
Missed the deadline? Start with a short course.
You’ve missed the deadline to apply for the September 2023 intake of this online degree.
But you can still start the degree via our short course route.
View the short course route to this MScFind new ways to power our planet.
Ready yourself for career success in renewables. Join our triple-accredited online MSc.
It gives you a much broader learning experience than many other Masters degrees in renewable energy.
You’ll train as an engineer in all major renewable energy sources, including:
- geothermal
- solar
- biomass
- hydro
- marine
- wind.
You’ll learn to design, build and optimise the renewable energy infrastructure of the future.
You’ll cover the theoretical knowledge and advanced technical skills you need as a renewables engineer. But you’ll also focus on the wider legislation, planning and economics of renewables. You’ll graduate ready to run green energy projects safely, to budget, and on time.
Who can study online MSc Renewable Energy Engineering
You can apply for this distance-learning degree if you have a background in any branch of Engineering, or in Physics, Maths or Chemistry.
You can also study this degree full-time on campus.

Fits around full-time work
This degree is designed to fit around work. With flexible hours and 24/7 study access.

You’re in expert hands
We’ve been delivering online and distance learning for decades.

20% alumni discount
University of Aberdeen alumni receive 20% off fees for this online degree.

Accredited online degree
This online MSc is accredited by the:
What you’ll study
You can choose to study for a:
- Masters (180 credits)
- exit early with a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- exit early with a Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
- or start with one of the short courses that make up this degree. You can build your way to a qualification one short course at a time.
How you’ll study
Online learning
Our distance learning MSc in Renewable Energy Engineering is delivered flexibly online.
You can learn with us anywhere, with no study visa, and set your study hours to suit you.
Your teaching
Your teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources at your fingertips, including online access to our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Your tutors
You’ll learn from an international team of research-active engineering staff, as well as industry professionals. These include highly experienced engineers and tutors from our Centre for Energy Transition, who have worked on major renewable energy projects around the world.
This degree is delivered by our School of Engineering.
Industry input
Your degree is designed with and supported by an Industry Advisory Board. This panel of experts from across the renewables sector ensures your degree content is always current and informed by the very latest industry needs and developments.
Your peers
This degree attracts students from around the world, all sharing a common interest and passion for renewable energy. You’ll be joining a close-knit community, working together across major projects, gaining international insights and building your global network.
This degree usually combines online assessment with written exams that you attend in person.
However, as a result of Covid-19, in-person exams will not take place until the September 2023 term at the earliest.
Until then, we’ll use alternative online assessments. These can include:
- coursework
- online quizzes
- timed online open-book assessments.
From September 2023 – return of in-person exams
From the September 2023 academic term onward, we may reintroduce in-person exams for some of the online courses that feature in this degree.
For these courses, you’ll be assessed via a mix of online assessment and in-person exams at the end of term.
We’ll keep you updated as to assessment method changes for these courses well in advance.
When in-person exams are reintroduced
You can take your exams:
- on campus at the University of Aberdeen
- at another university or exam centre that is closer to you
- at your local British Council Office.
We can help you find a convenient location for your exams. You then make the arrangements and book them yourself.
We contact you six to eight weeks before your exam date to confirm your chosen location. We recommend exploring your options well before then. If you need any help with this, get in touch with our friendly enquiry team.
Exam schedules
Exams usually take place at the end of each term, during our official exam periods:
- For the January term, exams usually run in early May.
- For the May term, exams usually run in early September.
- For the September term, exams usually run in early December.
Your precise exam dates will be made available nearer the time.
If you fail or miss an exam, you can resit it in the next exam period or during our summer resit period. This is usually at the end of June/start of July.
Exam support
If you have any disabled access or support needs for your exams, let us know as part of your online application. We will make sure the right support is in place for you. Find out about the wide range of exam support available.
You can contact a disability adviser anytime by emailing student.disability@abdn.ac.uk to discuss how we can help.
Exam costs
Sitting exams on campus at the University of Aberdeen is free.
Other universities, exam centres and British Council Offices may charge you for this service. This is an additional cost on top of your degree or course fee. You pay this fee to your chosen exam centre, not to us.
Hours for taught courses
If you plan to study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term. Students typically take one or two 15-credit short courses per term.
15 credits
- Around 150 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
- You’ll study 8 – 10 hours per week per term, plus more at assessment times.
30 credits
- Around 300 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
- You’ll study 15 – 20 hours per week per term, plus more at assessment times.
This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes.
You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.
Activities at fixed times
There will be some activities scheduled at a fixed time, such as online meetings with your tutor or assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through each course at your convenience.
Hours for 60-credit projects and dissertations
A 60-credit project or dissertation is around 600 hours of study time.
This is around one term of full-time study.
You can dedicate a full term to your project or dissertation and work on it full-time. Or you can complete it part-time, spreading the hours you dedicate to it over two terms.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment to your course will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your course each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your tutors via MyAberdeen and email. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.
We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:
- Careers and Employability Service – including one-to-one advice sessions
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
We’re a member of the Access scheme run by the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL).
Access study spaces, books and journals in your area
The SCONUL Access scheme allows you, as a University of Aberdeen student, to access books and resources at university libraries across the UK and Ireland, or visit them for a quiet place to study.
You’ll be able to use study spaces, books and journals at over 150 university libraries which belong to the scheme.
Your support team
Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.

Professor Davide Dionisi
Davide is the degree coordinator. He’ll be on hand to answer any questions about degree content before you start and to help you throughout your studies.

Lyn Magee
Lyn is part of the School’s administration team. She’ll be there throughout your studies to answer any of your non-academic queries.

Get in touch
The online education team is here to answer any questions you have right now about this qualification, or about studying online.
Ask us a questionWhere this will take you
Your MSc qualification
You’ll graduate with an accredited MSc in Renewable Energy Engineering from the University of Aberdeen.
You’ll receive exactly the same degree qualification as you would on campus.
Your MSc qualification and training will be recognised by industry employers around the globe.
Careers
This accredited degree will prepare you for career success in the renewable energy sector.
You’ll graduate with the extensive knowledge and skills you need to work on renewable energy projects across the world.
As well as strong technical skills, you’ll confidently possess the commercial and project management skills needed to run projects safely, on time and to budget.
Roles you’ll be ready to take up include:
- Energy and Sustainability Adviser
- Project Engineer
- Renewable (Sustainable) Energy Consultant, Specialist or Researcher
- Risk, Safety and Environmental Engineer
- or pursue a PhD in Renewable Energy and an academic career.

Lifelong career support
Our career support doesn’t stop when you graduate.
You have access to our free careers service while you study, and beyond.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Fees and funding
The fee quoted above is based on you starting your studies with us in the 2023/24 academic year.
We have confirmed that our fees will rise by 5% for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 academic years. Our indicative cost includes a 5% fee rise each year.

Pay as you go
Don’t worry, you do not have to pay the full degree fee upfront.
You can pay for your degree one term at a time. This gives you a flexible way to spread the cost.
Pay as you go allows you to spread payments over several terms.
When you pay
You make a payment before the start of each term.
How much you pay
You only pay for the credits you want to study in the upcoming term.
It’s up to you how many credits you take each term. This gives you control over your costs and your workload.
- Taking fewer credits will increase the length of your studies.
We break down the total cost of this qualification into cost per 15-credit course and per project.
Costs for this degree, starting in academic year 2023/24
15-credit courses
- £1,230 in academic year 2023/24.
- £1,290 in academic year 2024/25.
- £1,355 in academic year 2025/26.
60-credit project
- £3,360 in academic year 2024/25.
- £3,520 in academic year 2025/26.
Tuition fees typically rise a little each academic year and will rise by 5% for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 academic years.
This is an example payment schedule for tuition fees. It’s based on the typical route through the degree.
You can take more or fewer credits per term than is shown in this example.
Term 1) September – December 2023 | Academic year 2023/24
- Take two 15-credit courses @£1,230 each.
- Fee for term = £2,460.
- Payment due in September.
Term 2) January – April 2024
- Take two 15-credit courses @£1,230 each.
- Fee for term = £2,460.
- Payment due in January.
PgCert exit point
With 60 credits earned, you now have the option to exit with a PgCert.
Total fee for this route to your PgCert = £4,920.
Term 3) May – August 2024
- Summer break. There is no teaching in the first summer of your degree.
- No payment due.
Term 4) September – December 2024 | Academic year 2024/25
- Take two 15-credit courses @£1,290 each.
- Fee for term = £2,580.
- Payment due in September.
Term 5) January – April 2025
- Take two 15-credit courses @£1,290 each.
- Fee for term = £2,580.
- Payment due in January.
PgDip exit point
With 120 credits earned, you now have the option to exit with a PgDip.
Total fee for this route to your PgDip = £10,080.
Term 6) May – August 2025
- Embark on your 60-credit project.
- Fee for project = £3,360.
- Payment due in May.
Term 7) September – December 2025 | Academic year 2025/26
- Complete your project.
- No further payment is due.
MSc complete
On passing your project, you’ll have earned 180 credits and will be awarded an MSc.
Total fee for this route to your MSc = £13,440.

Exam fees
If your degree includes in-person exams, you may have to pay exam fees depending on where you sit your exams.
It’s free to sit exams on campus at the University of Aberdeen.
If you sit an exam at another university, exam centre or a British Council Office, they may charge you for this service. This is a fee that you pay directly to the service provider when booking your exam with them. It is not a fee you pay to us.
Learning resources
All essential lecture notes and resources are included in your tuition fee. They will be available online and you do not have to buy your own copies.
We also provide optional recommended reading lists. Many of these resources are available electronically through our library, although optional purchases may be required if you wish to read the full list.
Printing
You may want to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.
There are several ways you may be able to get help funding your studies:
- Employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors
- Student loans
- Scholarships – search our funding database for scholarships
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.
20% Alumni discount
You’re entitled to 20% off our postgraduate taught degrees and short courses if you have a degree from the University of Aberdeen. View Alumni discount details.
How discounts work
Discounts are applied during your application process. You can only use one discount per application.
I chose Aberdeen because of the programme content. I researched all UK universities and Aberdeen was the only one that had a renewables programme with a strong engineering focus.
Jorge Daniel Sanchez Thierry, MSc Renewable Energy Engineering graduate, Mexico
Entry requirements
MSc
- 2:1 (upper-second) UK honours degree (or equivalent) in any branch of Engineering, Physics, Maths or Chemistry, or
- 2:2 (lower-second) UK honours degree (or equivalent) in any branch of Engineering, Physics, Maths or Chemistry and at least two years’ relevant experience.
Key subjects you must have covered: Mathematics.
These are our minimum entry requirements. They are given as a guide and do not guarantee entry.
Short course route to online MSc Renewable Energy Engineering
If you prefer to start with a short course, you may be able to use our online short courses as a route into this degree.
Find out about our short course route to entryEntry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world.
See the minimum entry requirements above. If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check equivalent qualifications from your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a visa to study online with us.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
If English is not your first language, use our English requirements checklist to see if you need to provide evidence of your English language skills when you apply.
English language tests and scores
If you do need to provide English language test scores, these are the tests and minimum scores we accept for this course or degree.
These are our Postgraduate Standard requirements.
IELTS Academic and IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening, reading and speaking
- 6.0 for writing
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 18 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening, reading and speaking
- 169 for writing
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator (Written and Spoken)
- Overall High Pass
- 33 for listening, reading and speaking
- 38 for writing
PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
For full information about language requirements, see our English Language Requirements page.
You apply through our online Applicant Portal. It allows you to upload relevant qualifications and documents.
Applying to the University of Aberdeen is always free.
What you need to apply for this degree
- Degree transcript
- Personal statement
- Degree certificate
- CV / Resume
Apply now
Start with our step-by-step guide. It explains degree transcripts, what to write in your personal statement and how to use our Applicant Portal.
You can apply to start in either September or January.
Apply as early as you can. This is so we have time to review your application and get a decision to you. We also want to ensure you have time to enrol before teaching starts.
September 2023 intake
For our September 2023 intake, the application deadline is 3 September 2023.
You will need to accept your offer and provide any outstanding documents to meet the conditions of your offer by 10 September 2023.
Teaching starts on 18 September 2023.
January 2024 intake
Teaching starts on 22 January 2024.
Application deadlines will be announced in due course.
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) operating on either:
- Windows 10 or later
- macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
NEW: Try our degree scheduler

Choose your courses
See all the courses that are part of this degree and choose what you want to study.

Manage your study schedule
Control the pace and cost of your degree. Decide how much you want to study each term.

Save to your wishlist
Save your schedule to your wishlist so you can view and edit anytime.
Master of Science
180 credits
£13,440
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in September 2023.
Apply for this programme
- Start month
- September or January
- INDICATIVE COST
- £13,440
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in September 2023.
Apply via our Applicant Portal