Jorge Daniel Sánchez Thierry Mexico
Renewable Energy Engineering, MSc
Introduction
This programme has been specifically designed to help meet the projected growth in demand for renewable energy specialists by teaching the advanced skills needed to design, build and optimise renewable energy infrastructure.
This programme has January and September start dates. Apply Now.
MSc Renewable Energy Engineering is also available to study part time online.
Watch our webinar on MSc programmes in renewable and sustainable energy.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- January or September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
According to a recent report, 40% of the UK’s power in 2022 came from a mix of wind, solar, bioenergy and hydroelectric sources. The massive worldwide growth in renewables is creating a major skills shortage as countries rush to develop more secure and sustainable energy sources.
One of the main features of this programme is its breadth and interdisciplinary approach to renewable energy. The courses draw heavily upon the research expertise of the School of Engineering and our industry partners to provide you with a thorough grounding in the technical and scientific aspects of renewable energy, including, marine, wind, solar, geothermal and bioenergy.
You will also gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges related to energy conversion, storage and integration to the grid and engage with the wider legal and commercial considerations involved in renewable energy.
Aberdeen is an exciting place to study renewable energy engineering as the city and surrounding region are at the forefront of the energy transition in the UK. There are several major energy transition projects already up and running including Equinor’s Hywind project and the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, Scotland’s largest offshore wind test and demonstration facility.
The city’s new Energy Transition Zone – part of the £350 million Aberdeen Harbour expansion – will act as a focal point for applying the tremendous R&D expertise built up in oil and gas over the last four decades to fast-track the development and deployment of wind, tidal, hydrogen, geothermal, and carbon capture storage technologies.
With hundreds of energy companies based in Aberdeen, our programmes benefit from significant industry engagement, including industry advisory panels, guest lectures, field trips, site visits, networking and careers events, and industry-supported student projects.
Available Programmes of Study
- MSc
-
Renewable Energy Engineering
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month LocationMSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time September MoreMSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time January Aberdeen MoreProgramme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £27,000 Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year UK £11,100 Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year Semester 1
Compulsory Courses
- Marine and Wind Energy (EG552U)
-
15 Credit Points
To provide an understanding of the physical principles, technologies and systems associated with renewable energy generation from wind and marine sources. To provide an understanding of the position of these sources of energy in the current and future global energy requirements and the technical challenges in meeting the future energy demand
- Energy Conversion and Storage (EG551J)
-
15 Credit Points
To gain an understanding of the need to and the efficiency behind conversion of energy form one form to another and in the need to store energy in distinct forms. To understand the reasoning behind energy losses and how they might be minimised or overcome.
- Renewable Energy Integration to Grid (EG551K)
-
15 Credit Points
The course aims to develop a broad understanding about the challenges and requirements of integrating renewable generators (RE) to grid, how these requirements can be met using converters, and high voltage direct current (HVDC) as a method of connecting RE to AC grids.
- Legislation, Economics and Safety (EG552S)
-
15 Credit Points
The course aims to develop a broad understanding about the renewable energy legislation and of the relevant aspects of economics and safety.
Semester 2
Compulsory Courses
- MSc Individual Project (EG59M2)
-
60 Credit Points
The MSc Individual Project is an independent piece of research based on a topic related to a student’s degree programme. Students are encouraged to focus on a problem confronting industry or a related area. The individual project provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate how the in-depth skills and knowledge they have gained during the taught courses can be used to provide solutions to practical problems. The individual project should contain a degree of original research.
Semester 3
Compulsory Courses
- Electrical Systems for Renewable Engineering (EG501H)
-
15 Credit Points
The course aims to develop a broad understanding about the basic concepts in electrical engineering and power systems with emphasis on renewable power generation techniques.
- Solar Energy (EG503V)
-
15 Credit Points
This course aims to provide a broad understanding of generation from solar sources, the associated technologies and the main technical challenges.
- Energy from Biomass (EG50M1)
-
15 Credit Points
This course describes in detail the technologies used to convert biomass into energy. The course covers combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion, bioethanol and biodiesel.
- Geothermal and Hydro Energy (EG503A)
-
15 Credit Points
To provide an understanding of the physical principles, technologies and systems associated with renewable energy generation from geothermal and hydro sources. To provide an understanding of the position of these sources of energy in the current and future global energy requirements and the technical challenges in meeting the future energy demand.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on postgraduate taught (PGT) programmes will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about the Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Field Trips
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lab Work
- Lectures
- Research
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
By written examination and coursework as prescribed for each course. In addition, MSc candidates must submit a dissertation on their individual project.
Why Study Renewable Energy Engineering?
- Each year the programme includes a number of guest lectures from industry figures. Recently we have had lectures from Aberdeen Community Energy, Scottish Water, Target Renewables, Total, Vattenfall and the Scottish Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association.
- Students of this programme will also get the opportunity to visit companies and view their facilities. Recent visits have included Gaskfarm, SSE and Fred Olsen Renewables.
- This programme gives a much broader learning experience than other renewable MSc programmes and provides you with an overview of the engineering and technological requirements of a range of renewable energy sources.
- Vital, broader engineering skills are taught in areas such as safety.
- New laboratory experiences are available in hydroelectric energy, solar energy and anaerobic digestion. This is the only MSc programme in Renewable Energy in the UK that offers laboratory learning on all these technologies.
- The legal and economical side of renewable projects is also covered.
- To ensure that the degree programmes remain current and connected to industry, the programme is developed and reviewed by an Industry Advisory Board, made up of experienced professionals.
- This programme attracts students from around the world, all sharing a common interest and passion for renewable energy. This close-knit global community works together across major projects, enhancing your learning experience.
- The University of Aberdeen is a partner of the Offshore Renewables Institute and students can access the expertise that sits within this Institute.
- Engage with research active staff - learn more about the renewable energy projects currently being worked on by a range of our research experts.
- Our location at the heart of Aberdeen, Europe's energy capital, and leading "World Energy City", brings you closer to the industry. The city is an inspiring place for any future energy industry leader.
- Our engineering graduates move in to very successful careers with a large proportion working in senior roles in the industry, even as high as CEO and MD level. It doesn't matter where in the world you end up working, you are likely to have a fellow Aberdeen graduate engineer working with you. Our School of Engineering truly is a global family network.
- You will be taught by, and engage with a truly international team of engineering staff. Collectively, they bring an incredible level of industrial experience and academic expertise from working on major projects around the world.
What Our Students Say
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
2:1 (upper second class) UK Honours degree, or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth in any branch of Engineering, Physics, Maths or Chemistry.
Students with a 2:2 AND 2+ years of relevant experience may also be considered
Key subjects you must have covered: Mathematics.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate
The CAH3 code for this degree is CAH10-01-09. Students who need a visa to live or study in the UK must apply for ATAS clearance. The ATAS clearance certificate must be valid when you apply for a visa to enter the UK. To find out if you need to apply for ATAS clearance, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- CV
- an up-to-date CV/Resumé
- Degree Certificate
- a degree certificate showing your qualifications
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded postgraduate taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipsCareers
Each year, there is an increase in the number of renewable energy projects being developed around the world. This steady increase in activity will continue to create jobs and it will also emphasise the need for skilled leaders, with strong engineering backgrounds.
By exposing you to the various renewable energy sources of power, and the technologies required to operate and develop them, you will graduate with extensive knowledge and skills. As well as strong technological skills, you will also develop an understanding of the commercial and project management skills required to run renewable energy projects, safely, on time and to budget.
Career Opportunities
- Corrosion Engineer
- Energy and Sustainability Adviser
- Project Engineer
- Risk, Safety and Environmental Engineer
Hear from Business
-
Gask Farm Gask Farm
The opportunity exists to visit Gask Farm in Aberdeenshire. They have an anaerobic digester at the farm which converts organic waste from various sources into methane, which is then converted to electricity and sold to the grid.
Find out more
Accreditation
This degree holds accreditation from
- The Institution of Engineering and Technology
- The Energy Institute
- Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology
What our Alumni Say
Cara Amabel Heller
Our Experts
- Other Expert
- Dr Sumeet Sunil Aphale
- Programme Coordinator
- Dr Davide Dionisi
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Features
Renewable Energy Field Trips
Annual field trips are arranged to visit a number of different renewable energy companies. One company that supports the degree is Mackies, the ice-cream and crisps manufacturer who currently have the largest solar panel setup in Scotland.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX