Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
2026-01-01 | - |
Program Overview
Renewable Energy Engineering
Overview
The MSc in Renewable Energy Engineering is a triple-accredited online degree that trains engineers in the renewable energy sector. The program is designed to provide a broad learning experience, covering all major renewable energy sources, including geothermal, solar, biomass, hydro, marine, and wind.
Key Info
- Learning Mode: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate SCQF Level 11
- Credits: 180
- Typical Duration: 27 - 30 months
- Start Month: September or January
- Indicative Cost: £14,620
What You'll Study
The program covers the theoretical knowledge and advanced technical skills required for a career in renewable energy engineering. Students will learn to design, build, and optimize renewable energy infrastructure, as well as understand the wider legislation, planning, and economics of renewables.
Accreditation
The online MSc in Renewable Energy Engineering is accredited by the Energy Institute, Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology, and Institution of Engineering and Technology.
Entry Requirements
- MSc: 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in any branch of Engineering, Physics, Maths, or Chemistry.
- Key Subjects: Mathematics.
- International Students: Equivalent qualifications from your country.
- English Language Requirements: IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge English, LanguageCert Academic, Oxford ELLT Digital, PTE Academic, or Skills for English: SELT.
How You'll Study
- Online Learning: 100% online, with flexible study hours and 24/7 access to course materials.
- Teaching: Delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
- Tutors: International team of research-active engineering staff and industry professionals.
- Industry Input: Degree content is designed with and supported by an Industry Advisory Board.
- Assessment: Online, with a range of assessment methods, including written coursework, online tests, reports, and projects.
Fees and Funding
- Master of Science: £14,620 (indicative cost based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in September 2025).
- Pay as You Go: Pay for each term, with control over your costs and workload.
- Additional Costs: Access to essential books and resources is included in the tuition fee.
- Funding Options: Employer sponsorship, student loans, scholarships, and discounts (e.g., 20% Alumni discount).
Careers
- Accredited MSc: Recognized by employers and educational institutions worldwide.
- Career Opportunities: Energy and Sustainability Adviser, Project Engineer, Renewable (Sustainable) Energy Consultant, Specialist or Researcher, Risk, Safety and Environmental Engineer, or pursue a PhD in Renewable Energy and an academic career.
- Lifelong Career Support: Access to our free careers service while you study and beyond.
IT Requirements
- Computer: PC, laptop, or Mac with an up-to-date operating system.
- Internet Access: Reliable internet connection with a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps.
- Software: Access to Office365 applications and specialist software required for the course.
Apply
- Start Month: September or January.
- Application Deadline: 8 September 2025 (for September 2025 intake).
- Application Process: Apply through our online Applicant Portal, uploading relevant qualifications and documents.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Objective:
- This program equips students with the skills and knowledge to design, build, and optimize renewable energy infrastructure.
- It focuses on both theoretical knowledge and advanced technical skills, while also emphasizing the legislation, planning, and economics of renewable energy.
- Graduates will be prepared to run green energy projects safely, on budget, and on time.
Target Audience:
- Individuals with a background in any branch of Engineering, Physics, Maths, or Chemistry.
- This program can also be studied full-time on campus.
Flexibility:
- This program is designed to fit around full-time work with flexible hours and 24/7 study access.
Accreditation:
- Triple-accredited by the:
- Energy Institute
- Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology
- Institution of Engineering and Technology
Benefits:
- Gain expertise in all major renewable energy sources: geothermal, solar, biomass, hydro, marine, and wind.
- Receive a 20% discount on fees if you are a University of Aberdeen alumni.
Outline:
Structure:
- Offered as a Master's degree (180 credits) with optional exit points at Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) and Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits).
- Individual short courses can be taken to build towards the full degree.
- The program typically takes 27 months to complete part-time, but can be completed at your own pace.
- There is flexibility to take breaks between courses as long as you complete your studies within six years.
Courses:
- Students choose from eight 15-credit courses and a 60-credit project to gain their MSc.
- Courses are offered in both September and January terms.
Sample Course Titles:
- Energy from Biomass
- Geothermal and Hydro Energy
- Energy Conversion and Storage
- Legislation, Economics and Safety
- Electrical Systems for Renewable Energy
- Solar Energy
- Marine and Wind Energy
- Renewable Energy Integration to Grid
- MSc Individual Project
Assessment:
- Assessment methods typically include a combination of online assessments and written exams.
- Due to Covid-19, in-person exams are not currently taking place and online assessments are being utilized.
- From September 2023 onward, in-person exams may be reintroduced for some courses.
Teaching:
- Teaching is delivered through the online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), MyAberdeen.
- Materials are accessible 24/7 and can be viewed on computers, smartphones, and laptops.
- Program content is continuously updated and informed by industry needs and developments through an Industry Advisory Board.
Careers:
- Graduates have the potential to pursue career paths as:
- Energy and Sustainability Advisers
- Project Engineers
- Renewable (Sustainable) Energy Consultants, Specialists, or Researchers
- Risk, Safety, and Environmental Engineers
- They are also prepared to pursue further academic research in the field.
- The program provides graduates with strong technical, commercial, and project management skills to run renewable energy projects effectively.
Other:
- Students have access to a range of support services, including:
- The Careers and Employability Service
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA)
- The University of Aberdeen is a member of the Access scheme, allowing students to access books, journals, and study spaces at other libraries across the UK and Ireland.
- The program features a strong global perspective, attracting students from various backgrounds and fostering international collaboration.
- Graduates receive a University of Aberdeen degree with international recognition and acceptance.
Entry Requirements:
2:1 (upper-second) UK honours degree (or equivalent) in any branch of Engineering, Physics, Maths or Chemistry, or
Key subjects you must have covered:
Mathematics. These are the minimum entry requirements.
International students
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world. See the minimum entry requirements above.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
English language tests and scores
If you do need to provide English language test scores, these are the tests and minimum scores we accept for this course or degree.
IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, and IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening, reading and speaking
- 6.0 for writing
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 18 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening, reading and speaking
- 169 for writing
LanguageCert Academic/LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall
- 60 for listening, reading and speaking
- 65 for writing
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator (Written and Spoken) – Online / In-centre
- Overall High Pass
- 33 for listening, reading and speaking
- 38 for writing
Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online
- 7.0 overall
- 5.0 for listening, reading and speaking
- 6.0 for writing
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing