Sustainable Engineering: Energy MSc
About this course
Please note: If you start the full-time course in January 2026, it will last 15 months. All other full-time courses (without a placement) are 12 months long.
This course is situated in a new and rapidly growing Sustainable Energy sector, addressing the skills shortage required for the Green Industrial Revolution. This course will prepare you for a diverse set or roles and industries in the move to cleaner energy generation, distribution and consumption. Graduates will acquire advanced-level computational skills sought by the wind, hydro and solar power generation industries.
This course is newly developed, current and cutting edge in its approach to addressing existing and emerging Sustainable Energy opportunities. The course provides you with the required theoretical and advanced computational skills to explore the potential and possibilities of Sustainable Energy in a variety of applications to enable a sustainable future. During this course, you will connect and collaborate with aligned industries through live industry and research projects.
This course benefits from a strong body of staff expertise and research in the area particularly in relation to advanced computer modelling, simulation and analysis and nanotechnology and advanced materials.
We are seeking accreditation from the IET for this course.
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Top 20 in the UK for general engineering (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023) -
In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) - the UK's system for assessing the quality and impact of research in universities - we’re proud that 98% of NTU's Engineering submission was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.
What you’ll study
You will be working in groups during lab exercises for some of the modules and also work on individual projects, especially during the individual industrial or engineering research project. You will have the possibility to work on (live) projects during all modules as part of training and formative assessment. Below is an overview of the areas you will cover.
- Sustainable Energy Technologies, including Solar, Wave, Wind and Geothermal sources of power.
- Advanced computational analysis, modelling and simulation of the efficiency of systems through fluid dynamics.
- Design to Market: ethical concerns, regulatory factors, lifecycle management, end of life destinations.
- Energy Management: electricity generation, distribution, use, storage and consumption
- Nanotechnologies and materials, future applications, performance enhancement and engineering efficiencies.
- Capstone Individual project conducted with an industry or research partner.
Sustainable Energy Technologies and Innovation
This module will teach engineering solutions for managing energy systems in a sustainable way. Technologies for improving the efficiency of electrical power systems in terms of electricity generation, distribution, and consumption will be discussed in detail.
Design to Market
This module will explore current product case studies to understand the process from design concept to prototype and onward to product manufacturing, marketing, and sales.
Introduction to Nanotechnology
This module will introduce the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology and give you the tools to follow, apply and drive development in the field. It will introduce the key concepts and provide an overview of the scope of nanotechnologies, from electronics through photonics to applications of nanomaterials and nanobiotechnology.
Sustainable Energy Management
This module will explore engineering solutions for managing energy systems in a sustainable way. You will develop an understanding of technologies for improving the efficiency of electrical power systems including electricity generation, distribution, and consumption and discuss technological solutions for mitigating the detrimental impacts of power generation.
Environmental and Industrial Fluid Dynamics
This module will explore the theories, models and computational skills that scientists and engineers have developed to better understand environmental and industrial flows.
Research Methods
The research methods elements of this module will focus on literature searching and critical reviewing strategies, ethical considerations, research design, sampling and quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques using applicable software tools.
Individual Industrial or Research Project
This module is the “capstone” project in which you will bring together the knowledge, understanding and skills you have developed. You will investigate an engineering problem, implement solutions, critically evaluate, and reflect on your work, and develop your abilities to communicate, self-organise and manage. The CPD component of this module will inform your learning journey both throughout your MSc and after.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
How you're taught
This programme is delivered by a combination of:
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Seminars and Tutorials
- Project Work
- Case studies
- Oral presentations
- Workshops
- Laboratory assessments and reports.
Research informed teaching
By daring to think differently our research is tackling real-world issues. The subjects you will study with us are informed by our research so you can be sure your knowledge will be cutting-edge in your field. In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) - the UK's system for assessing the quality and impact of research in universities - we’re proud that 98% of NTU's Engineering submission was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study, you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a new language or improving the skills you already have. Find out more about the ULP.
How you're assessed
You will be assessed by a mixture of coursework and exams.
Coursework (60%), written (27%) and practical (13%)
Contact hours
Lectures / seminars / workshops (26%) and independent study (74%)
Careers and employability
Mentoring and support
All students will be allocated a personal tutor throughout their course of study in order to provide pastoral support. Each module will provide students with the opportunity to engage with specialist lecturers via seminars and project work, allowing them to explore knowledge they are applying to assignments and topical discussion points.
All staff members teaching on the programme are members of professional institutions and most are active researchers, with many undertaking industrial consultancy.
Your future
You will graduate with a range of skills applicable to the Green industrial revolution. You will be able to perform the next generation of simulation techniques through parallel computing, techniques valuable to the industry because of their high level of fidelity and high accuracy.
You could go on to work in advisory, analysis consulting, design engineering or computer modelling roles in industry, local authority, charities or NGOs in industries such as the Energy Sector, Consultancy and Local Government.
Students may also wish to study further at the doctoral level in the area.
Placement
NTU is one of the most employment-focused universities. Increasingly, employers want to recruit graduates who have real-world work experience. That’s why all of our courses, across every subject area, offer you a work experience opportunity. Our experts help build and support your future with a range of career programmes and events.
This course offers you the opportunity to take a one-year placement if you start in September and nine months if you start in January. With placement, the course will be a total of two years of full-time study.
The school of Science and Technology will work closely with you to help you find a placement and strengthen your CV and interview techniques. During the placement year, an academic member of staff will visit to check on your progress and offer any advice. On completion of the placement year, students will submit a placement report and continue back at NTU for three months during which time they will complete their research project.
Re:search Re:imagined
To us, research is about more than writing papers and proposing new ideas. By daring to think differently, we’re disrupting the research landscape and finding the answers to the questions that really matter. From conservation management to sustainable farming, we’re inspiring the brightest minds to rise up and find solutions to some of the most significant global challenges facing society.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Engineering Building with access to facilities including our aero lab, VR suite and Robotics Test Arena.
- CAD suites
- Range of specialist software including full Ansys suite, Tecplot and OpenFOAM.
- Advanced Photonics and Optics Laboratory
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your course mates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Entry requirements
- A UK honours degree (minimum 2:1) or equivalent in a related BEng / BSc discipline such as Engineering, Maths, Physics
- Applicants with relevant employment experience or other relevant qualifications will also be considered
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
You will need:
- A UK honours degree (minimum 2:1) or equivalent in a related BEng / BSc discipline such as Engineering, Maths, Physics
- Applicants with relevant employment experience or other relevant qualifications will also be considered
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Postgraduate preparation courses (Pre-Masters)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Pre-Masters courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
The course fees for September 2025 and January 2026 entry are:
| Study route | UK | International / EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,990* | £17,850* |
| Full-time with placement year | £9,990 + £1,850 | £17,850 + £1,850 |
* For January study please check your student visa regulations as this is a 15-month course full-time.
Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Funding your studies
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and living costs page and our funding page will answer all your questions.
Scholarships
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.
Alumni discount
We’re happy to be able to offer a 20% alumni discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU alumni. This discount is currently available for those starting an eligible postgraduate taught, postgraduate research or professional course.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service at +44 (0)115 848 2494. For scholarship help please contact us at +44 (0)115 848 4460.
The course fees for September 2025 and January 2026 entry are:
| Study route | UK | International / EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,990* | £17,850* |
| Full-time with placement year | £9,990 + £1,850 | £17,850 + £1,850 |
* For January study please check your student visa regulations as this is a 15-month course full-time.
Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
If you are interested in joining us in September 2025, this course will be open for applications through the applicant portal from September 2024. Courses starting in January 2026 will be open for applications from July 2025.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates' guide. Here you'll find advice about how to write a good personal statement and much more.
Writing your application
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.
Keeping up to date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please contact us at Ask NTU our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.
If you are interested in joining us in September 2025, this course will be open for applications through the applicant portal from September 2024. Courses starting in January 2026 will be open for applications from July 2025.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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