MSc Renewable Energy Systems Technology

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Loughborough University

Program Overview

This MSc is one of the UK’s longest-established master’s degrees specialising in renewable and sustainable energy engineering. It’s ideal for candidates who hold an undergraduate degree in engineering, physical sciences or a numerate discipline, and who want to build a career developing, analysing or managing renewable-energy systems globally.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1 (full-time, on-campus – 12 months): Students begin by studying core modules such as Renewable Energy Technologies in Society, Solar Photovoltaics, Wind Power and Water Power, giving a strong technical grounding in key renewable technologies and the social/environmental context. In the middle part of the year, students take further modules including Bioenergy, Energy Storage and Integration of Renewables, equipping them with advanced understanding of system integration, storage and diverse technologies. Finally, students complete a substantial MSc Individual Project (60 credits) where they carry out independent research or development work on a topic relevant to renewable energy systems, often linking to industry or real-world applications.

Focus areas:
“Renewable energy technologies in society; solar photovoltaics; wind power; water power (including tidal/wave); bioenergy; energy storage technologies; integration of renewables into electricity grids; sustainability, policy & investment contexts.”

Learning outcomes:
“Graduates will be able to understand and critically evaluate a wide range of renewable energy technologies, integrate these technologies into energy systems and networks, apply advanced analytical, modelling and problem-solving skills in the renewable-energy domain, and conduct independent research/project work aligning with industry-level challenges.”

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The programme is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) as Further Learning for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

Reputation (employability rankings):
This MSc is delivered by the Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST) at Loughborough, one of the UK’s leading renewable-energy engineering research centres. Graduates of the programme are highly regarded in industry, holding senior roles in renewable energy companies, consultancies, policy organisations and NGOs around the world.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students on the MSc Renewable Energy Systems Technology engage in an immersive, hands-on programme that connects theoretical foundations in renewable technologies with real-world systems, design, analytics and industry context. They work within the university’s renowned Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST) and use specialist labs, test facilities, simulation environments and industry-partner engagement to build engineering proficiency. The learning journey ensures that students not only understand solar, wind, biomass, water/marine and storage technologies — but also how these integrate into electrical energy systems, networks and policy-driven contexts.

Key experiential components include:

State-of-the-art research-led facilities: The programme is delivered by CREST, the UK’s largest sustainable energy engineering research centre, giving students access to well-equipped labs and test-sites for renewable technologies.
Hands-on module structure with field, lab & simulation work: Modules are divided into block-weeks and include practical sessions, laboratory work, group workshops and field trips; for example the syllabus notes that lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, practical sessions and field trips are included.
Major individual applied project: Students complete a 60-credit individual project in the summer, chosen from an array of topics in renewables, storage, grid integration or policy/technology, often drawing on industrial or research partner challenges.
Industry-relevant technology and integration focus: The programme includes modules such as Solar Photovoltaics, Wind Power, Water Power, Bioenergy, Energy Storage and Integration of Renewables, focusing on both device/technology and system integration into networks.
Professional accreditation and employment focus: The course is accredited by professional bodies (Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)) and positions graduates for roles in industry, consultancy, government and NGOs.
Engagement with industry via micro-placements and guest speakers: The course mentions opportunities to participate in micro-placement projects arranged with industrial partners and alumni contacts, giving hands-on experience in real-world environments.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the Loughborough University MSc in Renewable Energy Systems Technology are poised to take on key roles such as Renewable Energy Engineer, Smart Grid Integration Specialist, Energy Storage Systems Analyst and Consultant for low-carbon energy projects worldwide — thanks to the deep technical grounding in renewables plus systems-integration and policy. Here are how the programme details support that career leap:

Progression & Future Opportunities:

University services: Students are supported through the Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical & Manufacturing Engineering, with access to the university’s extensive labs, field-facilities and the renowned Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST). The school also offers personal academic supervision, project guidance and employability-skills support embedded into modules.
Employment stats and salary figures: While the programme’s page doesn’t list a fixed starting salary, it states that “our highly skilled graduates are prized by industry, with many now holding senior positions in industry, commerce, government and NGOs.”
University–industry partnerships: The MSc is delivered by CREST —the UK’s largest sustainable-energy engineering research centre — which has influential partnerships with industry, policy-makers and researchers globally. Furthermore, past graduates have found roles at major companies such as Arup, E.ON, RWE, Vestas and Siemens AG.
Long-term accreditation value: The course is professionally recognised: it is approved for Further Learning for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status by bodies including the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) via the Engineering Council.
Graduation outcomes: Students develop advanced technical skills across solar PV, wind, water/marine power, bioenergy, energy storage and power-system integration in low-carbon networks. The programme culminates in a major individual project (60 credits) where students apply their learning to real-world problems.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this MSc, a student could pursue a PhD in Renewable & Sustainable Energy Systems, Smart Grid Integration, Energy Storage Technologies or Energy Policy and Sustainability studies. Alternatively, they may choose specialised postgraduate certifications (for instance in energy modelling, hydrogen technologies or grid-integration) or a professional engineering master’s with research focus, positioning themselves for leadership or highly technical roles in the accelerating global energy transition.