Renewable Energy Engineering
| Award | Attendance | Study | Duration | Start | Domestic fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEng (Hons), MEng | On-Campus | Full-time, Sandwich | 3 - 5 years | September | find out | find out |
https://www.port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance
About Renewable Energy Engineering, BEng (Hons) - at University of Portsmouth
Overview
The UK Government has committed £12 billion of funding for a Green Industrial Revolution. Join the fight against climate change, find solutions to society's reliance on fossil fuels and be part of the next great energy transformation.
On this Renewable Energy Engineering degree, you'll study a branch of engineering that focuses on powering the world sustainably. From energy conversion and storage technology, to low carbon heating systems, electrical circuit analysis and large network grids, you'll develop the engineering skills and technical knowledge you need to design, assess and improve electrical, renewable and alternative energy systems that benefit the climate and society.
Follow in the footsteps of engineers who worked on radical advancements such as solar-powered drones and the hydrogen fuel used to heat and power green homes.
BEng or MEng?
You can study this course as a 3-year Bachelor's degree (BEng) or a 4-year integrated Master's degree (MEng). The MEng allows you to achieve a Master’s level degree with just one extra year of undergraduate study, further enhancing your career prospects.
Course highlights
- Design renewable energy systems for electricity, transport or heating applications, for residential and commercial markets
- Use cost analysis to compare renewable energy technologies with traditional fuel systems from the points of view of business, industry and maintenance
- Get a better understanding of solar PV, wind turbines, batteries, hydrogen energy, energy-efficient buildings and sustainable transport.
- Learn about many aspects of smart grid management, energy storage, charging of electric vehicles and system automation
- Work in industry on optional modules or your optional placement year, networking with and working alongside established experts and prospective employers
Careers and opportunities
When you graduate, you'll be ready for a career working at the forefront of the technology responsible for renewable energy. Not only is the work rewarding, but you'll be working in a highly skilled area, which is always in-demand, and get to be part of the solution to one of the most pressing issues facing society.
You'll graduate with the skills and understanding to work in many related areas, including:
- Energy generation – such as in solar or wind power
- Energy conversion and storage – in areas such as batteries and hydrogen fuel cell technologies.
- Sustainable transport systems – in fields such as electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, as well as hydrogen and biomethane vehicles
- Low carbon heating systems – such as in solar, thermal, hydrogen energy, as well as biomethane and heat pumps
- Energy efficient buildings – in areas such as energy conservation, new materials, smart energy management and energy audits
- Security – working to improve national security by working on new technologies and infrastructure
What jobs can you do with a renewable energy engineering degree?
You'll be able to take roles such as:
- solar PV system engineer
- wind energy engineer
- energy storage engineer (battery specialist)
- hydrogen energy system engineer
- fuel cell system engineer
- zero carbon heating engineer
- electric vehicle charging specialist
- smart grid engineer
- energy management specialist
- energy audit specialist
- business development manager
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
When you graduate you'll also be able to pursue further studies at postgraduate level, or set up your own businesses with help and support from the University.
Placement year (optional)
After your second year, you can do an optional paid work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. You might work in the UK, or take on a role with a company abroad.
Possible placement destinations
- solar energy project developers
- fuel cell and battery manufacturers
- smart grid service providers
- energy storage and energy management businesses
- local councils
- sustainable transportation businesses
- energy research and development companies
We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.
You could also choose to set up your own business, or take a voluntary placement.
Work experience and career planning
The Group Design Project module you take in year 2, the Individual Project module you take in year 3, and the Multidisciplinary Group Project you take in year 4 (MEng only), give you the opportunity to get work experience as part of your study.
Career development activity
You'll set up and run a new engineering business as part of your second year study on this course. Do well on this module, and you'll be eligible to apply for a grant from the SENE start-up fund, a pot set up by our School of Energy and Electronic Engineering, and run a business that provides both income and credits toward your degree.
You'll also have access to extracurricular activities, run by the school and by your fellow students, in which you might work on a nationwide drone competition, the Engineers Without Borders Design Challenge, or the Formula Student racing car competition. Our Badges framework gives you a way to demonstrate professional recognition of what you've achieved in and outside your study.
Your final project
Your project work will be on an industry-related or industry-sponsored subject related to renewable energy, or its application. You'll plan your project with consultation from your tutors and, where necessary, external industrial supervisors. Your project will contain elements that boost your future employability, such as a financial analysis of different energy options for a particular business.
We'll also help you to identify additional internships, voluntary roles and opportunities that will further complement your studies, throughout the course.
Entry requirements for this course
Contact University of Portsmouth to find course entry requirements.
View all courses at University of Portsmouth