Environmental Engineering
Analyse the principles and practices needed to protect the environment and human health.
Course key facts
Qualification
MSc
Duration
1 year
Start date
October 2027
Study mode
Full-time
Delivered by
Location
-
South Kensington
-
Minimum entry standard
2:1 in Civil Engineering, Natural Sciences, Earth Sciences or other numerate subject.
Course overview
Study this vocational programme, focused on the concepts of sustainability and delivery of engineered solutions to conserve resources and protect the environment and human health.
The course deals with major topics in the provision of environmental services such as water supply, wastewater treatment, sustainable resource management and pollution control – with perspecives on both developed and developing countries.
Practical lab-based training in analytical techniques to measure key parameters and detect pollutants in environmental media is provided. To complete the programme, students will use their knowledge acquired in the taught programme to tackle a challenging research project in key areas of environmental engineering.
All our MSc courses are career-orientated and cover both theoretical background and practical design considerations. Lectures are delivered mainly by full-time staff, but important contributions are made by visiting lecturers eminent in their field, from industry and business practitioners as well as overseas academics.
Many of our students continue their studies to undertake research towards a PhD.
All MSc courses in our Environmental and Water Resource Engineering section last one year, comprising two terms of taught examinable material followed by a research dissertation.
Environmental Engineering streams
We offer two streams for this course. You should choose the stream that suits your career aims and interests. If an offer of admission is made, it will correspond to the stream you have applied for. Switching streams is not possible once you have commenced your studies.
- MSc Environmental Engineering (this stream)
- MSc Environmental Engineering with Data Science: Suitable for students who wish to build skills in computational methods and statistical modelling.
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.
This course assumes a suitable grounding in programming principles and mathematical concepts expected from degree holders in numerate subjects. See our entry requirements for further details.
You’ll take all of these modules.
Core modules
Gain an insight into the role of chemistry and microbiology in environmental systems and explore the underlying principles that can both influence environmental processes and deliver environmental engineering solutions.
Develop programming and computational skills in Python for application to statistical analysis and inference of environmental data.
Understand the problems associated with contaminated land that have arisen from the unmanaged release of pollutants into the environment.
Assess the key factors required for the safe containment of material, including waste degradation processes and the challenges of in-ground waste disposal.
Build your lab-based practical skills and undertake experiments that measure key parameters relevant for water treatment and environmental pollution assessment.
Explore the principles of fluid mechanics and hydraulics and learn how to apply those theories to practical applications in river and environmental engineering.
Explore how sustainable resource management can conserve materials and energy, preserve natural resources and protect public health and the ecosystem.
Analyse the effects of urbanisation on the hydrological cycle and learn how to apply basic methods of hydrological analysis.
Learn how to develop simple water quality models and solve a range of problems by building and applying these models.
Apply the theory and conceptual design of conventional unit processes for treating drinking water and wastewater to distinguish between their different functions and applications.
Carry out a small group project to gain insight into the design of environmental engineering processes and apply your knowledge to real world problems.
You’ll pick one of these optional modules.
Optional modules
Build on your existing knowledge of drinking water and wastewater treatment and further your understanding of water quality, standards and regulations.
Analyse the inter-relationships between water, wastes and health in developing countries and examine the issues of tropical public health.
Undertake a specific piece of independent research in the form of a critical review, laboratory- or field-based experimental investigation, modelling/numerical analysis project, or a design-related project.
Improve your technical, research and communication skills and produce a written research paper and a visual poster.
Testimonials
Professional accreditation
This MSc degree is accredited on behalf of the Engineering Council by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), comprising:
- Institution of Civil Engineers
- Institution of Structural Engineers
- Institute of Highway Engineers
- Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
- Permanent Way Institution
This degree is recognised as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a partial CEng accredited undergraduate first degree**.
Registering as a Chartered Engineer will improve your career prospects and provide higher earning potential. It will also help to demonstrate your commitment to professional standards, the engineering profession and sustainable development.
Our accreditation agreement with members of the Joint Board of Moderators is renewed every five years. The current accreditation agreement is due to be renewed in 2026.
**Candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited IEng degree or a non-accredited Bachelor's degree will need to apply for an academic assessment to determine whether they will meet the educational base for CEng registration.
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, tutorials, group and laboratory work
- Independent study
- 20% Title 1 goes here
- 80% Title 2 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
-
Lectures
-
Practical laboratories
-
Seminars and workshops
-
Tutorials
-
Virtual learning environment
-
Field data collection and overseas research
-
Group work
-
Individual research project
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
- 55% Title 1 goes here
- 45% Title 2 goes here
Assessment methods
-
Coursework
-
Lab reports
-
Group projects and presentations
-
Design projects
-
Written exams
-
Research dissertation
-
Research poster
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 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 Wednesday 30 September 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 6 January 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 3 March 2027
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 7 January 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 10 March 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 5 May 2027
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 11 March 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 28 April 2027
- Decision by Thursday 1 July 2027
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.
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
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs. This includes MRes and PhD combined (1+3) courses with the Centre for Doctoral Training.
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 (CEE 1YFT only)
2027 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £19,400.
Fees are charged by year of entry to the university and not year of study.
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 £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that 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 (CEE 1YFT only)
2027 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £45,000.
Fees are charged by year of entry to the university and not year of study.
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 £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that 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?
Graduates from our Department go on to succeed in a range of sectors such as construction, civil engineering, design engineering, engineering consultancy, sustainability and sustainable design, water resource engineering, environmental engineering, disaster management, structural and architectural design, infrastructure monitoring, materials manufacturing, geotechnical engineering, and renewable energy.
Who do our graduates work for?
Our graduates have worked for companies including Jacobs, Vinci, Mott MacDonald, Atkins, Aecom, Stantec, Foster and Partners, Ramboll, AKTII, WSP.
What jobs do our graduates do?
Structural Engineer, Civil Engineer, Design Engineer, Product Manger, Environmental Consultant, Construction Manager, Geotechnical Engineer, Graduate Hydrologist, Transport Planner, Carbon Market Analyst.
What about further study?
Many graduates go on to become PhD candidates at leading institutions worldwide.
What careers support does Imperial offer?
Our Careers Service collaborates with our Department to deliver career planning application talks tailored specifically for Civil and Environmental Engineering students during the course.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44(0) 20 7594 5932
- Email: cvpgo@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Professor Sue Grimes
Visit the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering website.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/EngineeringDepart_s-007.jpg)
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.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/Newsletter.jpg)
Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/UG---Events.jpg)
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