Study Postgraduate

MSc Renewable Energy Engineering

The course

Delivery type
Weekday evenings and Saturday
Duration
1 year (full-time) / 2 years (part-time)
Intake date
September, January* (* part-time only)
Location
Dubai
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Overview

This programme gives an overview of the provision and use of energy in the world today, but allows the student to specialise in the rapidly expanding area of renewable energy engineering. The programme is aimed at students wishing to develop a critical understanding of the significant changes afoot in the energy sector due to the development and integration of wind, marine, biomass and solar technologies.

The programme will provide graduates of a calibre capable of developing and implementing creative solutions to the problems encountered in renewable energy capture, conversion, storage and management.

Heriot-Watt recognises that learning needs to be flexible and this programme allows experienced and recent graduates to tailor the programme content and structure to their specific needs. The University uses a virtual learning environment (VLE) called Vision, which can be accessed via the internet.

Students will study courses and submit assignments at their own pace through Vision as well as attend evening and weekend lectures and tutorials. This balances private study with attendance at the University, allowing students to work towards a recognised degree alongside their professional career.

Professional recognition

Graduates of the master’s programme meet the academic requirements for membership of the Energy Institute.

January entrants

Students starting the programme in January should note that it runs part-time only for four semesters (24 months) plus dissertation (March to August, six months), for a total of 30 months).

Students enrolling for the January intake programmes are not required to be on campus during the summer break.

Accreditation

Read more about the UAE Federal Accreditation.

Course content

A broad range of energy disciplines are reflected in this degree, which covers Energy Resources, Energy Efficiency, Environmental Legislation and Environmental Impact Assessment. The programme structure is outlined below.

Semester 1

Mandatory

Foundations of Energy
This course is designed to give students an overview over all aspects of energy, from the resources and their extraction to energy use, as well as energy within the environmental, social and economic context.

Renewable Energy Technologies
This course provides an introduction to the various technologies which are available to utilise renewable energy resources and to convert them into a form which is useful in a modern community. It gives the student the knowledge to calculate the availability of such resources and evaluate their potential.

Economics of Renewable Energy
This course covers pricing mechanisms applied to energy, the economics of extracting energy and the cost-efficiency of renewable technologies. It also examines economic instruments for the environment, such as pollution taxes, tradable pollution permits, environmental valuation. and economic incentives.

Optional (choose one)

Computational Fluid Dynamics with Heat Transfer
To develop an understanding of what is involved in obtaining valid computational simulations of fluid flow and heat transfer problems.

Electrical Power Systems
This course addresses the operation of interconnected electrical power systems. Such interconnected power systems combine a number of different components, generators, transmission lines, transformers and motors, which must be appreciated to understand the operation of the interconnected system.

Semester 2

Mandatory

Advanced Renewable Energy Engineering
This course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to design a renewable energy system and convey this knowledge via a design-based approach. Students will work on developing an on-paper design for an on- or off-grid renewable energy system throughout the term, supported by lectures covering all aspects of the design.

Critical Analysis and Research Preparation
Prior to undertaking the dissertation students learn the fundamentals of undertaking a research project and lay the groundwork for their dissertation.

Optional (choose two)

Environmental Impact Assessment
All developments have an impact on the environment, and conventional and renewable energy plant are no exception. This course examines the principles and legal requirements for assessing the environmental impact a development will have.

Demand Management & Energy Storage
Energy supply grids are traditionally designed to meet the demands of all consumers. This requires overcapacity and often the use of inefficient generators, as well as the introduction of novel and often small scale and intermittent energy sources, exacerbates the difficulty. This course investigates methods of managing demand to avoid some of the problems and storing energy to meet peaks in demand, or make up for intermittent supply.

Thermodynamics 2
Provides insight into applied thermodynamics which would form the basis of further study, research or professional engineering in the area of thermodynamics or heat transfer. This includes an understanding of the factors that influence heat exchanger performance, particularly when there are changes in operational conditions.

Summer Session

Mandatory

Master's Dissertation 
A wide range of project options is available. Some are suggested by the staff, alternatively students may suggest their own project for the dissertation and agree this with a supervisor and the programme director. Students are encouraged to carry out projects within industry.

Career

Many of the students on this programme are in employment and can enhance their career prospects with their current employer by gaining the MSc in Renewable Energy Engineering, both by virtue of the qualification and because they are able to contribute more by applying the knowledge and skills they acquire. This programme also equips graduates from other areas to move into employment in this exciting field as the renewable energy sector continues to grow in importance.

Entry requirements

For MSc entry, a good relevant Honours degree (first or second class) from a relevant subject area will be considered. Suitable backgrounds include chemical and process engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, environmental and civil engineering, marine engineering, aerospace/aeronautical engineering, and energy and power generation. Applicants with qualifications in chemical or physical sciences, supported by a strong mathematics background and coursework in subjects such as fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics, can also be considered.

To find out more about the specific entry requirements for your country, please refer to our International Entry Requirements.

If you hold a degree from a different background and believe you may qualify for this programme or to find out more about the entry requirements for this programme, please send an email to dubaienquiries@hw.ac.uk

English language requirements

Where English was not the medium of instruction at secondary school, applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 (with all elements passed at 6.0 or above). Applicants who have completed secondary and tertiary education will need to provide documentary evidence. A minimum of one year full-time study in English will be required.

Fees and funding

  • AED 99349*

* All tuition fees inclusive of VAT

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See our range of degree entry, undergraduate, postgraduate taught and PhD scholarships and discounts.