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Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and their Applications MRes

Start date
Flexible
Duration
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Course Type
Postgraduate, Combined research and taught
Fees

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2024/25:
£4,778 (UK)
£27,360 (International Students)
Further fee information is available.

This course is within the Sustainable Power Generation and Supply of the Research Councils’ Energy Programme, the first of its kind in the UK. It provides systematic knowledge and understanding of hydrogen, fuel cells and their applications, including developments and problems at the forefront of the discipline.

Our Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and their Applications Master of Research (MRes) will enable you to be able to deal with complex issues, making sound judgements in the absence of complete information, and communicate your conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

You will be able to evaluate current research critically, and be original in the application of your knowledge, proposing new hypotheses as appropriate. You will be self-motivating and able to act autonomously, and will have the qualities and transferable skills necessary to exercise initiative and personal responsibility, to make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations, and to have the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development. 

Our graduates will possess a  high level of numeracy and skills in problem solving, team working, communication and information technology will equip you for successful careers outside as well as within the process and allied industries. 

Why study the Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and their Applications MRes at Birmingham?

  • Our course demonstrates the exciting future promise of hydrogen, fuel cells and their applications in a zero-emission world;
  • Industry supports our developments leading to good employability;
  • The course has an international nature, with possible international travel;
  • High quality teaching in a top grade REF School;
  • The course supports entrepreneurial spirit, with three spin-out companies in hydrogen and fuel cells founded.

Modules

The programme will focus on taught modules (60 credits) in science, engineering and team building, as well as business and management, and a dissertation. 

The programme can be studied full-time over one year, or part-time over two or three years. Modules are also available individually to fulfil continuing professional development needs.

Core modules deal with topics such as:

  • Materials for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies
  • The Energy System
  • Marketing and TQM
  • Effective Project Management
  • Business Methods, Economics and Strategy

Optional modules

A wide range of optional modules enables you to gain specific knowledge relating to hydrogen energy and fuel cell technology. You may also choose to study business, management and public engagement modules, or develop mathematical modelling skills. 

Dissertation

The research thesis will focus on any of the following areas: Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems, Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack Engineering for Domestic Applications, Hydrogen Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) Stack Engineering for Automotive, Hybrid Vehicular Systems, Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) & Electrocatalyst development, Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) Stack Engineering for Portable Applications, Alkaline Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells, Discovery of New Nano-Materials for Hydrogen Production & Storage, Discovery of non-PGM alloys Materials, Hydrogen Production from Biomolecules by Novel Methods, Development of Novel Pd Alloy Thin-films for Use in High temperature Hydrogen Membrane Reactors. 

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Fees

Annual Tuition Fees 2024/25 academic year

  • £4,778 UK students, full-time
  • £27,360 International students, full-time

Learn more about fees and funding.

 

Postgraduate Loans (PGL) for Masters students

UK and EU students (with settled or pre-settled status) looking to pursue a Masters programme in the UK can apply for a non-means-tested loan from the British government via the Student Loans Company (SLC).

The loan will be paid directly to you, into a UK bank account. It is intended to provide a contribution towards the costs of Masters study and whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs is at your own discretion.

Learn more about applying for PGL 

 

Scholarships

We offer a range of postgraduate scholarships for taught programmes and research opportunities to ensure the very best talent is nurtured and supported at postgraduate level.

  

How To Apply

Learn more about applying. 

International students applying for this programme will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before the University can issue you with a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). We recommend that you apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as you receive an offer from us.

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

The normal entrance qualification is a 2:2 Honours degree in a relevant subject (eg, Chemical Engineering, Biology, Physics or Mathematics). Learn more about entry requirements. 

International Requirements



International Students

English language

For students whose first language is not English, one of the following English language qualifications is required:

 
  • IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band
  • TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component
 

International students applying for this programme will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before the University can issue you with a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). We recommend that you apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as you receive an offer from us.

The Birmingham Centre for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research, nationally and internationally recognised for expertise in fuel cells, the Centre focuses on research and development, applications and demonstrations of fuel cell and hydrogen systems and technologies.

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in for Fuel Cells and their Fuels builds on the success of the 'Hydrogen, Fuels Cells and Their Applications' centre, which was established in 2009 in collaboration with the Midlands Energy Consortium (MEC.) Drawing upon expertise and research facilities at the University of Birmingham, Loughborough University, the University of Nottingham, Imperial College London and University College London, the CDT is a flagship collaboration undertaking research in a breadth of fuel cell related fields.

By exploring global energy problems, our aim is to train a new generation of scientists and engineers to address interdisciplinary challenges involved in the transition to a sustainable energy future.  To achieve this, within the CDT we are investigating the wide range of fuels used in fuel cells today. This includes direct use of natural gas, ethanol, gasification syn-gas and other biomass products in addition to hydrogen.

The School of Chemical Engineering at Birmingham is one of the three largest centres for the postgraduate education of chemical engineers in the UK. We have pioneered development and research in rapidly expanding new areas such as pharmaceuticals and bioproducts, food processing, hydrogen fuel cells and energy research.

The programme can be studied full-time over one year, or part-time over two or three years. Modules are also available individually to fulfil continuing professional development needs.

The programme will focus on taught modules (60 credits) in science, engineering and team building, as well as business and management, and a dissertation. 

Dissertation

The research thesis will focus on any of the following areas: Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems, Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack Engineering for Domestic Applications, Hydrogen Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) Stack Engineering for Automotive, Hybrid Vehicular Systems, Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) & Electrocatalyst development, Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) Stack Engineering for Portable Applications, Alkaline Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells, Discovery of New Nano-Materials for Hydrogen Production & Storage, Discovery of non-PGM alloys Materials, Hydrogen Production from Biomolecules by Novel Methods, Development of Novel Pd Alloy Thin-films for Use in High temperature Hydrogen Membrane Reactors. 

Their high level of numeracy and skills in problem solving, team working, communication and information technology will equip you for successful careers outside as well as within the process and allied industries. 

University Careers Network

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.

If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.