MSc Renewable Energy Technologies

Unlock a world of sustainable solutions and advance your career in the revolutionary renewable energy industry

Year of entry: 2025 (September)

Start date

September 2025
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Length

1 year full-time

School/department

School of Physics, Engineering and Technology

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Gain an interdisciplinary understanding of renewable energy in the fields of science and technology, industrial applications, and policy.

Bringing your passion for sustainable energies to laboratory-based tutorials and lecture-style activities, you'll gain the knowledge to make a positive impact in the world around us. You'll combine the technical and practical aspects of renewable energy technologies and policies and develop the skills necessary to design, analyse and optimize renewable energy systems.

Research excellence

97% of our research in Engineering is rated as 3* or 4*, the highest levels, according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).

Fantastic facilities

Specialised teaching spaces, laboratories, workshops and a range of other exceptional facilities.

Course content

Through theoretical and practical modules, you'll develop a sound understanding of the latest renewable energy technologies and their practical applications.

You'll learn about innovation, entrepreneurship, and project management through multiple modules of this programme.

You'll also complete a research project over the summer semester, gaining hands-on experience in planning, designing, and implementing renewable energy systems.

Modules
Research project

Modules

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.

Research project

The summer semester is dedicated to the "Renewable Energy Project" module, where you'll apply your knowledge and skills to a real-world renewable energy project.

During the project, you'll design and implement renewable energy solutions and apply your developed designs in practical settings at York Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Working closely with industry partners and academic experts, you'll foster valuable connections within the renewable energy field.

Renewable Energy Project

Learning outcomes

Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.

Learning outcomes for this course

Subject Knowledge: Providing an orientation program at the start of the program that covers the disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, as well as academic and writing skills and lab skills. This will provide students with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the program.
Engineering Analysis: Offering language support for non-native English speakers to ensure that all students have the necessary language skills to fully participate in the program. This could include offering English language classes or providing additional resources and support for students who need extra help with language skills.
Engineering Design: Developing a mentoring program to pair students with more experienced students or faculty members who can provide guidance and support as they transition into the program.
Practical Skills: Providing support for academic integrity, such as workshops on plagiarism and academic honesty, to ensure that all students understand the importance of maintaining academic integrity in their coursework.
Technical Communication: Offering additional resources and support for students who need extra help with coursework, such as additional tutoring or office hours with instructors.
Management and Personal Development: Encouraging students to actively participate in class, group projects, and other collaborative activities to help them develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the program.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees for 2025/26

Study mode	UK (home)	International and EU
Full-time (1 year)	£13,300	£31,900

Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.

Fees information

UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.

Postgraduate taught fees and expenses

Additional costs

All course text books and materials are available in the library or via the VLE. Depending on how you work, you may wish to pay for printing of notes and other material.

Funding information

Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.

If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.

Funding opportunities

Chevening Scholarships

We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.

If available, subject-specific scholarship opportunities for our taught MSc courses will be advertised on the School funding information page.

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

Teaching and assessment

You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.

Teaching format

We will teach you in a variety of formats. The course will include lectures by staff and industry experts who will provide an overview of the fundamental principles of renewable energy, including science and technology, industrial applications, and policy. We will provide tutorial sessions where you will work on problem-solving skills through exercises and case studies.

Our lab sessions will be based in the new developed Renewable Energy Laboratory which will provide you the opportunity to work with industry equipment and conduct experiments. From this, you will gain experience in designing, analysing, and optimising renewable energy systems. You'll also work in group projects, developing team work and applying your knowledge to problems the world is currently facing. You may also have the opportunity to complete internships or placements in industry or research settings, providing them with hands-on experience in the field and networking opportunities.

Facilities

You will have exclusive access to a designated space within the Bio Center building, featuring two newly developed laboratories: the Renewable Energy Lab and the Power Machines Lab. These labs are outfitted with electrical and electronics bench equipment, as well as a range of specialised testbeds for exploring renewable energy technologies.

Teaching location

The School of Physics and Engineering Technology is based on Campus West. The majority of teaching takes place within Campus West.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.

Assessment and feedback

You will be assessed through a mixture of written exams, laboratory reports, and a dissertation which is an independent research project on a topic of your choosing, relating to the subject.

Careers and skills

This course will equip you for a career in various fields within the renewable energy sector. You’ll develop strong skills in integrating diverse energy sources into grids, using expertise in power electronics, EV technology, and smart grids. You’ll also gain in-depth knowledge of solar, wind, geothermal, and marine energy technologies. This programme unlocks diverse career opportunities, including renewable energy consultant, energy system analyst, R&D specialist, and project manager for renewable energy initiatives. You'll foster invaluable industry connections and play a pivotal role in advancing global sustainability initiatives.

Career opportunities

Renewable Energy Engineer
Renewable Energy Consultant
Energy Systems Analyst
Energy Project Manager
Energy Storage Engineer
Energy Efficiency Engineer
Electric Vehicle Engineer
Renewable Energy Researcher
Energy Policy Advisor

Transferable skills

Problem-solving
Designing innovative solutions
Communication
Teamwork
Management
Research
Digital literacy
Project management
Presenting

Entry requirements

Qualification	Typical offer
Undergraduate degree	2:2 or equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science/Mathematics joint honours, Mechanical Engineering or a relevant subject. We are willing to consider applications from students with lower qualifications, particularly if you have high marks in relevant modules or appropriate industrial experience.
Other international qualifications	Equivalent qualifications from your country

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Qualification	Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic and Indicator)	6.0, minimum 5.5 in each component
Cambridge CEFR	B2 First: 169, with no less than 162 in each component
Oxford ELLT	6, minimum of 5 in each component
Oxford Test of English Advanced	126, minimum 116 in each component
Duolingo	105, minimum 95 in all other components
LanguageCert SELT	B2 with 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic	65 with a minimum of 60 in each component
Kaplan Test of English Language	444-477, with 410-443 in all other components
Skills for English	B2: Pass with Merit overall, with Pass in each component
PTE Academic	55, minimum 51 in each component
TOEFL	79, minimum of 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing
Trinity ISE III	Pass in all components

For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

You can apply and send all your documentation online. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.

How to apply