Renewable Energy with AI and Data Science: Geology and Geophysics
Apply computational techniques to geological and geophysical data to characterise sites for renewable energy.
Develop the essential AI and data science skills to solve renewable energy challenges
Get hands-on experience with geophysical surveying equipment
Secure industry insights on a work placement with companies engaged in the energy transition
Course key facts
Qualification
MSc
Duration
1 year
Start date
September 2026
Study mode
Full-time
-
Fees
£24,600 Home
£46,000 Overseas
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard
2:1 in any geological or physical science or engineering subject
Course overview
Gain the expert skills needed in geology, near-surface geophysics and computation, to characterise the shallow subsurface for a broad range of renewable energy applications.
You will examine how data science, numerical methods and machine learning can help solve problems in the renewable energy sector.
You will develop an understanding of the geological, geotechnical and geophysical knowledge and data essential to develop ground models for renewables projects.
You’ll gain exposure to geophysical surveying equipment, and get hands-on experience with real-world data. You’ll also have the opportunity to work on real-world problems through an independent project in an area of your choice.
Exposure to industry will be provided through guest lectures, seminars and the option to conduct your independent project in an industry placement.
This course is suitable for those from a geoscience, physical science or engineering background looking to advance their computer science skills applied to renewable energy problems. This also includes those in industry looking to transition to the renewables sector.
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.
Analyse concepts central to a data science approach and different types of classical machine learning algorithms.
Explore the essential mathematics underpinning computational science, data science and machine learning.
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.
Learn the fundamentals of subsurface properties and geological formations relevant for siting of renewable energy infrastructure and technology.
Investigate key depositional environments that renewables infrastructure are commonly installed in and the associated geohazards and engineering challenges.
Learn the theories of stress and strain, elasticity, poroelasticity, and thermoelasticity and gain exposure to geotechnical data analysis.
Gain hands-on experience in interpreting offshore high-resolution geophysical data, and the development and VR visualisation of ground models.
You'll conduct an independent analysis of a technical problem relevant to the renewables sector.
The process will see you devise, implement, test, modify, validate and document a computational or data science-based solution.
You can opt for a problem provided to you, or solve a problem of your own devising. Computational projects as part of external industry placements will also be considered.
You'll present your work in a written report and an oral 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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Individual Research
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Group work exercises
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Virtual Reality
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?
Learn key skills for a broad range of career options in the growing renewables industry and wider energy industry.
Meet the market demand for hands-on, applied data science knowledge.
Deepen your skills in artificial intelligence and machine learning, specifically applied to the renewable energy sector.
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 renewable energy and wider energy industry.
Further links
Contact the department
Email: adalovelace-admissions@imperial.ac.uk
Please quote the course title in your email.
Course Director: Dr Rebecca Bell
Visit the Department of Earth Science and Engineering website.
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Request info
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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