Why choose this course
Could the design of novel nanomaterials based on atoms and molecules hold the secret to saving our planet from predicted climate catastrophe? Will solar energy provide the long-term alternative to fossil fuels? And how will we successfully harvest this energy?
Our MSc allows you to discover the practical implementation of nanoscience, quantum engineering, nanomaterials and nanotechnology for renewable energy generation and storage.
You’ll be taught by world-leading experts at the University’s Advanced Technology Institute, and gain specialised skills through an individual research project within our research groups, using the latest advanced equipment and facilities.
What you will study
Our MSc explores the practical implementation of nanoscience and nanomaterials for clean and green energy applications.
You’ll begin by learning the fundamentals behind nanotechnology, before discussing its implementation using nanomaterials – such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, 2D materials and perovskite solar cells.
You'll discover how advanced nanotechnology tools are used to allow us to see things at a nanoscale, while learning about future trends and applications for energy generation and storage. Topics here include sustainable energy generation from solar, thermo electrics, piezo electrics, tribo electrics and hydrogen fuels cells, and storage with supercapacitors and batteries.
Completion of the course will provide you with the essential skills needed to advance your career in the rapidly developing renewable energy field. You can take part in the clean energy revolution taking place today, where the decarbonising of energy is the number one priority all around the world.
Please be aware: the course content and modules listed for this course are subject to change for the 2023/24 academic year, whilst we undertake a curriculum design review. Please contact the programme leader if you have any queries about the course.
Our Advanced Technology Institute has more than 20 years of research experience in nanomaterials. Our expertise within the areas of electronics and photonics has contributed to multi-billion-dollar industries.
You’ll not only learn from academics in this research institute. You’ll also have the opportunity to carry out exciting research in high-quality fabrication facilities.
MSc - Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Careers and graduate prospects
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University. Our graduates have lifetime access to Surrey Pathfinder, our online portal for appointment and events bookings, jobs, placements and interactive development tools.
This course is specifically designed to equip you for work in the energy industry, most notably in the rapidly expanding area of solar energy and storage. It will also provide you with the opportunity to pursue further research through a PhD.
93 per cent of our electrical and electronic engineering postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes survey 2022, HESA).
Academic year structure
If you’re studying this course full-time, you’ll study eight modules across the year – four in each semester. You will work on your project full-time during the summer period for approximately two and a half months, whilst prior to that during semester time you will work on the initial stages of the project part-time and complete an interim report. This means that if you begin your course in February, you will complete your project in between the two semesters, while if you begin your course in September, you will complete your project after the two semesters.
You can also study this MSc part-time, taking between two and five years. The length depends on how many modules you study each year. You can study between two and six modules each year. We recommend part-time students work on their project in their final year of study when all eight modules have either been completed or are near completion.
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the Academic Hive. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree in advanced materials, electronic engineering, materials science, nano sciences, chemistry or physics, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
We’ll also consider relevant work experience if you don’t meet these requirements.
International entry requirements by country
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If your experience exceeds the typical requirements for entry to the programme, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience. If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for specific modules through your previous learning, it may be possible to exempt you from those modules, and for you to be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.
In some cases, prior knowledge and skills may allow applicants to join the start of a course without meeting the formal entry requirements.
Please see our code transfer and recognition of prior learning guide (PDF) and recognition of prior learning and prior credit web page for further information. Please email Admissions (email@example.com) with any queries.
Start date: September 2023
Full-time - 1 year
- To be confirmed
- To be confirmed
Part-time - 5 years
- To be confirmed
- To be confirmed
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2023-24 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually
- If you are on an unstructured self-paced part-time course, the fee shown is per 15 credits for the 2023-24 academic year
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
There are associated costs with this course:
- Books/stationery/admin: Costs may be incurred associated with the purchase of writing paper.
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
Scholarships and bursaries
We're committed to making sure that we offer support for students who might need it.
Brunei GREAT Scholarship
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our Charter, Statutes, Ordinances, Policies, Regulations and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/2023 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: the offer terms and conditions and registration terms and conditions which you will be asked to agree to may be different from those detailed in the examples. Our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will be available at the start of each academic year and will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing but changes (for example, to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.