Program Overview

MSc Sustainable Engineering

Overview

The MSc in Sustainable Engineering is designed for graduates who wish to deepen their knowledge of the subject through a one-year taught programme that culminates in a supervised, research-based dissertation.

With a growing world population, demands to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and in recognition of the climate crisis affecting the planet, engineers have an increasing responsibility to be well-versed in issues concerning sustainability. This programme will provide you with the theoretical and practical knowledge to create and maintain a more sustainable world within your chosen area of engineering.

This degree combines foundational knowledge and skills in sustainable engineering with a specialism in one of three pathways:

• MSc Sustainable Engineering: Civil Engineering and the Built Environment
• MSc Sustainable Engineering: Renewable Energy
• MSc Sustainable Engineering: Product Development and Advanced Manufacturing

A unique feature of our programme is that the dissertations are researched and written in groups, with each individual student making their own contribution. As such, you will decide on the topic with your group members and under the guidance of staff. This approach of working with other engineers, who may be on different pathways, reflects real-life engineering.

Key Information

• Programme duration: One year full-time
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline:
  • Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025
  • Home applicants: 8 August 2025
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: MSc

Programme Structure

Our four core units focus on developing skills and knowledge in sustainable engineering, in addition to providing a foundation for completing the research-based dissertation project.

• In the first term, the Sustainable Systems unit offers you an overview and appreciation of the complex challenges associated with creating sustainable systems, providing the ‘big picture’ context in which we engineer solutions.
• In the second term, the Sustainable Design unit focuses on the delivery of real and impactful sustainable solutions, including the design tools that can be used to assist you in making sustainable decisions (for example, lifecycle analysis tools, sustainability checklists, sustainability software tools).
• Two other core units (Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise in the first term and Research Skills in the second term) further prepare you to complete the supervised group dissertation project.
• You will also take two pathway-specific units, which will allow you to further specialise in your chosen area of engineering.

World-Leading Research

• The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry Requirements

• You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in an Engineering or Engineering-related subject, including Computer Science, Maths, Physics, Technology/Technological based subjects.
• If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.
• We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree.
• We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
• If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:
  • Evidence of significant, relevant work experience with a minimum of 12 months (full or part-time) in an Engineering, Technology, Science or Mathematics field
  • A relevant postgraduate qualification.

English Language Requirements

• If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time £14,500 per year
• Overseas: full-time £32,400 per year
• Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

Alumni Discount

• University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study.

Funding and Scholarships

• Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career Prospects

• This programme will give you the knowledge, skills, and tools to be successful in creating sustainable engineering solutions in a variety of industries and settings. Depending on your chosen pathway and your individual interests, you could go on to work as a civil, structural, or mechanical engineer in an engineering firm; a renewable energy consultant; in product development; or in government.