MSc in Energy Systems
About the course
The MSc in Energy Systems augments world-leading research from the Department of Engineering Science with contributions from the Departments of Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry and the School of Geography and the Environment.
The course is designed to be accessible by those who have a highly numerate first degree (see entry requirements for greater detail) and will be taught using a modular framework to ensure that students are able to progress at their own predetermined speed.
The course structure is comprised of a combination of teaching methods, to provide a stimulating learning environment: taught modules, a small group case study project, a whole cohort exercise, industrial and relevant stakeholder visits and a dissertation.
The taught modules are divided into three core themes: Resources, Systems and Services, exploring the production and supply of energy and the societal and political implications involved. Each module is taught over one or two weeks depending on the subject, from 0900 - 1600, Monday to Friday, and will utilise innovative methods such as project based and student led peer-to-peer learning with ample opportunity for discussion. Teaching modules will be closely aligned with current research within the University.
This approach is expected to provide students with an optimal balance of working with sector stakeholders to develop understanding from taught elements while broadening personal horizons.
Course teaching is concentrated in the first two terms of the academic year, leaving the final term for non-taught course components. The taught modules and unassessed skills training run for up to seven hours per day for all weeks of Michaelmas and Hilary terms. Trinity term is dedicated to the three non-taught assessed components of the course with the dissertation running all the way through to submission on or around the final week in the August after admission.
The course’s three foundation modules are:
- Energy Sources;
- Energy Infrastructure; and
- Energy Demand.
There are eight further one-week modules:
- Energy Conversion 1;
- Energy for Development;
- Energy Conversion 2;
- Energy and Society;
- Digitization;
- Smart Energy and Communication;
- Energy Policy and Governance; and
- Energy Systems: Economics and Markets
Attendance
The course can be studied full-time or part-time with both modes requiring attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements. Part-time students are required to attend course-related activities in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year.
We offer two- and three-year part-time programmes. Part-time students will be expected to spend a minimum of 6 weeks in Oxford each year, depending on the course elements entered for at the beginning of each academic year.
For students on part-time programmes, the Resources theme modules (4 teaching weeks) must be completed during Year 1, while the Dissertation must be completed in the final year of the programme.
The Systems (5 teaching weeks) and Services (4 teaching weeks) module themes should each be completed as a block, but these themed blocks can be completed during any year of the programme. Other course elements, including the Whole Cohort Exercise and Small Group Case Study group assessments, can be completed during any year of the programme.
Resources to support your study
As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of world-class resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.
The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK. It includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 13 million printed items, provide access to e-journals, and contain outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera.
The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a range of IT learning courses for students, to support with learning and research.
There are strong links with researchers in other departments in the mathematical and physical sciences and, ever increasingly, with researchers and practitioners in medical science departments and University hospitals.
You will have access to well-equipped research areas and workshops.
Supervision
The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Engineering Science and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. A supervisor may be found outside the Department of Engineering Science. Usually students tend to meet their supervisor for at least one hour per fortnight as a minimum but once per week is more expected.
Assessment
There are three extended assessed activities: a group-based case study; a whole cohort output based on a specific energy-relevant visit; and an individual dissertation. Each taught module is assessed by an assignment.
Graduate destinations
We would expect graduates from this programme to be equipped with skills for leadership positions where complex decision making is required eg strategic and advisory roles in Government or industry. We would also expect this programme to provide a strong foundation for transitioning into a DPhil in research in energy.
Changes to this course and your supervision
The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made if a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency occurs. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.
Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.
For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.
Entry requirements for entry in 2025-26
Proven and potential academic excellence
The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive.
Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying.
Degree-level qualifications
As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:
- a first-class undergraduate degree with honours.
The qualification above should be achieved in one of the following subject areas or disciplines:
- engineering
- physics
- chemistry
- materials science
- mathematics
- economics
- geography; or
- related numerate disciplines.
Alternatively, applicants for the part-time route who are in full-time employment may provide evidence of equivalent relevant professional experience if they do not meet the academic requirements of this programme. This should be clearly evidenced in supporting documentation and will be discussed at interview if shortlisted for the programme.
For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.7 out of 4.0.
If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.
GRE General Test scores
No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.
Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience
- Applicants will be assessed for their suitability for the programme based on prior academic learning, evidence supplied through references, and supporting information.
- Publications are not expected and will not be considered as a part of the application process.
- For the part-time route, evidence of previous professional experience will also be considered.
English language proficiency
This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.
| Test | Minimum overall score | Minimum score per component |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (Institution code: 0713) | 7.5 | 7.0 |
TOEFL iBT, including the 'Home Edition' (Institution code: 0490) | 110 | Listening: 22 Reading: 24 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24 |
| C1 Advanced* | 191 | 185 |
| C2 Proficiency† | 191 | 185 |
*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
†Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides further information about the English language test requirement.
Declaring extenuating circumstances
If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.
References
You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The How to apply section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.
Supporting documents
You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The How to apply section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.
Performance at interview
Interviews are normally held as part of the admissions process.
Applicants will be assessed for their suitability for the programme based on prior academic learning, evidence supplied through references, and supporting information. For the part-time route, evidence of previous professional experience will also be considered. Applicants will be notified of dates for interview once their application has been assessed.
Applicants invited for interview will be provided with a discussion topic on a technical subject for further discussion at interview. Sufficient time will be given to allow the applicant to prepare for the interview by researching the topic further. At the interview applicants will be asked specific questions on the designated subject to facilitate wider discussion, and to allow applicants to showcase their current knowledge and ability to consider a problem in a multidisciplinary manner.
In additional to discussion of the designated technical subject, the interview discussion will seek to assess the applicant's intellectual ability, academic achievement, academic potential and motivation. Interviews will take place via Skype with video by at least two interviewers - usually two academics associated with the course. Interviews will normally last around 20 minutes.
Offer conditions for successful applications
If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our 'After you apply' pages provide more information about offers and conditions.
In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:
Financial Declaration
If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a Financial Declaration in order to meet your financial condition of admission.
Disclosure of criminal convictions
In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any relevant, unspent criminal convictions before you can take up a place at Oxford.
Evidence of ability to study for employed part-time applicants
If you are applying for part-time study and are currently employed, you may be asked to provide evidence that your employment will not affect your ability to study and that you can commit sufficient time to fulfil all elements outlined in the course description. You may be asked to provide details about your pattern of employment and provide evidence to show how you will fulfil your commitment to make time available to study, to complete coursework, and attend course and University events and modules.
Permission to use data obtained through your employment
If you are embarking on study with the support of your employer and intend to use data obtained through your employment, evidence should be provided of permission to use your employers’ data in your proposed research project.
Other factors governing whether places can be offered
The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:
- the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the About section of this page;
- the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
- minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.
Engineering Science
Established in 1908, the Department of Engineering Science brings together the study of all branches of engineering at Oxford. It has a community of around 140 academics, 770 graduate students and 200 postdoctoral researchers and research fellows at any given time.
The department has grown to become a world leading academic unit with a portfolio that incorporates most engineering disciplines, with many faculty members working in several areas. It maintains an exceptional reputation in multiple aspects of engineering, leading in the training of young minds, and excelling at innovating - all the while working closely with companies such as Google, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover and Dyson. The department has an annual turnover of around £73m, of which research grant income is approximately £34m.
Professors work at the vanguard of new technology development, innovation, and implementation, and their research impacts on government policy, industry, healthcare, infrastructure, communications, transport, and security. The department has an excellent record of engagement with industry and of translating research results into real-world applications. It has generated numerous successful spin-out companies.
The department is located across several sites. The central Oxford buildings in the Keble Triangle house the main lecture theatres as well as many of the labs. Nearby is The Oxford Robotics Institute, a cutting-edge research institute in the field of robotics and autonomous systems, and the Oxford e-Research Centre, a multidisciplinary data science research and education institute. Other research groups and Institutes such as the Oxford Thermofluids Institute and the Institute of Biomedical Engineering are located on different sites in and around Oxford.
Funding
For entry in the 2025-26 academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses.
If you apply by the January deadline shown on this page and receive a course offer, your application will then be considered for Oxford scholarships. For the majority of Oxford scholarships, your application will automatically be assessed against the eligibility criteria, without needing to make a separate application. There are further Oxford scholarships available which have additional eligibility criteria and where you are required to submit a separate application. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.
To ensure that you are considered for Oxford scholarships that require a separate application, for which you may be eligible, use our fees, funding and scholarship search tool to identify these opportunities and find out how to apply. Alongside Oxford scholarships, you should also consider other opportunities for which you may be eligible including a range of external funding, loan schemes for postgraduate study and any other scholarships which may also still be available after the January deadline as listed on our fees, funding and scholarship search tool.
Details of college-specific funding opportunities can also be found on individual college websites:
Please refer to the College preference section of this page to identify which of the colleges listed above accept students for this course.
For the majority of college scholarships, it doesn’t matter which college, if any, you state a preference for in your application. If another college is able to offer you a scholarship, your application can be moved to that college if you accept the scholarship. Some college scholarships may require you to state a preference for that college when you apply, so check the eligibility requirements carefully.
Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the department's website.
Costs
Annual fees for entry in 2025-26
Full-time study
Fee status | Annual Course fees |
| Home | £26,580 |
| Overseas | £38,410 |
Part-time study (2 year course, TM_GP6A9P1)
Fee status | Annual Course fees |
| Home | £13,290 |
| Overseas | £19,205 |
Part-time study (3 year course, TM_GP6B9P1)
Fee status | Annual Course fees |
| Home | £9,270 |
| Overseas | £12,025 |
Information about course fees
Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges.
Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.
Where can I find further information about fees?
The Fees and Funding section of this website provides further information about course fees, including information about fee status and eligibility and your length of fee liability.
Additional information
Full-time study
There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees and living costs. However, as part of your course requirements, you may need to choose a dissertation, a project or a thesis topic. Please note that, depending on your choice of topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.
Part-time study (2 year course, TM_GP6A9P1)
Please note that this course requires that you attend in Oxford for teaching, and you may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses for this. Further, as part of your course requirements, you may need to choose a dissertation, a project or a thesis topic. Depending on your choice of topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses such as travel expenses.
Part-time study (3 year course, TM_GP6B9P1)
Please note that this course requires that you attend in Oxford for teaching, and you may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses for this. Further, as part of your course requirements, you may need to choose a dissertation, a project or a thesis topic. Depending on your choice of topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses such as travel expenses.
Living costs
In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.
Living costs for full-time study
For the 2025-26 academic year, the range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between £1,425 and £2,035 for each month spent in Oxford. We provide the cost per month so you can multiply up by the number of months you expect to live in Oxford. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to budget for the costs of a student visa and immigration health surcharge and/or living costs for family members or other dependants that you plan to bring with you to Oxford (assuming that dependant visa eligibility criteria are met).
Living costs for part-time study
Your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you will still need to cover your cost of living on a full-time basis for the duration of your course, even if you will not be based in Oxford throughout your studies. While the range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student living in Oxford is between £1,425 and £2,035 per month, living costs outside Oxford may be different.
Part-time students who are not based in Oxford will need to calculate travel and accommodation costs carefully. Depending on your circumstances and study plans, this may include the cost of a visitor visa to attend for short blocks of time (assuming that visitor visa eligibility criteria are met).
Further information about living costs
The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. For study in Oxford beyond the 2025-26 academic year, it is suggested that you budget for potential increases in living expenses of around 4% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. For further information, please consult our more detailed information about living costs, which includes a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs.
College preference
Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs).
If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief introduction to the college system at Oxford and our advice about expressing a college preference.
If you are a current Oxford student and you would like to remain at your current Oxford college, you should check whether it is listed below. If it is, you should indicate this preference when you apply. If not, you should contact your college office to ask whether they would be willing to make an exception. Further information about staying at your current college can be found in our Application Guide.
Full-time study
The following colleges accept students for full-time study on this course:
Part-time study (2 years)
The following colleges accept students for two-year part-time study on this course:
Part-time study (3 years)
The following colleges accept students for three-year part-time study on this course:
Before you apply
Our guide to getting started provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive.
If it is important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under the January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance. Check the deadlines on this page and the information about deadlines and when to apply in our Application Guide.
Application fee waivers
An application fee of £75 is payable for each application to this course. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:
- applicants from low-income countries;
- refugees and displaced persons;
- UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and
- applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.
You are encouraged to check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver before you apply.
Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?
Any general enquiries, should be made through the Department of Engineering Science MSc Programmes Administrator in the first instance. You do not need to contact prospective supervisors before submitting an application, as students will choose their dissertation topic and supervisor while on course.
Completing your application
You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents.
For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application.
If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.
Referees:
Three overall
Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.
For the full-time route, all three references should be academic. For the part-time route, one reference should be an academic reference, one should be a professional reference, and the third may be either an academic or a professional reference, depending on your previous academic and employment history.
Your references will support your intellectual ability, your academic achievement, your motivation and interest in the course and the subject area, and your ability to work effectively in a group and independently.
Official transcript(s)
Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.
More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.
Personal statement:
A maximum of 500 words
Your statement should explain your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you and/or you intend to specialise in.
If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.
Your statement should focus on your academic achievements and interests rather than personal achievements, interests and aspirations.
This will be assessed for:
- your reasons for applying
- evidence of understanding of the proposed area of study
- your ability to present a coherent case in proficient English
- your commitment to the subject, beyond the requirements of the degree course
- your preliminary knowledge of the subject area and research techniques
- your capacity for sustained and intense work
- your reasoning ability
- your ability to absorb new ideas, often presented abstractly, at a rapid pace
- your ability to commit sufficient time to study and fulfil all elements outlined in the course description if you are applying for part-time study.
Your statement should focus on your academic achievements and interests rather than personal achievements, interests and aspirations.
Start or continue your application
You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please refer to the requirements above and consult our Application Guide for advice.
Apply - FT Apply - PT 2YR Apply - PT 3YR Continue application
After you've submitted your application
Your application (including the supporting documents outlined above) will be assessed against the entry requirements detailed on this course page. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed. You can find out more about our shortlisting and selection process in our detailed guide to what happens next.
Find out how to manage your application after submission, using our Applicant Self-Service tool.