MSc Renewable and Sustainable Energy Technologies

Course Overview

With climate change dominating news agendas and world economies committing to decarbonisation, there's never been a better time to study a Master's in renewable energy.

It is predicted that there will be over 27,000 renewable energy jobs in the UK by 2030, and the North East is rapidly becoming a renewable energy hub. Thousands of renewable energy jobs are due to be created in the region over the next few years from large renewables projects such as the UK's first gigaplant manufacturing car batteries and a £300 million plant turning waste to energy.

Beyond the North East, demand for renewable energy and sustainable solutions is growing worldwide and there is a global shortage of trained engineers to fill renewable energy jobs worldwide.

Northumbria's Renewable and Sustainable Energy Technologies MSc is a highly relevant qualification, which is accredited by the Engineering Council through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

This industry-focussed MSc programme covers topics such as photovoltaic, wind, thermo-mechanical energy conversion systems, hybrid renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, building energy modelling and engineering optimisation, through both lectures and practical laboratory work. You will have access to a specialist laboratory that’s dedicated to power networks, wind energy, photovoltaics and battery testing for electric vehicles.

Northumbria has a well-established reputation for renewable and sustainable energy technologies, and you will be taught by staff at the forefront of their academic fields. You will also benefit from excellent technical facilities including access to industry standard software such as MATLAB and specialist workshops.

With a looming global energy crisis our MSc Renewable and Sustainable Energy programme is the perfect preparation for a career in the in-demand renewable energy sector.

Your Future

By the end of this course you’ll be in an excellent position to start or continue a career in renewable and sustainable energy technologies. Renewable energy production could increase by up to 1,000% by 2050 compared to 2010, according to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, so there will be a pressing need for well-trained professionals.

You could also undertake a postgraduate research degree such as an MPhil, PhD and Professional Doctorate. If you decide to start up your own business, it’s good to know that the combined turnover of our graduates’ start-up companies is higher than that of any other UK university.

Whatever you decide to do, you will have the transferable skills that employers expect from a master’s graduate from Northumbria University. These include the ability to tackle complex issues through conceptualisation and undertaking research, the ability to contribute to new processes and knowledge, and the ability to formulate balanced judgements when considering incomplete or ambiguous data.