Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
It is predicted that there will be over 27,000 renewable energy jobs in the UK by 2030, and the North East is rapidly becoming a renewable energy hub. Thousands of renewable energy jobs are due to be created in the region over the next few years from large renewables projects such as the UK's first gigaplant manufacturing car batteries and a £300 million plant turning waste to energy.
Beyond the North East, demand for renewable energy and sustainable solutions is growing worldwide and there is a global shortage of trained engineers to fill renewable energy jobs worldwide.
Northumbria's Renewable and Sustainable Energy Technologies MSc is a highly relevant qualification, which is accredited by the Engineering Council through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
With a looming global energy crisis our MSc Renewable and Sustainable Energy programme is the perfect preparation for a career in the in-demand renewable energy sector.
Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council, the course meets 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.
This industry-focused MSc programme covers topics such as photovoltaic, wind, thermo-mechanical energy conversion systems, hybrid renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, building energy modelling and engineering optimisation, through both lectures and practical laboratory work. You will have access to a specialist laboratory that’s dedicated to power networks, wind energy, photovoltaics, and battery testing for electric vehicles.
Northumbria has a well-established reputation for renewable and sustainable energy technologies, and you will be taught by staff at the forefront of their academic fields. You will also benefit from excellent technical facilities including access to industry standard software such as MATLAB and specialist workshops.
During your second year of study you will have the opportunity to work in a group consultancy project, positioned in an area of relevance to the programme. This advanced practice will enrich your learning experience and gives you hands on, practical experience in order to help you stand out to employers*.
If you take this option, you will be assigned to our Engineering, Physics and Materials Research Group. There is every possibility that you may contribute to published research and therefore you may be named as part of the research team, which would be a great start to a research career.
*Be aware that all Advanced Practice with investigative consultancy project routes are similar to many of our 1-Year MSc with consultancy project routes, while 2-year Advanced Practice course spends more dedicated time in the Business Clinic, reflected on the total assessment input for the two 60 credit modules.
Level of Study
Postgraduate
Mode of Study
2 years Full Time (with Advanced Practice in the second year)
2 other options available
Department
Mechanical and Construction Engineering
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2025 or January 2026
Fees
Fee Information
Modules
Module Information
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Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it’s like to study Renewable and Sustainable Energy Technologies. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
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Prof. James Martin
Professor
Dr Maryam Bayati
Assistant Professor
Dr Shaun Shen
Programme Leader
Dr. Ulugbek Azimov
Associate Professor
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The Department of Mechanical Engineering has modern laboratory and computing resources for learning, teaching, research, innovation and business engagement.
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From designing the components and assessing the strength of materials to 3D printing and rapid prototyping skills, the knowledge I picked up on my Masters was vital to me kick-starting my career. So many of the basics from the modules on my course, I still use every day in my work.
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Applicants should normally have:
A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in an engineering or science discipline. Other subject qualifications, equivalent professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
International applicants (apart from exempt nationalities) will need an ATAS certificate to enrol on this course. Without this certificate, a visa application will be refused.Please visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme for more information.
International qualifications:
If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English language requirements:
International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
For further admissions guidance and requirements, please visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/admissionsguidance Please review this information before submitting your application.
Full UK Fee: £14,000
Full International Fee: £23,950
Scholarships and Discounts
ADDITIONAL COSTS
Optional field trips - approximate costs up to £200.
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
KB7053 -
Academic Language Skills for Mechanical and Construction Engineering (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)
Academic skills when studying away from your home institution can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject area in the Department of Architecture and Built Environment. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.
The topics you will cover on the module include:
• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’.
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
KB7060 -
Heat, Mass Transfer & Computational Fluid Dynamics (Core,20 Credits)
This module will evolve your understanding of and develop specialist knowledge in the subject area of heat and mass transfer systems. It aims to appraise practical methods in solving complex problems in the subject field using analytical, computational, and experimental approaches. Open-ended problems with no obvious and immediate solution, in topics such as viscous flow, heat transfer and turbulence will be considered and judged in the context of their industrial application. You will evaluate the characterisation and specification of complex systems and emerging technologies in this field in the context of global developments in this area of mechanical engineering.
More informationKB7061 -
Sustainable Development for Engineering Practitioners (Core,20 Credits)
This module explores the fundamentals of sustainable and ethical development for engineering practitioners, considering the role and responsibility of the engineer within society. The module will consider the elements of sustainable development as they relate to decision making in engineering, for example, consideration of legislation, economics, energy, materials, environment, and society. The challenges engineering activities present society are examined, and ethical solutions for the future of our planet are sought through the use of various techniques and tools such as the triple bottom line, stakeholder analysis, the circular economy, carbon footprint, material and energy supply chains and risk. A rational argument for sustainable solutions will be presented using both qualitative and quantitative data sources and tools using a wide range of published literature and from students’ own experience.
More informationKB7063 -
Technology Entrepreneurship and Product Development (Core,20 Credits)
This module relates the world of business and management to engineering design. You will develop a business model that exploits an open-ended concept for the start of a small business based around the development of a product. You will learn the importance of creative collaboration with your peers to develop these concepts and apply knowledge of engineering management principles within the context of commercial enterprise. You will explore and evaluate the use of risk management tools and techniques to mitigate the effects of uncertainty associated with entrepreneurial activities and start-up businesses.
More informationKB7068 -
Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn to work both independently, and in a group environment, to develop knowledge, skills, and awareness essential to complex-problem-solving research and innovation in relevant engineering subjects. You will learn through the practice of identification of need, research planning including research idea generation and proposal development. You will learn to plan and carry research responsibly, assessing risks and constraints analysis in legislation, security, economics, energy, materials, equipment, health safety and environmental impact. You will also learn to make appropriate choices when executing your research investigation, for example, developing essential skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods that can be employed to achieve your designed aims and objectives.
More informationKB7070 -
Thermo-Mechanical Energy Conversion Systems (Core,20 Credits)
This module will evolve your understanding of and develop specialist knowledge in the subject area of technologies for the utilisation of renewable and sustainable energy sources for heat and power production using heat engines and other types of converters, such as: Solar, biomass, hydrogen and waste thermal energy resources, internal and external combustion engines, solar thermal energy, geothermal and hydrogen technology. You will explore energy conversion system theory and their application through practical classes where you will also be able to develop skills important to your future engineering practice. Open-ended problems with no obvious and immediate solution, in topics such as viscous flow, heat transfer and turbulence will be considered and judged in the context of their industrial application. You will evaluate the characterisation and specification of complex systems and emerging technologies in this field in the context of global developments in this area of renewable and sustainable energy engineering.
More informationKB7071 -
Wind, Photovoltaic and Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn about the theory and application of the technology of wind, photovoltaic and hybrid renewable energy conversion systems. These technologies will be introduced such that their fundamental principles allow system design to be defined and performance optimised. Topics covered will be selected such that both stand-alone and hybrid systems may be specified, for example:
• Renewable resources, their characteristics and stochastic modelling
• Wind turbines: components and performance measures, conceptual design, structural loads, blade and tower structural design considerations, operation and control
• Aerodynamics of wind turbines: blade element momentum theory, blade aerodynamic design
• Photovoltaic: conversion theory and technology, sizing and design considerations
• Storage systems: power and cost modelling
• Hybrid systems: power, cost and reliability/availability analyses and system architecture design for various configurations including wind, PV, battery, diesel and fuel cell
KB7056 -
Advanced Practice Semester (Core,60 Credits)
This 60 credit module is designed for all full-time postgraduate programmes within the Faculty of Engineering and Environment and provides you with the opportunity to undertake a Live Project (including the possibility of live research project work with staff). for one semester as part of your programme. This experience gives you the opportunity to apply skills and knowledge acquired during the taught part of your programme and to acquire new skills and knowledge in an alternative learning environment. Specific learning will be defined in a personal learning contract.
Your Advanced Practice semester will be assessed on a pass/fail basis and as such, it does not contribute to the classification of your degree. However when taken and passed it is recognised both in your transcript as a 60 credit Advanced Practice Module and in your degree title.
KB7069 -
Research Project (Core,60 Credits)
You will learn to work independently, perform systems thinking, and bring together your specialist knowledge and skills within a research and development project. You will work with the guidance of a tutor to direct your learning and develop your abilities in areas such as project planning and management, detailed design of the proposed method, prototype fabrication or virtual system modelling and critical evaluation and identification of further developments. You will be provided with the opportunity to demonstrate to potential future employers the breadth and depth of your ability by not only using your specialist abilities, but also through the demonstration of your planning, organisational and independent working skills. You will be expected to incorporate unfamiliar knowledge as well as the wider social and environmental considerations of the engineering profession.
More informationThe following alternative study options are available for this course:
Sep start
Sep, Jan start
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