University announces £30,000 worth of student scholarship funding to support low carbon agenda

The University of Hull is showing its continued support for the low carbon agenda by announcing six grants worth £5,000 each for students looking to study a green energy Masters degree.

Students looking to study the MSc Renewable Energy course could be eligible for the bursaries, which are part of the Vice-Chancellor’s Circle Scholarship Scheme to provide fairer access to higher education and attract the most talented students to Hull, regardless of their background.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Circle is a group of major donors to the University who have joined to provide continued support to the University and its students.

Lesley May, Head of Access, Funding and Support said: “At The University of Hull, widening participation is firmly embedded into how we run our institution. A key ambition for teaching, learning and the student experience is for there to be no barriers to studying or learning. 

We aim to identify and attract the most talented students to Hull, regardless of their backgrounds.”

In a recent study the University of Hull ranked first in the England for its efforts to attract and welcome students from different social, cultural and educational backgrounds. The study by the Higher Education Policy Institute (hepi) saw Hull ahead of all the UK’s most prestigious universities.

The course, which starts in September, offers students the chance to gain an understanding of a range of renewable energy technologies, such as wind, tidal, solar and hydro-power, through both lectures and hands-on experience in the laboratory. 

Students will learn key research and analytical skills relevant to renewable energy as well as learning key professional skills such as project management, problem solving, presentation and group working. 

Students will benefit from the University’s strong industry links with site visits, guest speakers from industry and the use of 'real-world' examples. 

Professor Daniel Parsons at the University of Hull said: “As the renewable energy sector continues to grow there is a need for trained individuals to plan, implement and manage new renewable energy projects. 

The UK Government predicts that tens of thousands of new jobs will be needed in the offshore wind energy sector alone by 2030. We’re thrilled to be rising to the challenge of developing a skilled workforce to not only help fill these roles but also to inspire the brightest minds in the country to join us in Hull (the UK’s Energy Estuary) to help secure a net-zero carbon future for the UK and beyond.”

The offshore wind energy sector is committed to becoming more diverse and inclusive with an ambition to increase women employed by the sector to 40% by 2030, according to the Offshore Wind Sector Deal. A revised target for BAME representation will be set by the end of 2019.

The scholarship programme is the latest offer in the University’s growing reputation concerning sustainable energy and the environmental resilience. 

The Aura Innovation Centre, currently under construction at Bridgehead Business Park will become the first innovation centre in the region for the low carbon supply chain. Offering businesses advice and funding support to help generate clean growth and improve efficiency. Opening in early 2020, the centre will offer collaborative and creative spaces, designed to connect businesses of all sizes with academia.

The University of Hull has also been shortlisted for a £36m funding bid to create the Energy Estuary 2.0. If successful, it will lead a consortium of businesses to accelerate economic growth in the Humber and establish the region as a world leader in the innovations required to drive sustainable clean growth, creating over 10,000 new jobs, driving inward investment and adding up to  an additional £7bn GVA to the local economy. The bid will turn the Humber into a “living laboratory”, using the region to test out innovative ideas across the clean energy sector, and acting a global example of sustainable growth. 

To apply for the Vice-Chancellor’s Circle Scholarship Scheme for Msc Renewable Energy, students should write 250 words on why the course will benefit their aspirations in renewable energy in the future and send this to eei@hull.ac.uk.