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Global Energy Technologies and Systems Masters/MSc

Start date
September
Duration
1 year full-time
Course Type
Postgraduate, Taught
Fees

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2024/25:
£11,340 (UK students)
£29,340 (International students)
Further fee information is available.

Video transcript

This course provides both the understanding of how energy systems are changing, and what technologies will be important in the future. A challenge-driven programme sits alongside internationally-recognised innovation at the Birmingham Energy Institute that spans fundamental research through to industrial application.

Scholarships for 2024 entry

The University of Birmingham is proud to offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate programmes. With a scholarship pot worth over £2 million, we are committed to alleviating financial barriers to support you in taking your next steps.

Each scholarship has its own specific deadlines and eligibility criteria. Please familiarise yourself with the information on individual scholarship webpages prior to submitting an application.

Explore our scholarships

Energy systems around the world are in transition, with drivers including:

  • Environmental impacts, especially climate change and air quality;
  • increasing demand, and providing universal access to reliable supplies;
  • growing urbanisation, putting pressure on infrastructure.

To meet these aims, new technologies are being developed, but the systems themselves are also changing. People are needed not just to develop or deploy single technologies, but to understand the context in which they will operate. This interdisciplinary course is designed to cater to that need in a global context.

The programme take a systems-based approach to the provision, distribution and utilisation of energy in all forms. Course content is delivered from the School of Chemical Engineering in conjunction with the School of Physics and Astronomy and the School of Government and Society, by research staff who have backgrounds in academia, industry and policy.

You will study 120 credits of core material to bring breadth and depth; as well as learning about specific energy technologies and the design of energy systems, the course also covers the economics, policy and geopolitics of energy. This will allow you to get a real understanding of how energy systems operate and must change to meet future objectives.

A 60-credit research project will give you the opportunity to explore issues in depth and allow you to undertake cutting-edge research on experimental, theoretical, or policy-based projects within one of the School’s internationally-recognised research groups. 

Expertise both from across the University and from within the energy sector will be engaged to deliver our approach to the design and analysis of global energy systems, giving students a well-rounded educational experience.

Why study Global Energy Technologies and Systems Masters at Birmingham?

  • This course will examine the energy challenges that are currently being presented to us, and the issues that are being faced in solving these such that the increasing global energy demand can be satisfied in a way that is most beneficial to humanity. The structure of this course will give students the foundations for the breadth of expertise in energy systems required to make a significant impact on the energy sector over their career.
  • The University of Birmingham is a leading institution of the Energy Research Accelerator, into which government and industry have invested £180m to undertake innovative research, develop the next generation of energy leaders, and demonstrate low carbon technologies that help shape the future of the UK’s energy landscape.
  • We are ranked in the top 10 for Engineering research in the UK for GPA and 4* research (REF 2021).
  • These aspects provide an excellent platform from which to offer this programme and from which to draw on significant international standing in delivering the taught material.
  • Benefit from our collaborations with world-class industry partners, and international, leading-edge engineering and science departments

Accredited degree

Institution of Chemical Engineers logoThis Masters degree is accredited by the  Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)

The value of accreditation

IChemE accreditation provides benchmarking of academic programmes against high, internationally recognised standards. This is increasingly important as the globalisation of engineering products and services demands greater confidence by employers in the skills and professionalism of the engineers they recruit.

Modules

Core modules

Fundamental aspects

Energy technologies

Global energy systems and design

Research

Optional modules

Choose 30 credits from the options below, where only 20 may be from modules marked *. Examples of optional modules listed below.

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Fees

Tuition fees for UK students 2024/25

MSc:  Full-time £11,340.

Tuition fees for International students 2024/25

MSc: Full-time £29,340.


Are you an international applicant?

All international applicants to this course will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 on receipt of an offer, to secure their place.

Find out more about the deposit >>.

Postgraduate Loans (PGL) for Masters students

UK and EU students (with settled or pre-settled status) looking to pursue a Masters programme in the UK can apply for a non-means-tested loan from the British government via the Student Loans Company (SLC).

The loan will be paid directly to you, into a UK bank account. It is intended to provide a contribution towards the costs of Masters study and whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs is at your own discretion.

Learn more about applying for PGL 

 

Scholarships

Chemical Engineering PG Taught Entrance Scholarship

The school of Chemical Engineering is happy to be able to recognise and reward our top incoming students to celebrate your academic achievements before arriving as a student at the University of Birmingham.
The Chemical Engineering PGT Entrance Scholarship consists of a £1000 cash award during year 1 semester 1 for the students who meet the conditions.
There are 10 awards available; 5 will be allocated to UK students for fees and 5 will be allocated to international students for fees.

We offer a range of postgraduate scholarships for taught programmes and research opportunities to ensure the very best talent is nurtured and supported at postgraduate level.

University scholarships

Birmingham Masters Scholarship

Our Birmingham Masters Scholarship offers £2,000 via a tuition fee discount, to support the brightest and best applicants from UK or Ireland undertaking Masters study at Birmingham during 2024-2025.

Global Masters Scholarship

This £2,000 Gloabl Masters Scholarship award is available to all international students from a selection of countries who are seeking to study a taught Masters degree at Birmingham in the 2024-25 academic year.

 

How To Apply

Interested in this course?

Prospective applicants will be also be able to ask specific questions about this course via: msc-energy-enquiries@contacts.bham.ac.uk

International applicants requiring visas

Applications to this programme from students who are international for fees will close 7 May 2024. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full, early applications are encouraged.

UK and non-Tier 4 applicants

Applications will close 31 August 2024. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full, early applications are encouraged.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

You should have, or expect to obtain, a 2:1 Honours degree from a UK academic institution (or an equivalent overseas qualification) in engineering or physical sciences.

Consideration may also be given to excellent applicants with degrees in life sciences and economics where these included an adequate component of mathematics.

Further consideration may be given to candidates with extensive, relevant post-degree experience.

Some content on this course will be delivered by Social Sciences and so emphasis on writing proficiency will be more pronounced.

Learn more about entry requirements.  

 

International Requirements



International Students

English language

There is a requirement to pass the TOEFL test with a minimum overall score of 80 and at least 21 in the writing and speaking components, and at least 19 in other components.

 Alternatively an IELTS overall mark of 6.0 with at least 5.5 in all bands, and 6.0 in writing. We also accept the online version of PTE.

Equivalent qualifications may be considered.

Our mission is to carry out research of the highest academic quality, which is novel, challenging and relevant to users. 

The School of Chemical Engineering at Birmingham is one of the three largest centres for the postgraduate education of chemical engineers in the UK. We have pioneered development and research in rapidly expanding new areas such as pharmaceuticals and bioproducts, food processing, hydrogen fuel cells and energy research, as well as having leading-edge groups in healthcare technologies

Research Themes

  • Formulation Engineering
    We are developing solutions to problems facing industries in the food, pharmaceutical, biotechnological, fast moving consumer goods and speciality products.
  • Energy
    Improving quality of life demands the supply of increasing amounts of energy and consumer chemicals, whilst at the same time global warming has become a major cause for concern. The Energy research theme addresses the challenges of introducing the hydrogen economy to replace the current reliance on carbon-based fuels.
  • Healthcare Technologies
    Our experts are working together to advance new technologies and treatments that enable people to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

This programme provides an ideal foundation for a career in the energy sector. Due to the wide-ranging scope of the course, we expect our graduates to gain expertise not only in the processes by which energy is generated, but also the larger-scale systems in which energy is utilised.

The programme comprises 120 credits of taught material, of which 110 credits are core and 10 are optional, the majority of which will be taught in an intensive mode (week long modules) and a 60 credit research project carried out under the supervision of one of the members of the School’s academic staff.

The core taught material will be delivered in the form of lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops, with the incorporation of expertise both from other Schools in the University, and external professionals from the energy sector. The autumn semester will focus more on theoretical understanding of energy engineering processes, and fundamental concepts in economics and policy. The spring semester will have a more application-centred approach in which here will be more broad considerations of how global energy systems operate, and opportunities to apply the knowledge gained to the design of a pathway to specific energy system for a conurbation in the near future.

Extensive use of online support will also be employed to ensure that students can get the most flexible experience possible.

This course will run over 12 months in a full-time mode, and there is also scope to undertake the programme on a part-time basis.

It is widely accepted that the annual investment in global energy infrastructure needs to greatly increase in order for challenges surrounding energy supply and demand, sustainability and climate change to be tackled. To these ends, the opportunities for exciting careers in the energy sector will also grow. The skills obtained through this course will give an excellent basis for a career oriented towards working in the expanding energy sector.

Our Careers Network offers a range of events and support services designed to help you maximise your employability: from networking opportunities and career coaching workshops, to our effective-careers-strategy toolkit and one-to-one guidance. We also offer subject specific careers consultants and advisers for each college and a dedicated careers website for international students. Further information is below.

University Careers Network

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.

If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

Professional Accreditation

Accredited degree

Institution of Chemical Engineers logoThis Masters degree is accredited by the  Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)

The value of accreditation

IChemE accreditation provides benchmarking of academic programmes against high, internationally recognised standards. This is increasingly important as the globalisation of engineering products and services demands greater confidence by employers in the skills and professionalism of the engineers they recruit.