Join a sustainable engineering Masters you can study flexibly, 100% online.
Most fuels and chemicals today are produced using finite fossil resources. In this online degree, you’ll develop the advanced engineering skills needed to change that.
With expert guidance, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of the engineering side of the manufacturing process, and how we can make it more sustainable.
In-demand skills in sustainability engineering
You’ll develop the engineering skills that businesses around the world need in order to meet their environmental obligations.
You’ll learn to use renewable resources, in particular biomass and carbon dioxide, to produce energy, chemicals, materials, and other products in a sustainable way.
You’ll focus on:
- the transition to sustainable energy in manufacturing processes, including the use of biofuels, biomass, geothermal, hydro, and solar energy
- the use of sustainable products and raw materials in manufacturing, including recycling
- biorefinery – producing energy and chemicals from biomass and carbon dioxide
- biotechnology for industrial applications
- sustainable production processes and technologies, including sustainable chemical processes, and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS).
You can also tailor your learning, with optional courses in solar, geothermal, and hydro energy.
This degree is also available to study full-time on campus.
Who can join this online sustainable engineering MSc?
This distance-learning degree is for graduates or professionals with a background in engineering (any discipline) or science. Its flexible study hours fit around full-time work.
This qualification is ideal for those working in energy, pharmaceuticals or manufacturing, particularly those who work with plastics, fertilisers, detergents, etc.
Choose the University of Aberdeen for online sustainable engineering courses
Fits around full-time work
This degree fits around full-time work, with flexible hours and 24/7 study access.
Earn a respected Masters degree
You’ll earn exactly the same Masters degree online as you would on campus.
You’re in expert hands
We’ve been training world-class engineers for over 100 years and delivering online learning for decades.
By the end of this degree, you’ll be able to...
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Apply engineering principles for the optimisation of manufacturing processes, including minimisation of energy consumption and of process waste.
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Apply renewable energy technologies and design principles used in chemical processes to contribute to sustainable development.
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Apply carbon capture principles and technologies, understanding their contribution to net-zero strategies and sustainability.
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Demonstrate knowledge of biomass-based feedstocks for the manufacture of sustainable chemicals and fuels.
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Describe the main differences between the use of biomass vs. fossil resources in the chemical industry.
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Discuss the role of biotechnology processes for sustainable products and processes.
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Explain the use of mineral resources, including mineral processing and recycling, for the manufacturing of sustainable products and energy.
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Analyse and evaluate current and future processes and products, identifying the challenges and opportunities for sustainability.
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Evaluate the sustainability of different products and processes, making use of appropriate tools, including: mass and energy balances, and life-cycle assessments.
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Develop and advance new and existing processes to maximise sustainability, including the use of feedstocks, energy, and the generation of sustainable products.
What you’ll study
You can choose to study for a:
- Masters (180 credits)
- exit early with a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- exit early with a Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits), or
- start with one of the short courses that make up this degree (15 credits).
You can build your way to a qualification one short course at a time.
Try our degree scheduler
Choose your courses
See all the courses that are part of this degree and choose what you want to study.
Manage your study schedule
Control the pace and cost of your degree. Decide how much you want to study each term.
Save to your wishlist
Save your schedule to your wishlist so you can view and edit anytime.
How you’ll study
Online learning
This distance-learning sustainable engineering Masters is delivered flexibly, 100% online.
You can learn with us anywhere, no student visa required, and set your study hours to suit you.
Your teaching
Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of online resources available, including:
- video lectures and tutorials
- slideshows
- reading materials
- discussion boards with your tutors and peers
- online access to our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Your tutors
This online degree is delivered by the School of Engineering and the Department of Chemistry in our School of Natural and Computing Sciences.
You’ll learn from an international team of research-active chemistry and engineering staff.
The Leverhulme Centre
This degree has been informed by research carried out at the prestigious Leverhulme Centre for Doctoral Training in the Sustainable Production of Chemicals and Materials.
The research undertaken at the Centre will shape what you study, and through it you’ll gain valuable insights into the latest tools, systems, and techniques used to promote sustainable manufacturing processes.
Your support team
Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.
Professor Davide Dionisi
Davide is the degree coordinator. He’ll be on hand to answer any questions about degree content before you start and to help you throughout your studies.
Lyn Magee
Lyn is part of the School’s administration team. She’ll be there throughout your studies to answer any of your non-academic queries.
Get in touch
The online education team is here to answer any questions you have right now about this qualification, or about studying online.
Ask us a questionWhere this will take you
Your sustainability engineering Masters degree
You’ll graduate with a respected MSc in Sustainable Product, Process and Energy Engineering from the University of Aberdeen, one of the UK’s six ancient universities.
You’ll receive exactly the same degree qualification online as you would on campus. Your degree title will not mention online or distance learning.
Your MSc qualification will be recognised by industry and educational institutions around the world, opening up international opportunities.
Sustainable engineering careers
This MSc will prepare you for sustainable engineering jobs across many different sectors.
There is a growing demand for engineers who can design and manufacture products that are both energy-efficient and eco-friendly, as companies increasingly look to change and adapt their processes in line with sustainability targets.
Industry requires engineers who have the skills and knowledge in areas including raw materials, manufacturing processes, waste management, and energy usage to create meaningful change.
You’ll develop those in-demand skills in this degree, which will prepare you for roles including:
- Biomass Engineer
- Carbon Capture Consultant
- Environmental Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Process Engineer
- Renewable Energy Engineer
- Sustainability Consultant
- Sustainability Engineer.
Lifelong career support
Our career support doesn’t stop when you graduate.
You have access to our free careers service while you study, and beyond.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Fees and funding
Master of Science
180 credits
£14,820
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in September 2025.
The fee quoted above is based on you starting your studies with us in the 2025/26 academic year.
Our indicative cost includes a 5% fee rise each year.
Pay as you go
This is a pay-as-you-go qualification.
You do not have to pay the full tuition fee upfront.
You can spread the cost and pay as you go, term by term.
How it works
- You decide how many credits to study for each term.
- At the start of term, you pay only for the credits you’re taking that term.
- This gives you control over your costs and workload for each term of your qualification.
Your personalised cost breakdown
Use the degree scheduler to plan your studies and see your cost breakdown, term by term.
Benefits of our online sustainability engineering Masters degree
Over 525 years of excellence
Graduate from the fifth-oldest university in the English-speaking world, founded in 1495.
Learn anywhere
On smartphone, desktop and laptop, with no need for a student visa.
20% alumni discount
University of Aberdeen alumni receive 20% off fees for this online degree.
Entry requirements
MSc, PgDip, PgCert
- A 2:1 BEng or BSc UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Chemistry.
You can also apply if you have:
- a 2:2 BEng or BSc UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Chemistry and at least five years of relevant industry experience.
These are our minimum entry requirements. They are given as a guide and do not guarantee entry.
Short course route to online MSc Sustainable Product, Process and Energy Engineering
If you prefer to start with a short course, you may be able to use our online short courses as a route into this degree.
Apply for this programme
- Start month
- September or January
- INDICATIVE COST
- £14,820
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in September 2025.
Apply via our Applicant Portal
