MSc Renewable Energy Engineering
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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 usOverview
MSc Renewable Energy Engineering is a specialist course in the rapidly expanding sector, which approaches the subject with a clear engineering focus.
The course is aimed at students wishing to develop critical understanding of the significant changes afoot in the energy system due to the development and integration of wind, marine, biomass and solar technologies. The course will enable graduates to develop and implement creative solutions to the problems encountered in renewable energy capture, conversion, storage and management.
Students will gain the knowledge and skills to assess renewable energy resources, design appropriate renewable energy systems, evaluate the performance of these systems and assess the wider impacts of renewable energy development. The programme provides introductory courses to fundamental energy science and current energy issues, while the project-led courses focus on the design of renewable energy systems. The degree concludes with a research-led dissertation in the summer.
Opportunities for practical learning
Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh Campus is home to fantastic facilities for a range of engineering disciplines. Students on MSc Renewable Energy Engineering can benefit from lab facilities such as a solar test site, a solar simulator, a test wind tunnel and IT Labs for advanced simulations. Students may also gain practical experience working with one of our industry partners as part of their dissertation project.
Number 1 for engineering research
96% of Heriot-Watt University's engineering research was classed as world-leading in the REF 2021 review, which ranked us 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for engineering research through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh.
The Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering promotes excellence across its main research themes: Biomedical Engineering, Energy Harvesting and Conversion, Multiphase Flow and Digital Engineering. Heriot-Watt University is the leader amongst UK universities in promoting energy activities through its 'Energy Academy', a virtual centre which connects all energy-related research across the University.
Renewable energy research focuses on six main areas:
- Photovoltaics and Solar Energy
- Wind and Marine Energy
- Renewable Energy Systems
- Minimising CO2 Emissions
- Biofuels
- Wind and Marine Energy
Learning aims: MSc Renewable Energy Engineering
The aims of the degree are to enable the students to:
- develop detailed knowledge and critical understanding of the core skills in renewable energy resources, converters and systems
- develop and use a significant range of principal and specialist skills, techniques and practices in renewable energy
- be able to apply this knowledge directly to complex applications
- critically review existing practice and develop original and creative solutions to problems within the domain
- communicate and work effectively with peers and academic staff in a variety of tasks, demonstrating appropriate levels of autonomy and responsibility, and
- plan and execute a significant project of research, investigation or development in a specialist area within the renewable energy arena, demonstrating extensive, detailed and critical understanding of that specialism.
Programme duration
- One year (MSc)
- 9 months (Diploma)
Watch: Interviews with our students
Watch videos of the MSc in Renewable Energy Engineering being discussed by:
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.
Material Magic
In this episode of our podcast series 'A Future Made' we discover exciting new solutions to the huge problem of waste from used PPE. Thanks to an ingenious project from the University's School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, there's scope for recycling mountains of PPE and for generating new forms of energy.
Video
Course content
Year 1
Core Modules
- Foundations of Energy
- Economics of Renewable Energy
- Renewable Energy Technologies
- Advanced Renewable Energy Engineering
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Demand Management and Energy Storage
- Critical Analysis and Research Preparation
- Masters Dissertation
Optional Modules
- Electrical Power Systems
- Heat Transfers and Heat Exchangers
- Computational Fluid Dynamics with Heat Transfer
Go Global
Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact studywithus@hw.ac.uk for further information.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Status [footnote 1] | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | 10600 | 5300 |
| Overseas [footnote 2] | 24496 | 12248 |
Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Our Postgraduate Scholarship for Academic Excellence in MSc Renewable Energy Engineering offers a £1,000 tuition fee reduction.
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 a suitable subject with a numerate background. Equivalent overseas qualifications will also 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?
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.
We are accredited by the following organisations
At Heriot-Watt University we develop degrees that are relevant for the world of work. We work with Professional bodies and Institutes to gain appropriate Accreditations and Professional Memberships for your industry. Find out below how this degree aligns to industry.
Energy Institute (EI)
MSc Renewable Energy Engineering is accredited by the Energy Institute as 'Further Learning' for a Chartered Engineer.