Physics with Renewable Energy

Program Overview

Physics with Renewable Energy BSc (Hons)

Overview

From nuclear physics to sustainable energy applications, our Physics with Renewable Energy programme combines a solid grounding in core physics concepts with exciting exploration of cutting-edge topics in renewable energy. With core professional, practical and employability skills embedded throughout the curriculum and opportunities to solve real-world problems - using Keele’s own on-campus renewables and smart energy network - you will graduate with a toolkit of skills to enter a growing job market with diverse career options in industries such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and bioenergy.

Why Study Physics with Renewable Energy at Keele University?

• Opportunities for advanced research work using Keele’s own on-campus renewables and smart energy network
• Core practical, academic and employability modules will develop your skills to succeed as a professional physicist
• Explore frontier topics guided by our world-leading researchers
• Learn in a supportive environment with innovative learning materials and plenty of tutor support
• Apply your learning to address physical problems and real-world challenges

Course Structure

Year 1

• Compulsory modules:
  • Gravitation, Relativity and Matter
  • Electricity, Magnetism and Waves
  • Fundamental and Applied Mathematics for Physics
  • Practical and Academic Skills for Physics
  • Scientific Programming
  • Introduction to Climate Change and Renewable Energy
  • Physics Career Planning and Employability Skills

Year 2

• Compulsory modules:
  • Optics and Thermodynamics
  • The Quantum World
  • Nuclear Physics
  • Practical and Professional Skills for Physics
  • Analytical and Numerical Techniques
  • Renewable Energy: Generation, Storage and Transmission
  • Physics Career Planning and Employability Skills
• Optional modules:
  • Radiation Physics
  • Flexible Work Placement Level 5

Year 3

• Compulsory modules:
  • Renewable Energy Research Project and Professional Development
  • Electromagnetism and Solid-State Physics
  • Synoptic Physics and Real-World Applications
  • Materials for Green Technology
  • Physics Career Planning and Employability Skills
• Optional modules:
  • Quantum Physics
  • Cosmology
  • Materials for Green Technology
  • Data Analysis and Modelling
  • Advanced Topics Semester 1
  • Advanced Topics Semester 2
  • Research and Communication
  • Flexible Work Placement Level 6
  • Professional Experience in Education

Entry Requirements

• A Level: ABB Subject specifics apply
• BTEC: DDM Subject specifics apply
• T Level: Distinction Subject specifics apply
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: 655 in three Higher Levels including 5 in Maths or Physics, or 32 points including 5 in Higher Level Maths or Physics
• Access to HE Diploma: 128 UCAS points in Access to HE Diploma with Maths related content, including Distinction in at least 30 Level 3 credits
• Welsh Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Cymru: The Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate is equivalent to one full A level at the same grade and can be included alongside 2 other A levels in a standard A level offer for this course
• Scotland - Highers and Advanced Highers: BBC in two Advanced Highers and CC in two Highers including Maths or Physics
• Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): If you have B or higher in the EPQ and are studying A levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer
• Core Maths: If you have B or higher in Core Maths and are studying A levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer
• English language requirements: All our courses require an English language qualification or test. Most students meet this through a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please visit our English Language pages for details, including test information for international students

Fees and Funding

• Tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year:
  • UK: £9,535 for the 2025/6 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval)
  • International: Band 1, £17,700 for the 2025/26 academic year

Additional Opportunities

• Work placements
• International year
• Study abroad
• GCP Elective Pathways
• Foundation year
• Placement year

Teaching, Learning, and Assessment

• Teaching methods may include:
  • Lectures
  • Tutorial sessions
  • Laboratory classes
  • Computational laboratory classes
  • Exercise/problem-solving classes
  • Team-based learning
  • Problem sheet assignments
  • Group and individual projects
  • Directed reading and independent study
  • Literature research tasks
  • Use of e-Learning/Keele Learning Environment (KLE)
• Assessment methods may include:
  • End of module examinations
  • Assessed problem sheets
  • Laboratory and project reports
  • Observation of laboratory skills and notebooks
  • Oral and poster presentations
  • In-class exercises and tests
  • Research project
  • Computing tests
  • Mini-projects
  • Risk assessments
  • Teamwork
  • Skills portfolios

Supporting You

• We offer a multi-layered support structure to help you meet your academic and personal needs
• Our open-door policy enables you to engage with us directly, meaning you can seek support, gain feedback or discuss any matters on a regular basis
• You will have access to regular tutorials, maths problem classes, a dedicated academic mentor and Keele's Student Experience and Support team

Your Future Career

• With increased focus on climate change and demand for clean energy, it's an exciting time to pursue a career in renewables
• On successful completion of this programme you will develop a variety of transferable skills including computer programming, the application of numerical methods to solve problems mathematically, the ability to design and execute original scientific investigations and to report the results in diverse ways to a variety of audiences
• You will be equally qualified and well prepared for postgraduate studies or for graduate level employment in a wide variety of industrial sectors including:
  • Academia
  • Data analytics
  • Engineering
  • Health and Medicine
  • Renewable Energy
  • Teaching

Foundation Year

• Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, offering preparation for your chosen degree with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete
• This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, build your confidence, and provide a better understanding of higher education
• On our Foundation Year, you'll join our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele
• Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do

January Entry Overview

• We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses
• Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies
• Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science, Health and Business courses
• Whilst still being a full-time course, our blended delivery model combines live teaching sessions - both online and on-campus - with self-directed study, enabling you to predominantly study at a time that suits your lifestyle
• You will benefit from weekly online taught sessions which encourage you to engage with your teachers and peers
• In addition to online study there will be a series of full study days that you will be required to attend throughout each semester
• These sessions may include lab-based activities, group work, review of course and assessment materials studied online
• They will emphasise opportunities for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen route

Information for International Students

• Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC)
• Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Keele University BSc (Hons) Physics with Renewable Energy is a distinctive program designed to equip graduates with the fundamental physics background, technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills required to play a central role in designing the energy systems of the future. This program is accredited by the Institute of Physics and focuses on the physics of renewable energy from various sources like wind, solar, hydroelectric, tidal, nuclear fission, and fusion. It also emphasizes the distribution of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and storage solutions.

Objectives:

• Provide students with the core physics and mathematics skills needed to pursue careers in low-carbon, sustainable, and applied research sectors.
• Develop students' critical-thinking, digital, and presentational skills alongside their technical knowledge.
• Equip graduates with the expertise to tackle the global challenge of climate change by transitioning from hydrocarbon reliance to renewable energy sources.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Covers the fundamentals of mechanics, gravity and relativity, the nature of matter, waves, and foundational topics in renewable energy.
• Includes modules such as applied mathematics and statistics, scientific programming, and scientific practice.
• Focuses on developing practical, computational, and transferable skills through laboratory work on solar and wind power and hydrogen fuel cells.

Year 2:

• Expands on fundamental physics, including quantum mechanics, optics, solid-state and nuclear physics.
• Provides specialized modules in generation, transmission, and storage of renewable energy.
• Explores the application of physics to generate nuclear power, radiation protection, and medical technologies.
• Offers a major experimental project, which could focus on Keele's renewable energy generation and Smart Energy Network.
• Includes a dissertation focused on renewable energy topics like wind turbine design, small-scale fission reactors, or tidal barrages.

Assessment:

• Offers a balance of approximately 50% exams and 50% continuous assessment.
• Uses various assessment methods including assessed problem sheets, computing tests, end-of-module exams, group oral presentations and reports, in-class exercises and tests, laboratory and project reports, mini-projects, observation of laboratory skills and notebooks, and oral or poster presentations.

Teaching:

• Emphasizes student feedback through regular meetings with student representatives and anonymous feedback on module content.
• Boasts small cohort sizes and personalized learning experiences.
• Utilizes diverse teaching methods like computational classes, directed reading, exercise or problem-solving classes, group and individual projects, independent study, individual progress interviews, laboratory classes, lectures, literature research tasks, problem sheet assignments, tutorials and team-based learning, and e-learning via the Keele Learning Environment (KLE).

Careers:

• Positions graduates for successful careers in a rapidly growing sector experiencing high demand for clean energy solutions.
• Prepares students for various roles, including academia, data analytics, engineering, health and medicine, renewable energy, and teaching.
• Connects students with career planning resources, alumni mentoring, job opportunities, internships, and entrepreneurship support through Keele's career and employability services.

Other:

• Highlights Keele's world-leading research in environmental sustainability and sector-leading sustainability practices.
• Emphasizes Keele's central location in the UK, offering easy access to national transport links.
• Notes the program's flexibility to switch between related programs during studies.
• Mentions the availability of studying abroad opportunities and work placement years.
• Refers to Keele's excellent student satisfaction ratings and extensive experience with Foundation Year programs.