We are passionate about sharing with our students the vital role they each have now and as future professionals in promoting a sustainable future for all. We believe that sustainability is not the domain of one discipline or profession. It is the responsibility of all disciplines, professions, organisations and individuals.
That is why on each of our courses within the Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment you will learn about the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the contribution you can make now, and as a graduate in the Built Environment.
Read the course details below to find out more.
Fully accredited, research led, fully online, distance learning renewable energy and energy management programme.
The aim of the course is straightforward, in that it is designed to meet a need for engineers and energy professionals to deliver energy conscious and environmentally sustainable solutions for use by the public, industry, services and government.
It seeks to provide an opportunity for graduates and professionals to acquire knowledge of renewable energy and energy management, and to develop skills appropriate to its practice. To achieve this it seeks to increase capacity for understanding the theoretical concepts and socio-economic principles and techniques upon which renewable energy technologies and energy management strategies are founded. To this end, the course is designed to produce graduates who have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the scientific, technological issues concerning energy systems.
The programme seeks to develop graduates who will have the knowledge, insight and skills to lead programmes of change, new design or retrofit solutions that require the deployment of either or both energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies.
The eight taught modules are designed to give students a broad expertise in the ever expanding range of Renewable Energy technologies combined with the more fundamental requirements demanded by Energy Management.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
The Renewable Energy programme was created to allow BEng graduates to achieve the educational requirements to become a Chartered Engineer under the Engineering Council’s UK-SPEC scheme. The course is currently accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Energy Institute as suitable for further learning towards Chartered Status for engineering graduates. This accreditation has international acceptance under the Washington Accord. Please note that the programme is only suitable as further learning in conjunction with an accredited BEng programme.
The aim of the course is straightforward, in that it is designed to meet a need for engineers and energy professionals to deliver energy conscious and environmentally sustainable solutions for use by the public, industry, services and government.
Graduates are expected to achieve skills in identifying, developing, analysing and critically appraising solutions and to apply those skills in a professional manner. The students who progress to the MSc from the PgD will also be expected to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research, combined with the management of an independent investigation in an area related to energy technology, with the aim of producing graduates with the capability to pursue a career in research and development through independence, self motivation and initiative.
Students will study the following modules;
Energy Policy, Markets and Economics
This module examines current and future energy markets, market participation, the development of the smart grid and how building-integrated storage and generation can be used to optimise profit and energy efficiency.
Current Status of Energy Systems
Energy resources, energy production, energy economics and the environment are all inextricably linked. These ties need to be enforced if the concept of sustainability is to be realised.
Energy Management
In view of the increasing attention being given to climate change arising from greenhouse gas emissions and concerns over the strategic supplies of energy, there is a need for industrial, commercial and public sector organisations to control their energy-related operating costs.
Energy Process in Buildings and Industry
Energy efficiency is one of the prime movers in both sustaining existing energy resources and improving environmental acceptability. Industry and Buildings are responsible for typically between 30% and 50% of a country's energy use and therefore represents both a major cost and a major environmental concern while being responsible for the health of the nation's economy.
Green Building, passive/low energy design and energy efficiency
This module will allow students to understand and critically appraise the factors affecting energy consumption in buildings enabling them to explore a wide range of low energy options in both domestic and non-domestic buildings. This will enable them to reduce the auxiliary energy load of any renewable energy solutions that may be considered while appreciating the main hazards to health in modern building designs.
Wind Energy Conversion Technologies
This module will introduce students to wind energy theory and technology, resource assessment and wind farm site development. It will also discuss the implications of both very large scale development and large numbers of individual turbines on existing electricity distribution networks.
Solar energy processes and technologies
This module will enable students to appreciate, analyse and evaluate current solar energy technologies and understand how these resources may be managed with a view to future sustainability and demonstrate how the management of energy can benefit industry financially in the short term and influence sustainability in the longer term.
Biomass Process & Technologies
This module will introduce students to the diverse sources, technologies and applications of energy from biomass for electricity generation, heat generation and as transport fuel. Waste applications will also be considered as there are some technological overlaps.
Research Dissertation
This module will allow the student to undertake an independent, in-depth study of a particular aspect of renewable energy technology or energy management strategy, policy or implementation whether covered in the course or not. It will provide an opportunity for students to integrate knowledge in the identification, description analysis and, where appropriate, solution of a problem within the area of Renewable Energy and Energy Management, and to place it within the context of existing knowledge and recent developments in this area.
Part-time, online study only. Students' engagement with online study will facilitated through the university's virtual learning environment.
For each module
Online learning: 24 hrs
Online disussions / tutorial / group discussions: 12 hrs
Independent study: 114 hrs
Total effort hours: 150 hrs
For the final year research dissertation, the total effort hours is 600 hrs.
All modules are delivered fully online through Ulster University's virtual learning environment. All modules are currently assessed by 100% coursework. The exercises include projects, essays, group discussion boards, blogs and online quizzes.
The dissertation is also assessed by a Viva which can be conducted via video call.
As a student, you will be informed of marking criteria and assessment guidelines, following submission you will be provided with timely individual feedback allowing you to identify areas of weakness.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Year: 1
Status: C
This module examines current and future challenges for energy system decarbonisation through energy policy, market and economic assessments.
Year: 1
Status: C
Energy resources, energy production, energy economics and the environment are all inextricably linked. These ties need to be enforced if the concept of sustainability is to be realised.
Year: 1
Status: C
In view of the increasing attention being given to climate change arising from greenhouse gas emissions and concerns over the strategic supplies of energy, there is a need for industrial, commercial and public sector organisations to control their energy-related operating costs.
Year: 1
Status: C
Energy efficiency is one of the prime movers in both sustaining existing energy resources and improving environmental acceptability. Industry and Buildings are responsible for typically between 30% and 50% of a country's energy use and therefore represents both a major cost and a major environmental concern while being responsible for the health of the nation's economy.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module will allow students to understand and critically appraise the factors affecting energy consumption in buildings enabling them to explore a wide range of low energy options in both domestic and non-domestic buildings. This will enable them to reduce the auxiliary energy load of any renewable energy solutions that may be considered while appreciating the main hazards to health in modern building designs.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module will introduce students to wind energy theory and technology, resource assessment and wind farm site development. It will also discuss the implications of both very large scale development and large numbers of individual turbines on existing electricity distribution networks.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module will enable students to appreciate, analyse and evaluate current solar energy technologies and understand how these resources may be combined with storage solutions and managed with a view to future sustainability and demonstrate how the management of energy can benefit industry financially in the short term and influence sustainability in the longer term.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module will introduce students to the diverse sources, technologies and applications of sustainable fuels. Students will be able to understand the impact of different fuels on the society and the environment.
Year: 3
Status: C
This module will allow the student to undertake an independent, in-depth study of a particular aspect of renewable energy technology or energy mnagement strategy, policy or implementation whether covered in the course or not. It will provide an opportunity for students to integrate knowledge in the identification, description analysis and, where appropriate, solution of a problem within the area of Renewable Energy and Energy Management, and to place it within the context of existing knowledge and recent developments in this area.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
PgDip - Normally, an Honours or non-Honours degree or postgraduate diploma/certificate in a relevant engineering, or scentific discipline and have been in related professional employment for at least one year after undergraduate award. In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant working/industrial experience, a portfolio of written evidence may be considered as an alternative entrance route. It is possible to transfer onto the MSc version of the course after successfully completing the PGDip
MSc - A postgraduate diploma in a relevant engineering or scentific discipline. In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant working/industrial experience, a portfolio of written evidence may be considered as an alternative entrance route.
In addition all students must provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
In this section
Students are encouraged to consider their career development throughout the course. The delivery mode gives the students the chance to obtain an MSc in a modern and relevant subject while still working and gaining experience. This combination has impressed employers and prospective employers. Student feedback states that “the impact of learning this course enabled them to improve their capacity to manage work, personal life and college workload at the same time.”, “Personally I feel more confident speaking with and more understanding about the area of renewable technologies. It has also helped me to improve curricular areas in engineering to introduce renewable technologies.”
The demand for well-educated energy engineers is increasing dramatically, with wide ranging opportunities in the field of renewable energy and energy management generally. Graduates from the Ulster Univerrsity are employed in interesting and diverse careers in fields related to energy both in the UK and worldwide. Many are employed as design consultants, while others have embarked upon careers in local government.
MSc - Accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Accredited by the Energy Institute (EI) 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.
The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.
For modules commenced in the academic year 2023/24, the following fees apply:
| Credit Points | NI/ROI/GB Cost | International Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | £186.65 | £440 |
| 10 | £373.30 | £880 |
| 15 | £559.95 | £1,320 |
| 20 | £746.60 | £1,760 |
| 30 | £1,119.90 | £2,640 |
| 60 | £2,239.80 | £5,280 |
| 120 | £4,479.60 | £10,560 |
| 180 | £6,719.40 | £15,840 |
NB: A standard full-time PGCert is equivalent to 60 credit points per year. A standard full-time PGDip is equivalent to 120 credit points per year.
Where the postgraduate course selected offers multiple awards (e.g. PG Cert, PG Dip, Masters), please note that the price displayed is for the complete Masters programme.
Postgraduate certificates and diplomas are charged at a pro-rata basis.
Find out more about postgraduate fees
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
