Renewable Energy - Taught Programme

Programme Details

Welcome to the University of Aberdeen's Master of Science Degree in Renewable Energy. The programme has been designed to provide students with a detailed knowledge of the technology required to ensure energy provision in the renewables industry. Students get both a theoretical and practical grounding equipping them to become future managers of energy projects. Teaching is by specialist staff drawn from Engineering, Chemistry, Geography and Environment, and the Energy Industry each of whom are highly regarded in their field of expertise.

The programme is constantly updated to reflect the current and future needs of the energy industry. One of the main features of the MSc Programme is its interdisciplinary nature, being suitable for students with mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical and other suitable engineering backgrounds. In special cases, the Programme is also made available to those with relevant science backgrounds.

A Talented Tomorrow Today

Tomorrow depends on talented, enterprising people - like those who make up our community of innovators. The University of Aberdeen has a proven track record of preparing graduates for the Energy sector. Students benefit from research active staff, and from close proximity and good working relationships with industry. Aberdeen is at the heart of the energy industry in Europe, a factor that makes it possible to offer a curriculum that is highly relevant to the needs of employers, within a cutting-edge research environment.

Programme Duration

• MSc 12 months full-time
• PgDip 9 months full-time

Syllabus

The programme consists of the following modules:

First Half Session

• Project Management
• Renewable Energy Technologies
• Energy Technologies: Current Issues and Future Directions
• Fundamental Concepts in Safety Engineering

Second Half Session

• Chemistry of RenewablesElectrical Systems for Renewable Energy
• Spatial Planning and the Energy Sector
• Advanced Topics in Renewable Energy
• Vision 2020 Route to Compliance

Dissertation (MSc Candidates Only)

For full-time students taking the MSc Programme over 12 months, a dissertation is to be prepared on work undertaken during the final individual project, which will normally be specified in collaboration with industrial partners, supervised either in the School of Engineering or in the companies, and carried out from June to September. Please note that an industry placement is not compulsory and cannot be guaranteed.

Assessment

The principal method of student assessment is through written examinations. Examinations for the first half-session courses are in last two weeks of January and those for the second half-session are in May. Candidates are normally expected to pass all examinations and all projects submissions. MSc candidates must submit a dissertation on their project, and may be required to undergo an oral examination.

Teaching

This Programme is currently offered as a full-time, on-campus, course. The duration of the Programme is 12 months, starting in late September.

The taught part of the Programme consists of two half-sessions: the first running from September to late January, and the second from late January to mid June. The two half-sessions comprise courses that are taught by staff from the School of Engineering, Department of Chemistry, and Department of Geography and Environment.

The courses are assessed both by written examination and coursework.

After the second half-session written examinations in May/June, students registered for the MSc degree start an industry or school based project, where this can be arranged, and at the end of this period, an individual project report, in the form of a dissertation, has to be handed in and examined by our External Examiners, who will may also make an oral examination of some students on all aspects of the Programme. The final assessment takes account of performance in all parts of the Programme and examinations.

Programme Intakes

We have a single intake of students each year in September. Late applications may be asked to wait until the next intake should the programme manager feel there is insufficient time to consider the application. Prospective students are advised to apply as early in the year as possible to secure a place. Overseas students wishing to study on programme are particularly advised to apply in plenty of time to allow visa applications to proceed in a timely manner.

Requirements

Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is a 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 at a 2:1 (upper second) class or above; or honours degree in a relevant Physical Sciences subject also at 2:1 or above.

It is important when submitting an application that you ensure you have completed all the necessary sections and enclosed all the relevant documentation to ensure that your application can be processed as quickly as possible.

Even if you have been educated in the medium of English you must meet our English Language requirements. These are located at www.abdn.ac.uk/sras/international/english.shtml. This programme requires that you meet the 'Postgraduate Standard' level of English proficiency. If you are in doubt about your proficiency in English, contact the British Council office or its equivalent in your country. If your first language is not English, it is important that your proficiency in English is good in order for you to study successfully at the University of Aberdeen . Without this ability you will find great difficulty in understanding lectures, producing written work and sitting examinations.

We have one intake of students each year in September. Late applications may be asked to wait until the next intake should the programme coordinator feel there is insufficient time to consider the application. Prospective students who require a visa to study in the UK are advised to apply as early in the year as possible to secure a place. Applications received after 30th June from students who need to apply for a visa to study in the UK will not be processed for entry in September of that year but may be considered for entry the following year as appropriate.

It is important to note that the programmes of postgraduate study at the University of Aberdeen are very competitive and the entry requirements stated are a guide to the minimum requirements, but do not guarantee entry.

Fees

Information on tuition fees, including the current fee level, can be found on the University Registry website.

Funding

Funding opportunities can be found in our searchable Funding Database. You are advised to search the database as a broad range of funding exists much of which you may be eligible for.

A list of funding opportunties is also maintained on the College of Physical Sciences Funding Page.

No Boundaries. Just Possibilities.

Thanks to additional funding from the Scottish government this programme has funded places for Scottish and EU Students. More Information.  

University of Aberdeen Alumni Discount Scheme

The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated (or about to graduate) with a degree from the University of Aberdeen. More Information