Renewable Energy and Energy Management

PgDip, MSc

2023/24 Part-time Postgraduate course

Award:

Postgraduate Diploma, Master of Science

Faculty:

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment

School:

Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment

eLearning:

This course is taught online so you can study where you want, when you want.

Start date:

September 2023

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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.

Overview

Fully accredited, research led, fully online, distance learning renewable energy and energy management programme.

Summary

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’d love to hear from you!

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:

  • Course specific information
  • Fees and Finance
  • Admissions

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.

About this course

About

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.

Attendance

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.

Start dates

  • September 2023

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

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.

Academic profile

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.

Modules

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 one

Energy Policy, Markets and Economics

Year: 1

This module examines current and future challenges for energy system decarbonisation through energy policy, market and economic assessments.

Current Status of Energy Systems

Year: 1

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

Year: 1

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

Year: 1

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 two

Green Building, passive/low energy design and energy efficiency

Year: 2

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

Year: 2

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

Year: 2

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.

Sustainable fuels

Year: 2

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 three

Research Dissertation

Year: 3

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.

Standard entry conditions

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.

Entry Requirements

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

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.

Careers & opportunities

Career options

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.

Professional recognition

Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)

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.

Energy Institute (EI)

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.

Apply

Start dates

  • September 2023

Fees and funding

Fees (total cost)

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:

Fees
Credit PointsNI/ROI/GB CostInternational 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

Additional mandatory costs

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.

Contact

We’d love to hear from you!

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:

  • Course specific information
  • Fees and Finance
  • Admissions

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.


For more information visit

Disclaimer

  1. Although reasonable steps are taken to provide the programmes and services described, the University cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility and the University may make variations to the contents or methods of delivery of courses, discontinue, merge or combine courses and introduce new courses if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Such circumstances include (but are not limited to) industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key staff, changes in legislation or government policy including changes, if any, resulting from the UK departing the European Union, withdrawal or reduction of funding or other circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control.
  1. If the University discontinues any courses, it will use its best endeavours to provide a suitable alternative course. In addition, courses may change during the course of study and in such circumstances the University will normally undertake a consultation process prior to any such changes being introduced and seek to ensure that no student is unreasonably prejudiced as a consequence of any such change.
  1. The University does not accept responsibility (other than through the negligence of the University, its staff or agents), for the consequences of any modification or cancellation of any course, or part of a course, offered by the University but will take into consideration the effects on individual students and seek to minimise the impact of such effects where reasonably practicable.
  1. The University cannot accept any liability for disruption to its provision of educational or other services caused by circumstances beyond its control, but the University will take all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to such services.
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