning, optimisation, dynamical systems, and numerical computations.
You’ll choose a range of optional modules. This includes the opportunity to study one business module.
Some optional modules are Level 6 or Level 7.
You’ll be guided on how many Level 7 modules you should complete during this year. The typical requirement is four.
Optional modules (Level 7)
Review the relevant fundamentals of biochemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology, and explore the principles behind fermentation processes.
Analyse how chemical discharges affect the planet and how the increased greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, smog formation and acid rain arise from human influences on natural cycles.
Explore advanced topics in process design, with an emphasis on process modelling, optimisation theory and environmental sustainability, and associated software packages.
Understand a range of analytical techniques needed to address challenges being faced by industry and explore leading spectroscopic methods.
Gain insights into the techniques used in biotechnology, which in many cases differ markedly from chemical engineering.
Understand the environmental impacts of fossil fuels and learn how to minimise the costs of CO2 avoidance using a range of technologies.
Delve into the fundamentals of colloid and interface science and analyse the nature of the various interparticle forces.
Develop a fundamental understanding of nonlinear dynamical systems to better appreciate complex phenomena in nature and a variety of chemical and biological engineering technological processes.
Interlink the biological principles of cellular physiology with the mathematical tools required for their analysis and modelling.
Understand the application of molecular theory and simulation in modelling fluids and fluid mixtures.
Apply your previous scientific knowledge in a pharmaceutical development context, with guidance from industry partners.
Understand the general workflows of facilities engineering teams and learn how to perform simple process and pipeline hydraulics hand calculations.
Develop your knowledge and experience in current experimental techniques and learn to analyse and apply these techniques to selected products.
Assess basic principles and concepts of fluid flow, heat and mass transfer relevant to physiological and biological systems, as well as more advanced mathematical models.
Optional modules (Level 6)
Learn to apply mathematical and computational techniques to derive and solve equations of motion of fluids, which may be Newtonian or non-Newtonian, compressible or incompressible.
Gain biodevice fabrication techniques and learn how to apply these in industry through topics such as microfluids, synthetic systems, and probes for innovative product design.
Develop your ability to formulate and solve engineering problems involving the design of membranes and membrane modules for gas separation, reverse osmosis, nanofiltration and more.
Investigate the main chemical engineering processes associated with nuclear energy and work through problems related to mass and energy balance.
Explore your knowledge of particle technology and develop your skills in the key principles, concepts and technology to be confident to research and analyse a broader range of powder processing.
Carry out process heat transfer calculations to understand the basics and procedures to critically assess commercial codes in industry.
Explore the tools required for the application of new energy and renewable energy systems to the problems faced by climate change and global energy security while transitioning to a zero emissions economy.
Business School (Level 6)
Develop accounting-related skills and examine their relevance to broader issues of financial decision-making and management control in organisations.
Analyse several economic tools and explore a range of microeconomic and macroeconomic topics, problems and policies.
Examine the relevance of financial and management accounting techniques in financial decision making and management control of organisations.
An introduction to financial markets and the role they place in the macroeconomy, and how business risk is transferred and priced in equity and dept securities.
Introduction to the entrepreneurship module, using the key methods, knowledge, skills and tools used in starting up a new business and the challenges and issues encountered.
Introduction to the entrepreneurship module, using the key methods, knowledge, skills and tools used in starting up a new business and the challenges and issues encountered. This course is self-guided.
Enhance your accounting-related skills and gain a basic insight into the way that business performance is measured.
Develop and practise skills that will be used to identify, diagnose and evaluate key organisational issues and learn to work productively as a team.
Become equipped with the skills needed to organise and shape the innovation process in firms and learn how to evaluate managerial strategies.
Explore the value to businesses of understanding economics, concepts, tolls and analytical frameworks as well as the role of monetary and fiscal policy on business cycles.
Develop an understanding of Project Management and apply it’s tools to analyse, interpret an provide solutions to strategic, organisational and operative challenges.
You will also complete a research project, examining a topic from a list of areas relevant to machine learning, other branches of artificial intelligence (AI) or process systems engineering.
This is normally conducted at Imperial but can be carried out in industry or at an approved institution as well.
Your dissertation will account for the majority of the assessment for the research project (80%), with 10% allocated to the poster presentation and 10% to the literature review.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Presentations
- Guest lectures
- Lab work
- Flipped teaching
- Virtual learning environment
- Team-based activities
- Independent study
- Skills workshops
Balance of assessment
Key
- Coursework
- Exams
- Practical
- 45% Coursework
- 40% Exams
- 15% Practical
Assessment methods
- Coursework
- Exams
- Practical
- In-class tests
- Individual and group reports
- 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 1 closes on Thursday 16 January 2025
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.
Application rounds
Round 1
- Applications open on Friday 27 September 2024
- Applications close on Thursday 16 January 2025
- Decision by Thursday 6 March 2025
Round 2
- Applications open on Friday 17 January 2025
- Applications close on Thursday 27 March 2025
- Decision by Thursday 1 May 2025
Round 3
- Applications open on Friday 28 March 2025
- Applications close on Thursday 15 May 2025
- Decision by Thursday 17 July 2025
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
- £80 for all taught Master's applications, excluding those to the Imperial College Business School.
- £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School.
- £150 for all MBA applications to the Imperial College 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.
Unless you are from an exempt nationality, you will need an ATAS certificate to obtain your visa and study this course.
Nationals from the following countries are exempt: Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA and EEA members.
Use this information when applying for an ATAS certificate to study this course:
- CAH code: CAH10-01-09
- Descriptor: chemical, process and energy engineering
- Supervisor name: Professor Omar Matar
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2025 entry
£18,500
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.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
2025 entry
£42,900
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.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Gain transferable skills relevant to a career in chemical engineering or similar fields.
With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.
Graduates go on to leading roles in organisations such as Amazon, IBM, Accenture, AstraZeneca, Atkins, Deloitte, Environmental Resources Management, ExxonMobil, Fothergill, South West Water.
Further links
Contact the department
Email: chem-eng-msc-admin@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Salvador Eslava
View the Department of Chemical Engineering website.
Request info
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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