Sustainable Semiconductor Technologies MSc - 2027/8
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MSc Sustainable Semiconductor Technologies
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| PGDip | Sustainable Semiconductor Technologies |
| PGCert | Sustainable Semiconductor Technologies |
Professional recognition
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | PFA61051 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
| Part-time | PFA61052 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Engineering (Master)
Other internal and / or external reference points
1. UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence and Commitment (UK-SPEC, Engineering Council, August 2020) and associated Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes, version 4 (AHEP4, August 2020). 2. QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Engineering (March 2023). 3. Academic Accreditation Information Pack for Higher Education Institutions, Institution of Engineering Technology (accessed 2023).
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences - Computer Science and Electronic Eng
Programme Leader
SHKUNOV Maxim (CS & EE)
Date of production/revision of spec
29/04/2026
Educational aims of the programme
- The MSc in Sustainable Semiconductor Technologies aims to explore the design, development and practical implementation of advanced semiconductor materials and devices that support sustainable and energy-efficient technologies. Students will gain an understanding of emerging semiconductor materials, including graphene and other two-dimensional materials, carbon nanotubes, organic semiconductors, and perovskites, and their applications in next-generation electronic and energy systems. The programme examines current and future trends in semiconductor technologies for sustainable energy generation, conversion and storage. Topics include semiconductor devices for solar energy harvesting, thermoelectric, piezoelectric and triboelectric energy generation, as well as hydrogen fuel cells and energy storage technologies such as supercapacitors and batteries. Throughout the programme, students will develop practical laboratory, analytical and problem-solving skills while gaining insight into the role of sustainable semiconductor technologies in enabling low-carbon energy systems and environmentally responsible electronics.
- To ensure that our MSc programmes completely satisfy the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer status thereby allowing our graduates to obtain professional recognition.
- To produce graduates equipped with subject specific knowledge and transferable skills aligned to the Surrey Pillars of graduate attributes and graduates capable of planning and managing their own life-long learning to equip them for roles in industry, in research, in development, in the professions, and/or in public service.
- To provide opportunities for masters students to enhance their knowledge and awareness of sustainability via consideration of sustainability issues such as the UN's Sustainability Development Goals appropriate to their programme.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles, and apply this knowledge to analyse and solve complex problems in sustainable semiconductor materials, devices and technologies. | KC | MSc | |
| Identify, formulate and critically analyse complex engineering and scientific problems in sustainable semiconductor technologies, integrating knowledge of materials, device physics and energy-related applications to reach well-substantiated conclusions. | KC | MSc | |
| Select, develop and apply advanced analytical, computational and modelling techniques to investigate complex problems in semiconductor materials and devices, critically evaluating the assumptions, limitations and uncertainties associated with the methods used. | KCP | MSc | |
| Critically evaluate and synthesise information from technical literature, research publications and other authoritative sources to inform problem solving, innovation and decision-making in sustainable semiconductor technologies. | CT | PGDip, MSc | |
| Design innovative solutions to complex problems in sustainable semiconductor technologies that demonstrate originality and advanced technical understanding, while addressing relevant societal, user, industrial and commercial requirements and considering health and safety, ethical responsibilities, equality, diversity and inclusion, environmental sustainability, codes of practice and industry standards. | CP | MSc | |
| Critically evaluate the environmental, societal and lifecycle impacts of semiconductor technologies, materials and manufacturing processes, and develop strategies to minimise adverse impacts and support sustainable and responsible technological innovation. | CP | MSc | |
| Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team. Evaluate effectiveness of own and team performance | CP | MSc | |
| Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used | CP | MSc | |
| Apply knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems in electronic engineering | KCPT | MSc | |
| Formulate and analyse problems in electronic engineering to reach substantiated conclusions | KCT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model problems in electronic engineering | KCT | MSc | |
| Select and evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to solve problems in electronic engineering | CT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Design solutions for problems in electronic engineering that evidence some originality and meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate to include consideration of applicable health + safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards | CP | PGDip, MSc |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over one academic year, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7*. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
*some programmes may contain up to 30 credits at FHEQ level 6.
Part-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied part-time over three to five years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7*. All modules are worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
*some programmes may contain up to 30 credits at FHEQ level 6.
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Module Selection for Year 1 - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
One optional module in Semester 1
One optional module in Semester 2
Only one level 6 optional module can be selected
Unstructured (3-5 years) PT - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Module Selection for Unstructured (3-5 years) PT - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
One optional module in Semester 1
One optional module in Semester 2
Only one level 6 optional module can be selected
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | N | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
Employability skills for masters students will be enhanced for those modules that have team activities. Employability is best seen via the preparation and delivery of a major personal project where demonstration and documentation of project deliverables against project objectives will be especially valued by numerate based employers. An opportunity to discuss the project with experts and non-experts during formal evaluation of the project and their peers will be invaluable.
Sustainability: Students are exposed to sustainability via choice of components and equipment and need to consider the UN's Sustainability Development Goals in their project work. Sustainability is also to be found in renewable energy generation technologies as well as the efficient use of modelling or computational methods to reduce energy.
Digital capabilities: Students on this MSc programme will have opportunities to enhance their digital capabilities skills via programming and coding exercises making use of the relevant modelling languages such as MATLAB. Students will also need to present their findings in the form of an individual and group-based report and presentation using appropriate writing and presentation software.
Global and Cultural Capabilities: Students will engage and work with other masters' students from a range of different regional and cultural backgrounds. Through peer learning and support students will have opportunities to gain appreciation of how engineering is seen and used in different parts of the world. Engineering ethical considerations require students to complete a project Self-Assessment for Governance and Ethics for Human and Data research.
Resourcefulness + Resilience features heavily in the project planning and delivery of their project. Students' resourcefulness and resilience will be enhanced as they will need to think critically and exercise engineering judgment underlying the some of the assumptions they would need to employ in advanced calculations and identify the limitations of those assumptions.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2027/8 academic year.