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 will study core power engineering topics such as power converters, electric drives and control alongside modules specific to renewable energy sources and power system.

At the same time, you will study a unique range of modules on the generation of electricity from solar and wind power, energy management through the applications of power electronics and comprehensive analysis of smart grid systems. You will also explore the opportunity to address the control and management issues in modern energy systems.

You will 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 activities 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 as well as analysis, design and control of smart energy 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 will complete your studies with three additional modules including Energy Management and Conservation, Electric Power Generation and Distribution and Programming. All of these underpin the knowledge and skills required for this specific course.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 will have regular contact with staff who are at the forefront of their disciplines. You will 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 will be assessed using a range of techniques including case studies, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, assignments and exams. The additional 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 high 2:2 (hons) may 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. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.

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. The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences will only consider applications made before the dates below, subject to places being available:

31 July 2020 – International applicants

10 September 2020 – UK/EU applicants

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 and Physical Sciences Postgraduate Admissions Policy 2020

Fees

• UK/EU: £11,000 (total)
• International: £24,000 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's planned exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

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

Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

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

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Scholarships available.

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 will 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 will 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 have 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 hardware in the lopp studies in Microgrid laboratory
• Dynamic security assessment of power systems using high performance computing methods
• Optimal planning of Microgrids in developing countries
• 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.