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    Key information

    Location
    Edinburgh
    Mode of delivery
    On-campus
    Delivery type
    Full-time, Part-time
    Start date
    September
    Duration
    1 year
    Qualification
    MSc

    Contact

    Contact our enquiries team

    Contact us

    Overview

    This course combines engineering and business studies and is offered by the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences but includes contributions from all Engineering disciplines represented at Heriot-Watt and from the Edinburgh Business School (EBS).

    September 2024 entry

    The deadline for applications from UK students is 30 August 2024. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 2 August 2024.

     

    MSc Energy

    Energy is an essential component of our existence. The cost, availability and efficient utilisation of energy are increasingly strong focal points in the strategies of governments world-wide, as they realise that the 'raw material' for most of the energy used today has a finite life.

    Large industries and small households alike depend on a reliable provision of energy. Energy includes not only electricity, but also heat and transportation. This degree will make you aware of the relationship between demand and supply of energy, a relationship that consists of much more than its technical component. It includes political, economic and social issues and has to be viewed on a global and local scale with respect to energy provision, consumption and costs – both in the monetary and environmental terms.

    The concept of sustainable energy increasingly moves into focus as the finite nature of our main element in our current energy chain of supply – fossil fuel – becomes more obvious. 

    We try to reflect the broad range of disciplines covering energy in this multi-disciplinary degree, which offers courses relevant to energy resources, power generation, process engineering, environmental legislation and environmental impact assessment, energy in buildings, as well as business courses in collaboration with the Edinburgh Business School.

    It is the aim of the Energy MSc/Diploma to provide a balanced, integrated course which will equip the participant with the tools needed to positively influence his/her organisation in to developing new business strategies relevant to 'energy', or in reacting to the growing portfolio of environmental legislation. The course is also supported by industrial suppliers and users of energy, who are committed to an ethical environmental policy.

    An optional project and dissertation in an engineering subject, which might be a company-specified topic or one selected by the participant, is also available.

    MSc Energy with Entrepreneurship

    Heriot-Watt also offers the MSc Energy with Entrepreneurship. This programme includes a mandatory entrepreneurship element which aims to foster an interest in generating ideas, to develop your understanding of the commercial world and to help you learn to apply the necessary skills to undertake enterprising activities, whether in the context of independent entrepreneurship or within existing organisations.

    Programme duration

    Both the MSc Energy and MSc Energy with Entrepreneurship are 1 year in length. The MSc Energy is also available part time by online learning, typically over 2 or 3 years.

    The MSc Energy by Online Learning has both a January and September intake . 

    Watch video of academic Gudrun Kocher discussing the MSc in Energy.

    Course content

    Year 1

    The course contains three compulsory modules:

    Foundations of Energy

    This module 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.

    Technology Futures and Business Strategy

    This module is designed to give all students an understanding of the inter-relationships between energy, technology and business. It includes methodologies of technological forecasting, relevant technological developments, technology transfer and integration into business plans. It covers theoretical and practical aspects of the industrial and business drivers, strategic competitive implications for companies, and issues of strategic and cultural change, as well as ethics and environmental issues.

    Technology Courses

    A range of courses is available which allows students to specialise in a particular area or to gain an insight into a range of technologies. Students will choose up to eight courses which are available in the following subject areas.

    Energy Resources

    This includes modules on Oil & Gas Field Appraisal and Oil & Gas Field Development and Renewable Energy Technologies.

    Power Generation and Transmission

    The modules High Voltage and Electrical Power Systems cover the efficient transmission, distribution and utilisation of electricity.

    Process Development

    Modules include Fluid Dynamics with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Heat Exchanger Technology and Process Intensification. Process Intensification (PI) covers concepts such as compact heat exchangers and 'the laboratory on a chip', together with implications of PI for whole plant design.

    Energy in Buildings

    A substantial amount of energy is used in the provision of building services, including heating, ventilating and air-conditioning. Modules on Energy Management, Advanced Energy Management, and Air Conditioning cover: energy management systems, energy auditing, heat transfer and ventilation, and the environmental impact of building energy use.

    Environmental Issues and Reliability

    Modules include Systems Reliability, Fire Safety Engineering, Environmental Impact Assessment, and Environmental Policy, Legislation & Administration.

    Business courses

    Up to three business courses can be chosen from the School of Social Sciences course options below.

    For Independent Distance Learning (IDL), the business modules are offered by the Edinburgh Business School. For more details, please send an email to EPS-DL@hw.ac.uk

    Project options

    A wide range of project options is available, ranging from a short (two-module) individual Energy Analysis through an individual or group project (both four modules), to a substantial dissertation (eight modules). Full-time students are required to take a project option to a minimum of four modules. Students are encouraged to carry out projects within industry.

    The course is of relevance to those in a variety of industrial sectors (e.g. chemicals, energy, and offshore), major players in the built environment, SMEs keen to exploit opportunities for new products/processes, and organisations active in advising others on energy and environmental strategies.

    Flexibility has been designed into the course to accommodate the needs of companies and employees in terms of course content, method of delivery and the overall course duration. These include full-time attendance for one year, part-time attendance or distance learning.

    Core courses

    • Foundation of Energy
    • Technology Futures and Business Strategy
    • Critical Analysis and Research Preparation

    Optional courses

    • Renewable Energy Technologies
    • Economics of Renewable Energy
    • Environmental Impact Assessment
    • Demand Management and Energy Storage (watch virtual lecture from this course)
    • Energy Technology
    • Ventilation & Air Conditioning
    • Computational Fluid Dynamics with Heat Transfer
    • Heat Transfer and Heat Exchangers
    • Process Intensification
    • Sustainable Processing
    • Oil & Gas Field Appraisal
    • Oil & Gas Field Development
    • Electrical Power Systems
    • High Voltage

    From the School of Social Sciences Courses(maximum 3)

    • Environmental and Energy Economics
    • Competitive Strategy
    • Strategic Project Management
    • Financial Analysis
    • Project Economics and Evaluation
    • Business Economics

    Go Global

    Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for further information.

    Fees and funding

    Tuition fees

    Tuition fees
    Status [footnote 1] Full-time Part-time
    UK 10736 5368
    Overseas [footnote 2] 26976 13488

    Footnotes

    1. Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.
    2. Overseas includes applications from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK. Read more about the application process for EU nationals.

    Additional fee information

    Financial support

    Tuition fee loans of £5,500 are available to Scottish distance learning students on taught postgraduate courses. Full-time distance learning postgraduate students can also access a £4,500 living cost loan. 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. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.

    View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.

    Entry requirements

    Entry

    A First or Second Class Honours Degree in an engineering discipline or in the physical or chemical sciences. The degree can be from a British or overseas university. Different degrees, together with relevant industrial experience, will be considered.

    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 requirement for English language is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

    We offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your masters programme:

    • 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
    • 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
    • 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
    • 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)

    Why Heriot-Watt?

    Formula Student

    Heriot-Watt Racing is the student-led team which takes part in the annual Formula Student competition.

    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.

    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.

    Clubs and activities

    At Heriot-Watt we have an extensive programme of over 90 sports clubs and societies to get involved in. You can try as many as you like or start one of your own!

    Edinburgh campus accommodation

    Living on our beautiful Edinburgh campus is a great way to meet others from all over the world. Our student accommodation is within easy reach of the teaching buildings, sports facilities, catering venues and the Student Union

    Edinburgh Campus facilities

    At Heriot-Watt University, we offer a wide range of services to help you deal with all aspects of your life with us, whether these be academic, personal, technical, financial or just plain fun!

    Health and wellbeing

    Student Wellbeing Services aim to provide a range of support, guidance, activities and advice to help students to be their best, and get the most from their university experience. From counselling to coaching we'll sure you are fully supported.

    Heriot-Watt Student Union

    There's more to university life than simply getting your degree, and Heriot-Watt University Student Union is all about helping you to have the best possible experience while you study here.

    Living in Edinburgh

    Historic and beautiful, a cultural capital that fuels the senses whether you love the arts or nature, nightlife or study life, Edinburgh is stimulating and inspirational and never, ever boring.

    Sport facilities

    Oriam, Scotland Sports Performance Centre offers state-of-the-art sports facilities, for all levels of sport and ability

    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.

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