MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures

The MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures from Energy Futures Lab provides a grounding in the major features of global energy issues, sustainable energy technologies, and their interactions with economics, the environment and policy.

The MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures from Energy Futures Lab provides a grounding in the major features of global energy issues, sustainable energy technologies, and their interactions with economics, the environment and policy. Taking a quantitative approach to the study of technology and systems, the MSc attracts students with engineering and physical science backgrounds, although not exclusively. It will also appeal to those with post-degree experience who wish to gain a broader, more strategic perspective on energy issues.

The MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures is an internationally unique course. Throughout the year our students have lectures and guidance from experts across all research areas at Imperial College London, as well as leaders from the energy industry. Combining the academic and industrial experience of the Faculty of Engineering with the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the Imperial College Business School, this course offers a unique multidisciplinary teaching programme.

Study programme

You begin your studies in October with the Autumn and Spring terms dedicated to taught modules. In the summer term you turn your focus to an extensive research project. The research project is an opportunity to make use of the interdisciplinary nature of the MSc.

Projects are available from across all Imperial College London departments engaged in energy research and also in partnership with industry.

Careers

The curriculum's focus on a multidisciplinary view of the energy sector means graduates are well placed to work in a diverse range of energy-related areas and are in high demand from employers. As a graduate of the Sustainable Energy Future course, you will join a network of over 600 fellow Energy Futures Lab alumni who live and work in every corner of the world. Over 90% of our MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures graduates currently work in the energy sector.

Alumnus profile: Mervin Azeta, (MSc Sustainable Energy Futures 2015)

With a passion for problem solving, Mervin Azeta has always been an engineer by nature. The tragic death of a family member during a power outage in Nigeria made Mervin an impassioned advocate for universal access to energy at a young age and shaped her decision to pursue a career in the sector. She went on to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Benin where, while working on her thesis, her interest in sustainable energy development was piqued.

After a period working as completions field engineer with Schlumberger, Mervin decided to deepen her understanding of the opportunities presented by sustainable energy and joined Energy Futures Lab’s MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures. “I wanted more. I wanted to know how to drive innovation to help power our world and reduce our environmental footprint. Imperial offered exactly what I wanted – the course, the exposure to innovative technologies, the policy and business side of things,” she explained in an interview to mark her Emerging Alumni Leader Award in 2022.

Alongside her studies, Mervin immersed herself in in College life, becoming co-chair of the Imperial College Nigerian Society, a role that allowed her to further develop her leadership skills. “At Imperial, we had exposure to collaboration, industry networks and stakeholders. We also engaged with different people from different parts of the world with different perspectives... we used to call ourselves the mini–United Nations,” she recalls. Mervin graduated with distinction in 2015 before returning to Schlumberger where she has held various engineering and leadership roles.

Today, Mervin is an ardent ambassador for women in STEM and serves on top-tier boards and committees at the World Energy Council, Society of Petroleum Engineers, African Union and others. She encourages young women to pursue their passions, to speak up for themselves and for others, and to keep learning. “Put your talent to work so it doesn’t go to waste –people won’t always push you. Also, attend events and meet people. We need other people. We need to find our tribe.”