Overview
Our Advanced Chemical Engineering (Hydrogen and Low Carbon Technologies) MSc is a pioneering course designed and delivered with a passionate commitment to achieving net-zero.
Developed within Brunel’s innovative engineering environment, this new master’s programme is the first of its kind in the UK, combining expertise across multiple disciplines to address the challenges of the low carbon transition. The course’s pioneering approach is underpinned by collaboration across a range of programmes, including Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and the Business School. This interdisciplinary learning experience provides you with a holistic perspective on low carbon technologies, from technical development and system design to environmental sustainability and commercial implementation.
You will be taught by a team of world-leading academics with extensive experience and diverse backgrounds in low carbon technologies, who deliver research-informed teaching across topics such as hydrogen production, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), biorefineries and fuel cells. You will benefit from the programme’s blended approach to teaching, which includes interactive modes, traditional lectures and tutorial-style learning, along with an active learning approach through extensive discussion.
A clear benefit of the programme’s interdisciplinary approach is that while you acquire the ground-breaking science expertise you’ll also have the opportunity to select employability-boosting modules, focusing for example on project management, environmental legislation and climate politics. The compulsory modules will give you industry-relevant problem solving and transferable skills through holistic assessments, including assignments, written exams, oral presentations, and report writing.
Brunel is recognised for its sector-leading chemical engineering facilities on campus, from where you will undertake practical project work comprising both computational modelling and laboratory experiments. This will not only enhance your employability on graduation, but also offer you a unique and exciting perspective on a range of modern technologies, and their potential to achieve sustainable resource management with minimal environmental impact.
At the end of their final year, engineering and maths students are invited to showcase their project work at Brunel Engineers +, an event that both celebrates their achievements and gives them the chance to network with industry figures and employers. This video shows some of the projects exhibited at the 2024 Brunel Engineers + event, with explanations by the students themselves.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
Compulsory
- CL5619 - AI in Sustainable Energy Systems
This module provides students with advanced knowledge of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science for sustainable energy applications. It equips students the ability to analyse, model, and optimise complex energy systems to address real-world challenges in low carbon and sustainable energy systems.
- CL5613 - Emerging Low Carbon Technologies
This module explores key low carbon technologies and their roles in the transition towards a low-emission future. Moving beyond conventional energy systems, students will develop an understanding of emerging technologies and their underlying principles, while gaining the knowledge and skills to design, analyse, and evaluate integrated low carbon energy systems using a systems approach. The module highlights the critical role of innovative system design in mitigating climate change impacts and supporting the development of sustainable energy solution
- CL5617 - Energy Systems
This module provides advanced knowledge and practical skills in energy integration and optimisation to improve the efficiency and sustainability of industrial processes. Students will develop expertise in energy targeting using pinch analysis, heat exchanger network design and optimisation, and the design of utility systems for complex industrial applications.
- CL5602 - Innovation Toolbox
This module develops students understanding of leadership, strategic management, and business culture in the delivery of chemical engineering projects. It examines how research and innovation translate into business value, equipping students with the skills to manage complex projects, foster innovation, and make strategic decisions within an evolving industrial landscape.
- CL5614 - Research Dissertation
This module provides students with the opportunity to undertake an independent research project in an emerging area of low carbon technologies. Through an open-ended research challenge, students will develop independent learning, critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, while identifying research needs and applying advanced knowledge to address real-world sustainability challenges.
- CL5611 - Process Design and Safety
This module develops students' advanced understanding of the principles, methodologies, and considerations involved in the design of chemical processes and low carbon technologies. Students will learn to design, analyse, and synthesise complex processes while evaluating their techno-economic, environmental, and societal impacts. The module integrates process safety principles and techniques to support the development of safe and sustainable process designs, while also enhancing engineering management skills including project management, critical thinking, decision-making, reflective practice, and conflict resolution for solving complex engineering challenges.
- ME5569 - Renewable Energy Technologies III: Geothermal, Biomass, Waste, Hydrogen
This module provides advanced knowledge of renewable energy resources, including geothermal energy, biomass, and hydrogen as an energy carrier, alongside critical evaluation of their environmental impacts. Students will explore renewable energy conversion technologies and their integration into sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon energy systems.
Optional
- CE5626 - Climate Change and the Environment
This module develops students’ understanding of the science of climate change and the associated risks to society, the environment, and critical infrastructure. Students will explore innovative design solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation, while critically evaluating their effectiveness and feasibility. Through a multidisciplinary and evidence-based approach, the module equips students with the skills to analyse complex climate challenges and make informed decisions that support sustainable and resilient futures.
- MG5593 - International Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
This module explores key concepts and challenges in business ethics, sustainability, and corporate governance within an international context. It examines the dual ‘business’ models of shareholder and stakeholder approaches, while considering the wider societal impacts of business activities across organisations of all scales, from multinational corporations to SMEs. Through the application of moral philosophy, corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability principles, and corporate governance frameworks, students will critically evaluate real-world business practices using empirical case studies.
- ES5633 - Natural Resources and Solid Waste Management
This module explores the principles and practices of sustainable natural resource and solid waste management, addressing the complex interactions between environmental, economic, social, and technical factors. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of resource efficiency, waste reduction strategies, and sustainable resource management systems, enabling them to design and evaluate solutions that support the transition towards a circular economy. The module emphasises practical, innovative approaches to addressing global resource challenges and promoting sustainable development.
- CE5633 - Project Management
This module will develop deeper understanding of the roles of various engineering professionals involved in engineering and construction project delivery, deeper understanding of management science as applied to engineering and infrastructure projects, and wider appreciation of the role of the engineer in society and in sustainable project development.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
This MSc programme has been developed to address the skills gap in the workforce needed to decarbonise industries in response to the growing energy demand and to achieve the net-zero target. Our MSc graduates will possess a comprehensive understanding of emerging low-carbon technologies and interdisciplinary knowledge in environmental sustainability, climate change politics, and project management. Equipped with these skills, they will be able to tackle global challenges such as meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and addressing climate change.
Graduates will be proficient in sustainable industrial system design, enabling them to take up vital technical, managerial, and advisory roles in engineering and consultancy firms, think tanks, and governmental organisations. They will play a key role in industrial decarbonisation, facilitating the transition from a fossil-based economy to a cleaner economy across sectors including energy, transportation, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, waste management and recycling, among others.
UK entry requirements
2026/7 entry
2:2 or above in Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Physics
Entry to this programme requires all students who are not nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) and have temporary immigration permission to remain in the UK to obtain an ATAS certificate. If you are made an offer to join this course and you are not an EEA national, you will be required to obtain an ATAS certificate as a condition of your offer.
Applicants who will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate: find out if you will need an ATAS certificate, by visiting this webpage: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-out-if-you-require-an-atas-certificate#when-you-need-an-atas-certificate.
The deadline for Admissions to make offers to applicants who will require an ATAS certificate is 31st July 2026.
International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all sub scores)
- BrunELT: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)
- TOEFL: 4.5 (min 4 in all areas)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2026/27 entry
UK
£14,435 full-time
International
£24,795 full-time
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
This MSc programme offers significant flexibility for interdisciplinary learning, allowing students to engage with core chemical and process engineering subjects and select elective modules from various departments. Interactive learning modes are emphasised, combining traditional lectures with tutorial-style sessions and fostering active learning through extensive discussions.
Students will have the opportunity to work on design projects focusing on emerging low-carbon technologies, adopting a systems approach that considers economic, environmental, and social dimensions. Additionally, the programme provides exciting cutting-edge research projects encompassing both computational modelling and laboratory experiments, offering students insight into modern technologies and their potential for sustainable resource management and minimising environmental impact in the near future.
Assessment and feedback
Assessment of all learning outcomes is achieved through a balanced combination of coursework, projects, and examinations. Assignments, design projects, and research projects provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge to real-world situations. Holistic assessments are conducted through a variety of summative and formative methods, including group and individual assignments, written exams, oral presentations, and report writing.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.
