Rear view of a wind tubine with the moon in the distance

MSc Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition

Skip to section

Key information

Mode of delivery: Online
Start date: September, January, May
Duration: Varies
Qualification: MSc

Contact our enquiries team

Overview

Renewable energy has experienced significant global growth over the past decade. This, coupled with the transition to a low-carbon economy, technological advancements and policy and regulatory changes means there is demand for skilled professionals who can understand, implement and manage the transition to renewable energy sources.

Our online MSc Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition degree equips graduates with a comprehensive skill set to make a meaningful impact in the rapidly growing renewables industry. Focusing on the specific requirements of renewable energy developers, this programme will empower you to tackle the challenges associated with the transitional to renewable and sustainable energy, maximise economic advantages, and navigate regulatory and environmental obstacles. This MSc addresses the needs of various sectors in the circular economy including renewable energy developers, communities, and organisations striving to achieve net zero targets and combat climate change.

Upon completion of the programme, you will possess a diverse skill set that spans renewable energy technology, integration and development which opens up a wide range of opportunities and roles in renewable energy companies, government agencies, consulting firms, research institutions and non-profit organisations. You will have a nuanced understanding about the processes of creating and leading just transitions for enterprises, organisations and communities.

This programme is delivered by the International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT) and is focused on the key drivers of the exciting new and growing field of energy transition and transition engineering:

•   Policy and economics of net-zero carbon.
•   Renewable energy technologies, development processes and grid integration.
•   Energy transition in transport, primary production, construction and manufacturing.
•   Action for climate change through organisation, enterprise and technical shift.
•   Transition engineering in the broadest sense - discovering how to build sustainable change through decarbonisation projects.

Degree duration

Online Learning: 2.5-8 years. On average, our PgDip studied via online learning are completed in 2-3 years, while MSc degree are completed in 3-8 years. Most students intend to complete their studies via online learning within 3-4 years.

Delivery of online degrees

Our course materials are made available online through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The VLE links you with our expert academics and course materials through videos, webinars, articles, journals, assessments and discussion boards. Tutors will provide you, by phone, Skype or email, with academic support similar to that received by our on-campus students.

To find out more about time requirements, support and exams, view our How online learning works pages to find out more.

Course content

Students on the online MSc Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition undertake eight taught courses and are also required to complete a dissertation. As part of the eight taught courses on the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition MSc, Heriot-Watt online students must first take exams in two courses of the programme, Economics of Renewable Energy and Transition Engineering – Achieving Zero Carbon InTime. Based on the results from these courses students continue on the programme at MSc or at PG Diploma level.

Degree structure

Core

Renewable Technology 1: Generation
Energy Transition Lab
Transition Engineering - Achieving zero carbon InTIME
Future Energy Systems in Buildings, Transport and Infrastructure
Renewable Technology Commercialisation
Integration of Renewable Technology
Economics of Renewable Energy
ILES Environment Dissertation

Optional

Environmental Processes
Oceanography
Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation

Detailed degree guide

Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive Skills

Taught modules deliver core knowledge and understanding, for example: patterns of existing energy use; renewable resource distribution; and the current state of technology. Cognitive skills are developed through problem solving and the application of methods and models (e.g. EIA risk assessment, resource estimation economic appraisal techniques etc)

Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research Informed Learning)

Students are encouraged to read beyond the course material provided, and merit is given for this in assessments. Assignments are designed so that significant research is required beyond the information contained in the course notes and lectures. The dissertation requires the development and execution of a research methodology.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

A variety of approaches are taken to teaching and learning. Conventional lectures are combined with problem solving tutorial sessions. Coursework is designed to develop problem solving skills rather than solely testing knowledge. Comprehensive notes accompany all lectures.

IDL students are supplied with detailed course notes, these include: references for further reading (web based where possible); end of chapter questions with answers; a series of un-assessed study tasks which require research beyond the contents of the course material; a mock exam with model answers.

Assessment Policies

Assessment is based on a combination of examination, project work (65% project 35% exam). Course work involves a balance of individual and teamwork. Where team projects are used an effort is made to identify individual assigned elements for the purposes of assessment. Presentations and self evaluation tasks are also assessed and awarded credit. Feedback is provided on all assessments (usually this is written and individual).

The DL course necessarily places more emphasis on examination (42% project 58% exam) with some modules being assessed 100% by examination. However a dissertation plus a project module ensures that a significant proportion of the assessment is non-examination.

"MSc Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition will provide a holistic view of renewable energy within society and the natural world. Whatever your background, you should learn enough about the environment, technology, and the social and economic context of renewable energy to be able to converse with specialists from any discipline."

Dr David Woolf,
MSc Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition

Meet the Team

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Tuition fees
Status	Per course ^{[footnote 1]}	Dissertation/Project ^{[footnote 1]}
UK / EU / Overseas	GBP1235	GBP1750

The tuition fees listed are for courses starting between September 2023 and August 2024. Fees normally increase annually. Find out more about our tuition fees.

Additional fee information

Financial support

Tuition fee loans are available to Scottish distance learning students on some taught postgraduate courses. Find out more from the Students Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)

Scholarships and bursaries

We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Each year, hundreds of students enhance their educational experience through a variety of Heriot-Watt and externally funded scholarships, including opportunities funded by the University's generous alumni community, based all over the world.

View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.

Entry requirements

Masters (MSc)

Masters (MSc) level entry applicants must have one of the following:

Minimum of 2:2 honours degree or equivalent academic qualification in a related subject area.
For postgraduate conversion courses, non-related degrees will be considered.
Corporate (or chartered) membership of relevant professional institutions will also be considered.

As part of the eight taught courses on the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition MSc, Heriot-Watt online students must first take exams in two courses of the programme, Economics of Renewable Energy and Transition Engineering – Achieving Zero Carbon InTime. Based on the results from these courses students continue on the programme at MSc or at PG Diploma level.

PG Diploma

PG Diploma level entry applicants must have an ordinary degree in a related subject area and relevant post qualification industry experience.

Heriot-Watt Online students on Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition MSc undertake eight taught courses and a dissertation. Students must first take exams in two courses of the programmes, Economics of Renewable Energy and Energy in the 21st Century. Based on the results from these courses students continue on the programme at MSc or at PG Diploma level.

Candidates who do not meet the above entry requirements or have no formal academic qualifications will be considered individually based on their CV and possibly interview. Admission via this route will be at the discretion of the Director of Recruitment.

Recognition of prior learning

We are committed to providing study opportunities to applicants who have a wide range of prior experiences through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). For more information on RPL, please contact the Online Admissions Team (egis-idl-apps@hw.ac.uk) ahead of application. We can only consider requests for RPL at the time of application to a course of study.

English language requirements

If English is not the applicant's first language a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required with all elements passed at 6.0 or above. Please refer to English language requirements for further details.

Some applicants may be asked for alternative evidence in line with UKVI recognised English speaking countries. Applicants who have previously successfully completed courses delivered in the medium of English language may be considered and will be required to provide documentary evidence of this. Examples would be secondary school education or undergraduate degree. A minimum of at least one year of full-time study (or equivalent) in the medium of English language will be required.

All evidence of English language needs to be dated within two years of the start of study.

We also offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your master's programme:

20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no more than one skill at 4.5)
10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with minimum of 5.0 in all skills)
6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with minimum of 5.5 in reading and writing and minimum of 5.0 in speaking and listening)

Employability

The MSc Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition degree is designed to provide graduates with inter-related skills in the renewables sector. It addresses the needs of renewable energy developers as they seek to maximise economic benefits whilst grappling with challenges of overcoming regulatory and environmental issues, and securing finance.

Our graduates typically hold a wide spectrum of key positions within renewable energy technology developer companies, project development companies, utilities consultancies, governments, regulators and NGO's.

Graduate profiles

Visit our graduate profiles page to learn what some of our graduates said about their experiences studying for an MSc Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition* at Heriot-Watt University.

* Previously known as MSc Renewable Energy Development

Why Heriot-Watt?

Flexibility and affordability

Study at a time and pace that suits you, and even while you work. HW Online offers pay-as-you-study courses and fees inclusive of exams and study materials, meaning you can focus on success, not extra costs.

Your career

Employers around the world actively seek out our graduates because they are work-ready. All our degrees are career-focused and relevant to the needs of industry. Around 95% of our students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating.

Online events

We host online events throughout the year, giving you the opportunity to speak to our academic teaching staff, meet students, find out what it is like to study using our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and discover how to enrol.

Lifelong connections

Upon completing your studies you will automatically join the UK's oldest alumni association The Watt Club, with 147k members worldwide.

Get degree news and updates

Subscribe now

MSc Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition

Skip to section

Key information

Contact our enquiries team