Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems MSc (Eng)

Renewable energy and cutting carbon emissions now top the global environmental agenda. This programme addresses the fundamentals of renewable energy and shows how solar, wind and other such energy sources can be efficiently integrated into practical power systems.

You’ll study core power engineering topics such as power electronic converters, machines and control alongside modules specific to renewable energy sources, on topics like power system modelling, analysis and power converters.

At the same time, you’ll study a unique set of modules on the efficient generation of electricity from solar and wind power, as well as integrating renewable generators into micro-grids, with stability analysis and active power management. Power electronics design is covered in depth, including conventional and emerging converter topologies and advances in semiconductor power devices.

You’ll be prepared to meet the renewable energy challenges of the 21st century in a wide range of careers.

School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Our School is an exciting and stimulating environment where you’ll learn from leading researchers in specialist facilities. These include our Keysight Technologies wireless communications lab, as well as labs for embedded systems, power electronics and drives.

Depending on your choice of research project, you may also have access to our labs in ultrasound and bioelectronics or our Terahertz photonics lab, class 100 semiconductor cleanroom, traffic generators and analysers, FPGA development tools, sensor network test beds. We have facilities for electron-beam lithography and ceramic circuit fabrication – and a III-V semiconductor molecular beam epitaxy facility.

Accreditation

The MSc is accredited by 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 comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students. For this course, these are the quality standards set by the IET.

Core modules that run throughout the year will allow you to take part in different lab-based projects and explore different forms of renewable energy as well as how they can be integrated into electricity systems. You’ll also consider how renewable source-powered generations can be integrated into the grid and analysis and design of control systems.

To build your understanding of the global electronics industry, you’ll also complete a dissertation. This could take the form of a business, manufacturing or outsourcing plan, a proposal for research funding or an essay on a specific aspect of the industry.

You’ll complete your studies with three optional modules, selecting one from each of three pairs that cover different topics. If you have no experience of c-programming you’ll take a module that develops those skills, or another focusing on software development. You’ll choose between Power Electronics and Drives and Electric Drives and take another module from Energy Management and Conservation and Energy in Buildings.

Over the summer months, you’ll work on your research project. This may give you the chance to work as an integral part of one of our active research institutes, focusing on a specialist topic of your choice and using the appropriate research methods.

Want to find out more about your modules?
Take a look at the Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems module descriptions for more detail on what you will study.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems MSc (Eng) in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

Our groundbreaking research feeds directly into teaching, and you’ll have regular contact with staff who are at the forefront of their disciplines. You’ll have regular contact with them through lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group work and project meetings. Independent study is also important to the programme, as you develop your problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including case studies, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, assignments and exams. Optional modules may also use alternative assessment methods.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in electronic/electrical engineering, mechatronics or physics.

Applicants with a 2:2 (hons) will be considered if they can demonstrate specific competence in power electronics, electrical machines or drives.

All applicants will need to have GCSE English Language at grade C or above, or an appropriate English language qualification.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Engineering (6 weeks) and Language for Science: Engineering (10 weeks). 

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

How to apply

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible for taught postgraduate programmes. The Faculty of Engineering will only consider applications made before the dates below, subject to places being available:

31 July – International Applicants

10 September - UK/EU applications

Apply

This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
 
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

Faculty of Engineering Postgraduate Admissions Policy 2019

Fees

• UK/EU: £10,500 (total)
• International: £22,750 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Scholarships and financial support

The School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering offer a range of scholarships for UK, EU and International students. Find out more about our Scholarships.

Renewable energy and efficient power conversion systems are of immense importance worldwide and graduates of this course can expect to find jobs in a wide variety of industries including the electronics, automotive, transport, construction, industrial automation, power utility, energy, oil and environmental sectors.

You’ll be well-placed to develop practical solutions to the problem of integrating renewable energy systems into established electricity distribution networks. You should be able to contribute to strategic planning, systems implementation and operation of sustainable power generation systems.

This programme is also excellent preparation for PhD study.

Careers Support

You’ll have access to the wide range of engineering and computing careers resources held by our Employability team in our dedicated Employability Suite. You’ll have the chance to attend industry presentations book appointments with qualified careers consultants and take part in employability workshops. Our annual Engineering and Computing Careers Fairs provide further opportunities to explore your career options with some of the UK’s leading employers.

The University's Careers Centre also provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

The research project is one of the most satisfying elements of this course. It allows you to apply what you’ve learned to a piece of research focusing on a real-world problem, and it can be used to explore and develop your specific interests.

Recent projects by students on this programme have included:
• Power Flow Control of a Distribution Network using FACTS Devices
• Module Integrated Converters for Photovoltaic Energy Systems
• Modelling and Control of Parallel Connected Inverters
• Power Regulation in the Power System using an Energy Storage Device
• Application of Current Source Converters to Power Flow Control in a Power System
• Control of a Renewable Energy System based Microgrid having an Energy Storage System as Backup
• Control of a Grid Connected Wind Energy System under Abnormal Operating Conditions
• DC-AC Inverter for grid-side connection of an induction generator
• Modelling and control of a DC motor simulating a wind turbine

A proportion of projects are formally linked to industry, and can include spending time at the collaborator’s site over the summer.