Key information
Advance your career in construction with an RICS and CIOB-accredited online MSc that builds the skills to manage projects, people and performance globally.
- Level
- Postgraduate
- Delivery type
- Self-paced
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Location
- Online
- Duration
- Flexible
- Start date
- January, May, September
Programme overview
Study Energy at a global leader in renewables and sustainable engineering education.
The online MSc Energy at Heriot-Watt University combines engineering and business disciplines to equip you with the knowledge and skills to lead in the global energy transition. Accredited by the Energy Institute (EI), this programme provides both the technical depth and strategic insight needed to design, analyse, and manage sustainable energy systems across industries.
You’ll explore energy generation, conversion, and consumption from both technical and economic perspectives — developing an understanding of how innovation, policy, and environmental responsibility intersect in today’s energy landscape. Delivered fully online, the MSc allows you to build your expertise while continuing to work, study, and progress professionally.
Accredited
Dual-accredited degree. Accredited by both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
Industry
Industry-driven learning. Developed with input from industrial suppliers and energy users committed to sustainable practice.
Flexible
Complete your MSc fully online and in as little as two and a half years or pace your learning around your career and life.
The MSc Energy prepares you to shape the sustainable future of the global energy sector. You’ll gain a strong foundation in renewable technologies, systems design, and environmental impact assessment, while also developing leadership and management skills relevant to industry and policy roles.
You’ll be taught by academics actively engaged in energy research and innovation, ensuring your learning reflects the latest developments in clean technology, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction.
By studying this MSc Energy you will:
- Develop a deep understanding of energy production, conversion, and consumption systems.
- Gain expertise in sustainable design, renewable technologies, and energy management.
- Build advanced analytical and problem-solving skills for technical and strategic decision-making.
- Apply engineering and business knowledge to real-world energy challenges.
- Progress towards professional recognition through Energy Institute accreditation.
Upcoming application dates
Apply by 15 December to join the upcoming intake starting in January. Study online at your own pace and gain an industry-recognised qualification in sustainable building design.
Apply nowStudent experience
Heriot-Watt University is a global leader in energy and renewables research, recognised for its innovation in sustainable engineering and environmental technology. Our academics are active researchers working with industry on real-world challenges, ensuring that what you study reflects current global energy priorities.
The MSc Energy programme is supported by major industrial suppliers and energy users committed to ethical and sustainable practice. This partnership ensures your learning remains industry-relevant and future-focused — equipping you with the skills to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving sector.
Course content
Students on the Energy MSc undertake eight taught courses and a dissertation.
Core courses
- Foundations of Energy
- Technology Futures and Business Strategy
- Critical Analysis and Research Preparation
Optional courses
- Supply Chain Management, Decarbonisation and Renewable Energy
- Energy Transition Lab
- Transition Engineering – Achieving Zero Carbon InTIME
- Electrical Power Systems
- Distributed Generation
- Process Intensification
- Sustainable Processing
- Renewable Energy Technologies
- Computational Fluid Dynamics with Heat Transfer
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Demand Management and Energy Storage
- Economics of Renewable Energy
- Heat Exchangers and Heat Transfer
- Advanced Thermodynamic Applications
- Quality Management
- Project Management
- Systems Thinking and Analysis
- Strategic Project Management
- Principles of Environmental and Energy Economics
- Principles of Microeconomics
- Making Economic Policy
- Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation
- Design of Low Carbon Buildings
- Energy Systems and Buildings
- Ventilation and Air Conditioning
- Project Management: Strategic Issues
- Project Management: Theory and Practice
Dissertation
- Master’s Dissertation
Study at your own pace
Our flexible online model allows you to study wherever you are in the world, while continuing to work and apply new knowledge in your role. Complete your MSc in as little as 2 and a half years or spread your studies over a longer period to suit your commitments.
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Fees and funding
Tuition is available on a pay-per-course basis.
| Per course | Dissertation | Full programme |
| £1,255 | £1,810 | £11,850 |
Fees apply to courses starting between September 2025 and August 2026. Fees include one assessment attempt and may increase annually. Find out more about our tuition fees.
Funding opportunities
Pay Per Course
All our programmes offer the flexibility to pay course-by-course, allowing you to spread the cost of your tuition over the lifetime of your studies.
20% Alumni Discount
If you are a Heriot-Watt alumnus, you qualify for 20% off your programme fees. For more information on how to claim your alumni discount contact hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk.
Employer Sponsorship
All our programmes offer the flexibility to pay course-by-course, allowing you to spread the cost of your tuition over the lifetime of your studies.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
We welcome applications from graduates and professionals with backgrounds in engineering, construction, architecture, project management, or related disciplines.
Standard entry requirements
Applicants should be able to:
- First or Second Class Honours Degree in an engineering discipline or in the physical or chemical sciences or equivalent.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes and 5th in the UK, which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country. We're also ranked 1st in Scotland for producing CEO and MDs (Novuna Business Cash Flow 2023).
We're Scotland's most international University, with five global campuses and a global community of 60,000 online students and alumni from over 158 countries. Our online programmes are designed and developed by the same faculty who teach on our global campuses - expert academics and leaders in research and innovation who work alongside industry to find solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.
Together, we shape your future.
Industry
Industry-aligned education. Supported by leading energy suppliers and users committed to sustainable and ethical practice.
Accredited
Professional recognition. Accredited by the Energy Institute (EI), providing a pathway to Chartered Engineer status.
Flexible
Complete your MSc fully online and in as little as two and a half years or pace your learning around your career and life.
Employability
With our flexible model you can earn while you learn, build your CV, and apply new skills right away. Get free access to 500+ industry credentials and dedicated Careers Service support.
Potential career paths
- Energy Engineer
- Sustainability Specialist
- Energy Analyst or Auditor
- Environmental Consultant
- Energy and Carbon Manager
Your Online experience
Explore Heriot-Watt Online as a student
