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Soft Electronic Materials
Create and optimise new types of electronic materials and devices for a diverse range of applications.
Create and optimise new types of electronic materials and devices for a diverse range of applications
Learn interdisciplinary skills in research, modelling and analysis
Carry out a substantial independent research project and literature review
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MRes
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Duration
1 year
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Start date
September 2024
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£20,550 Home
£40,800 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 a relevant engineering, mathematical or physical sciences subject
Course overview
Learn how to create and optimise new types of electronic materials and devices for a diverse range of applications on this interdisciplinary course.
Deepen your understanding of a thriving area of research, which targets applications such as light-emitting diodes, batteries, wearable electronics devices and sensors.
You'll engage with highly multidisciplinary science during your studies. The programme will span physics, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering and bioengineering.
Over 12 months, you'll explore topics including organic and inorganic semiconductors, material synthesis and processing, materials characterisation, and device physics and applications.
Research activities are wide-ranging, from modelling molecules and materials, to measuring and analysing materials and device performance for targeted applications.
The course is comprised of lectures and advanced skills training, as well as a substantial independent research project and thesis.
Why study at Imperial

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Learn from experts Lectures and projects led by world-leading experts from Imperial’s Centre of Excellence in Processable Electronics Includes three Fellows of the Royal Society and five Highly Cited Researchers.
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Multidisciplinary approaches to application-targeted research Research the materials and techniques used in every-day electronic devices
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From solar cells to displays and sensors Research improvements in efficiency, sustainability and cost reduction Explore CPE facilities
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 the following core modules.
Core modules
Examine the basic properties of semiconducting organic and inorganic materials and consider the methods required to deposit layers of inorganic and hybrid materials.
Engage with materials characterisation techniques relevant to assessing the microstructure and surface/interface properties of relevant electroactive materials.
Research and provide critical summation of scientific literature in your given topic of study.
You'll select a research project proposal in the first term following discussion with potential supervisors.
You’ll also participate in advanced practical skills courses, computational workshops and a journal club to help you successfully complete the project.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures, group teaching and project supervision
- Independent study
- Lab/practical work
- 32% Lectures, group teaching and project supervision
- 35% Independent study
- 33% Lab/practical work
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Computational workshops
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Journal clubs
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Seminars
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Industrial visits
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Supervised project work
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Virtual learning environment
Balance of assessment
Key
- Written examinations
- Literature review and project proposal
- Project work
- 33% Written examinations
- 11% Literature review and project proposal
- 56% Project work
Assessment methods
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Written exams
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Coursework
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Written reports
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Oral presentation
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Dissertation
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 Friday 19 January 2024
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by midnight (UK time) on the relevant application round deadline to ensure that you receive the outcome of your application by the decision date.
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.
Application rounds
Round 1
- Apply by 3 November 2023
- Decision by 16 December 2023
Round 2
- Apply by 19 January 2024
- Decision by 9 March 2024
Round 3
- Apply by 29 March 2024
- Decision by 11 May 2024
Round 4
- Apply by 24 May 2024
- Decision by 27 July 2024
Round 5
- Apply by 5 July 2024
- Decision by 3 August 2024
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: CAH07-01-01
- Descriptor: Physics
- Supervisor name: Professor Michele Dougherty
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2024 entry
£20,550
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, 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 government has not yet published the loan amount for students starting courses in Autumn 2024. As a guide, the maximum value of the loan was £12,167 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2023.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
2024 entry
£40,800
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, 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 government has not yet published the loan amount for students starting courses in Autumn 2024. As a guide, the maximum value of the loan was £12,167 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2023.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Your future career
Research and transferable skills gained on this course may lead to careers in physics, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, and bioengineering.
Physics graduates at Imperial are highly sought after in a variety of employment sectors.
Develop strong links with industry, other leading academic institutions, and government labs in the UK and abroad.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 7512
- Email: l.sanchez@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Professor Ji-Seon Kim
Course Coordinator: Dr Lisa Bushby
Visit the Department of Physics website.

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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