MSc Marine Renewable Energy

Course content

Students take eight taught courses and a dissertation. There is one core course in semester 1 and one core course in semester 2. Students also choose three optional courses in semesters 1 and 2 that can be chosen from a list of options. A dissertation is undertaken in semester 3.

Degree structure

Semester 1

Core

• Marine Renewable Energy Technology

Optional

• Introduction to Marine Planning
• Environmental Processes
• Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation
• Oceanography
• Marine Resources and Sustainability
• Transition Engineering - Achieving zero carbon InTime
• Economics of Renewable Energy

Semester 2

Core

• Renewable Technology Commercialisation

Optional

• Integration of Renewable Technology
• GIS for Marine and Environmental Scientists
• Future Energy Systems in Buildings, Transport and Infrastructure
• Practical Skills in Marine Surveying
• Tropical and Coral Reefs: Monitoring and Management
• Energy Transition Lab

Semester 3

Core

• Environmental Dissertation

Career

Marine planning, including spatial planning, is a fast-developing discipline of global interest with excellent employment prospects. It has the ambition to promote sustainable development of the Blue Economy and mitigate the effects of climate change. The international "Blue Growth Agenda" anticipates increasing economic activity and employment from maritime industries as diverse as offshore oil and gas, renewable energy, aquaculture, biotechnologies, artificial islands, deep sea mining and tourism. The increase in activity requires increased vigilance in marine protection and conservation. Our graduates typically hold key positions in:

• Marine development companies 
• Utilities
• Consultancies
• Governments
• Regulators
• NGO's

Entry requirements

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

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

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 Admissions Team (studywithus@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 commencement 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 5.0 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)

Fees

Additional fees information

All course costs are covered by the tuition fee. For students studying at the Orkney Campus this includes electronic versions of the course notes.

Students should budget additional funds sufficient to cover living expenses such as accommodation, travel to and from the university, food, clothing and leisure pursuits.

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)