Course summary
This programme has been specifically designed to help meet the projected growth in demand for renewable energy specialists by teaching the advanced skills needed to design, build and optimise renewable energy infrastructure. According to a recent report, 40% of the UK’s power in 2022 came from a mix of wind, solar, bioenergy and hydroelectric sources. The massive worldwide growth in renewables is creating a major skills shortage as countries rush to develop more secure and sustainable energy sources. One of the main features of this programme is its breadth and interdisciplinary approach to renewable energy. The courses draw heavily upon the research expertise of the School of Engineering and our industry partners to provide you with a thorough grounding in the technical and scientific aspects of renewable energy, including, marine, wind, solar, geothermal and bioenergy. You will also gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges related to energy conversion, storage and integration to the grid and engage with the wider legal and commercial considerations involved in renewable energy. Aberdeen is an exciting place to study renewable energy engineering as the city and surrounding region are at the forefront of the energy transition in the UK. There are several major energy transition projects already up and running including Equinor’s Hywind project and the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, Scotland’s largest offshore wind test and demonstration facility. The city’s new Energy Transition Zone – part of the £350 million Aberdeen Harbour expansion – will act as a focal point for applying the tremendous R&D expertise built up in oil and gas over the last four decades to fast-track the development and deployment of wind, tidal, hydrogen, geothermal, and carbon capture storage technologies. With hundreds of energy companies based in Aberdeen, our programmes benefit from significant industry engagement, including industry advisory panels, guest lectures, field trips, site visits, networking and careers events, and industry-supported student projects.
Modules
This programme gives a much broader learning experience than other renewable MSc programmes and provides you with an overview of the engineering and technological requirements of a range of renewable energy sources. Vital, broader engineering skills are taught in areas such as safety. New laboratory experiences are available in hydroelectric energy, solar energy and anaerobic digestion. This is the only MSc programme in Renewable Energy in the UK that offers laboratory learning on all these technologies.
Assessment method
By written examination and coursework as prescribed for each course. In addition, MSc candidates must submit a dissertation on their individual project.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Energy Institute, The
- Engineering and Technology, Institution of
- Mechanical Engineers, Institution of
- Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, Institute of
How to apply
International applicants
The CAH3 code for this degree is CAH10-01-09. Students who need a visa to live or study in the UK must apply for ATAS clearance. The ATAS clearance certificate must be valid when you apply for a visa to enter the UK. To find out if you need to apply for ATAS clearance, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme. When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country and to arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs. In addition, it is important to check all immigration requirements regularly and before travelling, as they can change. Students without the necessary visa will be refused entry to the UK. You should allow plenty of time to organise your visa and ensure you are aware of all your responsibilities under the terms and conditions of your visa. Please note that the advice provided via the University is the Student Visa category of the UK's Points Based Immigration Scheme. For further information, please visit the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.
This course has a subject classification which requires students whose nationality is outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland to have an ATAS certificate, irrespective of country of residence at the point of application.
Further information can be found on the UK Government's website: www.gov.uk/academic-technology-approval-scheme
Entry requirements
A UK Honours degree at 2:1 (upper second class), or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth in any branch of Engineering, Physics, Maths or Chemistry. Students with a 2:2 AND 2+ years of relevant experience may also be considered. Key subjects you must have covered: Mathematics.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 90 | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition: Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. DI code is 0818 |
| PTE Academic | 62 | Overall - 62 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online Test is not accepted |
| Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE) - Pass (valid for one year) Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course |
To study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, through the degree you undertook or are undertaking at university, or through a recognised English language test. Postgraduate Standard requirements are used by the Schools of Biological Sciences; Engineering; Geosciences; Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition; Natural and Computing Sciences; and Psychology. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your course, unless otherwise stated.
Please use the checklist at the following webpage to determine how you can meet our English language requirements:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/requirements-pg-266.php
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fee information is not yet published for entry in Academic Year 2025/2026. For guidance, the fees on the University Online Prospectus website are for 2024/25.
Sponsorship information
Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Visit our Funding Database to find out more and see our full range of scholarships: www.abdn.ac.uk/study/funding/. The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme: The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen.
Provider information
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of External Relations
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX