MSc Electrical Power Engineering

At Warwick, this master’s isn’t just theory-heavy; students get to work hands-on with world-class research facilities, under the guidance of academics who are deeply embedded in industry-relevant research. The programme includes:

• A significant individual research project (60 credits) — you can pick from experimental, theoretical, or computational topics such as wide-bandgap semiconductor materials, smart-grid machine-learning, or EV fast charging systems.
• Practical lab components built into modules: each taught module typically has laboratory work too.
• Access to state-of-the-art research labs, including:
  • The PEATER (Power Electronics Applications & Technology in Energy Research) Laboratory, which covers power semiconductors, converters, and reliability.
  • A cleanroom for semiconductor device fabrication, including a Class-6 / Class-8 cleanroom for SiC (silicon carbide) processing.
  • A wide-bandgap materials electrical characterisation lab, with high-voltage testing rigs (up to kilovolts), deep-level transient spectroscopy, and Hall-effect measurement setups.
  • A Power Electronics Packaging Cleanroom, where students can learn about packaging of semiconductor devices, including wire bonding, die-bonding, and thermal processing.
  • Power and Control Systems Research Lab, with:
    • A hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation system for real-time control prototyping.
    • A multi-purpose pneumatic drive rig to study energy-efficient actuators.
    • A hybrid renewable power generation test system for combining generation and storage.
    • Thermal power plant modelling and simulation facilities.

All of this is backed by strong industry links — for example, Warwick’s Electrical Power Research Group works with companies like National Grid, GE Energy, JLR, E.ON, Alstom, and more.

Key Experiential Components at a Glance

• Individual research project (600 hours): choose your own topic, with supervision, and possibly contribute to real industry-level problems.
• Laboratory work embedded in modules: reinforcing the theory in power electronics, drives, and system control.
• Cleanroom fabrication experience: students can get exposure to semiconductor device processing (lithography, etching, deposition, etc.).
• Characterisation labs: for measuring device reliability, high voltage behavior, and thermal characteristics of power semiconductors.
• Real-time simulation / control prototyping: using hardware-in-the-loop systems to validate control strategies.
• Energy systems testing rigs: including hybrid renewable-storage systems and pneumatic drive test beds.
• Cross-disciplinary and group project work: there’s a design group project module, helping you develop teamwork, technical communication, and project-management skills.

Why This Matters for Your Career

• You’re not just learning standard classroom theory — you’ll design, build, test, and simulate real power-electronic systems.
• By working in labs like PEATER, you’ll become comfortable with cutting-edge wide-bandgap devices, which are very relevant for EVs, smart grids, and renewable energy.
• The hardware-in-the-loop experience is incredibly valuable: many power systems companies use HIL setups for prototyping control systems, so this gives you a direct bridge to industry.
• The cleanroom experience (fabrication, packaging) is rare in many master’s courses — so it's a big plus if you're aiming for research or advanced roles in semiconductor devices.
• Strong industry collaborations mean potential for networking, collaboration on projects, and possibly future job or PhD opportunities.

Graduates from Warwick’s MSc Electrical Power Engineering often step into critical roles in sectors such as power generation, renewable energy, and electric transportation. Typical career paths include:

• Power systems engineer at generation or transmission companies
• Power electronics engineer (e.g., for EVs or smart grids)
• Control systems or drive design engineer in industrial/manufacturing firms
• Research engineer or consultant in energy sector

Progression & Future Opportunities:

Here’s what you’ll gain by studying this MSc — and how Warwick supports you for a strong career:

• University Services & Employability Support
  • A dedicated Senior Careers Consultant in the Engineering Department provides tailored career guidance.
  • The Student Opportunity: Careers team at Warwick runs webinars, workshops (covering applications, interviews), and advertises over 7,000 employer vacancies every year.
  • You can build up your professional profile through The Warwick Award, which officially recognises the employability skills you develop during your studies.
• Employment Stats & Salary Figures
  • For Warwick postgraduate taught graduates working full-time in the UK, the median salary is around £37,000.
  • Warwick’s broader postgraduate career survey (2021/22) similarly reports a median of £38,000 for full-time working postgraduates.
  • For engineering graduates (electrical/electronic), earlier data suggests typical salary growth: ~£31,000 15 months after graduation; ~£37,000 after 3 years, and ~£43,000 at 5 years.
• University–Industry Partnerships
  • Graduates have gone on to work with major companies like AECOM, BAE Systems, BT, Morgan Sindall, Mott MacDonald, Proto Labs, Volvo Cars Corporation, etc.
  • Through Warwick’s engineering department, there is strong research in power electronics, electric drives, control and energy storage, giving you exposure to cutting-edge industry-relevant problems.
• Long-Term Accreditation & Value
  • The MSc is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and InstMC, which is valuable for professional recognition and long-term credibility in power engineering.
  • This accreditation helps when applying for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, boosting your career development.
• Graduation Outcomes
  • With this degree, you’re well-positioned for roles in power generation (including renewables), transmission and distribution companies, manufacturers of power electronic devices, electric vehicle (EV) companies, and industrial control firms.
  • The individual research project (60 credits) helps you build domain-specialist experience in a sub-area you care about (e.g., smart grids, EV fast charging, control theory).

Further Academic Progression:

• After completing the MSc, you can continue to PhD (or MPhil) in areas like power electronics, energy systems, or smart grids — Warwick’s Engineering Department supports this, with research opportunities and doctoral supervision.
• You could also pursue an MSc by Research if you want a more research-focused master before a PhD.
• Alternatively, you could specialize further with post-graduate certifications or professional training (e.g., through IET) to deepen your expertise in power systems regulation, grid modernization, or renewable integration.