Skip to main content
Degree type

MSc

Course length

1 year full-time

Location

Durham City

Programme code

H1KF09

Ready to Apply?
1

Course details

The MSc in Renewable and Sustainable Energy will equip you with the necessary insight and experience to be able to make a major contribution in tackling the ever-growing challenges faced across the globe to achieve energy and environmental sustainability.

Using the latest engineering tools to support your work, you will develop an understanding of energy systems and the application of renewable and sustainable energy technologies including electricity generation from renewable and conventional sources, smart networks and low carbon and electric vehicles, and decarbonised heating and cooling systems.

As well as traditional taught modules, you will learn important collaborative working skills by joining with fellow students to undertake group advanced design work, to the appropriate design standards and using complex engineering analysis tools, which will develop your ability to work cooperatively and share ideas.

You will also have the opportunity to develop your own skills and abilities in innovation and application by undertaking a major research and development project which will allow you to demonstrate how you would aim to solve challenges in energy and environmental sustainability.

The MSc in Renewable and Sustainable Energy gives you the tools to address a topic of global importance and understand the wide range of technical, economic and social issues associated with the generation and use of energy from renewable and sustainable sources.

Course structure

Core modules:

Research and Development Project offers you an exciting challenge as part of the development of your electronic engineering knowledge. With the support of a supervisor, you will identify and apply the specific methods required for investigating your chosen subject. You will then generate data and carry out an analysis in order to make recommendations and findings that you will present in a report.

Group Design Project sees your participation with colleagues in a complex engineering system design task which will develop your knowledge of system design, introduce the concept of interdisciplinary design teams and will enable you to apply knowledge gained in lectures to a complex engineering problem.

Future Vehicles 4 looks at future transport devices, explaining their characteristics and their technical and economic constraints and possibilities for the future. It will introduce you to analytical methods and simulation tools for system design and analysis.

Renewable Energy Technologies 4 provides you with an overview and description of the major renewable energy technologies and an explanation of the working principles of systems for the major renewable energy technologies. It will also explain the technical, as well as economic, constraints and solutions of renewable energy technology.

Smart Energy Networks 4 describes the characteristics of energy networks, explains their working principles of systems for integrating renewable energy sources and sets out explanations for the technical constraints and potential solutions related to smart energy networks.

Decarbonisation of Heating and Cooling 4 provides a detailed look at the characteristics of heating and cooling systems that are not based on carbon technologies.

Electrical Energy Conversion 4 looks at the characteristics of renewable electrical energy conversion and offers explanations for the working principles of systems for renewable electrical energy conversion, and the technical and economic constraints and potential solutions associated with renewable electrical energy conversion.

In recent years, optional modules have included:

  • Internet of Everything 4
  • Optimisation 4
  • Environmental Engineering 4

Learning

Offering a combination of taught modules, a group design project and major individual research and development project, the course offers a varied and challenging experience to develop knowledge and understanding of a key global issue.

Core taught modules typically involve 38 hours of lectures, supported by independent learning. A group design project offers the opportunity to learn a wide range of skills and develop technical expertise in the application of system design ideas, with an emphasis on energy systems and sustainability.

This project will help boost your presentation skills and your ability to project manage and to work in a team with colleagues. Importantly, you will also be able to develop your research skills.

You will also complete an individual research and development project, with the support of a supervisor who will hold regular meetings to check on your progress and to discuss any planning issues.

Throughout your research project, you will have 12 hours of quality contact time with your supervisor and more than 500 hours of research work and preparation, during which you will be supported by the Department’s technicians and research staff.

As well as the core modules, you will also select one of three optional modules.

Assessment

The course assessment is rigorous and includes a combination of project work, written exams and presentations.

Following the completion of the research and development project, you will be required to submit a report on your work, in the style and format of a research paper. You will also have an oral examination centring on the technical aspects of your project.

Finally, you will be required to create and deliver a presentation of your project in poster form to staff and colleagues, which will help develop your communication skills.

Entry requirements

A UK first or upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in engineering, sciences (physics) or a relevant related subject. Plus the usual language requirement.

English language requirements

Fees and funding

The tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Scholarships and Bursaries

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities. 

Find out more about Scholarships and Bursaries

Career opportunities

Engineering and Computing Sciences, School of

No information is available at present - please consider using our Ask Us facility for assistance.

Department information

Engineering and Computing Sciences, School of

No information is available at present - please consider using our Ask Us facility for assistance.

Apply

Find out more:

Apply for a postgraduate course (including PGCE International) via our online portal.  

Visit Us

The best way to find out what Durham is really like is to come and see for yourself!

Join a Postgraduate Open Day
  • Date: 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2024
  • Time: 09:00 - 17:00
Find out more
Self-Guided Tours
  • Date: 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2024
  • Time: 09:00 - 16:00
Find out more

Similar courses

Advanced Mechanical Engineering - MSc

Program Code: H1KA09
Start: September 2025
Advanced Mechanical Engineering

Biomedical Engineering - MSc

Program Code: H1KH09
Start: September 2025
Biomedical Engineering

Civil Engineering - MSc

Program Code: H1KB09
Start: September 2025
Civil Engineering

Electrical Engineering - MSc

Program Code: H1KD09
Start: September 2025
Electrical Engineering

Electronic Engineering - MSc

Program Code: H1KE09
Start: September 2025
Electronic Engineering