MSc Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

Staffordshire University

Program Overview

Staffordshire’s MSc in Electrical Engineering & Renewable Energy Systems gives you a hands-on education in power electronics, smart grids, and low-carbon energy — exactly what you need to lead in the rapidly growing clean energy industry. You’ll build both technical depth (like converters and protection) and project management skills, positioning you to work in utilities, renewables, or energy-technology firms.

Curriculum Structure

Because this is a taught master’s + project, your time is split between rigorous technical modules and a substantial individual project.

In the technical modules, you’ll study Advanced Digital Signal Processing, where you’ll learn advanced filtering, spectral estimation, and signal-processing algorithms applied to energy systems.
In Low Carbon & Renewable Energy Systems, you explore renewable generation (solar, wind), storage, and system-level integration.
Modern Power Systems & Protection teaches power-system modeling, fault analysis, protection schemes, and stability of modern grids.
In Power Converters for Electric Utilities, you study power electronic topologies, converter control, real-world utility applications, and their design trade-offs.
Smart Grids: Intelligent Networked Power Engineering exposes you to the architecture and control of smart grids, microgrid design, and distributed generation.
You’ll also take Plastic Electronics, which gives you insight into thin-film and flexible electronic technologies.
Research Methods & Project Management helps you build skills in project planning, research methodologies, and professional communication.
The Professional Engineer (Masters) module supports you in developing leadership, ethics, and professional engineering competencies.
Finally, the MSc Project (60 credits) is your opportunity to apply your learning in a real research or design challenge, often tied to renewable energy or smart-grid systems.

Focus Areas

power electronics, grid protection, smart grids / microgrids, renewable generation (wind, solar), energy storage, digital signal processing, thin-film electronics.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to design and analyze power-electronic converters, model and protect modern power systems, integrate renewable energy into electrical grids, and lead independent engineering projects with real-world impact.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The MSc at Staffordshire is aligned with IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) standards (via its related Electrical Engineering programmes), helping support chartered engineer (CEng) aspirations.

Reputation & Employability

Staffordshire provides access to state-of-the-art engineering labs in its Smart Zone, where students prototype, test, and validate power systems.
Because of global demand for low-carbon energy engineers, career prospects are strong, especially in renewable energy, utilities, and system design.
The course offers a placement opportunity, giving you practical industry experience and a competitive advantage in the job market.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Staffordshire University, students enrolled in the MSc Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems programme don’t just learn theory — they build, test, and innovate in real engineering spaces. The course is designed around power electronics, smart grids, and renewable integration, meaning students will work with both simulation tools and physical hardware, as well as engage with industry partners and hands-on labs.

Here’s how the programme cultivates practical experience and technical confidence:

Core and elective labs: Students make use of the University’s Engineering Laboratories that are fully equipped with modern software and hardware, reflecting current trends in electrical engineering and low-carbon systems.
Smart Zone workshops: The “Smart Zone” facility provides a dedicated innovation space where students can prototype, collaborate, and fabricate — it includes digital and immersive technology tools, enabling students to bring their renewable-energy design ideas to life.
Project-based learning: The MSc culminates in an individual research or design project worth 60 credits, where students apply their learning to real problems in renewable energy, micro-grids, power converters, or grid protection.
Power electronics and converters: Through modules like Modern Power Converters for Electric Utilities and Power Converters for Electric Utilities, students design, simulate, and possibly test converter topologies relevant to renewable sources.
Smart-grid & microgrid systems: In the Smart Grids: Intelligent Networked Power Engineering module, students explore networked power systems, intelligent control, and embedded generation — gaining hands-on experience via simulation and technical coursework.
Protection and stability: The Advanced Power System Protection module gives students exposure to fault analysis, protection relays, and stability modelling in modern power systems.
Sustainable energy module: In Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Systems, students study renewable generation technologies, energy policy, and system-level integration, backed by lab work.
Professional engineering skills: A dedicated module, The Professional Engineer (Masters), helps students develop project management, communication, and engineering professional competencies.
Field trips & placement options: There is an opportunity for industry placement years, which allow students to work directly with companies in the power / renewable energy domain.

Why This Degree Matters — Career & Research Opportunities

Graduates can step into roles such as Power Electronics Engineer, Renewable Energy Systems Engineer, Smart Grid Consultant, or Micro-grid Design Specialist, thanks to their combined expertise in renewable systems and electrical engineering.
The hands-on focus on power converters and grid protection is highly relevant for the growing renewable energy sector — especially for utilities, renewable power companies, and grid infrastructure firms.
With its strong research-driven curriculum, the MSc provides a solid basis for PhD studies, especially in areas like power systems, embedded generation, and low-carbon technologies.
The programme’s placement option helps students build industry experience, making them more employable and exposed to real-world engineering challenges.
Through its design and project work, students develop not only technical skills (power electronics, DSP, protection) but also professional engineering skills, which are vital in leadership or R&D roles.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this MSc are well-prepared for specialized and high-impact roles in power engineering, renewable energy systems, and smart grid technologies. Common career trajectories include: power electronics engineer, microgrid design engineer, renewable energy consultant, or smart-grid systems analyst.

Progression & Future Opportunities:

University Services & Employability Support
- Staffordshire’s Careers, Placements & Employability Team supports students with placement-year opportunities, helping them gain valuable hands-on experience during the course.
- The Academic Skills team helps students with research skills, academic writing, time management, and presentations.
- The MSc includes a major individual project (60 credits) that allows students to work on real-world, industry-relevant challenges.
Employment Trends & Demand
- The university highlights excellent career prospects, especially in the renewables sector, driven by global investment in clean energy.
- Because of a global shortage of electrical engineers, graduates are likely to be in strong demand, particularly in low-carbon and power systems roles.
University–Industry & Research Connections
- The course’s emphasis on power electronics as applied to renewable energy systems, embedded generation, and microgrids ensures students engage with leading-edge energy technologies.
- Through the project module, students may collaborate with industry or carry out applied research in power systems and sustainable energy.
- Staffordshire’s engineering labs, including its “Smart Zone,” provide infrastructure and simulation environments for practical learning.
Long-Term Professional Value
- The curriculum develops deep domain knowledge: from smart grids, power converters, and signal processing to protection of power systems.
- The practical skills and project experience significantly strengthen a graduate’s profile when entering power systems, microgrid design, or renewable energy roles.
Graduation Outcomes
- Students complete modules like Renewable & Sustainable Energy Systems, Smart Grids – Modelling, Analysis and Operation, Modern Power Converters, and Advanced Power System Protection.
- The individual project provides not just a research challenge but a showcase of one’s expertise to prospective employers.

Further Academic Progression:

After the MSc, a student could pursue a PhD in areas such as renewable energy systems, control of microgrids, or power electronics — building on their MSc research project.
Alternatively, they can opt for a MSc by Research or similar research master’s to deepen their technical specialization.
With experience in both power systems and renewable energy, graduates are very well-positioned to attain Chartered Engineer (CEng) status (through relevant UK engineering institutions), which can significantly boost long-term career prospects.