Start Year:
2027/28

Energy Management and Green Technologies PgCert

Postgraduate Part-time 2027/28

Enhance your knowledge and expertise in energy management and renewable energy to meet the 2050 zero carbon goal.

Overview

This programme has been developed in direct response to the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland Skills Intervention Programme – Phase 2, which focuses on upskilling workers displaced by COVID-19. Within the call for proposals, the Department for the Economy (DfE) identified green technologies as a key priority, an area in which Ulster University holds world-leading expertise.

The PGCert sepecifically supports individuals who have been affected by the pandemic, including those made redundant or placed on furlough by enhancing their skills and in this area.

In addition, the programme will broaden students' knowlede of energy management and renewable energy - fields experiencing significant demand as a result of the drive to meet 2050 net-zero carbon targets.

Revalidation

The University regularly ‘refreshes’ courses to make sure they are as up-to-date as possible. In addition it undertakes formal periodic review of courses in a process called 'revalidation’ to ensure that they continue to meet standards and are current and relevant. This course will be revalidated in the near future and it is possible that there will be some changes to the course as described in this prospectus.

QS 5 Star Excellence

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Rated 5 Stars: Excellent overall

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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

Rated 5 Stars: Excellent for Teaching

QS Stars

Attendance

Distance learning. PT- 2 Semesters

Start dates

  • September 2027

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Academic Delivery and Award Information

The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.

Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:

Attendance and Independent Study

As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable.

For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. A course handbook is also made available.

Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Postgraduate courses are typically 15 or 30 credit modules.

Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.

Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes.  You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group, and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.

Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.

Calculation of the Final Award

Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class. All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study.

In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.

Rated 5 Stars: Excellent for Facilities

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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.

Year one

Distributed Energy Resources

Year: 1

The aims of the module are to understand through a series of lectures and seminars, the array of techniques and technologies associated with demand side management and how its role in variable renewable energy management has evolved into consideration as distributed energy resources (DER). DER will be demonstrated in laboratories data and assessment will be through a case study to test your mastery of this specialist area.

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.

Optional Modules

Optional modules are reviewed on a Programme each year and we may change the options available to you, to reflect our staff expertise, changes in Programme requirements or to reflect feedback that we have received from other Students, employers or other interested parties.

If your Programme contains optional modules, you will be provided with a list of these in good time so that you can choose the options right for you each year. Sometimes, we may not be able to run a particular optional module because not enough Students sign up for it or because a member of staff is not available to teach a module. Where this may be the case, we will let you know when you are provided with your option choices, and you will be able to choose an alternative if one of your selected modules does not run.

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

Applicants must have:

an Honours or non-Honours degree from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or

AND

(b) 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 and Opportunities

Rated 5 Stars: Excellent for Employability

QS Stars

Core to this PgCert is the maximisation of employability opportunities for applicants through routes to further onward study and skills development. This provision will provide further study opportunities at a pace which suits the student. Upon successful completion of the PG Cert energy Management and Green Technologies students can progress onto either the MSc Renewable Energy and Energy Management (15 Credits exemption) or MSc Energy Storage (30 Credits exemption).

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fee Loans Available:

Students domiciled in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland can apply to Student Finance NI for a tuition fee loan of up to £10,000 (subject to eligibility). Students from Great Britain can apply to their respective funding bodies for tuition fee loans - Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales or Student Awards Agency Scotland.

2027/28 Fees

Postgraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2027/28 fees will be announced in due course.

See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2026/27 entry.

Scholarships, awards and prizes

None

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Additional mandatory costs

None

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 examination resits and library fines. Where a graduation ceremony is part of your course, please be aware that additional fees will apply.

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.

Sustainability

Rated 5 Stars: Excellent for Environmental Impact

QS Stars

Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.

At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.

We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Our work in this area is already being recognised globally.  Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17:  Partnership for the Goals.

Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.

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.

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Terms and Conditions

1. We prepare our prospectus and online information about our courses with care and every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate. The printed version of the prospectus is, however, published at least a year before the courses begin. Information included in the prospectus may, therefore, change. This includes, but is not limited to changes to the terms, content, delivery, location, method of assessments or lengths of the courses described. Not all circumstances are foreseeable, but changes will normally be made for one of the following reasons:

  • to meet external, professional, or accredited body requirements;
  • to provide for exceptional circumstances due to reasons beyond our reasonable control;
  • to improve or enhance your experience, or to adopt changes recommended in student feedback, with the aim of improving the student experience and/or student outcomes; and/or
  • to ensure appropriate academic standards are met, for example in response to external examiners’ feedback.

2. If there are insufficient enrolments to make a course viable, it may be necessary for the University to withdraw a course. If you have received an offer for a course that we subsequently have to close, we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss alternative courses. If you do not wish to study any alternative courses at the University, you may withdraw your application by informing us by email to admissions@ulster.ac.uk.

3. Please note that the University’s website is the most up-to-date source of information regarding courses, campuses and facilities and we strongly recommend that you always visit the website before making any commitments.

4. We will include a durable PDF when we send you an offer letter which will highlight any changes made to our prospectus or online information about our courses. You should read this carefully and ensure you fully understand what you are agreeing to before accepting a place on one of our courses.

5. The University will always try to deliver the course as described in the durable PDF you receive with your offer letter.

6. At any point after an offer has been made, students will be notified of any course changes in writing (usually by email) as soon as reasonably practicable and we will take all reasonable steps to minimise their impact where possible. The University will, where possible and reasonably practicable, seek the express consent of the student in regard to any changes concerning material or pre-contract information.

7. The University website will be updated to reflect the changed course information as soon as reasonably practicable.

8. If, after due consideration, you decide that you no longer want to study your course or to study at the University because of the changes, you may withdraw your application or terminate your contract with the University. In order to do so, you should notify us in writing by emailing admissions@ulster.ac.uk (and update UCAS if applicable). We will, on request, recommend alternative courses that you could study with us, or suggest a suitable course at an alternative higher education provider.

9. If you do not agree that the changes are fair, you can seek redress under the Student Complaints Procedures.

10. Providing the University has complied with the requirements of all applicable consumer protection laws, the University does not accept responsibility for the consequences of any modification, relocation or cancellation of any course, or part of a course, offered by the University. The University will give due and proper consideration to the effects thereof on individual students and take the steps necessary to minimise the impact of such effects on those affected.

11. The University is not liable for disruption to its provision of educational or other services caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control providing it takes all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to such services.

12. The published Academic Calendar sets out the University’s standard teaching, assessment, and vacation periods. These dates do not apply to all programmes. Individual programmes may operate different start dates, teaching periods, assessment schedules, or vacation arrangements, and some may include teaching or assessment outside the standard University terms. This is particularly common for programmes with professional accreditation requirements, clinical or practice‑based teaching, placements, fieldwork, or intensive study blocks. Full‑time 12‑month programmes, particularly postgraduate taught courses, may operate across the full academic year and typically continue through the summer period without a standard vacation break.

Applicants and students should not rely solely on the central academic calendar when making decisions about accommodation, travel, employment, or other commitments. Programme‑specific schedules will normally be confirmed in programme information, offer documentation and programme handbooks.

The University takes reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of published information but reserves the right to make changes where reasonably necessary, including to maintain academic standards or to comply with regulatory or professional requirements. Where changes materially affect students, the University will take reasonable steps to notify affected students and applicants in advance where possible.

13. Further information can be found in our terms and conditions.

Student Terms and Conditions

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