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Postgraduate Taught

MSc Renewable Energy Engineering

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 Penryn Campus
Discipline Engineering
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone:
 +44(0)1392 724061

Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A good degree (normally a 2:2)

Contextual offers

Overview

  • Dedicated workshop – the Renewable Energy Engineering Facility (REEF) - purpose-built to support opportunities in student skills development and hands-on project work.
  • Designed to build on the skills of engineers, scientists or others to learn about how renewable energy technologies function and can be optimally deployed.
  • Become an in-demand engineer in the renewable energy sector, with the right multidisciplinary skill-set to pioneer the design, build and management of its infrastructure.
  • Taught at our Penryn campus, you’ll have access to some of the exceptional on and off-shore renewable energy facilities that Cornwall has to offer.
  • Our wide-ranging expertise means you’ll have the opportunity to follow your interests by studying modules relating to different themes and technologies.
  • Opportunity to tailor your degree to your career ambitions by choosing one of our specialist pathways, including Energy Storage Systems, Low Carbon Transport, Offshore Energy, Solar Energy and Wind Energy.

Apply online

View 2024 Entry

Fast Track (current Exeter students)

Open days and visiting us

Get a prospectus

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Renewable Energy Engineering MSc at the University of Exeter.

Top 5 icon

Top 5 in the UK for Electronic Engineering

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

Tree and building icon

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

Biofuel icon

Expertise in energy policy, marine renewables, biofuels, electrical power and networks, wind, photo-voltaic and thermal technologies

An image of signposts indicating left and right directions, guiding pathways for exploration.

Opportunity to specialise with a choice of pathways

Top 5 icon

Top 5 in the UK for Electronic Engineering

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

Tree and building icon

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

Biofuel icon

Expertise in energy policy, marine renewables, biofuels, electrical power and networks, wind, photo-voltaic and thermal technologies

An image of signposts indicating left and right directions, guiding pathways for exploration.

Opportunity to specialise with a choice of pathways

Accreditations

The Institution of Engineering and Technology logo
full colour logo
Engineering Council accredited degree

Accredited by the Energy Institute (EI) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), on behalf of the Engineering Council, as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to fully meet the CEng registration educational requirements.

Entry requirements

All applicants are considered individually on merit although we usually require a 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) from a recognised university. We do consider all applications where there is evidence of exceptional performance in modules relevant to the programme of study, significant relevant work experience or professional qualifications.

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.

Course content

This programme is modular and flexible, carrying 180 credits in total and offering flexibility in choice of modules studied.

MSc Renewable Energy Engineering consists of three core modules totalling 105 credits, which includes the 60-credit research project, and five 15-credit optional modules.

The programme begins in October each year and the taught elements are concluded by May. The research project, under the personal supervision of an expert in the chosen area, continues until September.

We have internationally-renowned research expertise across a wide range of technologies from solar and marine energy through to life cycle analysis and energy storage. This means students are taught by leading researchers working on cutting-edge innovations, and have the opportunity to work with the research teams and contribute to these developments through dissertation projects.

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
ENEM101Renewable Energy Systems30
ENEM106Key Skills for Renewable Energy Applications15
ENEM104Research Project60

Optional modules

CodeModuleCredits
Select one from the below*:
ENEM006Professional Ethics, Competence and Commercial Awareness15
ENE3002Network Engineering, Modelling and Management15
BEP3010Social and Technological Innovation15
GEOM363BThemes in Climate Change15
ENEM105Low Carbon Vehicles and Transport15
Select four from the below:
ENE3010Sustainable Architecture15
ENEM008Further Electrical and Electronics Engineering15
ENEM009Advanced Marine Renewable Energy15
ENEM011Advanced Wind Energy15
ENEM012Solar Energy Research and Innovation15
GEOM247Transforming Energy Systems15
ENE3003Marine Renewable Energy 15

During your MSc you can, if you wish, choose to specialise in one of five specialist pathways:

  • Energy Storage Systems
  • Low Carbon Transport
  • Offshore Energy
  • Solar Energy
  • Wind Energy

You will receive advice about the specialisms once you join us so you don’t need to make any decisions in advance.

Specialist modules

To be awarded a bracketed specialism on the MSc, you should select the appropriate module from the specialist module below. 

Your research project (module ENEM104) must also be relevant to the specialist field.

MSc Renewable Energy Engineering (Energy Storage Systems) 

ENEMXXX Energy Storage Materials and Systems 

MSc Renewable Energy Engineering (Low Carbon Transport) 

ENEM105 Low Carbon Vehicles and Transport 

MSc Renewable Energy Engineering (Offshore Energy) 

ENEM009 Advanced Marine Renewable Energy 

MSc Renewable Energy Engineering (Solar Energy)  

ENEM012 Solar Energy Research and Innovation 

MSc Renewable Energy Engineering (Wind Energy) 

ENEM011 Advanced Wind Energy 

Modules for MSc Renewable Energy Engineering with Industrial Placement will be available soon.

Course variants

  • Combine your masters in Renewable Energy Engineering with work experience in the UK, putting your learning into practice while studying
  • Studied over two years, you’ll have the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience by completing a 9-12month work placement in a role relevant to your degree
  • Become a sought-after engineering professional with strong technical expertise, as well as excellent management abilities, allowing you to move into high-level management roles

Teaching and research

Teaching and assessment

The programme is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, industrial presentations, case studies, industry visits, computer simulations, project work and a dissertation.

You will develop transferable skills such as management and communication skills, computational techniques, data handling and analysis, problem solving, decision making and research methodology. Many of these will be addressed within an industrial and commercial context.

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. Plus, you’ll become actively involved in a research project yourself.

All our academic staff are active in internationally-recognised scientific research across a wide range of topics. You will also be taught by leading industry practitioners.

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Fees

2025/26 entry

UK fees per year: 

£13,700 full-time

With Industrial placement (second year) £2,740 full-time

International fees per year: 

£29,100 full-time

With Industrial placement (second year) £5,820 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.

Careers

Employer-valued skills

The MSc in Renewable Energy Engineering has been designed to include the knowledge and skills that potential employers in the energy sector have told us they require.

The UK’s commitment to expansion of renewable energy is likely to mean a high level of investment in the sector in the next decade. The adoption of the UK’s microgeneration tariff in 2009, the Green Deal in 2013, the phased adoption of the Renewable Heat Incentive from 2011-2014 and introduction of Contracts for Difference in 2014, suggests continued strong support for rapid expansion of renewable energy in the UK.

National and international job opportunities

We maintain strong links with Exeter Renewable Energy alumni who are currently in different positions in the industry. We are looking to develop more events with alumni attendance and have an active Renewable Energy Alumni group where news of jobs and other opportunities are posted.

Internationally, many other countries are making similar investments with major industrial nations including the US, India and China investing heavily in renewable generation. This investment will create broad opportunities for those seeking to work in the sector, both nationally and internationally.

Graduates

Graduates have moved into a broad range of careers from developing and operating the latest renewable energy technologies, to development of sites to deploy energy systems, and optimising operational performance. In addition to engineering-focused roles our graduates have also moved into non-technical roles, such as advising investors on suitable projects through and developing policy and planning frameworks. A number of our students also move on to PhDs in the energy sector.

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Graduate School of Environment and Sustainability

You will become part of Exeter's Graduate School of Environment & Sustainability - a vibrant and supportive postgraduate community based here on our Penryn campus in Cornwall. The Graduate School brings together experts from across the spectrum of earth and life sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences and business. You will interact with students from other MScs and have the opportunity to explore issues from a range of perspectives, benefiting from a truly interdisciplinary experience. All our programmes are designed with a focus on developing solutions to global challenges and creating a better future for our planet and its people.