Renewable Energy Engineering MSc

Meeting the increasing energy demands of growing populations and developing societies while reducing the use of fossil fuels are crucial challenges facing the global energy industry.        

The Brunel Renewable Energy Engineering MSc gives graduates and engineering professionals interested in finding sustainable solutions to climate change and energy security the theoretical and practical skills needed to pursue careers in the growing field of renewable energy technology.

Along with a solid grounding in the core principles of energy production, you’ll get detailed knowledge of renewable energy technologies and systems, including solar, wind, tidal, wave, hydro, geothermal, biomass and hydrogen.

You’ll also look at the economic and environmental impact of renewable systems and at the legislative, planning and technical considerations of integrating them into the power grid.

We offer two study options. You can choose one-year full-time or three-to-five-years via our distance learning programme.

This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE) and the Energy Institute, which means your postgraduate engineering degree will put you on course to gain Chartered Engineer (CEng) status in the UK. 

Throughout your studies you’ll have use of our state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and 24-hour access to industry-standard specialist software for engineering design at dedicated computer clusters on campus, so you’ll have the opportunity and equipment to explore ideas and tackle problems.

As the renewable energy sector grows, so does the need for individuals capable of planning, implementing and managing new renewable energy projects. Your Brunel MSc will give you those skills and put you on course for a rewarding career in the field or further research.

The course is designed to give graduates and professional engineers the knowledge and technical skills needed to pursue careers in the renewable energy industry.

Work for your renewable energy engineering degree consists of compulsory modules and a 15,000-word dissertation.

Optional modules are indicative and available subject to numbers.

Our graduates are working worldwide in senior technical and management positions.

The primary destinations are manufacturing industries, energy and environmental consultancy companies, energy advice and research centres, academia, and national and international non-governmental organisations.

• IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)
• Pearson: 51 (51 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 60% (min 55% in all areas)

Our staff have national and international reputations for their research, publications and applied work. Many carry out much of their research in collaboration with major oil companies, plant and equipment manufacturers, leading industrial firms and governmental laboratories. This means that your education will be at the forefront of scholarship and practice, covering the most up-to-date industry knowledge.

Your course will consist of combinations of lectures, seminars, laboratory practicals, field work, coursework, self-study and individual research reports.

Distance learning students are supplied with a study pack of text books and CD-ROMs.

MSc dissertation projects are normally carried out over four months for full-time students or one year for distance learning students.

Our Building Services Engineering courses have been awarded the Happold Brilliant Award for teaching excellence by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers.   

Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.

Modes of study

One-year full-time

The taught element of the course takes place from September to April. From May to September you’ll conduct an individual project and prepare your dissertation. 

Three-to-five-years distance learning

The self-study distance-learning programme enables you to conduct most of your studies at home, in your own time and at your own pace.

You have up to five years to complete the course, though the average is three years, with students taking four modules in the first year, four modules in the second year and writing their dissertation in the third year.

You should allow about twelve hours each week for study.

You can sit your examinations either at Brunel University or in the country where you are resident. We have an extensive network of organisations (universities, colleges and British Council offices) throughout the world that can provide invigilation services.

Modules are assessed by combinations of formal examination and written assignments. Examinations are normally sat in May.

Distance learners have the option of sitting their exams at an authorized invigilation centre in the country where they live.

Successful completion of the taught modules allows you to proceed to the dissertation stage. To qualify for the award of the MSc degree, you must submit a satisfactory dissertation.