On This Page
Quick info & apply now
LOCATION
Stratford Campus
Location Fees and Funding
Here's the fees and funding information for each year of this course
Overview
The course in sustainable energy engineering will provide you with advanced knowledge and skills in the key engineering aspects of renewable and sustainable energy. It covers topics such as wind, photovoltaic, thermo-mechanical energy conversion systems, and the environment, energy efficiency, building energy modelling and engineering optimisation. In this course, opportunities will be provided to every student to develop expertise in the key area of personal interest. You will develop a critical awareness of ethical and environmental considerations as well as society needs. You will learn to create multi-criteria optimal solutions to a variety of renewable and sustainable energy technologies problems. When you graduate, you will also have a comprehensive and systematic understanding of research methods and techniques who can conduct research-based projects and disseminate research outputs.
What makes this course different
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
You will be taught by academics and industrial practitioners we work with. You will benefit from our close links with major employers, and continued support of the Industrial Advisory Board in enhancing employability of our students in the wider engineering sector. The course covers topics such as wind, photovoltaic, thermo-mechanical energy conversion systems, hybrid renewable energy systems, sustainable energy and the environment, energy efficiency, building energy modelling and engineering optimisation. Apart from the technical content, MSc courses are unique, as there is a strong emphasis on professional life and employability skills, embedded throughout all aspects of your advanced technical course focusing on your enhanced key skills such as communication, digital proficiency, intelligence (like emotional and social) and teamwork. The programme will also offer an optional placement year to all students, enabling them to experience the real world and effectively connect their university experience with it.
DOWNLOAD COURSE SPECIFICATIONS
MODULES
- Core Modules
Mental Wealth: Professional Life CloseMental Wealth: Professional Life
Applied Research and Engineering Practice 1 CloseApplied Research and Engineering Practice 1
Applied Research skills are key to addressing engineering challenges and providing creative solutions. The module aims to provide students with an opportunity to explore a research topic in depth, with appropriate research methods, Interpret the results in an engineering context, provide critical discussion and conclusions, and compose a research dissertation. The students will undertake this in subject areas relevant to the programme they are enrolled on. It also allows them to plan and execute their work plan and manage their time as well as exercising their engineering judgment and applying principles of engineering practice. They are encouraged to experience engineering as problem solving, considering the systematic processes that engineers use to define and resolve problems.
Thermo-mechanical Energy Conversion CloseThermo-mechanical Energy Conversion
The module provides detailed coverage on the thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics aspects of thermo-mechanical energy conversion systems reinforcing main concepts, formulations, design, and analyses. Waste mechanical energy is the inevitable by-product of objects in motion and exists in the form of vibrations, shocks, or strains. As the demand for energy continues to increase, it has now become ever so important to harvest large amount of heat produced by technology (servers, data centres, solar panels, power plants, oil refineries etc.) that would otherwise be wasted by converting it into usable energy. Waste heat can be easily converted efficiently to electricity or hot water for district heating or industrial thanks to cogeneration. Direct conversion of thermal and mechanical energy into electricity is the main focus in this module.
Renewable Energy Systems CloseRenewable Energy Systems
The module provides you with advanced knowledge and understanding of power generation and control of renewable energy systems. Types and working of various fuel cells are described along with research challenges for integration with electric propulsion systems.
Optional ModulesCircular Economy and Sustainability CloseCircular Economy and Sustainability
The ill-informed use and management of construction materials continues to be a global problem and there is a requirement to rationalise the choice and use of materials towards more circular economies where materials and waste remain within the economy cycle for as long as possible. Engineers need to understand the opportunities available to minimise, recycle or recuse the construction waste to minimise the carbon footprint.
This module has an emphasis on resources consumption and an understanding of circular economy thinking towards a more sustainable society. You will learn to conduct life cycle assessment, life cycle management and related environmental systems analysis approaches, and to make informed decisions about materials and construction methods using life cycle analysis.
Environmental Impact Assessment CloseEnvironmental Impact Assessment
This is a heavily research-informed, problem-centred, module with insights from industrialists. It explores the process of evaluating the potential effects of construction on the environment - known worldwide as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The module has two principal themes. The rationale of EIA, and its legal and planning framework is first introduced. The module then introduces the potential impacts and matters than need to be taken into account as part of EIA, how these can be captured, assessed and monitored to minimize the unwelcomed environmental ramifications. Practical case studies and examples will be used here, including but not limited to deep basements, development on challenging grounds like peatlands and reclaimed lands. You are expected to gain insight into possible environmental limitations and risks, management, decision-making, and monitoring.
The emphasis will be on EIA procedures in the UK, and how this exercise brings together different disciplines and stakeholders. On completing this module, you should be able to identify the need for EIA in construction projects, and that should EIA is needed, how the assessment can be planned and implemented, what soft and hard tools are available to conduct such an assessment, and how potential impacts of construction can be predicted, prevented, corrected and monitored. You should demonstrate your ability in underpinning your ideas with good reasoning, in a critical and professional manner.
- Core Modules
Industrial Placement CloseIndustrial Placement
The aim of this module is to enable you to undertake a placement in a relevant industrial environment to develop your technical and professional skills, within a real work environment to compliment your programme of study.
HOW YOU'LL LEARN
All modules include coursework, for which you will have opportunities to apply your knowledge to engineering projects based on real-life scenarios. The coursework will include analysis and design projects, research reports, group and seminar presentations and a research dissertation project.
You will also attend lectures, seminars and tutorials and you will work both individually and in groups.
To support the hands-on nature of this course, we have an impressive range of facilities. Our modern, well-equipped laboratories are open to students all day and include dedicated labs. We also have superb computer facilities and the very latest design and key software.
Expert feedback and support are always on offer from our dedicated team of academics, all experts in their particular disciplines.
Our MSc courses are some of the most flexible around. Engineers employed in the industry have found that the part-time model can easily be tailored to suit their personal requirements.
Guided independent study
We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including our career services, library and well-being, to be available both face-to-face on campus and online with many of these available 24/7. We have new, modern library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a range of study spaces and dedicated librarian who can assist with your learning.
Academic support
Students are supported with any academic or subject related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, former and current UEL students.
If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential. You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the University from IT.
Workload
Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate percentages for this course are:
Year 1: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
Year 2: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
Year 3: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work. You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year dependent on your course
About the industrial placement year
This course is also available as a two year master's with an industrial placement year. The industrial placement is designed to address the demands of the profession and give students a competitive edge when it comes to their career. The industrial placement component is for a duration of an academic year, i.e., normally 30 weeks including minimum 24 weeks of delivery time. It starts after students have successfully completed the 1st year of study, i.e., all the taught modules and the dissertation component of the MSc course which together form 180 credits. Please refer to the course specification for the summary of the course structure and further information.
Students on the MSc with Placement courses must pass all taught modules of their respective course plus dissertation to gain 180 credits, before they become eligible to progress to the next stage and undertake industrial placement. Students on the MSc course with placement will also normally be required to fulfil the 80% attendance requirement (on all modules) to be eligible to progress to the industrial placement. Students unable to meet the above requirements to progress successfully will normally be moved to the one-year full-time version of the course and their student visa, if any, will be curtailed accordingly.
It is ultimately the student's responsibility to secure their placement and the university cannot guarantee placements. The University will offer guidance and support and recommend students to many of our industrial partners that have expressed strong support and interest in the programme.
During the industrial placement period, you will undertake an internship within a partner organisation (or by means of alternative arrangements such as projects led by industry and carried out on campus) and complete a zero-credit Industrial Placement Module.
There are additional fees for the placement module (in the second year of the course), in addition to the fees for the taught modules and dissertation paid in the first year.
HOW YOU'LL BE ASSESSED
Assessment will consist of a combination of coursework and exams.
All assessments are designed to ensure that our course equips you with all of
Assessment for this course is 50% coursework and 50% portfolio.
Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment
CAMPUS and FACILITIES

Stratford Campus, Water Lane, Stratford
WHO TEACHES THIS COURSE
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
Related Courses
What we're researching
The course is at the heart of expanding and sustainable East London. The course will benefit from our flagship, Sustainability Research Institute (SRI), which is UEL's centre of excellence for environmental research and development. We collaborate with industry, government, public agencies and charities to enable changes in physical infrastructure and social capital that benefits the environment, promotes sustainable living and creates a carbon neutral society.

The postgraduate qualification will enable you to change the mindset of key stakeholders, that is required in various engineering, construction and other sectors. The course has a strong emphasis on energy generation and related challenges for wind, photovoltaic, thermo-mechanical energy conversion systems, hybrid renewable energy systems, sustainable energy and the environment, energy efficiency, building energy modelling and engineering optimisation. The industrial placement will further enhance the hands-on experience of the students, which is indeed, a great offer.
Prof Fawad Inam
Professor of Mechanical Engineering & Head of Engineering & Construction
YOUR FUTURE CAREER
Globally, overall demand for renewables is expected to increase due to their use in the electricity sector and there is already a high demand for technical professionals in this area. An MSc qualification in Sustainable Energy Engineering will give you a practical edge as the discipline overlaps with a number of engineering profession. There are many career paths available, ranging from hard-core engineering to consultancy and even policy-making government institutions, once you have completed this course. Many graduates choose to pursue a professional high-flying career in the expansive engineering sector, in roles such as consultants, designers, field engineers, project managers or senior managers.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.