MSc in Renewable Energy

Postgraduate - Taught MSc

Open for admission in 2019/20

Open for admission in 2020/21

Start in September

	Full time	Part time
MSc	1 year	2 years

How to apply

About the course

As the renewable energy sector continues to grow there is a need for trained individuals to plan, implement and manage new renewable energy projects. With the Humber, Britain’s ‘Energy Estuary’, rapidly becoming the focus of Britain’s renewables industry and offering excellent scope for industrial placements and career prospects, you could hardly choose a better place to study than the University of Hull. Developed in cooperation with industry experts, this vocational course is one of the only Masters degrees in the UK specifically designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge to work in the renewables sector as a project manager or resource analyst.

You will gain a good understanding of a range of technologies, including wind, tidal, solar and hydro-power, through both lectures and hands-on experience in the laboratory. You will develop an understanding of the key research and analytical skills relevant to renewable energy resource analysis, including GIS and industry software, as well as learning key professional skills such as project management, presentations and group work. There is a strong industrial component, including site visits, guest speakers from industry and the use of 'real-world' examples. The programme is also ideal for students interested in further research.

There are three pathways available:

Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy (Resource Management)
Renewable Energy (Wind)

What you'll study

The teaching programme runs over two Semesters and includes core and optional modules. Each module is worth 20 credits Students take 60 credits in each of the two Semesters and then 60 credits for the dissertation.

The Summer Dissertation consists of an individually supervised, 18,000 word research project often undertaken in association with local authorities, business or industry.

The modules you study depend on which pathway you take.

Core modules (all pathways)

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

Principles of Renewable Energy

This module introduces the main forms of renewable energy (including wind, solar, tidal, wave and hydro), focussing on the technology and resource assessment associated with each.
Principles of GIS
Research Design
Dissertation

You will make an original contribution to research by designing, carrying out and writing up your own project on a topic you choose, supported by your dissertation supervisor.

Other modules include

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

Advanced Wind Power

Examine the methodologies used by the wind industry to quantify the resource and identify the optimum locations for development. This module focusses on wind resources and conditions, factors affecting power output, wind farm layout and on the policy and planning surrounding windfarm development.
Environmental Management and Policy

Environmental practices (e.g. conservation, renewable energy, pollution prevention, recycling) are heavily steered by the ever-changing realm of policy. You'll gain an understanding of environmental regulation, policy and the practice of environmental management.
Applied Renewable Energy

This industry-focussed module is composed of a series of guest lectures, site visits and practical work (field and laboratory). It aims to equip you with the practical, analytical writing skills required to work in the renewable energy business.
Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessments are the industry standard for assessing the impact of developments on the environment. In this module, you’ll learn about the socio-economic, ecological, environmental, aesthetic and legislative aspects of EIAs, and critically evaluate existing EIAs.
Energy Generation from Conventional and Renewable Fuels

You will be introduced to the core technical and socioeconomic (sustainability) aspects determining the selection of conventional and alternative fuel balance for energy generation in UK and EU. This includes clean coal, natural gas, biomass residues and other waste.
Professional Consultancy Project

Work with a 'host' organisation on a research project, supervised by University tutors. You'll gain considerable satisfaction and enhanced employability from completing an independent and self-motivated project, while building your relationship with the external company.
Operational Oceanography

Operational Oceanography introduces the essential ocean variables that scientists and maritime industries use to check the health of our oceans. You will learn about how each variable is measured, then get to grips with downloading and visualizing your data to solve real-world problems.

Our teaching staff

Come to an open day Grab a prospectus

Where you'll study

The location below may not be the exact location of all modules on your timetable. The buildings you'll be taught in can vary each year and depend on the modules you study.

Hull Campus

Click to view directions on Google Maps

“I chose Hull because of its reputation for high-quality teaching, research, and its collaboration with many other educational and research institutes.”
Ejike Udeze, MSc Renewable Energy

Fees and funding

Home/EU: £8,500

Home/EU (part-time): £945 (20 credits), £2,835 (60 credits), £4,250 (90 credits)

Part-time fees are charged pro-rata to the full-time fee, according to the number of credits being studied.

A new system of postgraduate loans for Masters degrees in the UK are now available. They provide up to £10,906 (subject to parliamentary approval) for full-time and part-time taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. For more information, visit our Postgraduate Loans page.

International: £16,600

International applicants may need to pay a tuition fee deposit before the start of the course. Visit our tuition fee deposit page for more information.

Graduate Studentship

The University of Hull is pleased to offer graduates progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate taught study a £1,000 studentship towards the cost of their tuition fees.

Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Graduate Studentship page.

International Scholarships and Bursaries

For a list of all scholarships and bursaries for international students, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

We also offer an International Studentship Scheme Discount of up to £3,500.

UK and EU Scholarships and Bursaries

The University offers a range of scholarships to help you with your studies.

For more information, please visit the UK and EU Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Study under experts. Our geography and environmental studies research was ranked third in the UK for its impact in the most recent national assessment.

Find out more

Our MSc in Renewable Energy is one of the only Masters in the UK specifically designed to train you as a project manager or resource analyst for the renewables sector.

The Humber – Britain’s ‘Energy Estuary’ – is rapidly becoming the focus of the renewables industry.

Entry requirements

Normally a Bachelor Honours degree (2.2. or above), or international equivalent, in an engineering or science subject and GCSE Maths or equivalent. If you hold a degree in another subject area, we would still encourage you to apply as we are looking for a real interest and passion for renewable energy and the environment. So we would be happy to consider your application. Similarly, if you do not hold a degree but have relevant professional experience and training, we would welcome your application.

International students

If you require a Tier 4 student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. For other English language proficiency qualifications acceptable by this University, please click here.

If your English currently does not reach the University's required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Future prospects

The Renewable Energy Masters programme provides the essential background knowledge and key transferable skills for students to gain employment in the renewable energy sector. The course covers all of the current renewable energy technologies and enables students to gain a comprehensive overview of the sector combined with the opportunity to specialise.

The course has been specifically designed in close consultation with industry to provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to work in the renewables sector as a project manager or resource analyst. Hull’s position on the River Humber – Britain’s Energy Estuary – makes us the ideal location for students hoping to pursue a career in the renewable energy industry.

This MSc degree is specifically designed to combine theoretical studies with hands-on practical work to make you highly employable for careers in industry, consultancy, government, academia or NGOs, both nationally and internationally.

The programme is also suitable as preparation for a PhD for anyone interested in further research in renewable energies.