Science and Technology for Sustainability MSc

Program Overview

Students develop a holistic skill set through industry-relevant coursework and research projects, preparing them for careers in various sectors focused on sustainability and low-carbon transitions. The program is multidisciplinary, with input from leading academics and researchers in chemistry, engineering, and physics.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Sustainability and sustainable development are crucial topics facing almost every industry worldwide. There is a growing demand from industry and society for experts in this field to provide sustainable solutions to a multitude of interdisciplinary global challenges. The Science and Technology for Sustainability Masters has been developed to answer this demand by industry, bringing together science and engineering disciplines. You’ll build the extensive skill set and knowledge you’ll need to provide leadership and innovation on sustainable development in all aspects of industries and societal sectors. You’ll be trained by leading academics and researchers from across the Schools of Chemistry, Chemical and Process Engineering and Physics and Astronomy to cover key global challenges that address UN sustainable development goals whilst gaining insight into how a sustainable low carbon future can be achieved. Modules will cover everything from energy management, green chemistry and low carbon economics to sustainable waste management, life cycle analysis – plus many more. The broad range of topics will provide you with a holistic understanding of how future sustainable solutions are identified and developed, preparing you for a career in this field. Here at Leeds, we’re a leading player in sustainability, with solid industrial and governmental collaborations that address and contribute to a broad range of sustainable development innovation.

• Advance your knowledge and skills in a variety of industry-relevant topics including renewable and clean energy, low carbon technologies, sustainable materials, green chemistry and sustainable waste management.
• Put theory into practice by conducting an individual research project focusing on forward-looking or industrial-facing topics in sustainability, gaining hands-on experience in technology innovation.
• Access specialist facilities to support your learning including synthetic chemistry laboratories, chemical and analytical facilities, material analysis facilities and energy and combustion research laboratories.
• Experience expert theoretical and practical teaching delivered by a programme team who specialise in a variety of sustainable development innovations.
• Develop a holistic skill set that will lend itself to careers in areas like industrial manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, chemical products, environmental engineering, biotechnology and policy and government, amongst others.

Outline:

Semester 1:

• General concepts of sustainability and relevant technologies
• Renewable and sustainable energy technologies
• Green chemistry and chemical processes
• Waste water management
• Advanced research and professional skills (literature research, writing experimental reports, building a personal development plan, data analysis and coding, modern data science techniques)

Semester 2:

• Sustainable materials (soft matter physics)
• Solid waste management
• Management of sustainability
• Group innovation project
• Seminars and workshops on global leading innovation on sustainable development

Semester 3:

• Individual research project focusing on a real-world problem in sustainability
• Hands-on experience of planning, executing and reporting research work

Course Structure:

• Compulsory Modules:
• MSc Research Project - 60 credits
• Introduction to Sustainability Science and Technology - 15 credits
• Group Innovation Project in Sustainability - 15 credits
• Advanced Practical, Professional and Research Skills for Scientists - 30 credits
• Optional Modules (60 credits from a selection of typical modules shown below):
• Renewable Technologies - 30 credits
• Renewable Materials for a Sustainable Future - 15 credits
• Green Chemistry and Sustainable Processes - 15 credits
• Waste Water and Fecal Sludge Management - 15 credits
• Solid Waste Management - 15 credits
• Circular Economy and Resource Recovery from Waste - 15 credits
• Foundations of Chemistry - Coursework - 15 credits

Module Descriptions:

• MSc Research Project: You’ll be embedded in a world-leading research group to carry out a sustainability research project in one of the 4 schools: Chemistry, Physics, Chemical & Process Engineering and Civil Engineering.
The project will be assessed through the literature report, the final report, research work (practical or computational), and a poster/presentation.
• Introduction to Sustainability Science and Technology: Explore aspects of sustainability, how it impacts society, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and how science and technology will have a critical role to play in achieving sustainability while still supporting the world population.
• Group Innovation Project in Sustainability: Working in small groups modelled on an industrial project team, you’ll develop and pitch an innovative product or solution in sustainability to an investment panel of experts from UK industry, with feedback provided by the panel.
• Advanced Practical, Professional and Research Skills for Scientists: Receive training in professional and research skills necessary for your research project, including literature research, report writing, personal development, proposal writing, data analysis, coding and data science techniques.
These are highly transferable skills for any job you may take up after graduation. Topics covered include energy storage, electricity networks, energy policy and economic, renewable energy trends, and critical materials for sustainable energy.
• Renewable Materials for a Sustainable Future: Cover the fundamental theories and techniques in developing and studying a range of sustainable materials, i.e.
thermoplastics, ‘green’ polymers, graphene and graphene oxides. The theories will be linked to their applications in day-to-day consumer products and advanced technologies.
• Green Chemistry and Sustainable Processes: Discover the principles of green chemistry and how they affect sustainable chemical manufacturing.
Perspectives and limitations of different chemical sectors will be explained through examples and case studies. The most modern approach to green chemistry, based on data science, will be explained and discussed. For students without a chemical degree, Foundations of Chemistry – Coursework must be taken as a prerequisite for this module. Major natural wastewater treatment processes are covered in detail with the aim to deliver a comprehensive approach to public health engineering solutions in low-income countries, small communities and peri-urban areas. Learn the assessment skills and tools for circular economy in a case study. Solid Waste Management is a prerequisite for this module.
• Foundations of Chemistry - Coursework: The module provides educational resources in specific areas of Chemistry, e.g.
organic chemistry and catalysis. This is meant for students taking on Green Chemistry and Sustainable Processes whose first degree was not in Chemistry.

Assessment:

• Summative and formative assessments will be used to evaluate your learning outcomes.
• Group discussion boards, staff feedback and student peer review will be applied for formative assessments.
• You'll broaden your learning experience through a combination of practice-based learning and academic theory.
• You'll learn through a mix of lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, case studies, practical classes and independent research or design projects complemented by e-learning and problem-based learning.
• Proactive approaches through in-class discussions, group work and team-based learning will be applied in teaching delivery to strengthen your skills in communication and teamwork.
• At the same time, individual assignments and projects will support your independency and creativity.
• You’ll also be allocated a personal tutor who will be on hand to provide support and advice throughout the course.
• The programme will be delivered face-to-face, but all lectures and tutorials will be recorded for revision.
• A variety of links relevant to digital reading and case studies will be shared with you to supplement your learning.

Active Research Environment:

• The University of Leeds is a leading player in the development of future sustainable solutions in clean energy, sustainable transport, green chemistry and sustainable processes, sustainable waste management and resource recovery and the development of materials for a sustainable future.
• We contribute to a broad range of sustainable development innovation and have established solid industrial and governmental collaborations to address various challenges on global sustainable development goals.
These include reducing energy poverty in the developing world, renewable energy and biofuels, GHG capture and negative emission technology, energy storage and energy management, green chemistry and sustainable processes, waste recycling and waste management and the development of future sustainable materials.

Specialist Facilities:

• As this programme is multidisciplinary and practical, you’ll have access to a range of facilities throughout coursework and projects.
• These include teaching laboratories such as synthetic chemistry laboratories, chemical and analytical facilities (GC/HPLC, MS, NMR, IR, robotic sample handling), material analysis facilities (XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, SAXS, MALDI-TOF MS) and energy and combustion research laboratories (solar, wind, tidal, bioenergy, biofuel testing).

Programme Team:

• This course will be delivered by academics and researchers with broad and extensive experience across a range of chemical and process engineering, chemistry and physics disciplines.
• You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Careers:

• Sustainability has become paramount in almost every industry worldwide.
• The demand for specialists who can address global challenges in sustainability and provide insight into achieving a sustainable, low-carbon future is only going to grow.
• The broad range of skills and knowledge you’ll develop on this MSc will equip you with the industry-relevant expertise needed to provide this insight – and could give you many career opportunities in a wide range of sectors, including:
• Industrial manufacturing
• Pharmaceuticals and personal care industries
• Energy
• Biotechnology
• Waste management
• Chemical products and formulation
• Transportation
• Agriculture
• Food technology
• Environmental engineering
• Consultancy
• Policy and government
• We have a wide range of careers resources — including our award-winning Employability team who are in contact with many employers around the country and advertise placements and jobs.
• Employability events — we run a full range of events including careers fairs in specialist areas and across broader industries — all with employers who are actively recruiting for roles.

Other:

• The University of Leeds is ranked 82nd in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
• The University of Leeds is ranked in the top 100 in the world for Physical Sciences in the Times Higher World University Rankings 2024.

UK fees:

£13,750 (Total)

International fees:

£31,000 (Total)