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Nanomaterials
Discover how investment in nanotechnology is helping deliver major scientific and technological advances.
Course key facts
Qualification
MRes
Duration
1 year
Start date
October 2027
Study mode
Full-time
Delivered by
Location
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White City
-
Minimum entry standard
2:1 in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Materials, Biochemistry, Engineering or an appropriate subject.
Course overview
Discover how nanotechnology is set to deliver major scientific and technological advances on this Master's course.
You'll explore a growing field of science that represents a fundamental change in the way we interact with the natural world.
This area of study bridges chemistry, physics, materials science, biology and engineering. You'll receive interdisciplinary teaching towards a career in cutting-edge nanotechnology research, whether in industry or academia.
A novel research project is a major component of your studies. This nine-month project will help develop your management and communication skills and problem-solving expertise.
You'll also benefit from this course’s association with the London Centre for Nanotechnology, allowing you to embark on a wider choice of collaborative opportunities.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll take the following core modules.
Core modules
Understand key concepts in experimental and computational nanomaterials science and how scientific advances in the chemistry of nanomaterials are leading to technological applications.
Become familiar with key aspects of nanomaterials research.
Critically analyse published scientific literature, identify a novel contribution and put it in the correct context, and plan towards your final research project.
Optional modules
Explore how lipid structures and dynamics help regulate key biological processes in biology and how this knowledge can be used to design and assemble artificial cells and control molecular interactions.
Become familiar with the science and application of plastic electronic materials and understand the structure property relationships of organic semiconductors and their applications.
Examine aspects of renewable energy generation relevant to the chemistry context, including the generation of electricity and fuels from solar energy.
You'll undertake a nine-month research project, which incorporates a research proposal, project report and oral presentation.
The manuscript will evaluate your skills at putting your contribution in context and drawing conclusions.
At the presentation, you'll be expected to present your research with the help of visual tools in a concise fashion, while answering questions directly relevant to your project.
Your oral examination will probe your overall knowledge of the project and the research techniques used, and the potential future direction of the work carried out.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
This is a general guide to how teaching and learning are usually balanced across this course. The methods used may change based on the modules you take.
Key
- Lectures and self-study
- Research project
- 23% Title 1 goes here
- 77% Title 2 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
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Lab work
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Computational work
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Seminars
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Lectures
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Practical workshops
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Conference
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Presentations
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Virtual learning environment
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may vary depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Taught modules
- Research proposal
- Research project
- 22% Title 1 goes here
- 11% Title 2 goes here
- 67% Title 3 goes here
Assessment methods
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Coursework
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Written exams
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Literature review
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Research proposal
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Research project
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Oral presentations
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Poster
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Written dissertation
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Round 1
Business School courses only.
Round 2
- Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 6 January 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 3 March 2027
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 7 January 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 10 March 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 5 May 2027
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 11 March 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 28 April 2027
- Decision by Thursday 1 July 2027
Round 5
- Applications open on Thursday 29 April 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 16 June 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 14 July 2027
Round 6
- Applications open on Thursday 17 June 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 18 August 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 25 August 2027
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
Students who require a student visa to study at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø should apply no later than 18 June 2026 to allow for CAS processing.
If you are applying for a Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
The application fees for postgraduate courses are:
- £90 for all Master's applications, excluding those to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Business School
- £125 for MSc applications to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Business School
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs. This includes MRes and PhD combined (1+3) courses with the Centre for Doctoral Training.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
Unless you are from an exempt nationality, you will need an ATAS certificate to obtain your visa and study this course.
Nationals from the following countries are exempt: Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA and EEA members.
Use this information when applying for an ATAS certificate to study this course:
- CAH code: CAH07-02-01
- Descriptor: chemistry
- Supervisor name: Professor Oscar Ces
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
The description of the MRes course that you should use in your ATAS application is the below:
- Title of the research: Nanomaterials
- Description: The course aims to provide theoretical and hands-on practical training to equip students to carry out state-of-the-art nanomaterials research in future PhD studies at University or in Industry; we encourage an analytical approach to a wide range of topics relevant to research and industry and provide training in communication of scientific results.
The course consists of a set of lectures and a research project. In the Autumn term core lectures cover the synthesis, characterisation and modelling of nanostructures, as well as some of their applications, particularly in solar energy. Lectures in the spring term provide brief introductions to specific advanced topics, such as microfluidics, nanomedicine, single molecule detection, etc.
The ten month research project is conducted within active research groups at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College and typically involves two supervisors with experience of different aspects of nanomaterials research. The project starts with a review of existing literature and a project planning phase. The new research can be conducted in either experimental or computational laboratories. A broad range of projects are offered. Broadly, the projects usually involve relating device or material performance to underlying nanostructure. In addition, students will attend departmental seminars and receive training in professional and transferable skills.
Fees and funding
Home fee - MRes Chemistry courses
2026 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £15,600
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Overseas fee - MRes Chemistry courses
2026 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £43,000
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Scholarships
View all scholarshipsHow will studying at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø help my career?
Graduates of our Department go on to succeed in a wide range of sectors. These include pharmaceuticals, research and development, consultancy, financial services, food and drink, insurance, defence and data science.
What jobs do our graduates do?
Scientist, Researcher, Business Analyst, Medical Writer, Data Analyst, Sales Representative.
Who do our graduates work for?
GSK, Sygnature Discovery, BCG, KPMG, Deloitte, EY, NatWest, Oliver Wyman, Evotec, Kubrick Group, British Airways. Syngenta, JP Morgan, Deloitte, Cancer Research UK, Charles River Laboratory.
What about further study?
Many graduates go on to MSc, PhD or PGCE study at leading universities.
What careers support does 51³Ô¹ÏÍø offer?
Our Careers Service works closely with the Chemistry Department to deliver a range of careers talks tailored specifically for chemistry students.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: T: +44 (0)20 7594 2678
- Email: chemres@imperial.ac.uk
Course Directors:
: n.gasparini@imperial.ac.uk, +44 (0)20 7594 1013
: a.bakulin@imperial.ac.uk, +44 (0)20 7594 0727
View the Department of Chemistry website.
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Request info
Find out more about studying at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. Receive updates about life in our community, including event invites and download our latest Study guide.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications