Program Overview

Engineering – Sustainable Energy

Course Fact File

Course Outline

If you want to help the world address the energy 'grand challenge' of the 21st century, then Ireland's first Masters in Engineering Science degree programme in Sustainable Energy is for you. Our modern world depends on a secure, reliable, and affordable energy supply and Sustainable Energy is crucial to addressing some of the most challenging issues facing the world today. Our Sustainable Energy graduates will be required to source, design, convert, transmit and supply useful energy to meet our present and long-term needs for electricity, mobility and heating and cooling.

In this MEngSc programme, we consider firstly how to reduce human impact on the climate through innovative low-carbon energy supply systems and secondly, how to provide a better standard of living for the world’s growing population through access to sustainable and secure energy supplies.

This programme is open to Engineering graduates of all disciplines with an 8-month programme option leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Energy.

Programme Content

Students take credits over two parts as follows:

Part I

Students take 60 credits as follows:

• Core Modules
  • NE6003 Wind Energy (5)
  • NE4008 Photovoltaic Systems (5)
  • NE6005 Ocean Energy (5)
  • NE6012 Energy in Buildings (5)
  • NE6013 Sustainable Energy (5)
  • NE6014 Energy Innovation (5)
  • CE6042 Transportation and Energy (5)
  • NE6004 Sustainability, Bioenergy and Circular Economy Systems (5)
  • NE6010 Offshore Wind Energy (5)
  • NE6212 Clean Energy Futures (5)
  • NE6008 Preliminary Research Project in Sustainable Energy (10)

Depending on the background of the student, the Programme Coordinator may decide to replace some of the above taught modules with modules from the following list up to a maximum of 20 credits:

• NE6016 Energy Systems in Buildings (5)
• CE4020 Environmental Hydrodynamics (5)
• CE6024 Finite Element Analysis (5)
• EE3011 Power Electronics & AC Machines and Systems (5)
• EE3012 Electric Vehicle Energy Systems (5)
• EE4001 Energy Systems, Power Electronics and Drives (5)
• EE4002 Control Engineering II (5)
• EE6035 Electrical Power Systems (5)
• EE6048 Smart Grids (5)
• ME6007 Mechanical Systems (5)
• NE6007 Energy Systems Modelling (5)
• NE6015 Data Analytics for Engineering (5)

Part II

• NE6009 Dissertation in Sustainable Energy (30 credits)

Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Energy

Students who pass but fail to achieve the requisite grade of 50% across the taught modules and the Preliminary Research Report will be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Energy. Candidates passing Part I of the programme who do not wish to proceed to Part II may opt to be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Energy.

Why Choose This Course

Previous graduates have found the programme to be beneficial in their careers, with one stating that it "opened a whole new realm of employment opportunities" and another noting that it helped them integrate their passions into their career choices.

Career Opportunities

Students will benefit from up-to-date content, industry-relevant assessments, and guest lectures from experts in the energy sector. Additionally, students gain employer exposure through UCC-organised recruitment fairs and employer-led events. Our graduates have gone on to avail of local, national, and international opportunities in renewable energy project development, engineering consultancy, resource analysis, project financing, operations and management, surveying, and energy policy development.

Available Scholarships

We support our postgraduate community by offering scholarships and bursaries to prospective and current students. Please see the SEFS Scholarships and Funding PG page for more information.

Requirements

• Candidates must have a BE (Hons) or BEng (Hons) Degree or equivalent engineering qualification, with a minimum Second Class Honours Grade II (NFQ, Level 8). However, candidates with equivalent academic qualifications and suitable experience may be accepted subject to the approval of College of Science, Engineering and Food Science under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). In all cases, the course of study for each candidate must be approved by the Programme Coordinator.
• Candidates from Grandes Écoles Colleges are also eligible to apply if they are studying a cognate discipline in an ENSEA or EFREI Graduate School and are eligible to enter the final year (M2) of their programme.

Fees and Costs

• Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026: See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.
• Deposits: If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.
• Fee payment: Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How To Apply

1. Check dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the yellow fact file boxes at the top of this webpage. The UCC online application portal usually opens around mid-October.
2. Gather documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
   • Original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
   • Any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.
3. Apply online: Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button below. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
• Please upload your CV here.
• Please enter the name and email address of two referees.

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.