Rational and economic use of energy, with the least damage to the environment, is vital for the future of our planet. Achieving energy efficiency and reducing environmental pollution are increasingly important aspects of professional engineering. This course equips graduates and practicing engineers with an in-depth understanding of the fundamental issues of energy thrift in the industrial and commercial sectors.
The course has been developed to provide up-to-date technical knowledge and skills required for achieving the better management of energy, designing of energy-efficient systems and processes, utilisation of renewable energy sources and the cost effective reduction and control of pollution. This knowledge can be directly applied to help various sectors of the economy in improving their competitiveness in the face of dwindling resources, probable substantial increases in unit energy costs and the urgent requirement to comply with the increasingly restrictive pollution control standards.
The course is suitable for engineering and applied science graduates who wish to embark on successful careers as environmentally aware energy professionals.
The MSc in Energy Systems and Thermal Processes, established in 1972, was the first of its type to be instituted in Europe, and remains the most prestigious degree in technical energy management in the UK. The course has evolved over the past 40 years from discussions with industrial experts, employers, sponsors and previous students. The content of the study programme is updated regularly to reflect changes arising from technical advances, economic factors and changes in legislation, regulations and standards.
In addition to management, communication, team work and research skills, each student will attain at least the following outcomes from this degree course:
We have a world-class reputation for its industrial-scale research facilities and pilot-scale demonstration programmes in the energy area. Close engagement with the energy sector over the last 40 years has produced long-standing strategic partnerships with the sectors most prominent organisations including Alstom Power, BP, Cummins Power Generation, Doosan Babcock, E.ON, npower, Rolls Royce, Shell, Siemens and Total.
Our strategic links with industry ensure that all of the materials taught on the course are relevant, timely and meet the needs of organisations competing within the energy sector. This industry-led education makes our graduates some of the most desirable in the world for energy companies to recruit.
This MSc degree is accredited by Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
The taught programme for the Energy Systems and Thermal Processes masters is generally delivered from October to March and is comprised of eight compulsory taught modules and one optional module to select from a choice of three. A typical module consists of five days of intensive postgraduate level structured lectures, tutorials or workshops covering advanced aspects of each subject.
Students on the part-time programme will complete all of the compulsory modules based on a flexible schedule that will be agreed with the Course Director.
Group project
The Energy Audit group project is part of the Energy Management for Industry module. It requires teams of students to carry out energy audits on selected industrial/commercial sites. Teams must produce prioritised recommendations to reduce energy costs. Each team is expected to present findings and conclusions at various stages and submit a final report for assessment.
Part-time students are encouraged to participate in a group project as it provides a wealth of learning opportunities. However, an option of an individual dissertation is available if agreed with the Course Director.
Individual project
The individual research project allows you to delve deeper into a specific area of interest. As our academic research is so closely related to industry, it is common for our industrial partners to put forward real practical problems or areas of development as potential research topics. The individual research project component takes place between April and August.
For part-time students, it is common that their research project is undertaken in collaboration with their place of work.
Research projects will involve designs, computer simulations, feasibility assessments, reviews, practical evaluations and experimental investigations.
Typical areas of research include:
Recent individual research projects Include:
Assessment
Taught modules 40%, Group projects 20%, Individual project 40%
There is a considerable demand for environmentally aware energy specialists with in-depth technical knowledge and practical skills. Our industry-led education makes graduates of this program some of the most desirable in the world for recruitment by companies and organisations competing in the energy sector.
Graduates of the course have been successful in gaining employment in energy, environmental and engineering consultancies and design practices, research organisations and government departments. A number of our MSc graduates follow further research studies leading to PhD degrees at Cranfield and in other academic institutions.
Recent graduates have gained positions with:
Postgraduate degree course in Efficient Fossil Energy Technologies Masters/MSc
The University of Birmingham, as a partner in The Midlands Energy Graduate School (MEGS), has launched a new taught Masters in Efficient Fossil Energy Technologies.
Consisting of core and optional modules, delivered by experts from the universities of Nottingham, Birmingham and Loughborough, this MSc will encourage and embed excellence in fossil energy technologies, carbon capture and efficient combustion. It will prepare future leaders and industrial engineers with knowledge and skills to tackle the major national and international challenges of implementing new fossil-based power plant and processes more efficiently, with near zero emissions and CO2 capture.
This course provides expert teaching from three leading universities in the UK a unique partnership to allow students to benefit from a wide range of expertise. Modules studied represent the academic specialism offered by each university and the research project, taken at the university where you register, will focus on specific aspects of fossil energy technologies: Birmingham specialises in managing chemical reactions, plant design and carbon capture technologies; Loughborough in materials technologies for power generation and high-temperature applications; and Nottingham will focus on combustion technologies, power generation, environmental control and carbon capture. It is therefore important to select your choice of university carefully. Full details of these options and specialisms are in the Modules section of the Course Details tab and all enquiries are welcome.
Chemical Engineering is dynamic and evolving. It provides many solutions to problems facing industries in the pharmaceutical, biotechnological, oil, energy and food and drink sectors. It is vital to many issues affecting our quality of life; such as better and more economical processes to reduce the environmental burden, and more delicious and longer lasting food due to the right combination of chemistry, ingredients and processing.
Birmingham is a friendly, self-confident, School which has one of the largest concentrations of chemical engineering expertise in the UK. The School is consistently in the top five chemical engineering schools for research in the country. It also has a first-class reputation in learning and teaching, and regularly ranks highly in league tables.
This programme will encourage and embed excellence in fossil energy technologies, carbon capture and efficient combustion. It includes modules on power generation and technologies, industrial case studies, economics of energy and innovation and allows students to assimilate the contextual issues surrounding fossil-based energy alongside technical aspects. Coupled with the major research project, this core will thus promote enquiry-based learning which will be supplemented by a range of optional technical and contextual/managerial modules.
This course provides expert teaching from three leading universities in the UK a unique partnership to allow students to benefit from a wide range of expertise.
Related links
This programme provides a solid basis for a career in fossil fuel-powered energy generation. Comprising lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, coursework and group project work, it addresses the management of technical (engineering) activities, the development of personal, interpersonal and project management skills, and provides a fundamental understanding of the wider social and economic aspects of energy generation and use.
Modules available from the universities of Nottingham and Loughborough are available either via state-of-the-art video-conferencing facilities, so students do not usually need to attend the other university, or in person. Should any student wish to travel to partake directly in some lectures, advice can be provided on appropriate travel and accommodation.
Modules taught at Birmingham are delivered in week-long blocks; those from Nottingham and Loughborough may be in blocks or may take place on specific days/times throughout the term. Please contact us (details to the right) about these if you would like more information about this.
Graduates of this programme will be in demand by power generation companies and partner organisations working on technologies for a near-zero-emission power plant. There is a world-wide demand for engineers and scientists with high-level education and skills in energy technologies, focussing on fossil fuels, as coal-fired power stations continue to be commissioned, built and operated. This programme also provides an entry route to progress to PhD study, upon successful completion (minimum grades apply).
University Careers Network
Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.
Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.
If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.
This course is for students who want to engage with different types of settings to research and establish the energy, environmental and technological implications that exist within them. Energy and Environmental Technology and Economics students will care for the environment as a sustainable system and ultimately have a desire to improve conditions for the wider population.
Students come from a range of backgrounds, including engineering, finance and economics – and from within the energy industry itself.
This MSc degree has been designed to give you a wide perspective when it comes to analysing and forecasting the future for energy, environmental technology and economics.
The Energy and Environmental Technology and Economics MSc will help you:
The course is accredited by the Energy Institute and fulfils the learning requirement for Chartered Engineer status.
There is no formal requirement to do an industry-based placement as part of the programme. However, some students arrange to undertake their dissertation research within a company or within their part of the world. A recent student investigated the future of coal-fired generation in Turkey, and another student is combining a work placement at The World Energy Council with their dissertation.
Teaching is organised into modules comprising four consecutive day courses taken at a rate of one a month or so. This format makes the programme accessible for students who want to study part-time while working. Full-time students are also welcome.
Whether you choose to take the course as a part-time or full-time student, we will offer a great deal of support when it comes to helping you prepare for the modules and project work. You will be expected to devote a significant part of your non-taught hours to project work as well as private study.
Our course is led by an exceptional group of experts in energy, supply, demand management and policies. As an example, one of our module leaders leads the UK contribution to writing international energy management standards and informing policy through the European Sector Forum for Energy Management. This forum looks at methodologies across the continent.
There is also input to global standards development through the International Standards Organisation (ISO). At City we bring on board people with well-established academic careers, as well as leaders from the energy industry. The programme has strong links with industry and commerce and involves many visiting lecturers who hold senior positions in their fields.
You will be assessed by examination on the four core modules and you will need to complete a post modular assessment (a 2,000 to 3,000-word essay) on all of the eight modules.
You will take four core modules and have six elective modules from which you can choose four topics from diverse subjects relating to energy supply and demand.
Each course module is taught over four consecutive days of teaching with one module each month. Alongside the teaching, you will have coursework to complete for each module. The modules run from October to April, and in the remaining time, you will concentrate on your dissertation, which forms a significant part of the programme.
You are normally required to complete all the taught modules successfully before progressing to the dissertation.
The dissertation gives you the opportunity to create your own questions and to decide on your own area of interest. It should be a detailed investigation into a subject on energy supply and/or demand, with your own analysis and conclusions outlining the way forward. You may see the focus of your dissertation as a future career path, but whatever your area of study, these final few months of the degree should embody your vision of the future.
If you are interested in sustainability, you have the option of taking up to two elective modules from the MSc in Environmental Strategy offered by the University of Surrey.
Core modules
Elective modules
This fresh, new programme for 2017 is a collaboration between the School of GeoSciences and the School of Social and Political Sciences.
The world is facing an ‘energy trilemma’; how to achieve energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability. Whilst equipping students with an active understanding of low carbon technologies, policies and markets, this new MSc programme is focused squarely on analysing the social, societal and environmental dimensions of energy transitions. You will examine how citizens are involved in and are affected by changes in energy systems.
On a more theoretical level, the programme will enable you to relate supply-side issues to geo-politics and political economy, whilst energy demand will be studied in relation to broader challenges of sustainable consumption.
On a more practical level you will explore the potential of ‘smart’ ICT to affect consumption and inform strategic choices in sustainable living at household and community level. With Scotland being a world leader in renewable electricity generation (especially wind and marine), but also being economically dependent on declining North Sea oil and gas and suffering from high levels of energy poverty, this interdisciplinary MSc. benefits from close access to a high number of insightful case studies, which will serve to examine links between global and local issues, explore international best practices and identify locally suited pathways to more sustainable energy management.
Applicants receiving an offer of admission, either unconditional or conditional, will be asked to pay a tuition fee deposit of £1,500. Please see the fees and costs section for more information.
The programme has been designed to develop transdisciplinary perspectives on the energy trilemma and integrative analytical skills (qualitative and quantitative) which are in short supply in the energy sector. The full-time programme is divided into two semesters of taught courses, followed by a field trip at Easter before the dissertation period over the summer. We are happy to accommodate different working patterns for part-time students, including a half day a week schedule for three-year part time study.
The programme consists of four core modules (20 credits each, two core courses per semester), two optional modules (20 credits, one for each semester) and a 60 credit dissertation.
Compulsory courses*
Semester 1:
Semester 2:
Students will also undertake one 20 credit course per semester. The University of Edinburgh offers an unrivalled selection of relevant optional courses for the MSc in Energy, Society and Sustainability. Bearing in mind your particular background and interests, the Programme Director will assist you in your choice from a large menu of optional courses related to six potential specialisation pathways; sustainable technologies and economics, politics, development, environmental sustainability, science and technology and public policy.
Optional courses may include*:
**Please note, courses are offered subject to timetabling and availability and are subject to change.
The programme aims for students to develop transdisciplinary skills in the assessment of the transition potential of energy systems towards greater sustainability, focussing especially on the human dimension of technological change and working and experimenting with energy users to co-produce knowledge about pathways to change.
Upon successful completion of the programme, students will have gained:
UK research councils cite a major skills gap in the energy sector, one of the biggest growth sectors within the UK economy in recent years. Demand has never been higher for sound evidence on behavioural change, public engagement with energy issues, and public support for community and commercial investments in low carbon energy generation. We train our graduates to translate complex science into effective policies and new business opportunities. We have strong links with government departments, energy relevant NGOs and key industry players who want to make use of these skills. Committed to helping you meet prospective employers and network with those active in the field, we organise careers events and encourage dissertations conducted in partnership with external organisations.
The aim of the course is straightforward, in that it is designed to meet a need for engineers and energy professionals to deliver energy conscious and environmentally sustainable solutions for use by the public, industry, services and government.
It seeks to provide an opportunity for graduates and professionals to acquire knowledge of renewable energy and energy management, and to develop skills appropriate to its practice. To achieve this it seeks to increase capacity for understanding the theoretical concepts and socio-economic principles and techniques upon which renewable energy technologies and energy management strategies are founded. To this end, the course is designed to produce graduates who have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the scientific, technological issues concerning energy systems.
The programme seeks to develop graduates who will have the knowledge, insight and skills to lead programmes of change, new design or retrofit solutions that require the deployment of either or both energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies.
The eight taught modules are designed to give students a broad expertise in the ever expanding range of Renewable Energy technologies combined with the more fundamental requirements demanded by Energy Management.
The Renewable Energy programme was created to allow BEng graduates to achieve the educational requirements to become a Chartered Engineer under the Engineering Council’s UK-SPEC scheme. The course is currently accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Energy Institute as suitable for further learning towards Chartered Status for engineering graduates. This accreditation has international acceptance under the Washington Accord. Please note that the programme is only suitable as further learning in conjunction with an accredited BEng programme.
Graduates are expected to achieve skills in identifying, developing, analysing and critically appraising solutions and to apply those skills in a professional manner. The students who progress to the MSc from the PgD will also be expected to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research, combined with the management of an independent investigation in an area related to energy technology, with the aim of producing graduates with the capability to pursue a career in research and development through independence, self motivation and initiative.
Part-time, online study only. Students' engagement with online study will facilitated through the university's virtual learning environment.
For each module
Online learning: 24 hrs
Online disussions / tutorial / group discussions: 12 hrs
Independent study: 114 hrs
Total effort hours: 150 hrs
For the final year research dissertation, the total effort hours is 600 hrs.
Energy Institute (EI)
Accredited by the Energy Institute (EI) on behalf of the Engineering Council as further learning for the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
Accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Students are encouraged to consider their career development throughout the course. The delivery mode gives the students the chance to obtain an MSc in a modern and relevant subject while still working and gaining experience. This combination has impressed employers and prospective employers. Student feedback states that “the impact of learning this course enabled them to improve their capacity to manage work, personal life and college workload at the same time.”, “Personally I feel more confident speaking with and more understanding about the area of renewable technologies. It has also helped me to improve curricular areas in engineering to introduce renewable technologies.”
The demand for well-educated energy engineers is increasing dramatically, with wide ranging opportunities in the field of renewable energy and energy management generally. Graduates from the Ulster Univerrsity are employed in interesting and diverse careers in fields related to energy both in the UK and worldwide. Many are employed as design consultants, while others have embarked upon careers in local government.
The aim of the course is straightforward, in that it is designed to meet a need for engineers and energy professionals to deliver energy conscious and environmentally sustainable solutions for use by the public, industry, services and government.
It seeks to provide an opportunity for graduates and professionals to acquire knowledge of renewable energy and energy management, and to develop skills appropriate to its practice. To achieve this it seeks to increase capacity for understanding the theoretical concepts and socio-economic principles and techniques upon which renewable energy technologies and energy management strategies are founded. To this end, the course is designed to produce graduates who have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the scientific, technological issues concerning energy systems.
The programme seeks to develop graduates who will have the knowledge, insight and skills to lead programmes of change, new design or retrofit solutions that require the deployment of either or both energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies.
The eight taught modules are designed to give students a broad expertise in the ever expanding range of Renewable Energy technologies combined with the more fundamental requirements demanded by Energy Management.
The Renewable Energy programme was created to allow BEng graduates to achieve the educational requirements to become a Chartered Engineer under the Engineering Council’s UK-SPEC scheme. The course is currently accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Energy Institute as suitable for further learning towards Chartered Status for engineering graduates. This accreditation has international acceptance under the Washington Accord. Please note that the programme is only suitable as further learning in conjunction with an accredited BEng programme.
Graduates are expected to achieve skills in identifying, developing, analysing and critically appraising solutions and to apply those skills in a professional manner. The students who progress to the MSc from the PgD will also be expected to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research, combined with the management of an independent investigation in an area related to energy technology, with the aim of producing graduates with the capability to pursue a career in research and development through independence, self motivation and initiative.
Part-time, online study only. Students' engagement with online study will facilitated through the university's virtual learning environment.
For each module
Online learning: 24 hrs
Online disussions / tutorial / group discussions: 12 hrs
Independent study: 114 hrs
Total effort hours: 150 hrs
For the final year research dissertation, the total effort hours is 600 hrs.
Energy Institute (EI)
Accredited by the Energy Institute (EI) on behalf of the Engineering Council as further learning for the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
Accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Students are encouraged to consider their career development throughout the course. The delivery mode gives the students the chance to obtain an MSc in a modern and relevant subject while still working and gaining experience. This combination has impressed employers and prospective employers. Student feedback states that “the impact of learning this course enabled them to improve their capacity to manage work, personal life and college workload at the same time.”, “Personally I feel more confident speaking with and more understanding about the area of renewable technologies. It has also helped me to improve curricular areas in engineering to introduce renewable technologies.”
The demand for well-educated energy engineers is increasing dramatically, with wide ranging opportunities in the field of renewable energy and energy management generally. Graduates from the Ulster Univerrsity are employed in interesting and diverse careers in fields related to energy both in the UK and worldwide. Many are employed as design consultants, while others have embarked upon careers in local government.
Created in the context of the rapid advancement of the renewable-energy industry, this Masters programme investigates both renewable energy and systems technologies.
It is designed to build your competence and confidence in the R&D and engineering tasks that are demanded of scientific engineers in the renewable and sustainable-development sector.
This programme is studied full-time over one academic year and part-time students must study at least two taught technical modules per academic year. It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation.
Example module listing
The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
Modules related to the different groups are taught by a total of six full-time members of staff and a number of visiting lecturers.
As part of their learning experience, students have at their disposal a wide range of relevant software needed to support the programme material dissertation projects. In recent years, this work included the design of various knowledge-based and business systems on the internet, the application of optimisation algorithms, and semantic web applications.
Numerous laboratory facilities across the Faculty and the University are also available for those opting for technology-based projects, such as the process engineering facility, a control and robotics facility and signal processing labs.
The work related to the MSc dissertation can often be carried out in parallel with, and in support of, ongoing research. In the past, several graduates have carried on their MSc research to a PhD programme.
Engineers and scientists are increasingly expected to have skills in information systems engineering and decision-support systems alongside their main technical and/or scientific expertise.
Graduates of this programme will be well prepared to help technology-intensive organisations make important decisions in view of vast amounts of information by adopting, combining, implementing and executing the right technologies.
This programme investigates both renewable energy and systems technologies in order to produce scientific researchers and engineers who are competent in the R&D and engineering tasks applicable to the renewable energy and sustainable development sectors.
Its primary aims lie in developing a global understanding of the major types of renewable energy technologies, in-depth knowledge of the technology for biomass-based renewable energy, and knowledge and skills in systems modelling and optimisation.
A balanced curriculum will be provided with a core of renewable energy and systems engineering modules supplemented by a flexible element by way of elective modules that permit students to pursue an element of specialisation relevant to their backgrounds, interests and/or career aspirations.
An integrated approach is taken so as to provide a coherent view that explores the interrelationships between the various components of the programme.
Knowledge and understanding
The programme aims to develop the knowledge and understanding in both renewable energy and systems engineering. The key learning outcomes include:
Intellectual / cognitive skills
The programme aims to strengthen cognitive skills of the students, particularly in the aspects of problem definition, knowledge and information acquiring, synthesis, and creativity, as collectively demonstrable through the successful completion of the research dissertation. The key learning outcomes include the abilities to:
Professional practical skills
The programme primarily aims to develop skills for applying appropriate methods to analyze, develop, and assess renewable technologies and systems. The key learning outcomes include the abilities to:
Key / transferable skills
The programme aims to strengthen a range of transferable skills which are relevant to the needs of existing and future professionals in knowledge intensive industries irrespective of their sector of operation. The key learning outcomes include the further development of the skills in the following areas:
We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.
In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Power Engineering and Sustainable Energy at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
The Master's course in Power Engineering and Sustainable Energy places strong emphasis on state-of-the-art semiconductor devices and technologies, advanced power electronics and drives, and advanced power systems. The Power Engineering and Sustainable Energy course also covers conventional and renewable energy generation technologies. Exciting new developments such as wide band gap electronics, energy harvesting, solar cells and biofuels are discussed and recent developments in power electronics are highlighted.
The College of Engineering has an international reputation for electrical and electronics research for energy and advanced semiconductor materials and devices.
Greenhouse gas emission and, consequently, global warming are threatening the global economy and world as we know it. A non-rational use of electrical energy largely contributes to these.
Sustainable energy generation and utilisation is a vital industry in today’s energy thirsty world. Energy generation and conversion, in the most efficient way possible, is the key to reducing carbon emissions. It is an essential element of novel energy power generation system and future transportation systems. The core of an energy conversion system is the power electronics converter which in one hand ensures the maximum power capture from any energy source and on another hand controls the power quality delivered to grid. Therefore the converter parameters such as efficiency, reliability and costs are directly affecting the performance of an energy system.
Transmission and distribution systems will encounter many challenges in the near future. Decentralisation of generation and storage systems has emerged as a promising solution. Consequently, in the near future, a power grid will no longer be a mono-directional energy flow system but a bi-directional one, requiring a much more complex management.
The MSc in Power Engineering and Sustainable Energy is modular in structure. Students must obtain a total of 180 credits to qualify for the degree. This is made up of 120 credits in the taught element (Part One) and a project (Part Two) that is worth 60 credits and culminates in a written dissertation. Power Engineering and Sustainable Energy students must successfully complete Part One before being allowed to progress to Part Two.
Part-time Delivery mode
The part-time scheme is a version of the full-time equivalent MSc in Power Engineering and Sustainable Energy scheme, and as such it means lectures are spread right across each week and you may have lectures across every day. Due to this timetabling format, the College advises that the scheme is likely to suit individuals who are looking to combine this with other commitments (typically family/caring) and who are looking for a less than full-time study option.
Those candidates seeking to combine the part-time option with full-time work are unlikely to find the timetable suitable, unless their job is extremely flexible and local to the Bay Campus.
Modules on the MSc Power Engineering and Sustainable Energy course can vary each year but you could expect to study:
Advanced Power Electronics and Drives
Power Semiconductor Devices
Advanced Power Systems
Energy and Power Engineering Laboratory
Power Generation Systems
Modern Control Systems
Wide Band-Gap Electronics
Environmental Analysis and Legislation
Communication Skills for Research Engineers
Optimisation
The new home of MSc in Power Engineering and Sustainable Energy is at the innovative Bay Campus provides some of the best university facilities in the UK, in an outstanding location.
Engineering at Swansea University has extensive IT facilities and provides extensive software licenses and packages to support teaching. In addition the University provides open access IT resources.
Our new WOLFSON Foundation funded Power Electronics and Power System (PEPS) laboratory well-appointed with the state-of the-art equipment supports student research projects.
Employment in growing renewable energy sector, power electronic and semiconductor sector, electric/hybrid vehicle industry.
The MSc Power Engineering and Sustainable Energy is for graduates who may want to extend their technical knowledge and for professional applicants be provided with fast-track career development. This MSc addresses the skills shortage within the power electronics for renewable energy sector.
BT, Siemens, Plessey, GE Lighting, Schlumberger, Cogsys, Morganite, Newbridge Networks, Alstom, City Technology, BNR Europe, Philips, SWALEC, DERA, BTG, X-Fab, ZETEX Diodes, IQE, IBM, TSMC, IR, Toyota, Hitachi.
As a student on the MSc Power Engineering and Sustainable Energy course, you will learn about numerical simulation techniques and have the opportunity to visit electronics industries with links to Swansea.
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 ranks Engineering at Swansea as 10th in the UK for the combined score in research quality across the Engineering disciplines.
The REF assesses the quality of research in the UK Higher Education sector, assuring us of the standards we strive for.
World-Leading Research
The REF shows that 94% of research produced by our academic staff is of World-Leading (4*) or Internationally Excellent (3*) quality. This has increased from 73% in the 2008 RAE.
Research pioneered at the College of Engineering harnesses the expertise of academic staff within the department. This ground-breaking multidisciplinary research informs our world-class teaching with several of our staff leaders in their fields.
With recent academic appointments strengthening electronics research at the College, the Electronic Systems Design Centre (ESDC) has been re-launched to support these activities.
The Centre aims to represent all major electronics research within the College and to promote the Electrical and Electronics Engineering degree.
Best known for its research in ground-breaking Power IC technology, the key technology for more energy efficient electronics, the Centre is also a world leader in semiconductor device modelling, FEM and compact modelling.
Environmental challenges require complex solutions, bringing together scientific, social, political and economic perspectives. GCU's MSc Environmental Management will provide you with the interdisciplinary perspective and diverse skillset to help solve environmental problems in a leadership role. You can help your community manage environmental concerns responsibly, making a positive impact and supporting the common good.
The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Energy Institute (EI). With the endorsement of four prestigious professional organisations, the MSc Environmental Management offers a respected credential that's relevant to employers around the world.
You'll have the option to complete a general programme - giving you a broad understanding across a wide range of environmental disciplines - or choos among four pathways for specialisation.
The MSc Environmental Management comprises of eight taught modules. Three compulsory modules, four optional modules and a Masters project. You also have the option to broaden your understanding of environmental issues via the general masters’ curriculum or to select modules from one of four specific pathways; waste, energy, water and oil and gas.
Health, Safety and Environmental Management
This module introduces the health, safety and environmental demands that face industry today. Study the role of legislation in achieving sustainability and the use of environmental management to improve corporate responsibility..
Climate Change and Carbon Management
Examine global climate change issues within the context of the built environment and learn to conduct practical investigation into carbon management.
Energy Technology
Explore conventional and emerging technologies including waste heat recovery, energy storage and fuel cells.
GIS and Environmental Management
Study the principles and concepts of GIS and its role in environmental management.
Renewable Energy Technologies
Explore technologies that allow us to become more energy efficient including alternative energy sources, conversion technologies and sustainable energy use.
Water Quality and Waste Water Treatment
Examine water quality and the provision of potable water in the UK.
Additional Energy modules include:
Renewable Energy Technologies
Examine the renewable energy technologies most likely to succeed in the UK and other temperate countries, i.e. solar energy, energy from waste, wind, hydro and biomass .
Building and Energy Performance Simulation
Study the factors that determine energy efficiency of buildings, including properties of the fabric, and heating and ventilation systems.
This programme is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Energy Institute (EI). With the endorsement of four prestigious professional organisations, the MSc Environmental Management offers a respected credential that's relevant to employers around the world.
As a graduate of GCU's MSc Environmental Management, you'll have excellent career prospects in both the public and private sectors. Past graduates have found work with organisations such as the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), international consulting companies including Carl Bro Group, ERS Land Regeneration and Valpak, and other government agencies and consulting firms.
Climate change, growing populations and limited fossil fuel resources mean that demand for renewable energy continues at an ever-increasing rate. Use of renewable resources and application of renewable energy technologies will play a major role in future energy supply. Renewable energy is now at the heart of every informed discussion concerning energy sustainability, security and affordability.
The MSc comprises eight assessed modules, an integrated group project and an individual project. Students undertaking the Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) complete the eight modules and the group project. Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) students complete six modules, a project and a personal development portfolio.
This course is suitable for engineering, maths or science graduates who wish to specialise in renewable energy. It develops professional engineers and scientists with the multidisciplinary skills and ability to analyse current and future energy problems. This course will equip you with the advanced interdisciplinary skills required to design, optimise and evaluate the technical and economic viability of renewable energy schemes. On the engineering route, you will have the opportunity to learn state-of-the-art technical skills required to design renewable energy systems including Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The management route allows you to focus on aspects such as health and safety, environmental aspects and asset management.
Evidence is growing that production from conventional oil resources has already peaked and that, at current usage rates, similar peaks will occur in the foreseeable future for natural gas and coal.
Developed economies now face a number of challenges in procuring energy security and responding to energy pricing and affordability issues, as well as dealing with contributions to carbon emissions in line with the UK Government’s ambitious targets of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Students benefit from dedicated state-of-the-art facilities including unique engineering-scale facilities for the development of efficient technologies with low CO2 emissions. In addition to management, communication, team work and research skills, each student will attain at least the following learning outcomes from this degree course:
We have a world class reputation for our industrial-scale research and pilot-scale demonstration programmes in the energy sector. Close engagement with the energy and transport sectors over the last 20 years has produced long-standing strategic partnerships with the sectors most prominent players. The strategic links with industry ensures that all of the material taught on the course is relevant, timely and meets the needs of organisations competing within the energy sector. This industry-led education makes our graduates some of the most desirable in the world for energy companies to recruit.
The taught programme for the Renewable Energy masters is generally delivered from October to February and is comprised of eight modules. The modules are delivered over one week of intensive delivery with a second week being free from structured teaching to allow time for more independent learning and reflection.
Students on the part-time programme will complete all of the modules based on a flexible schedule that will be agreed with the course director.
Group project
The group project is an applied, multidisciplinary, team-based activity. Often solving real-world, industry-based problems, students are provided with the opportunity to take responsibility for a consultancy-type project while working under academic supervision. Success is dependent on the integration of various activities and working within agreed objectives, deadlines and budgets. Transferable skills such as team work, self-reflection and clear communication are also developed.
Individual project
The individual project is the chance for students to focus on an area of particular interest to them and their future career. Students select the individual project in consultation with the Thesis Co-ordinator and their Course Director. These projects provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to carry out independent research, think and work in an original way, contribute to knowledge, and overcome genuine problems in the offshore industry. Many of the projects are supported by external organisations.
Assessment
Taught modules 40%, group project 20% (or dissertation for part-time students), and individual project 40%.
With the current worldwide focus on addressing low carbon energy production and renewable energy technologies, graduates of this course can expect to be highly sought after by employers. Successful graduates will have the skills and knowledge to be able to analyse current and future energy needs, and design and implement appropriate solutions, taking into account the social, environmental, technical, regulatory and commercial issues. Graduates can expect to go on to a wide range of careers as professional scientists or engineers in energy production, distribution and demand management across the full breadth of industrial and public sector organisations.
Climate change and limited fossil fuel reserves are creating an unprecedented demand for renewable energy and Hull, on the Humber - Britain's energy estuary, is the ideal location to study energy engineering.
This MSc will prepare you for specialised industry roles in energy engineering or allow you to advance to specialist PhD study in energy and sustainability engineering.
A strong emphasis is placed on the practical application of knowledge. The University has strong, direct links with industry, providing you with opportunities to work on real-world engineering projects.
There are two pathways leading to the following awards:
MSc Energy Engineering: Energy Technologies in Building
A mainly design-based programme, involving energy consumption analyses in building, building services (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) systems design, as well as renewable energy (solar, ground soil, wind, biomass and fuel cell) application in buildings. The projects are specifically tailored to solve practical problems.
MSc Energy Engineering: Renewable Energy Technologies
An opportunity to study a range of technologies from PV and solar thermal to biomass, wind and tidal. Students will have access to experimental facilities in all of these areas as well as the possibility to investigate resource modeling and design of novel harvesting devices.
This MSc will prepare specialists with advanced skills in distinct areas of energy engineering. A very strong emphasis is placed on the practical application of theory.
The programme comprises a combination of lectures, practical/design exercises, tutorials, computer-based process simulation and optimisation, and resource-based, problem-based and enquiry-led learning.
Semester one comprises core modules that will provide you with a general background knowledge of the energy industry, including economics, policy and impact assessment as well as a technical overview.
Core modules:
Students will then follow their specialist path, selecting three further modules from options including:
You will develop competence and confidence in the application of engineering knowledge and techniques to a range of industrial and real-world energy-related problems.
You will develop a good theoretical and practical understanding that balances the core fundamentals with the latest industry and research practice.
A final project and dissertation will enable you to identify and apply theory and practice to the analysis and solution of complex engineering problems.
* All modules are subject to availability.
The energy engineering industry is expanding rapidly and employment opportunities are high. An increased focus on renewable energy projects is creating demand for sector specialist engineers.
This programme provides you with the skills, competencies and knowledge to be successful in the workplace or will prepare you to advance to specialist PhD study in energy and sustainability engineering.
There are many opportunities to work with energy companies during the programme, enhancing your employability.
This MSc has a host of industry advisors from companies and organisations likely to offer employment opportunities to students completing the programme.
Our industry partners include Spencer Group and NPS Humber Limited. The Humber is the largest Renewable Enterprise Zone in the UK. Green Port Hull, a collaboration between Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Associated British Ports, promotes investment and development of the renewable energy sector in the region.
Study Innovation, Science & Technology Policy at an internationally recognised Centre of Research
