Loughborough University

What you'll study

This programme combines taught modules with a substantial individual research or design project. Core teaching covers the technologies, systems and tools used to deliver renewable energy at scale, and emphasises practical analysis and engineering methods.

• Fundamentals of Renewable Energy – resource assessment, energy conversion principles and performance characterisation for solar, wind and bioenergy.
• Wind Energy and Turbine Technology – aerodynamic principles, turbine components, site assessment and performance testing.
• Solar Photovoltaics and Thermal Systems – PV system design, thermal collectors, balance-of-system and performance modelling.
• Energy Storage and Power Electronics – battery technologies, hydrogen and other storage mediums, converters and control for grid and off-grid systems.
• Grid Integration and System Modelling – network connection, variability management, smart grids and simulation of integrated energy systems.
• Sustainability, Policy and Project Appraisal – lifecycle assessment, economic appraisal, regulatory frameworks and planning considerations.
• Research Methods and Data Analysis – experimental techniques, numerical modelling, programming for energy applications and statistical analysis.
• Individual Research or Design Project – an extended piece of independent work addressing a practical or scientific challenge in renewable energy, supervised by academic staff.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, computer modelling workshops and project supervision. Assessment typically combines coursework, practical reports, exams and the dissertation project.

Entry requirements

Applicants normally hold a good honours degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, environmental science or a closely related subject. Applicants with substantial relevant work experience in the energy sector may also be considered.

• Academic: a lower second-class (2:2) honours degree is often the minimum; many successful applicants hold a first-class or upper second-class (2:1) degree in a relevant discipline.
• Professional experience: relevant industrial experience in energy, power systems, design or construction can strengthen an application, particularly for mature applicants.
• English language: applicants whose first language is not English should hold a recognised English language qualification at the level normally required for postgraduate study (for example, many applicants meet this with an overall IELTS equivalent commonly around 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any component).
• Additional requirements: applicants may be asked to provide a personal statement outlining motivation and relevant experience, transcripts and references. Specific module prerequisites in mathematics or engineering fundamentals may be expected.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to technical, managerial and research roles across the renewable energy sector and related industries. The programme develops both analytical and practical skills valued by employers.

• Engineering roles: renewable energy engineer, design engineer, wind or solar project engineer, systems integration engineer.
• Technical analysis and modelling: energy systems modeller, performance and resource analyst, data scientist for energy applications.
• Project and site roles: project manager, commissioning engineer, operations and maintenance engineer for renewables projects.
• Policy, consultancy and business: energy consultant, technical adviser for utilities, regulatory bodies or environmental consultancies.
• Research and academia: research engineer or progression to PhD study in energy systems, materials or power electronics.

Why study at Loughborough University

Loughborough has a long-established reputation in engineering and applied energy research, with specialist groups and facilities focused on renewable technologies. Students benefit from access to dedicated laboratories, experimental rigs and computing facilities, and from supervision by staff engaged in applied research and industry collaborations.

• Research environment – opportunities to work with active research teams on wind, solar, storage and power systems, and to engage with industrially relevant projects.
• Practical facilities – laboratory and testing facilities for energy conversion, power electronics and system performance, plus computing resources for simulation and modelling.
• Industry links – strong connections with energy companies, consultancies and manufacturers that support project work, guest lectures and graduate recruitment.
• Graduate outcomes – a curriculum designed to develop the technical knowledge and transferable skills sought by employers across the low-carbon energy sector.