Course summary
Overview of Programme MSc Global Sustainability Engineering provides you with the opportunity to develop your engineering knowledge to identify existing unsustainable processes and practices and implement strategies to improve sustainability. The programme has been created in response to the current gap in industry and create graduates who have both a background in science or engineering and who can provide technical consultation and deliver specialist solutions to improve sustainability. You’ll learn from academics and a curriculum focused on and drawing inspiration from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. You’ll develop the knowledge and skills to become advocates for change within the sustainability engineering field, by understanding how both incremental and disruptive approaches can be harnessed for effective sustainable development. The programme adopts an interdisciplinary approach, to provide you with a holistic view of problems and solutions which can be developed. During the master’s programme, you’ll develop a working knowledge of the relevant science and technology core to sustainability engineering, including environmental science and engineering, energy, recycling, sustainable processing, impact assessment, and environmental economics. You’ll gain an awareness of the context and framework within which the environmental degradation and sustainability problem and solutions exist. You’ll explore the implications of global trends on the environment, society, economy, and organisations to develop sustainable products and services with the aim to improve sustainability performance. This degree offers one year of study across two semesters followed by a second year of study which will include an industrial work placement or industrial project, followed by a dissertation project. Our Expertise 96% of Heriot-Watt University’s engineering research was classed as world-leading in the REF 2021 review, which ranked us 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for engineering research through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh. Our MSc Global Sustainability Engineering is directly informed by the world class research carried out by Heriot-Watt’s Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering (IMPEE) research institute and our Research Centre for Carbon Solutions (RCCS). Your learning environment The MSc Global Sustainability Engineering programme is taught though a combination of lectures, tutorials, and laboratory practicals, allowing you to get to know and build relationships with your teaching staff, academics, and peers. You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your dissertation, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme. Customise your learning You’ll have the opportunity to focus on the areas of global sustainability engineering that interest you the most. You can customise your degree to match your specific interests or desired career pathway by studying six mandatory courses and choosing two further options from a range of sustainability and engineering specialist courses, including process intensification, renewable energy technologies, circular economy, carbon solutions, green and sustainable logistics, and demand management and energy storage. Accreditation You will learn from a programme and course structure which has been specifically formed to respond to the global industry demand for graduates with science or engineering backgrounds, who can provide technical consultation and deliver specialist solutions to improve sustainability. We work closely with industry to ensure our course content is up-to-date and reflects the current and emerging needs of industry and employers. You’ll gain the right blend of knowledge, practical skills, and soft skills to set you up for life after graduation.
Modules
September Intake Year 1 Mandatory September -Process Engineering A -Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation -Foundations of Energy Optional September -Process Intensification -Renewable Energy Technologies -Circular Economy Mandatory January -Sustainable Processing -Environmental Impact Assessment -Critical Analysis and Research Preparation Optional January -Carbon Solutions -Technology Futures and Business Strategy -Demand Management and Energy Storage -Green and Sustainable Logistics Year 2 Mandatory May -Sustainability Dissertation Mandatory AY -Entrepreneurship & Creativity -Industrial Placement for Engineering and Physical Sciences January Intake Year 1 Mandatory January -Sustainable Processing -Environmental Impact Assessment -Critical Analysis and Research Preparation Optional January -Demand Management and Energy Storage -Carbon Solutions -Technology Futures and Business Strategy -Green and Sustainable Logistics Mandatory September -Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation -Process Engineering A -Foundations of Energy Optional September -Renewable Energy Technologies -Process Intensification -Circular Economy Year 2 Mandatory AY -Entrepreneurship & Creativity -Industrial Placement for Engineering and Physical Sciences Mandatory January -Sustainability Dissertation
Assessment method
You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your research project, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.
How to apply
International applicants
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
Entry requirements
A minimum of honours degree at 2:1 or non-UK equivalent in a relevant background with a minimum of 3-4 maths modules at C grade or above. Relevant backgrounds include chemical and process engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, marine engineering, aerospace/aeronautical engineering, and energy and power generation. Applicants with qualifications in mathematical, chemical or physical sciences can also be considered where both substantial mathematics content and coursework in subjects such as fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics can be evidenced. Applicants with a lower Second Class Honours Degree will be considered with substantial work experience. We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details. English language requirements If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5. If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £12192 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £12192 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £12192 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £12192 | Year 1 |
| EU | £25480 | Year 1 |
| International | £25480 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £25480 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £25480 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Sponsorship information
Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support. View our full range of postgraduate scholarships on our website.
Provider information
Heriot-Watt University
Riccarton
Edinburgh
EH14 4AS