MSc Renewable Energy Engineering
The course
- Delivery
- Full-time, Part-time, Per course
- Course type
- Taught
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Entry date
- September
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Contact
Got questions about this programme?
Contact our enquiries team.
Overview
September 2023 entry
The deadline for applications from Scottish and RUK students is 31st August 2023. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 1st August 2023.
MSc Renewable Energy Engineering
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:
Accreditation
MSc Renewable Energy Engineering is accredited by the Energy Institute as 'Further Learning' for a Chartered Engineer.
Go Global
Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for further information.
Course content
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
Entry requirements
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)
Fees
| Status | Full-time | Part-time | Per course |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | £9632 | £4816 | £1204 |
| Overseas | £22264 | £11132 | £2783 |
Footnotes
- 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.
- Fee per course (module). Refer to the Course Content to see how many courses comprise the full programme.
- 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.
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.