- Sustainable Energy
MSc — 2026 entry Sustainable Energy
Our Sustainable Energy MSc degree adopts an interdisciplinary approach to the field, offering students a comprehensive understanding of energy sustainability and renewable sources. It also provides opportunities for specialisation in areas such as wind energy, solar energy, sustainable energy storage, and the integration of smart energy with AI applications.
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Why choose
this course?
Build on the advanced and technical skills needed for careers in renewable energy, energy storage, smart grids, net-zero strategies, consultancy, research, and sustainable supply chains. You can also choose the two-year placement pathway, supported by Surrey’s employability team and employer connections.
Explore the technologies driving the energy transition. Our Sustainable Energy MSc covers key areas shaping the future of energy systems, including solar energy, wind power, sustainable energy storage, smart energy systems, AI applications, energy economics and energy policy. Through practical project and laboratory work, you’ll apply your learning to real-world sustainability and energy challenges.
Study in a research-active and industry-relevant environment where you’ll be taught by academics actively involved in research. You’ll also have access to a wide range of exceptional facilities including the Fluor Pilot Plant, robotics facilities, the Surrey Ion-Beam Centre and the Surrey Research Park.
Why study sustainable energy now?
Governments and industries around the world are investing in renewable energy, net-zero technologies and sustainable infrastructure. This is increasing demand for graduates with expertise in energy systems, decarbonisation and clean technologies. Our Sustainable Energy MSc prepares you to contribute to the transition towards more sustainable energy systems and low-carbon industries.
We’re preparing you for the future by integrating AI into every course, building digital skills, confidence and creativity that employers value in tomorrow’s workplace.
What you will study
This MSc in Sustainable Energy takes an interdisciplinary approach to the sector, enabling you to gain an excellent broad overview of energy sustainability and renewables whilst also giving you opportunities to specialise in aspects such as wind, solar, sustainable energy storage, and smart energy and the AI applications.
You'll begin by exploring the core principles in sustainable/net-zero energy systems and applications. Project and laboratory components will then enable you to gain practical, technical and transferable skills. Elements of leadership and change management will also be embedded throughout group project work.
You will actively engage in the research aspects of the programme as part of your dissertation projects. For this, you'll be integrated into one of our research teams, based on the choice of topic you're interested in within a range of energy-systems-related projects and closely supervised by one of our expert research staff.
The research projects will be conducted across highly relevant and multidisciplinary themes within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, with some contributions from the other institutes, research centres, and faculties at Surrey.
International students
The transition to renewable energy and net-zero technologies is creating global demand for graduates with expertise in sustainable energy systems, clean technologies and sustainability. At Surrey, you’ll study in an international learning environment alongside students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. The Sustainable Energy MSc develops technical, analytical and problem-solving skills relevant to careers in renewable energies, energy systems sustainability, and emerging clean technologies.
Guildford is located close to London and within reach of major engineering, technology and energy organisations. Surrey’s industry links and global outlook help prepare graduates for careers in the UK and internationally.
As an international student, you’ll benefit from:
- Dedicated visa and student support services
- Careers and employability guidance
- Academic English and study support
- Access to global alumni and professional networks
- Opportunities to collaborate in multicultural project teams.
Many of our graduates go on to work in energy, infrastructure and sustainability sectors across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Contributing to Sustainable Development Goals
This programme will contribute to the current local and global efforts on promoting sustainability across society, such as the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Net-Zero Emission plans.
It will train the next generation of experts with the state-of-the-art knowledge required to apply sustainable technologies across a wide range of industrial, residential, and transportation applications.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand, and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught courses based on a 15-credit tariff, meaning all modules are comprised of multiples of 15 credits.
Course options
Year 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
In this module, students will learn economic concepts to understand and analyse sustainable energy systems. The module will introduce energy demand and supply concepts, provide frameworks for analysing energy investments, discuss energy markets, pricing, environmental and climate change issues, and present economic policies and regulations to support sustainable energies. The interactions of energy systems with the economy will be considered as well. By completing this module, students will gain the principal knowledge required to develop a sustainable economy based on the challenges associated with technological transformations and the energy transition into the net-zero era. The information gained in this module helps students analyse the techno-economic viability of modern energy systems. This module complements all other modules in this programme and is highly applicable to successfully delivering the MSc Dissertation module and/or Group Project.
View full module detailsIn this dynamic module, you will be at the forefront of understanding the principles behind renewable energy sources and their conversion technologies, delving into the realms of wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal power. As active participants in this course, you will explore the foundations of sustainability, gaining insights into the crucial role it plays in transitioning towards a low-carbon economy.Throughout the module, you will not only grasp theoretical concepts but also engage hands-on with the energy generating devices. Picture yourself harnessing the power of sunlight in solar panel laboratory sessions and understanding the sustainable potential of biomass and geothermal resources. You won't just be learning about the future; you will be actively contributing to it.As we guide you through the course, you will develop a holistic perspective on the global energy landscape. We will unravel the complexities of sustainable transitions, empowering you to critically assess the challenges and opportunities in our journey towards a cleaner, greener future. Be prepared to explore next-generation materials and technologies proposed to meet the world's escalating energy demands responsibly.The foundation knowledge obtained in this module closely relates to all other modules in the study programme, particularly Sustainable Energy Storage and Smart Energy Systems & Analysis. Together, they provide a full picture of sustainable energy systems and the necessary knowledge of analytical tools required for designing modern energy systems.
View full module detailsOptional
Solar Energy is quite wide and large subject. It based on different branches of science and technologies. The model is focused on photo-voltaic side of solar energy applications. It tries to deal with the subject from different angles of consideration; the physics base, technology development, technical work, system design and economics.
View full module detailsENGM270 Energy Geotechnics is a postgraduate module focused on the geotechnical design principles essential for contemporary and emerging energy infrastructure projects. The curriculum encompasses shallow geothermal energy systems, renewable energy foundations for both offshore and onshore wind turbines, offshore oil and gas installation foundations, and nuclear power systems. Specialised lectures cover high-level nuclear waste disposal and carbon geo-sequestration. Key topics include heat transport in soils, geothermal energy pile systems, and offshore wind turbine foundation design, supplemented by practical coursework on numerical modelling of geothermal systems. The module is designed for students with a foundational understanding of soil and structural mechanics, equivalent to a final-year Bachelor of Engineering.
View full module detailsThis module provides a trans-disciplinary exposition and discussion of the core concepts of Sustainable Development, covering economic, political, ethical, social and ecological dimensions. It also reflects on the real-life application of the concept in organisations across sectors and scales, focusing on policies, strategies, performance and governance. It is aimed at a wide range of students and is suitable as a foundation for students who have not previously studied sustainability. It provides a grounding to the concepts but also raises awareness of the leading-edge challenges in the integration and implementation of sustainable development in reality.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
In this module, students will gain a general understanding of sustainable energy storage and distribution systems by reviewing the most common types of renewable energy vectors and modern energy conversion and transformation technologies. The energy security concerns, in principle, and the uncertainties associated with the natural fluctuation of renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric, etc.) limit their large-scale applications in serving the global energy demand. This module aims to address these concerns by studying in-depth the principles of operation, characteristics, and challenges with a range of sustainable energy storage technologies, including the mechanical energy storage system, green hydrogen and hydrocarbon storage, various types of batteries (lithium-ion, redox-flow cell, lead acid battery), supercapacitors, thermal energy storage, along with the modern micro-grid and power-grid distribution systems. Gaining knowledge in various sustainable energy storage technologies applied in the net-zero emission plan, this module aims to develop students' engineering knowledge and competence in sustainability, digital capabilities, and employability. The module expands the skills obtained in the foundation module “Introduction to Renewable Energy Systems” and is closely related to the other core modules of this programme, particularly Smart Energy Systems, Economics and Policy of Sustainable Energy, and Group Project.
View full module detailsOptional
Wind energy is an emerging renewable technology that has received wide attention in the context of dealing with global energy demand and sustainable development. It is a broad subject encompassing several branches of science and engineering. This module is to introduce the concept, technical approaches, and the practical aspects in applications.
View full module detailsInfrastructure systems play a crucial role towards sustainable development as they serve the needs of the society. An understanding of the three dimensions of sustainability, economic, environmental and social, is vital towards the planning, design and operation of sustainable infrastructure systems. This module evaluative frameworks that can capture economic, environmental and social constraints to understand the balance between these three dimensions towards the development of sustainable infrastructure projects. Particular focus is given to whole-life carbon accounting and life cycle assessment for assessing the environmental impact of infrastructure systems and multi-criteria decision analysis and environmental/social impact assessments, capable of capturing the three pillars of sustainability for holistic decision-making within the context of infrastructure.
View full module detailsThis module offers an introduction to industrial aerodynamics and wind engineering, covering applications of aerodynamics to areas beyond the classical aerospace ones. Particular focus is given to the main characteristics of natural winds, concentrating on four aspects: Meteorology and the atmospheric boundary layer Wind power aerodynamics Pollutant dispersion in the atmosphere Building aerodynamics The above applications are designed to introduce students to wider applications of aerodynamics not covered elsewhere in the aerospace and mechanical engineering programmes.
View full module detailsNature Based Solutions (NBS) are defined by International Union for Conservation of Nature as actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, which address societal challenges (e.g., climate change, water security or natural disasters) effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. NBS are increasingly used as a more sustainable way of managing environments or environmental systems. NBS use nature's own resources (clean air, water, plants, and soil) to provide cost-effective environmental, social, and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more diverse nature and natural features and processes into existing networks and infrastructure systems including cities, landscapes, and coastal areas, through site specific, locally adapted, resource-efficient interventions. Engineers are working to restore natural buffering systems (e.g., wetlands and tree canopies), utilise green infrastructure, and better manage natural areas to restore riparian corridors, create resilient coastal ecosystems, manage flood risk, enhance water quality and waste treatment, improve air quality, mitigate climate change and more. NBS are often seen as an alternative, more sustainable solution to hard engineered infrastructure solution (by fulfilling multiple services and / by having fewer adverse characteristics). However, NBS cannot be unilaterally implemented due to prevailing characteristics of the built and natural environments. The module will provide the knowledge and skills needed to explore, critically assess, and evaluate the ¿why¿ ¿how¿ and utility of NBS to protect, manage and restore ecosystems vulnerable to societal and environmental challenges. An important part of the module will be to critically assess, compare, and determine the feasibility of different solutions drawn from literature and case studies where NBS have been successful implemented. The module will draw on the desire of communities to live in green spaces and explore options for engineers to design and integrate facilities within ecosystems in a way that benefits ecological and human health. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of NBS, the module will explore different environments (air, water, coastal, rural, and urban) ensuring the interaction between different research disciplines such as coastal management, wastewater treatment, air quality, material and infrastructure, and urban management.
View full module detailsThe course provides an introduction to nuclear energy generation and applications of nuclear science. Nuclear reactors, their physics and operation are described. Nuclear reactor safety case work is also discussed. Future potential energy generation mechanisms such including nuclear fusion will be discussed. The module will also present a range of applications of radioactivity measurement including aspects of Environmental Science and Medical Diagnogstics and treatment therapy. The module will include some aspects of calculus and first order differential equations.
View full module detailsEnergy systems are becoming increasingly complex in terms of configuration, type of sources and distribution. The common challenges include the integration of fluctuating energy sources, disruption in energy demand and distribution bottlenecks. The inclusion of different, often disparate technologies associated with renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, bio-generation and hydrogen sources, and frequently opposing requirements of sustainability, economic viability and legislation impose further complexity and requirement for smart solutions at operational and design levels. This module covers a multidisciplinary space between energy engineering and information technology to support timely solutions in real-life environments. It consists of two parts: i) lectures covering fundamentals of energy networks (centralized vs distributed), energy supply chains and operational bottlenecks, energy integration and different optimization methods, machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, and ii) supervised group project work to find example solutions by applying the methods taught in the first part. The information obtained in this module closely relates to all other modules in the programme (particularly Introduction to Renewable Energy Systems and Sustainable Energy Storage), which together provide a complete picture of the sustainable energy sector, from the fundamental principles to niche applications in designing autonomous smart energy systems based on AI.
View full module detailsAcross academic years
Compulsory
The research dissertation is a report on the individual project carried out by students to demonstrate research potential and ability to use existing and to acquire new knowledge and apply them in specific situation. A number of dissertations are carried out in collaboration with industry and upon successful completion of the module, the students will be able to approach an open-ended topic to research new ideas and experiment with new technologies.
View full module detailsThe MSc Group Project module provides an opportunity for students to work on a realistic, multi-disciplinary project related to the Sustainable Energy discipline. According to their stated preferences regarding the subject areas, the students are allocated to groups and each group is assigned a project proposed by two academic staff. The projects involve designing, modelling, prototyping, analysis, testing and experimental work, synthesis, computing, and information processing in varying proportions consistent with the topic being addressed. Technical quality, integration, comprehension, creativity, team working, communication and project management are all part of the experience. The Group Project module focuses on the application of theoretical knowledge and practical techniques. Module staff act as project clients and provide an initial project definition, often through consultation with industrial partners. Over the lifecycle of the project, there will be changing priorities and responsibilities, so a group will need to adapt their team organization, their choice of sub-groups and their allocation of individual roles, for each phase of the project.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
For further information regarding programme structure and module selection, please refer to the course catalogue.
Year 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
In this dynamic module, you will be at the forefront of understanding the principles behind renewable energy sources and their conversion technologies, delving into the realms of wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal power. As active participants in this course, you will explore the foundations of sustainability, gaining insights into the crucial role it plays in transitioning towards a low-carbon economy.Throughout the module, you will not only grasp theoretical concepts but also engage hands-on with the energy generating devices. Picture yourself harnessing the power of sunlight in solar panel laboratory sessions and understanding the sustainable potential of biomass and geothermal resources. You won't just be learning about the future; you will be actively contributing to it.As we guide you through the course, you will develop a holistic perspective on the global energy landscape. We will unravel the complexities of sustainable transitions, empowering you to critically assess the challenges and opportunities in our journey towards a cleaner, greener future. Be prepared to explore next-generation materials and technologies proposed to meet the world's escalating energy demands responsibly.The foundation knowledge obtained in this module closely relates to all other modules in the study programme, particularly Sustainable Energy Storage and Smart Energy Systems & Analysis. Together, they provide a full picture of sustainable energy systems and the necessary knowledge of analytical tools required for designing modern energy systems.
View full module detailsIn this module, students will learn economic concepts to understand and analyse sustainable energy systems. The module will introduce energy demand and supply concepts, provide frameworks for analysing energy investments, discuss energy markets, pricing, environmental and climate change issues, and present economic policies and regulations to support sustainable energies. The interactions of energy systems with the economy will be considered as well. By completing this module, students will gain the principal knowledge required to develop a sustainable economy based on the challenges associated with technological transformations and the energy transition into the net-zero era. The information gained in this module helps students analyse the techno-economic viability of modern energy systems. This module complements all other modules in this programme and is highly applicable to successfully delivering the MSc Dissertation module and/or Group Project.
View full module detailsOptional
Solar Energy is quite wide and large subject. It based on different branches of science and technologies. The model is focused on photo-voltaic side of solar energy applications. It tries to deal with the subject from different angles of consideration; the physics base, technology development, technical work, system design and economics.
View full module detailsENGM270 Energy Geotechnics is a postgraduate module focused on the geotechnical design principles essential for contemporary and emerging energy infrastructure projects. The curriculum encompasses shallow geothermal energy systems, renewable energy foundations for both offshore and onshore wind turbines, offshore oil and gas installation foundations, and nuclear power systems. Specialised lectures cover high-level nuclear waste disposal and carbon geo-sequestration. Key topics include heat transport in soils, geothermal energy pile systems, and offshore wind turbine foundation design, supplemented by practical coursework on numerical modelling of geothermal systems. The module is designed for students with a foundational understanding of soil and structural mechanics, equivalent to a final-year Bachelor of Engineering.
View full module detailsThis module provides a trans-disciplinary exposition and discussion of the core concepts of Sustainable Development, covering economic, political, ethical, social and ecological dimensions. It also reflects on the real-life application of the concept in organisations across sectors and scales, focusing on policies, strategies, performance and governance. It is aimed at a wide range of students and is suitable as a foundation for students who have not previously studied sustainability. It provides a grounding to the concepts but also raises awareness of the leading-edge challenges in the integration and implementation of sustainable development in reality.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
In this module, students will gain a general understanding of sustainable energy storage and distribution systems by reviewing the most common types of renewable energy vectors and modern energy conversion and transformation technologies. The energy security concerns, in principle, and the uncertainties associated with the natural fluctuation of renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric, etc.) limit their large-scale applications in serving the global energy demand. This module aims to address these concerns by studying in-depth the principles of operation, characteristics, and challenges with a range of sustainable energy storage technologies, including the mechanical energy storage system, green hydrogen and hydrocarbon storage, various types of batteries (lithium-ion, redox-flow cell, lead acid battery), supercapacitors, thermal energy storage, along with the modern micro-grid and power-grid distribution systems. Gaining knowledge in various sustainable energy storage technologies applied in the net-zero emission plan, this module aims to develop students' engineering knowledge and competence in sustainability, digital capabilities, and employability. The module expands the skills obtained in the foundation module “Introduction to Renewable Energy Systems” and is closely related to the other core modules of this programme, particularly Smart Energy Systems, Economics and Policy of Sustainable Energy, and Group Project.
View full module detailsOptional
Wind energy is an emerging renewable technology that has received wide attention in the context of dealing with global energy demand and sustainable development. It is a broad subject encompassing several branches of science and engineering. This module is to introduce the concept, technical approaches, and the practical aspects in applications.
View full module detailsInfrastructure systems play a crucial role towards sustainable development as they serve the needs of the society. An understanding of the three dimensions of sustainability, economic, environmental and social, is vital towards the planning, design and operation of sustainable infrastructure systems. This module evaluative frameworks that can capture economic, environmental and social constraints to understand the balance between these three dimensions towards the development of sustainable infrastructure projects. Particular focus is given to whole-life carbon accounting and life cycle assessment for assessing the environmental impact of infrastructure systems and multi-criteria decision analysis and environmental/social impact assessments, capable of capturing the three pillars of sustainability for holistic decision-making within the context of infrastructure.
View full module detailsThis module offers an introduction to industrial aerodynamics and wind engineering, covering applications of aerodynamics to areas beyond the classical aerospace ones. Particular focus is given to the main characteristics of natural winds, concentrating on four aspects: Meteorology and the atmospheric boundary layer Wind power aerodynamics Pollutant dispersion in the atmosphere Building aerodynamics The above applications are designed to introduce students to wider applications of aerodynamics not covered elsewhere in the aerospace and mechanical engineering programmes.
View full module detailsNature Based Solutions (NBS) are defined by International Union for Conservation of Nature as actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, which address societal challenges (e.g., climate change, water security or natural disasters) effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. NBS are increasingly used as a more sustainable way of managing environments or environmental systems. NBS use nature's own resources (clean air, water, plants, and soil) to provide cost-effective environmental, social, and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more diverse nature and natural features and processes into existing networks and infrastructure systems including cities, landscapes, and coastal areas, through site specific, locally adapted, resource-efficient interventions. Engineers are working to restore natural buffering systems (e.g., wetlands and tree canopies), utilise green infrastructure, and better manage natural areas to restore riparian corridors, create resilient coastal ecosystems, manage flood risk, enhance water quality and waste treatment, improve air quality, mitigate climate change and more. NBS are often seen as an alternative, more sustainable solution to hard engineered infrastructure solution (by fulfilling multiple services and / by having fewer adverse characteristics). However, NBS cannot be unilaterally implemented due to prevailing characteristics of the built and natural environments. The module will provide the knowledge and skills needed to explore, critically assess, and evaluate the ¿why¿ ¿how¿ and utility of NBS to protect, manage and restore ecosystems vulnerable to societal and environmental challenges. An important part of the module will be to critically assess, compare, and determine the feasibility of different solutions drawn from literature and case studies where NBS have been successful implemented. The module will draw on the desire of communities to live in green spaces and explore options for engineers to design and integrate facilities within ecosystems in a way that benefits ecological and human health. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of NBS, the module will explore different environments (air, water, coastal, rural, and urban) ensuring the interaction between different research disciplines such as coastal management, wastewater treatment, air quality, material and infrastructure, and urban management.
View full module detailsThe course provides an introduction to nuclear energy generation and applications of nuclear science. Nuclear reactors, their physics and operation are described. Nuclear reactor safety case work is also discussed. Future potential energy generation mechanisms such including nuclear fusion will be discussed. The module will also present a range of applications of radioactivity measurement including aspects of Environmental Science and Medical Diagnogstics and treatment therapy. The module will include some aspects of calculus and first order differential equations.
View full module detailsEnergy systems are becoming increasingly complex in terms of configuration, type of sources and distribution. The common challenges include the integration of fluctuating energy sources, disruption in energy demand and distribution bottlenecks. The inclusion of different, often disparate technologies associated with renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, bio-generation and hydrogen sources, and frequently opposing requirements of sustainability, economic viability and legislation impose further complexity and requirement for smart solutions at operational and design levels. This module covers a multidisciplinary space between energy engineering and information technology to support timely solutions in real-life environments. It consists of two parts: i) lectures covering fundamentals of energy networks (centralized vs distributed), energy supply chains and operational bottlenecks, energy integration and different optimization methods, machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, and ii) supervised group project work to find example solutions by applying the methods taught in the first part. The information obtained in this module closely relates to all other modules in the programme (particularly Introduction to Renewable Energy Systems and Sustainable Energy Storage), which together provide a complete picture of the sustainable energy sector, from the fundamental principles to niche applications in designing autonomous smart energy systems based on AI.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Compulsory
This module provides information, guidance and support for developing the student’s employability. In addition, this module helps students build on their previous skills and generate documents that are required to demonstrate their skill sets to external parties, recruiters and recruiting agencies. Furthermore, skills acquired in this module will enable students to actively participate in placement and employment searches.
View full module detailsOptional
The research dissertation is a report on the individual project carried out by students to demonstrate research potential and ability to use existing and to acquire new knowledge and apply them in specific situation. A number of dissertations are carried out in collaboration with industry and upon successful completion of the module, the students will be able to approach an open-ended topic to research new ideas and experiment with new technologies.
View full module detailsAcross academic years
Compulsory
The research dissertation is a report on the individual project carried out by students to demonstrate research potential and ability to use existing and to acquire new knowledge and apply them in specific situation. A number of dissertations are carried out in collaboration with industry and upon successful completion of the module, the students will be able to approach an open-ended topic to research new ideas and experiment with new technologies.
View full module detailsThis module provides information, guidance and support for developing the student’s employability. In addition, this module helps students build on their previous skills and generate documents that are required to demonstrate their skill sets to external parties, recruiters and recruiting agencies. Furthermore, skills acquired in this module will enable students to actively participate in placement and employment searches.
View full module detailsThe MSc Group Project module provides an opportunity for students to work on a realistic, multi-disciplinary project related to the Sustainable Energy discipline. According to their stated preferences regarding the subject areas, the students are allocated to groups and each group is assigned a project proposed by two academic staff. The projects involve designing, modelling, prototyping, analysis, testing and experimental work, synthesis, computing, and information processing in varying proportions consistent with the topic being addressed. Technical quality, integration, comprehension, creativity, team working, communication and project management are all part of the experience. The Group Project module focuses on the application of theoretical knowledge and practical techniques. Module staff act as project clients and provide an initial project definition, often through consultation with industrial partners. Over the lifecycle of the project, there will be changing priorities and responsibilities, so a group will need to adapt their team organization, their choice of sub-groups and their allocation of individual roles, for each phase of the project.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 (full-time with placement - 2 years) - FHEQ Level 7
For further information regarding programme structure and module selection, please refer to the course catalogue.
Year 2
Semester 1 & 2
Compulsory
The overarching aim of the module is to support the rounded development of personal and professional attitudes as well as to prepare for the (energy) job market. This module will also link the theories (that they have learnt) to practice through the Professional Training Placement in a relevant organization. The PPY module will enhance their holistic academic and non-academic learning through the process that involves self-reflection, documentation via the creation of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) records, and planning and monitoring progress towards the achievement of personal development objectives. There will be two supervisors: a Workplace Supervisor at the Professional Training organization and an academic tutor (PT) provided by the University. Through working on practice-based projects/problems, they gain knowledge and understanding of sustainability and Energy engineers' role and contribution to achieving UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). Development and learning may occur before and during the placement, which is reflected in the assessment model as a progressive process. However, the graded assessment takes place primarily towards the end of the placement. Additionally, the module aims to enable students to evidence and evaluate their placement experiences and transfer that learning to other situations through written and presentation skills. Industrial placement is an excellent opportunity to explore and practice reflective and experiential learning, and to promote reflection on developing professional skills and critical thinking which are complementary skills to all modules provided in this study programme.
View full module detailsAcross academic years
Compulsory
The overarching aim of the module is to support the rounded development of personal and professional attitudes as well as to prepare for the (energy) job market. This module will also link the theories (that they have learnt) to practice through the Professional Training Placement in a relevant organization. The PPY module will enhance their holistic academic and non-academic learning through the process that involves self-reflection, documentation via the creation of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) records, and planning and monitoring progress towards the achievement of personal development objectives. There will be two supervisors: a Workplace Supervisor at the Professional Training organization and an academic tutor (PT) provided by the University. Through working on practice-based projects/problems, they gain knowledge and understanding of sustainability and Energy engineers' role and contribution to achieving UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). Development and learning may occur before and during the placement, which is reflected in the assessment model as a progressive process. However, the graded assessment takes place primarily towards the end of the placement. Additionally, the module aims to enable students to evidence and evaluate their placement experiences and transfer that learning to other situations through written and presentation skills. Industrial placement is an excellent opportunity to explore and practice reflective and experiential learning, and to promote reflection on developing professional skills and critical thinking which are complementary skills to all modules provided in this study programme.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 2 (full-time with placement - 2 years) - FHEQ Level 7
FEBRUARY START
ENGM317 - Professional Placement Year (PPY) Year 2 (Across Academic Year)
SEPTEMBER START
ENGM317 - Professional Placement Year (PPY) Year 2 (Year Long)
Year 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
In this dynamic module, you will be at the forefront of understanding the principles behind renewable energy sources and their conversion technologies, delving into the realms of wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal power. As active participants in this course, you will explore the foundations of sustainability, gaining insights into the crucial role it plays in transitioning towards a low-carbon economy.Throughout the module, you will not only grasp theoretical concepts but also engage hands-on with the energy generating devices. Picture yourself harnessing the power of sunlight in solar panel laboratory sessions and understanding the sustainable potential of biomass and geothermal resources. You won't just be learning about the future; you will be actively contributing to it.As we guide you through the course, you will develop a holistic perspective on the global energy landscape. We will unravel the complexities of sustainable transitions, empowering you to critically assess the challenges and opportunities in our journey towards a cleaner, greener future. Be prepared to explore next-generation materials and technologies proposed to meet the world's escalating energy demands responsibly.The foundation knowledge obtained in this module closely relates to all other modules in the study programme, particularly Sustainable Energy Storage and Smart Energy Systems & Analysis. Together, they provide a full picture of sustainable energy systems and the necessary knowledge of analytical tools required for designing modern energy systems.
View full module detailsIn this module, students will learn economic concepts to understand and analyse sustainable energy systems. The module will introduce energy demand and supply concepts, provide frameworks for analysing energy investments, discuss energy markets, pricing, environmental and climate change issues, and present economic policies and regulations to support sustainable energies. The interactions of energy systems with the economy will be considered as well. By completing this module, students will gain the principal knowledge required to develop a sustainable economy based on the challenges associated with technological transformations and the energy transition into the net-zero era. The information gained in this module helps students analyse the techno-economic viability of modern energy systems. This module complements all other modules in this programme and is highly applicable to successfully delivering the MSc Dissertation module and/or Group Project.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
In this module, students will gain a general understanding of sustainable energy storage and distribution systems by reviewing the most common types of renewable energy vectors and modern energy conversion and transformation technologies. The energy security concerns, in principle, and the uncertainties associated with the natural fluctuation of renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric, etc.) limit their large-scale applications in serving the global energy demand. This module aims to address these concerns by studying in-depth the principles of operation, characteristics, and challenges with a range of sustainable energy storage technologies, including the mechanical energy storage system, green hydrogen and hydrocarbon storage, various types of batteries (lithium-ion, redox-flow cell, lead acid battery), supercapacitors, thermal energy storage, along with the modern micro-grid and power-grid distribution systems. Gaining knowledge in various sustainable energy storage technologies applied in the net-zero emission plan, this module aims to develop students' engineering knowledge and competence in sustainability, digital capabilities, and employability. The module expands the skills obtained in the foundation module “Introduction to Renewable Energy Systems” and is closely related to the other core modules of this programme, particularly Smart Energy Systems, Economics and Policy of Sustainable Energy, and Group Project.
View full module detailsOptional
Wind energy is an emerging renewable technology that has received wide attention in the context of dealing with global energy demand and sustainable development. It is a broad subject encompassing several branches of science and engineering. This module is to introduce the concept, technical approaches, and the practical aspects in applications.
View full module detailsInfrastructure systems play a crucial role towards sustainable development as they serve the needs of the society. An understanding of the three dimensions of sustainability, economic, environmental and social, is vital towards the planning, design and operation of sustainable infrastructure systems. This module evaluative frameworks that can capture economic, environmental and social constraints to understand the balance between these three dimensions towards the development of sustainable infrastructure projects. Particular focus is given to whole-life carbon accounting and life cycle assessment for assessing the environmental impact of infrastructure systems and multi-criteria decision analysis and environmental/social impact assessments, capable of capturing the three pillars of sustainability for holistic decision-making within the context of infrastructure.
View full module detailsNature Based Solutions (NBS) are defined by International Union for Conservation of Nature as actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, which address societal challenges (e.g., climate change, water security or natural disasters) effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. NBS are increasingly used as a more sustainable way of managing environments or environmental systems. NBS use nature's own resources (clean air, water, plants, and soil) to provide cost-effective environmental, social, and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more diverse nature and natural features and processes into existing networks and infrastructure systems including cities, landscapes, and coastal areas, through site specific, locally adapted, resource-efficient interventions. Engineers are working to restore natural buffering systems (e.g., wetlands and tree canopies), utilise green infrastructure, and better manage natural areas to restore riparian corridors, create resilient coastal ecosystems, manage flood risk, enhance water quality and waste treatment, improve air quality, mitigate climate change and more. NBS are often seen as an alternative, more sustainable solution to hard engineered infrastructure solution (by fulfilling multiple services and / by having fewer adverse characteristics). However, NBS cannot be unilaterally implemented due to prevailing characteristics of the built and natural environments. The module will provide the knowledge and skills needed to explore, critically assess, and evaluate the ¿why¿ ¿how¿ and utility of NBS to protect, manage and restore ecosystems vulnerable to societal and environmental challenges. An important part of the module will be to critically assess, compare, and determine the feasibility of different solutions drawn from literature and case studies where NBS have been successful implemented. The module will draw on the desire of communities to live in green spaces and explore options for engineers to design and integrate facilities within ecosystems in a way that benefits ecological and human health. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of NBS, the module will explore different environments (air, water, coastal, rural, and urban) ensuring the interaction between different research disciplines such as coastal management, wastewater treatment, air quality, material and infrastructure, and urban management.
View full module detailsYear 2
Semester 1
Optional
Solar Energy is quite wide and large subject. It based on different branches of science and technologies. The model is focused on photo-voltaic side of solar energy applications. It tries to deal with the subject from different angles of consideration; the physics base, technology development, technical work, system design and economics.
View full module detailsENGM270 Energy Geotechnics is a postgraduate module focused on the geotechnical design principles essential for contemporary and emerging energy infrastructure projects. The curriculum encompasses shallow geothermal energy systems, renewable energy foundations for both offshore and onshore wind turbines, offshore oil and gas installation foundations, and nuclear power systems. Specialised lectures cover high-level nuclear waste disposal and carbon geo-sequestration. Key topics include heat transport in soils, geothermal energy pile systems, and offshore wind turbine foundation design, supplemented by practical coursework on numerical modelling of geothermal systems. The module is designed for students with a foundational understanding of soil and structural mechanics, equivalent to a final-year Bachelor of Engineering.
View full module detailsThis module provides a trans-disciplinary exposition and discussion of the core concepts of Sustainable Development, covering economic, political, ethical, social and ecological dimensions. It also reflects on the real-life application of the concept in organisations across sectors and scales, focusing on policies, strategies, performance and governance. It is aimed at a wide range of students and is suitable as a foundation for students who have not previously studied sustainability. It provides a grounding to the concepts but also raises awareness of the leading-edge challenges in the integration and implementation of sustainable development in reality.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Optional
This module offers an introduction to industrial aerodynamics and wind engineering, covering applications of aerodynamics to areas beyond the classical aerospace ones. Particular focus is given to the main characteristics of natural winds, concentrating on four aspects: Meteorology and the atmospheric boundary layer Wind power aerodynamics Pollutant dispersion in the atmosphere Building aerodynamics The above applications are designed to introduce students to wider applications of aerodynamics not covered elsewhere in the aerospace and mechanical engineering programmes.
View full module detailsThe course provides an introduction to nuclear energy generation and applications of nuclear science. Nuclear reactors, their physics and operation are described. Nuclear reactor safety case work is also discussed. Future potential energy generation mechanisms such including nuclear fusion will be discussed. The module will also present a range of applications of radioactivity measurement including aspects of Environmental Science and Medical Diagnogstics and treatment therapy. The module will include some aspects of calculus and first order differential equations.
View full module detailsEnergy systems are becoming increasingly complex in terms of configuration, type of sources and distribution. The common challenges include the integration of fluctuating energy sources, disruption in energy demand and distribution bottlenecks. The inclusion of different, often disparate technologies associated with renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, bio-generation and hydrogen sources, and frequently opposing requirements of sustainability, economic viability and legislation impose further complexity and requirement for smart solutions at operational and design levels. This module covers a multidisciplinary space between energy engineering and information technology to support timely solutions in real-life environments. It consists of two parts: i) lectures covering fundamentals of energy networks (centralized vs distributed), energy supply chains and operational bottlenecks, energy integration and different optimization methods, machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, and ii) supervised group project work to find example solutions by applying the methods taught in the first part. The information obtained in this module closely relates to all other modules in the programme (particularly Introduction to Renewable Energy Systems and Sustainable Energy Storage), which together provide a complete picture of the sustainable energy sector, from the fundamental principles to niche applications in designing autonomous smart energy systems based on AI.
View full module detailsAcross academic years
Compulsory
The research dissertation is a report on the individual project carried out by students to demonstrate research potential and ability to use existing and to acquire new knowledge and apply them in specific situation. A number of dissertations are carried out in collaboration with industry and upon successful completion of the module, the students will be able to approach an open-ended topic to research new ideas and experiment with new technologies.
View full module detailsThe MSc Group Project module provides an opportunity for students to work on a realistic, multi-disciplinary project related to the Sustainable Energy discipline. According to their stated preferences regarding the subject areas, the students are allocated to groups and each group is assigned a project proposed by two academic staff. The projects involve designing, modelling, prototyping, analysis, testing and experimental work, synthesis, computing, and information processing in varying proportions consistent with the topic being addressed. Technical quality, integration, comprehension, creativity, team working, communication and project management are all part of the experience. The Group Project module focuses on the application of theoretical knowledge and practical techniques. Module staff act as project clients and provide an initial project definition, often through consultation with industrial partners. Over the lifecycle of the project, there will be changing priorities and responsibilities, so a group will need to adapt their team organization, their choice of sub-groups and their allocation of individual roles, for each phase of the project.
View full module detailsTeaching and learning
This cross-disciplinary programme will cover a range of theoretical and practical modules taught by a team of brilliant academics who are leading the way in their fields:
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable during Welcome Week. In later semesters, at least one week before the start of the semester.
Scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday), with part-time classes normally scheduled for one or two days. Wednesday afternoons tend to be for sports and cultural activities.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF) for more information.
Location
This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Graduate destinations
Graduates from our Sustainable Energy MSc at Surrey work across sectors including renewable energy, utilities, engineering consultancy, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy policy and research.
The global transition to low-carbon and renewable energy systems is creating strong demand for graduates with expertise in sustainable energy technologies, smart systems, energy storage and net-zero strategies. This Sustainable Energy MSc prepares you for careers across the energy, engineering and sustainability sectors, combining technical knowledge with practical problem-solving and systems thinking. The course also provides an excellent foundation for doctoral research and specialist technical careers in sustainable energy technologies.
Graduates from this MSc have progressed into roles including:
- Renewable Energy Engineer
- Energy Analyst
- Sustainability Consultant
- Smart Grid Engineer
- Energy Systems Researcher
- Net-Zero Strategy Consultant
- Process and Energy Optimisation Engineer
- Project Engineer in clean-energy technologies.
Enhance your employability
During your studies, you’ll benefit from:
- Industry-focused project work
- Exposure to real-world case studies
- Access to Surrey Research Park innovation ecosystem
- Career support from Surrey’s Employability and Careers Centre
- Optional Professional Training placement pathway (where applicable).
You'll have access to a wide range of software and laboratory facilities to maximise your learning experience, including:
- Our Fluor Pilot Plant, one of the unique operational pilot plants at UK universities
- Robotics facilities
- Surrey Ion-Beam Centre
- Signal processing laboratories
- Surrey 5G/6G Innovation Centre
- Surrey Research Park.
You'll also have access to the team and facilities of our Institute for Sustainability, enabling you to conduct cutting-edge research projects that can lead to journal publications or presentations at scientific conferences, forums, and seminars.
Syed Y.
Student - Sustainable Energy MSc
Madhavi B.
Student - Sustainable Energy MSc
UK qualifications
A minimum of a 2:2 in a relevant UK honours degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification in the following subject areas:
- Engineering (mechanical, electrical, environmental, material, civil, process, manufacturing, chemical or equivalents)
- Science (physics, chemistry, mathematics, environmental, or equivalents)
- Dual degrees in engineering/science with business and management aspects (engineering management, engineering business management, or equivalent dual degrees).
Applicants with relevant work experience who do not meet the academic entry requirements may be considered for example:
- Energy engineering professionals (design, management, and consultancy)
- Renewable systems experts
- Research engineers
- Sustainable supply-chain advisers etc.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other elements.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
We recognise that many students enter their course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of ways.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning process may mean you can join a course without the formal entry requirements, or at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions on some courses, and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please contact the Admissions team with any queries.
Placements
The two-year with placement pathway (Sustainable Energy with Industrial Practice MSc) gives you the opportunity to gain invaluable professional experience working within an organisation alongside your studies. After completing your first year at Surrey, you can spend up to 12 months on placement. You'll be responsible for securing your own placement, but we work closely with potential employers to help facilitate your successful placement. Our dedicated Employability and Careers team also support students with placement applications, employability workshops and one-to-one career coaching.
The Sustainable Energy MSc is informed by connections with organisations working across energy, sustainability and advanced engineering sectors. Students also benefit from Surrey’s wider research and innovation environment, including links through Surrey Research Park. These connections span areas including:
- Renewable energy and energy systems
- Sustainable materials and manufacturing
- Smart technologies and digital innovation
- Infrastructure and engineering consultancy
- Environmental monitoring and analysis.
Industry engagement helps ensure that the programme reflects emerging technologies, sustainability priorities and current sector needs.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Fees
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
Fee options
- UK
- £11,300
- Overseas
- £21,900
- UK
- £12,500
- Overseas
- £23,100
- UK
- £5,700
- Overseas
- £11,000
- The fee for the placement pathway will be charged in Year 1 of the programme and a fee of £1,850 is payable in Year 2 of the programme
- Once enrolled, students who decide to change from the two-year with placement course to the one-year full time course will not be entitled to a refund of the difference in course fees between the one-year full time course and the first year of the two-year with placement course
- These fees apply to the academic year 2026-27 only. Fees are reviewed annually, and tuition fees may increase for courses running over more than one year.
Read our tuition fees guidance to find out more about payment schedules and how to pay.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
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UK applications
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyOverseas applications
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyUK applications
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyOverseas applications
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyUK applications
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyOverseas applications
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyAdmissions information
Once you apply, you can expect to hear back from us within 14 days. This might be with a decision on your application or with a request for further information.
Our code of practice for postgraduate taught admissions explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions at the offer stage, and again at registration. You will be asked to accept these terms and conditions when you accept the offer made to you.
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2025/26 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.