Sustainability and Energy Engineering MSc
School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering
-
Start date
September 2026 -
Duration
1 year -
Attendance
Full-time
Explore this course:
Apply now for 2026 entry or register your interest to find out about postgraduate study and events at the University of Sheffield.
Course description
Sustainability and energy innovation are at the heart of the global engineering challenge. This programme prepares you to address critical issues in different types of energy systems, environmental protection and resource management. You’ll develop practical and analytical skills to design, assess and optimise sustainable technologies, policies and processes across the energy and environmental sectors.
This course is open to those with a science and engineering background wanting to specialise in energy and environmental engineering. The course offers flexibility to tailor your studies to your interests, allowing you to specialise in areas such as clean energy, circular economy, or environmental management.
Taught by leading experts actively engaged in cutting-edge research, you’ll gain hands-on experience with advanced modelling, energy systems, environmental impact assessment and renewable technologies.
You'll undertake a substantial research project under the guidance of an academic supervisor and produce original research outcomes that demonstrate your capabilities.
Through project work, lab-based research and industry exposures, you’ll learn to solve real-world challenges, preparing you for a career in engineering, consultancy, policy, or further research. You will also develop critical transferable skills, including data analysis, project management and problem-solving, equipping you to make an immediate impact in professional or academic settings.
Graduates leave with a highly respected degree that is valued by the industry, ready to contribute to sustainable solutions in energy and environmental engineering, and to drive innovation in sectors that are vital for society and the planet.
Accreditation
We are accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Modules
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Open days
Interested in postgraduate taught study? Register your interest in studying at Sheffield or attend an event throughout the year to find out what makes studying at here special.
Duration
1 year full-time
Teaching
You’ll experience a dynamic and engaging learning environment designed to develop both your technical knowledge and practical skills. Teaching is delivered through a blend of lectures, exposure to research seminars, workshops, industry interactions and interactive laboratory, providing a comprehensive understanding of environmental systems, energy technologies and sustainable engineering practices.
Lectures cover core scientific and engineering principles relevant to environmental and energy sectors, while seminars encourage discussion, critical analysis, and engagement with peers and academic staff.
Practical sessions give hands-on experience with environmental monitoring, energy systems and engineering workflows, reinforcing theoretical knowledge and developing problem-solving skills.
A key feature of the course is the independent research project, undertaken under the supervision of experienced academic staff. This enables you to plan, execute and communicate research on real-world environmental or energy challenges, developing critical thinking, analytical skills and project management experience.
Independent study is encouraged throughout the course, helping you develop autonomy, time management and the ability to work effectively under supervision.
This varied approach ensures you graduate with a well-rounded skill set, ready to innovate in the environmental and energy sectors and contribute to engineering solutions for global challenges.
Assessment
You will undertake formal examinations to test your understanding of core environmental and energy engineering principles, alongside coursework assignments such as reports, design projects and problem-solving tasks.
A significant part of your assessment is an independent research project, carried out under the supervision of an academic, where you will explore a specialist topic in depth and apply your learning to real-world sustainability and energy challenges.
This varied approach ensures you are well prepared for professional roles in the environment, energy and sustainability sectors.
Your career
Our courses are informed by strong industry connections and cutting-edge research. An Industry Advisory Board, including representatives from leading organisations, ensures the course stays globally competitive and aligned with evolving sector needs.
Graduates from this course are in demand across industries tackling the world’s most pressing challenges in sustainability, energy and the environment.
Typical roles include environmental engineers, energy systems analysts, sustainability and energy consultants, process engineers and project managers.
The advanced technical knowledge and practical skills gained on the course also equip graduates to work across related sectors such as water, waste management, manufacturing, construction and government policy.
Throughout your studies, you'll have opportunities to engage with industry through guest lectures, networking events, and site visits. The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides extensive support, offering tailored one-to-one guidance, workshops and events on career planning, work experience, CV writing, interview preparation and employer insights.
School
School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering
World-leading research and teaching underpin everything in the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering.
The University of Sheffield is ranked 92nd in the world and 15th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Within the Faculty of Engineering, 92 per cent of our research has been recognised as world-leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
Our academic teams tackle global challenges across chemical, materials, energy and biological engineering, from sustainable energy and advanced manufacturing to pharmaceuticals, bioprocessing and process safety.
Students benefit from access to state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities, including analytics labs, thermodynamics labs and bioprocessing suites. The industry-scale pilot plant – the first continuous powder processing plant of its kind in the UK – provides invaluable hands-on experience with processes and equipment used in industry.
Our research-led approach ensures students learn alongside academics conducting world-class work in areas such as sustainable energy, environment, biomanufacturing, process safety and pharmaceutical engineering. Strong collaborations with leading global companies, including Siemens, Pfizer, Nestlé, Lonza, AstraZeneca, Syngenta, and Unilever - ensure our programmes remain at the forefront of industrial practice and emerging technologies.
Our work spans sustainability priorities, including decarbonising industrial processes, pioneering low-energy manufacturing, and advancing bioprocessing and pharmaceutical production. The University leads in areas such as industrial-scale pilot plant operations, bioprocessing, additive manufacturing and advanced materials development, making tangible impact through collaborations with industry and global research partners.
Graduates leave Sheffield equipped with the technical expertise, analytical skills, and practical experience needed to innovate, lead and deliver solutions. Across all our courses, we nurture creative, forward-looking engineers ready to make a tangible impact on industries and communities worldwide.
Student profiles
Entry requirements
Minimum 2:2 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject.
Subject requirements
We accept degrees in the following subject areas:
Any Engineering, Science or Technology discipline.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent.
Other requirements
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school.
Fees and funding
Fees
Alumni discount
Save up to £2,500 on your course fees
Are you a Sheffield graduate? You could save up to £2,500 on your postgraduate taught course fees, subject to eligibility.
Apply
You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.
Contact
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.