Program Overview

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Electrochemistry and Battery Technologies (MSc)

About this course

Develop in-depth knowledge of electrochemical techniques and battery science on this Electrochemistry and Battery Technologies MSc at the University of Southampton. Discover how electrochemistry is essential to energy, sensors, waste treatment and the electronics industry. You’ll gain plenty of hands-on experience and graduate with a UK master’s degree that will prepare you for a wide range of careers.

Electrochemistry looks at the relationship between electricity and identifiable chemical change. On this course you’ll gain practical experience of electrochemical techniques and their use in sensors, batteries, fuel cells and other technologies.

You’ll also study the principles of electrode reactions and learn the techniques to study electrochemical reactions and battery processes.

You’ll graduate from this course with:

• in-depth knowledge of the use of chemical sciences in research, industry, the economy and the environment
• the skills to plan and carry out experiments, and analyse the results
• the ability to adapt and apply different methods to solve problems
• knowledge of the latest scientific developments in electrochemistry and battery technologies

Course lead

Dr Iris Nandhakumar, Associate Professor is your course lead. Read Dr Iris Nandhakumar's staff profile to find out more about her work.

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

• Download Course Description Document

Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in chemistry, or a 2:1 degree with at least 50% chemistry content and an average of a 2:1 across your chemistry modules.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

Information for students who have studied in China

This programme only accepts applicants who have studied at an X1, X2, X3 or X4 institution.

View acceptable grades from Chinese universities.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

• Email: [insert email]
• Tel: +44(0) [insert phone number]

Course structure

This full-time course lasts for 12 months, from October to the following September.

You’ll study the taught part of your course over the first 2 semesters (October to June). Each semester includes 12 weeks of study followed by 2 or 3 weeks of exams.

Each semester is made up of a combination of compulsory and optional modules.

The research part of your studies will take place in semester 3, from June to September. This is when you’ll carry out your research and write your research project.

You’ll have regular meetings with your tutor to make sure you’re on track with your project.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules:

• Battery Materials and Characterisation
• Battery Technologies and their Applications
• Chemistry MSc Advanced Research Project
• Introduction to Electrochemistry I
• Introduction to Electrochemistry II
• Modelling in Electrochemistry
• Practical Techniques in Battery Research
• Practical Techniques in Electrochemistry
• Scientific writing and presentation skills for Chemistry MSc

You must also choose from the following modules:

• Advanced Physical Chemistry
• Advanced Spectroscopy and Applications
• Chemistry through the Computational Microscope
• Principles, Techniques and Energy Applications of Electrochemistry
• Sustainable Chemistry
• X-Ray Crystallographic Techniques, Advanced Main Group Chemistry and Applications
• X-Ray Diffraction as a Characterisation Method

Learning and assessment

Learning

The learning activities for this course include:

• lectures and seminars
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• oral and poster presentations
• research group meetings
• workshops
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Assessment

We’ll assess you through:

• coursework
• written exams
• research project

Dissertation

The research project is a chance for you to develop your research skills and build in-depth knowledge of an aspect of electrochemistry and battery technologies.

You’ll begin your planning in semester 2. With the help of an academic research supervisor, you’ll choose a topic from the taught part of the course to explore in depth.

We’ll ask you to present an overview of your plan to students and panel of academics before the end of semester 2.

You’ll then carry out your research and write your dissertation in semester 3 (June to September). You’ll have regular meetings with a supervisor throughout this period to discuss your progress.

You might be able to carry out some of your research project while on placement, if a suitable placement is available.

Academic Support

You’ll be assigned a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor. We’ll also support you with:

• daily supervision
• regular informal meetings to monitor progress and share ideas
• feedback on performance

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Self-management
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Problem solving

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Manufacturing
• Scientific and Technical
• Water and Waste Management
• Education
• Public Administration
• Defence
• Finance

Careers directly related to this course:

• Analytical chemist
• Corrosion testing engineer
• Chemical researcher
• Science journalist
• Scientific researcher
• Materials engineer

Wider career opportunities:

• Business development executive
• Data analyst
• Software developer
• Chartered accountant
• Technical sales manager
• Consultant

Example job titles of Southampton MSc Electrochemistry and Battery Technologies graduates:

• Science editor
• Clinical scientist
• Data analyst
• Electrochemistry researcher
• Manufacturing engineer
• Regulatory and compliance administrator
• Science teacher

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £31,500.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Chemistry Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Chemistry.

Find out more about the Southampton Chemistry Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Southampton Chemistry Deans International Scholarship

Four scholarships offer international students £5,000 off their first year of study of chemistry and chemical engineering at either undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Find out more about the Southampton Chemistry Deans International Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

These full scholarships are for international applicants applying for the MSc Genomics, MSc Amputation and Prosthetic Rehabilitation, MSc Electrochemistry and Battery Technologies, MSc Global Health and MA Fashion Management in the academic year beginning autumn 2025.

Applicants for this course may be eligible for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, which supports students from developing Commonwealth countries who may not otherwise be able to study in the United Kingdom.

To learn more about eligibility and conditions explore the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships page.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

UK students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

International students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

• Email: [insert email]
• Tel: +44(0) [insert phone number]