Triangle

Course overview

This 12-month MSc course provides advanced instruction in the principles of sustainable energy and renewable technologies, taught alongside core topics in electrical engineering such as power electronics, electrical machines, and power systems.

Designed for students passionate about how electricity powers the modern world, this programme develops your expertise in generating, transmitting, and using electrical power, with a strong focus on sustainability. You will build on fundamental principles of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism to design and develop complex systems and devices that support modern industry and society.

The course also offers experience in solving real-world problems encountered by both academic and industrial researchers, preparing you for a wide range of career opportunities in power generation, sustainable energy, and electronics.

It is particularly suitable for graduates of related disciplines looking to convert to electrical engineering and pursue a career at the forefront of the energy transition.

Our objective is to help you develop the confidence to work as a professional, at ease with the conventions of the discipline.

Why choose this course?

Top 10

for electrical and electronic engineering in the UK

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

10th in the UK

for electrical and electronic engineering

The Guardian University Guide 2025

Top 20

for electrical and electronic engineering in the UK

Complete University Guide Subject Rankings 2026

World's largest group

Home to the globally recognised Power Electronics, Machines and Control Research Group

Accredited by

the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer

Full CEng registration requirements must be met

Course content

This course will be taught full-time over three semesters or one calendar year. You will complete 120 credits of taught modules in the autumn and spring semesters, followed by an individual project with a dissertation worth further 60 credits in the summer semester.

Assessment methods vary by module and may include exams, coursework, presentations, group projects and written reports.

Modules

Core modules

Holistic Engineering Design 10 credits

The Holistic Engineering Design module is vital for future engineers as it equips them with the skills and mindset needed to address the complex and multifaceted challenges of the modern engineering landscape. It encourages students to consider ethical, environmental, and societal aspects of engineering design, making them well-prepared to create sustainable and innovative solutions in their future careers. This course fosters creativity, critical thinking, and effective communication, which are essential skills for successful engineers.

Project Design and Development 10 credits

The Project Design and Development module equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to design, plan, and implement research projects – the module is essential for MSc students in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering that will commence their individual project in the summer. Students will learn about the importance of developing proposals, time plans and project management, as well as the necessity to adequately explain the context and backgrounds of projects through critiquing literature. Students will engage with their assigned project supervisors to aid in this module.

MSc Project (summer) 60 credits

In this module a student will be assigned to an individual supervisor who will be a staff member in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The student will carry out a practical, theoretical or simulation based project chosen from the current interests of the staff member concerned. The student will be expected to conduct a literature survey, undertake practical, theoretical or simulation work and write a dissertation on this work.

The module aims to give experience of completing a major investigation within the topic area of their MSc course, including planning the work to meet a final deadline and reporting on the work both in a structured written report (worth 80% of the module) and by an informal oral presentation (worth 20% of the module).

Optional modules

Autumn

Sustainable Energy Futures 20 credits
  • Current trends and future prospects for fossil fuel and renewable energy supplies
  • Analysis of energy contributions from different sources: Energy vectors, conversion efficiency and distribution systems, especially for electricity generation.
  • Engineering components and analysis of renewable energy technologies, including wind, solar PV and hydropower - generator types, electrical performance.
  • Economic and environmental assessment of energy conversion technologies
  • Energy Policy: carbon reduction initiatives and life-cycle assessment
  • Sustainable transport options and infrastructure.
  • Comparison of low carbon energy options including biofuels and nuclear
Electrical Machines, Drive Systems and Applications 20 credits

This module introduces students to the concepts and operating principles of fixed and variable speed electric machine and drive systems. The module will use a number of system examples to demonstrate how machines and drive systems are specified, designed, controlled and operated.

Advanced Power Electronics 20 credits

This module covers a range of advanced power electronic techniques and implementations for a variety of applications.

Power Electronic Applications and Control 20 credits

This module provides students with an understanding of the operational principles of power electronic converters and their associated systems and enables students to design both analogue and digital controllers for linear single-input single-output systems.

Advanced Control 20 credits

This module covers a range of advanced control techniques used in a wide range of engineering applications. Typical topics include multivariable state space modelling, linear and nonlinear systems, continuous and discrete domains and observer theory.

Applications of AI in Electrical and Electronic Engineering 10 credits

This module provides an introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) for engineers who are curious about AI. The module considers what AI is, what it is used for and why it is used in engineering. The module avoids the mathematics of the subject and instead focusses on the concepts and application of AI in the context of AI as an engineering tool.

The module introduces the core concepts of AI (what is meant by AI, machine learning and deep learning), supervised vs unsupervised learning and examples of AI applied in engineering. This is then followed by a closer look at supervised learning and the data source/type requirements of AI. The core concepts will be reinforced through a number of case studies arising out of the field of electrical and electronic engineering for example intelligent manufacturing, autonomous robotics, computer vision and energy optimisation.

The module will consider the challenges associated with current AI and explore issues related to ethics and bias.

Spring

Distributed Generation and Alternative Energy 20 credits

This module covers the operation of modern power systems, including deregulated power systems, distributed generation, microgrids, the energy storage as well as technologies for producing clean energy.

Advanced Electrical Machines 20 credits

This module introduces advanced electrical machine concepts and applications in the area of more electric transport, renewable generation and industrial automation.

Power Systems for Aerospace, Marine and Automotive Applications 20 credits

This module considers the design and operation of Power Systems in a range or transport related applications.

Renewable Generation Technologies 10 credits

This module covers the analysis and design of renewable and sustainable energy systems. It covers the various types of renewable energy and the resources available. It uses an understanding of the physical principles of various types of energy resources in order to develop analytical models which can be applied to the design of renewable energy systems, including energy conversion and storage, especially for electrical power generation. It includes:

  • Wind power: wind probability distributions, wind turbine performance and control, comparison of generator types
  • Hydro and tidal power: resource assessment, turbine types and principles
  • Solar power, including PV cell equivalent circuit, analysis of losses, matching to DC and AC power systems
  • Wave power systems, including wave energy characteristics, types of energy converter
  • Characteristics of synchronous and induction generators
  • Embedded generation; types of generator and operation of RE within the power system
  • Economic and environmental assessment of energy conversion technologies
Sensing Systems and Signal Processing 10 credits

This module covers a selection of topics where information is acquired from sensors and subsequently electronically processed. Applications will typically include, optical, acoustic, non-destructive evaluation, medical and bio-photonics.

Advanced AC Drives 20 credits

This module covers the control of AC drives, covering drives for a variety of machine types and control strategies, for example, vector control.

Energy Storage 10 credits

This module aims to provide Level 4 students with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills in relation with energy storage science, engineering and technology. It covers the following topics:

  • Fuels storage (coal, oil, natural gas, biomass, hydrogen etc)
  • Mechanical energy storage (springs, compressed air, fly wheels etc)
  • Heat or thermal energy storage (phase transformation, endothermic and exothermic reactions etc)
  • Electricity storage (electrochemical means, such as batteries, fuel cells, redox flow batteries, supercapacitors)
  • Integration of storage with supplier and users (power electronics for interfacing energy stores with power grid, renewable sources and users

The module will be delivered in relation with the relevant materials and devices, together with optional laboratory observations and/or practices.

Technologies for the Hydrogen Economy 10 credits

An introductory module to the advanced topic of the technology of the hydrogen economy. This module considers:

  • Hydrogen use in the transport and energy sectors
  • Sustainable sources of Hydrogen
  • Hydrogen storage and distribution
  • Fuel cell technologies
  • Hydrogen Vehicles
  • Grid stability and decarbonisation of heat applications
  • Economic and environmental feasibility assessment
Power Networks 10 credits

This module provides students with an understanding of power system apparatus and their behaviour under normal and fault conditions. This module covers:

  • concept and analysis of load flow
  • voltage/current symmetrical components
  • computation of fault currents
  • economic optimisation
  • power-system control and stability
  • power system protection
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Friday 05 September 2025.

Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Lectures
  • Group study
  • Practical classes
  • Workshops
  • Lab sessions
  • Supervision
  • Tutorials
  • Independent study

You will be taught using up to date practices, including the use of electronic resources.

How you will be assessed

  • Formative examination
  • Coursework
  • Lab skills
  • In-class test
  • Online exams
  • Exams
  • Health and safety test
  • Dissertation
  • Reports

The assessment strategy differs between the taught (120 credits) and individual project (60 credits) modules. A typical module contains both written assignment(s) and an end of semester exam which is mostly weighted as 40%. The individual project module is continuously assessed in the summer period and concludes with submission of a final project report, as well as an oral assessment based upon the practical demonstration of the proposed engineering design/solution. The pass mark for all the modules is 50%. Your final degree classification will be based upon your aggregated achievement from both the taught and the project stages of 180 credits.

Contact time and study hours

You will study a total of 180 credits which consists of 120 taught credits over autumn and spring semesters, with the final 60 credits from a large individual project carried out in the summer semester. Typical class contact time is 4 hours per week for a 20 credit module. There is typically 11 weeks of class teaching in each taught semester. In addition direct contact with academics, students are expected to put in additional self-study time preparing for lectures, tutorials, labs and assignments. As a guide, one credit is equivalent to 10 hours of total combined effort.

Typical class size is approximately 50 students. Teaching for this course usually takes place on Monday to Friday with the exception of Wednesday afternoon when students are involved in extracurricular activities.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

MSc

Undergraduate degree2:1 or equivalent grade in Electrical Engineering or related discipline. Applicants are expected to have covered modules such as Electric Circuits, Power Electronics, Power Network/Systems, Control Engineering, Electrical Machines or related key technical modules.

Applying

Applicants with other relevant engineering qualifications should demonstrate clear evidence that they have covered sufficient electrical based subjects in their undergraduate studies. Please ensure that you include any relevant work experience in the personal statement of your application form.

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

How to apply
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Where you will learn

University Park Campus

University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

Fees

Qualification MSc
Home / UK £13,400
International £33,000

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. Project equipment and components are normally covered by the department, though some students opt to buy some of their own components up to £100.

You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles which could cost up to £300. Please note that these figures are approximate and subject to change.

Funding

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

Career destinations for our graduates in the department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering include:

  • IT business analysts
  • Systems designers
  • Programmers
  • Software development professionals
  • Production technicians
  • Electrical engineers and engineering professionals

Career progression

93.1% of postgraduates from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average starting salary was £35,766.*

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020/21-2022/23.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

This degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Two masters graduates proudly holding their certificates
" Studying for my MSc at the University of Nottingham truly was an extraordinary learning experience for me. I am most grateful to my professors and friends who supported and inspired me to succeed during the challenging times of my academic journey. The skills, knowledge and experience which I have gained has earned me a career as a Business Development Engineer in the Renewable Energy Sector in my home country, Thailand "
Saran Rummaneethorn, Electrical Engineering for Sustainable & Renewable Energy MSc, Class of 2021

This content was last updated on Friday 05 September 2025. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.