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Renewable Energy

MSci / BSc (Hons)

Renewable energy technologies such as hydroelectricity, solar power, biomass, wind energy and tidal turbines are now fundamental to the growing global effort to combat damaging climate change.

We offer renewable energy degrees which cover virtually every aspect of the wide range of technologies that you will encounter in a professional career in this field.

Why study Renewable Energy at Dundee?

Renewable Energy is the study of the energy sources of the future. It involves every aspect of the study of matter and energy, and forms the basis of the science, engineering and technology of tomorrow. A career in renewable energy is both rewarding and a positive contribution to the fight against global environmental damage.

At Dundee our Renewable Energy degrees emphasise real-life engineering practice and research methodology through extensive practical projects chosen to match your career objectives. They reflect both experimental and theoretical aspects of the subject.

You will have the opportunity to get involved with our research projects as part of the Undergraduate Research Club from Level 1 onwards.

The degrees are offered at both BSc Honours and MSci Honours level. The MSci takes one year longer than the BSc because it provides more experience of the world of industry and research, and thus provides a preferred route to professional registration and higher academic studies. The BSc is the preferred route for those seeking immediate graduate employment. We also offer fast-track programmes with direct entry to second year, restricted to those with entry qualifications at a sufficiently high level to meet the challenge. This reduces the BSc to three years and the MSci to a four.

Who should study Renewable Energy?

Although an aptitude for mathematics helps, you do not have to be another Einstein to consider renewable energy as a subject choice! An enquiring and creative mind is more important than outstanding theoretical ability.

Some students will specialise in theory, others in experimental investigations, and some in increasingly important computational methods. As long as you can cope with the basic ideas of algebra and calculus, and enjoy solving the world's most fundamental problems, then you can be an energy scientist or engineer or adviser.

What's so good about Renewable Energy at Dundee?

Our staff are professional engineers and scientists, and are actively engaged in research work as well as teaching. They have a strong research presence in key technology fields such as renewable energy, nanotechnology and advanced materials, and they have contributed much to the advancement of science and engineering on the international stage.

Visit the Dundee University Centre for Renewable Energy (DUCRE) website, where many of our students carry out research projects.

Euan McTurk, 5th year student on MSci Renewable Energy, says "This course is still young, but has already established itself as an influential force on campus and beyond. It provides core knowledge from several disciplines as well as a specialist understanding of industry-specific disciplines, from solar photovoltaics to fuel cells, giving its students a competitive edge in the real world. Renewable energy students who apply themselves have very little difficulty in being offered good jobs and highly coveted PhDs."

Degree Combinations

  • BSc Renewable Energy
  • MSci Renewable Energy

Related Courses at Dundee

Teaching & Assessment

The Renewable Energy degrees are taught by the Division of Electronic Engineering, Physics and Renewable Energy.

While you are at Dundee you will get to know all of our staff as individuals and we, in turn, will be taking a genuine interest in your progress and successes, guiding your studies and encouraging your enthusiasms.

How you will be taught

Our teaching uses enhanced resources in the form of state-of-the-art laboratories and expertise in areas such as solar cells and nanotechnology, and most of the teaching takes place in small groups with easy access to staff and a personal approach to lectures, tutorials, and practical work.

What you will study

BSc Honours Degree

A BSc honours degree normally takes four years, full time, you study levels 1-4, as described below.

MSci Honours Degree

An MSci honours degree normally takes five years, full time, you study levels 1-5, as described below.

Advanced Entry Honours Degree

It is possible to study for most of our honours degrees in one year less if you have the required grades and subjects as listed in the Entry Requirements section. You study levels 2-4 for the BSc or 2-5 for the MSci. There are definite advantages to considering this route as the time needed to study is reduced by one year which enables you to start working and earning earlier.

Typical Degree Programme

Level 1

The BSc & MSci degrees in Renewable Energy share a common set of six modules in Level 1. These establish a good understanding of the foundation subjects:

  • Electricity, Optics & Waves
  • Engineering Mathematics
  • Mechanics & Thermodynamics
  • Professional Studies
  • Project
  • Renewable Energy
Level 2

The six modules in Level 2 are now more focused with an emphasis on general energy and engineering principles and underlying mathematics:

  • Electrical & Mechanical Systems
  • Energy Physics
  • Engineering Mathematics
  • Engineering Software
  • Fundamentals of Electronic Devices
  • Geomechanics
Level 3

The range of subjects studied in the modules taken at Level 3 is broadened to include civil engineering materials and their interaction with the environment, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. Practical classes give exposure to modern equipment.

  • Atomic and Nuclear Physics
  • Civil Engineering Materials and the Environment
  • Electromagnetics with Transferable Skills
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Mathematical Methods
  • Power Engineering
  • Renewable Energy Laboratory
  • Solid State Physics
  • Thermodynamics
Level 4

At Honours level you will take six taught modules covering the in-depth topics required by a practising renewables specialist, and undertake a major individual project in association with a research group or industrial partner.

  • Chemical Energy
  • Nuclear Power
  • Power Station Engineering and the Grid
  • Remote Sensing Systems
  • Solar Energy
  • Wind and Marine Energy
Level 5

This year is only followed by the MSci Honours students. Amongst the taught modules that you will choose to study there will be a significant emphasis on professional engineering topics such as:

  • energy law
  • the hydrogen economy
  • environmental modelling
  • industrial economics.

Teaching takes the form of intensive conference-style weeks rather than traditional lecture courses.

Professional engineering principles are further developed through an in-depth continuation of your Level 4 individual project and group activities.

How you will be assessed

A variety of assessment methods is used, in some cases we will ask you to submit coursework and laboratory reports, in others you will take examinations, and sometimes we will simply ask you to discuss what you have achieved.

All BSc students undertake a research project in their final year of study, under the supervision of a member of staff. Previous projects have included:

  • carbon footprints for companies/buildings
  • battery technology for transport use
  • integration of large scale wind power.

Your final degree award will depend mainly on your achievements during the later levels of study. For the BSc Honours degree the final award includes a 50% carry-forward from Level 3. For the MSci Honours degree, there is a 30% carry-forward from Level 3 and a 30% carry-forward from Level 4.

Careers

The renewable energy industry is simply exploding in size throughout the world and offers a wide variety of employment opportunities. It is a major high technology industry in the UK with a significant demand for graduates with specialist skills.

Our graduates can work confidently in any career in which a sound ability in mathematics, computing, or administrative organisation is required, on top of their skills in the science and technology of energy. So apart from the mainstream commercial activities such as wind turbines and solar cells, biomass and energy conservation, we also see our graduates taking up careers in financial management, broadcasting, with the civil service, and with the police and armed services.

MSci graduates draw on an extended project, which gives a strong foundation for those who want to continue into PhD or industrial research.

Entry Requirements

The following are the minimum requirements, please note qualifications have to be obtained at the first sitting of examinations.

Courses starting September 2012

MSci 5 Year Honours

Qualification Grade
SQA Higher AABB
GCE A-Level BBB
ILC Higher AABB
IB Diploma 32 points (including 6, 5, 5 at Higher Level)
Essential Subjects Mathematics and a Science or Engineering subject (at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, ILC Higher or IB Higher Level)

BSc 4 Year Honours

Qualification Grade
SQA Higher ABBB
GCE A-Level BCC
ILC Higher ABBB
IB Diploma 30 points (including 5, 5, 5 at Higher Level)
Essential Subjects Mathematics and a Science or Engineering subject (at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, ILC Higher or IB Higher Level)

MSci 4 Year Honours (Advanced Entry to Level 2)

Qualification Grade
SQA Advanced Higher AB (Advanced Higher) and BB (Higher) in different subjects
GCE A-Level ABB
IB Diploma 34 points (including 6, 6, 5 at Higher Level)
Essential Subjects Mathematics and a Science or Engineering subject (at SQA Advanced Higher, GCE A-Level or IB Higher Level)

BSc 3 Year Honours (Advanced Entry to Level 2)

Qualification Grade
SQA Advanced Higher BB (Advanced Higher) and BB (Higher) in different subjects
GCE A-Level BBB
IB Diploma 32 points (including 6, 5, 5 at Higher Level)
Essential Subjects Mathematics and a Science or Engineering subject (at SQA Advanced Higher, GCE A-Level or IB Higher Level)

Other Qualifications

Qualification Grade
SQA BSc - A relevant HNC with B in the Graded Unit including Mathematics (Level 1 entry)
BSc - A relevant HNC with A in the Mathematics Unit and 120 SCQF points, or a relevant HND with BB in the Graded Unit including Mathematics Units (Level 2 entry)
Scottish Baccalaureate Pass with BC at Advanced Higher in Mathematics and a Science/Engineering subject (Level 1 entry)
Distinction with AB (MSci) or pass with BB (BSc) at Advanced Higher in Mathematics and a Science/Engineering subject (Level 2 entry)
SWAP Access Programme BSc - Relevant science subjects with ABB grades including Mathematics and Physics Units at SCQF Level 6 (Level 1 entry)
EDEXCEL BSc - A relevant HNC with Merits in an appropriate Science/Mathematics modules (Level 1 entry)
BSc - A relevant HND with Merits in an appropriate Science/Mathematics modules (Level 2 entry)
BTEC BSc - A relevant National Diploma at DMM (Level 1 entry)
BSc - A relevant National Diploma at DDM (Level 2 entry)
Advanced Diploma Grade B with ASL-A Levels in Mathematics and a Science/Engineering subject at BB (MSci) or CC (BSc) (Level 1 entry)
Grade B with ASL-A Level Mathematics and a Science/Engineering subject at AB (MSci) or BB (BSc) (Level 2 entry)
Welsh Baccalaureate Pass with A Level Mathematics and a Science/Engineering subject at BB (MSci) or BC (BSc) (Level 1 entry)
Pass with A Level Mathematics and a Science/Engineering subject at AB (MSci) or BB (BSc) (Level 2 entry)
Applicants with alternative overseas qualifications should visit the relevant country page on our International website.

Fees and Funding

There have been many changes to the arrangements for funding students entering higher education in recent years, yet a degree from the University of Dundee, with its high rate of employment success, remains a cost-effective option.

The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.

Fee category Fees for students starting September 2012 Scholarships & Bursaries applicable
Scottish students You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.
The 2012 fee will be announced in March 2012, the 2011 fee was £1,820.
Students from the rest of the UK BEng/BSc - £9,000 per year, for a maximum of 3 years, even if you are studying a four year degree.
MEng/MSci - £9,000 per year, for a maximum of 4 years, even if you are studying a five year degree.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of the tuition fees, from the Student Loan Company.
EU students You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.
The 2012 fee will be announced in March 2012, the 2011 fee was £1,820.
Overseas students (non-EU) £13,335 per year.

The fee shown is annual, and may be subject to an increase each year.

Living Costs

  • Dundee is ranked as one of the most affordable places for students to live in the UK, and the cost of living is around 15% cheaper than the UK average.
  • Increasing numbers of students are successfully undertaking part-time work to supplement their income. You can get advice from our Careers Service, both about job opportunities and how to find a suitable study/work/life balance. EU and international students are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.
  • As a student in Scotland, you have free access to the National Health Service. Visits to doctors and hospitals, as well as prescriptions, sight tests and dental checkups, are available free of charge.

Your Application

All applications must be made through UCAS

UCAS Codes

Institution Code: D65

Degree UCAS Codes
BSc Renewable Energy H221
MSci Renewable Energy H224

UCAS Application Process

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International Applicants

We have information specifically for international applicants on our International website:

Any questions?

If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact:

Home / EU applicants

Diana Davidson
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 384 029 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 384 029 (from outside the UK)

Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk

International applicants

International Office
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 388 111 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 388 111 (from outside the UK)

Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk