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Postgraduate Taught

MSc Electrical Power and Smart Grids

Please note: The below is for 2025 entries. Click here for 2024 entries.
UCAS code 1234
Duration 1 year full time
Entry year 2025
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Engineering
Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone:
+44(0)1392 724061

Programme Director: 
Dr Shanika Matharage

Overview

  • A unique programme that focuses on operation, control and maintenance of future Smart Grid with particular emphasis on the challenges associated with Net-Zero and low carbon futures
  • Benefit from specialist facilities and equipment available at the Centre for Smart Grid where you will be encouraged to attend lab sessions and to undertake your own project work and research
  • Learn from academics who are experts in their fields whose teaching is inspired by the latest research
  • Graduates will be ready to take leading roles in achieving Net-Zero targets with cutting-edge technologies and data analytics for Smart Grid
Apply for Sept 2025 entry

Apply online

View 2024 Entry

Fast Track (current Exeter students)

Open days and visiting us

Get a prospectus

Contact

Programme Director: Dr Shuhang Shen

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Discover MSc Electrical Power and Smart Grids at the University of Exeter.

Top 10 icon

Top 10 in the UK for General Engineering

10th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and 8th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Tree and building icon

£6.5million investment in our teaching labs, workshop spaces and equipment

Top 5 icon

Top 5 in the UK for Electronic Engineering

5th for Electrical & Electronic Engineering in The Complete University Guide 2025

Lightbulb with lightening bolt in it icon

Study the complex systems of energy demand, generation and distribution that will govern the net-zero electrical power networks of the future

Top 10 icon

Top 10 in the UK for General Engineering

10th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and 8th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Tree and building icon

£6.5million investment in our teaching labs, workshop spaces and equipment

Top 5 icon

Top 5 in the UK for Electronic Engineering

5th for Electrical & Electronic Engineering in The Complete University Guide 2025

Lightbulb with lightening bolt in it icon

Study the complex systems of energy demand, generation and distribution that will govern the net-zero electrical power networks of the future

Entry requirements

All applicants are considered individually on merit although we usually require a 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) in a science or engineering discipline.

Relevant degrees: Civil Engineering; Structural Engineering; Building and Construction; Infrastructure Engineering; Applied Geology; Traffic Engineering; Physics; Architecture; Geology; Marine Technology.

Exceptional applications may be judged on experience in lieu of academic qualifications e.g. relevant professional experience.

Entry requirements for international students

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B3. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

As a student taking the ENGM029 Power Systems Analysis module at the University of Exeter, I find the mix of theoretical and practical elements really effective. The theoretical lectures provide a solid understanding of power system operations, and the practical, simulation-based labs help apply this knowledge in real-world scenarios. Overall, this module is challenging but extremely beneficial for anyone interested in power systems engineering. The module also includes a field trip to National Grids control room, really interesting!!

Elvin

Exchange student from Lund University

Course content

You will be introduced to the latest trends and technologies that are transforming the energy and electrical power sector as the world pivots towards sustainable and digitalised power systems.

This programme makes use of the specialist facilities at the Centre for Smart Grid where you will be encouraged to attend lab sessions and undertake your own project work and research.

Compulsory modules will cover areas such as power system analysis; digital twinning and data analytics for power networks and design, implementation and resilience of smart grids and sustainable energy systems. The dissertation will allow you to complete a more detailed research project in an area of personal interest.

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Compulsory modules

CodeModuleCredits
MTHM501Working with Data15
ENGM045Introduction to Power Systems and Plant 15
ENGM009Electric Machines and Power Electronics15
ECMM163Sustainable Engineering15
ENGM029Power Systems Analysis15
ENGM030Digital Twinning for Power System Plant15
ENGM031Smart Grids and Sustainable Energy Systems15
ENGM032Resilience of Electrical Energy Systems15
ECMM164MSc Dissertation60

Fees

2025/26 entry

UK fees per year: 

£14,300 full-time

International fees per year: 

£30,300 full-time

Fee information

Fees can normally be paid by two termly instalments and may be paid online. You will also be required to pay a tuition fee deposit to secure your offer of a place, unless you qualify for exemption. For further information about paying fees see our Student Fees pages.

UK government postgraduate loan scheme

Postgraduate loans are now available for Masters degrees. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply.

Scholarships

We invest heavily in scholarships for talented prospective Masters students. This includes over £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*.

For more information on scholarships, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

*Selected programmes only. Please see the Terms and Conditions for each scheme for further details.

Teaching and research

Teaching and assessment

The programme is delivered through a mix of lectures, tutorials, simulation and experimental laboratory exercises, project work and a dissertation.

Students will develop transferable skills such as communication skills, data handling and analysis, problem solving, decision making and research methodology.

Personal tutor

You will be allocated a Personal Tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies, along with support and mentoring from graduates who are now in industry. There is also a Postgraduate Tutor available to help with further guidance and advice.

A research- and practice-led culture

We believe every student benefits from being taught by experts active in research and practice. You will discuss the very latest ideas, research discoveries and new technologies in seminars and in the field.

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Careers

With electricity becoming the key energy vector in achieving society’s Net-Zero targets, new opportunities are on the rise in this field. Due to the integration of low carbon technologies and associated variabilities in energy supply and demand, recruiters are looking for workforce with additional knowledge and expertise in smart grid technologies, data analytics and renewables.

The MSc Electrical Power and Smart Grids prepares engineers for this demand from future power systems who will not only have knowledge on traditional power network but also latest trends and technologies to operate and maintain the future smart grid, application of data analytics techniques and addressing sustainability within the electrical power network.

Graduates will be able to progress to either a PhD degree or to various other roles across private and public sectors.

Dedicated careers support

You will receive support from our dedicated Career Zone team, who provide excellent career guidance at all stages of career planning. The Career Zone provides one-on-one support and is home to a wealth of business and industry contacts. Additionally, they host useful training events, workshops and lectures which are designed to further support you in developing your enterprise acumen. Please visit the Career Zone for additional information on their services.

Graduate destinations

The professional destinations of our graduates reflect the quality of this programme. Our graduates have gone on to enjoy prosperous and successful careers in several areas after graduation, such as engineers and teachers, and work at companies such as Devon County Council, Balfour Beatty, Pell Frischman and AECOM. This information has been taken from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey (2011-2016). 

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