Environmental Research Institute
Post Graduate
The MSc. Renewable Energy and the Environment we offer is distinctive as it is undertaken by research. Each student undertakes 12 months (FT) study or up to 24 months on the job distance learning, in their chosen topic and submits this as a thesis (our MSc. is awarded by the University of Aberdeen). There are no taught modules or exams. This allows the student to spend all their time studying an area they are interested in and offers students greater possibilities to enter into specialised renewable energy/environmental fields upon graduation. The MSc. by research is often seen by employers and academia as providing the student with much higher levels of relevant skills and expertise over taught MSc. programs and provides a route into high-level industrial R&D, consultancy, management or academia.
The choice of research topic is decided from discussions between the student and the supervisors at ERI and tailored to fit the student as much as possible, taking into account the student's background and interests, whilst still satisfying the requirements for the MSc. award. Topics previously undertaken have been in the areas of wind, tidal, wave, biofuels, hydrogen, energy efficiency. If you have a particular area of interest then we will help find a suitable research title within that. We would also seek to fit the research thesis into any ongoing projects being undertaken by the student within their company/organisation where this is applicable. It is often the case that a student undertaking the MSc. in this way is sponsored by the company where the work is of benefit to the organisation.
Start dates are flexible and will be fit into the requirements of the student.
ERI has a multi-disciplinary team of international experts to help you manage your project, offer advice and keep you on the right track and we also have useful partnerships with the main academic institutions in the renewable energy field. For the distance learning students support is also available to you at every stage, via video conferencing facilities and telephone.
Undertaking the MSc by research will enable you to:
- investigate in depth an issue or problem of professional relevance to yourself and which may also be of relevance to an organisation such as an employer;
- develop your knowledge of recent research in your chosen topic and its implications and application in different organisations;
- become competent in research methods;
- develop the capacity to plan, organise and carry out an extended independent study at masters level;
- develop skills in the written communication of research work at masters level.
For information on fee structures please visit:
http://www.uhi.ac.uk/home/fees-and-funding/fees/?searchterm=fees
Additional: (some students/companies set aside around £1500 for any national/international courses/conferences they may wish to attend to assist their studies or promote their research, though this varies a lot from student to student and is decided by yourself). For example, ERI has a stand at the annual All Energy Conference and should a self funded student wish to attend this is not covered by the course fees.
Funding can be sought by the student from various organisations and ERI will assist where possible.
The programme is suitable for graduates with numerate science-based degrees such as engineering, agriculture, physics, environmental science, chemistry etc. However, the subject area is interdisciplinary, and motivated applicants with other degree backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
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