Are you interested in working in the electrical power engineering and renewable energy sectors? This course will give you a thorough understanding of power electronics, electric drive systems, smart grids, wind power, photovoltaic and other distributed generation systems.

This program continually has a very high pass and student satisfaction rate, leading to numerous Ph.D. studies and employment.

You will develop cross-discipline skills through multidisciplinary group work and an individual dissertation. You will learn essential skills such as information research, project planning and management, cost analysis, and budgeting. You will be actively involved within the Faculty Research Seminars, where you can broaden awareness and views across different research areas.

You’ll benefit from the University’s excellent facilities that include specialist electrical and electronics laboratory resources. Northumbria has a well-established reputation for producing graduates who can apply their knowledge to generate creative solutions for sustainable electrical power systems.

On successfully completing the program, you will gain an understanding and comprehensive knowledge of current practice and new technological developments.

This full-time MSc Electrical Power Engineering program is also offered as a 240 credit two-year full-time program. This has the opportunity for a one-semester period of either study abroad, industrial work placement, or a research internship.

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to fully meet the CEng registration educational requirements.

You’ll undertake a practical or theoretical master’s dissertation that will hone your skills in evaluating and applying research techniques and methodologies.

Our research-rich teaching involves a combination of informed lectures, seminars, computer-based workshops, and/or laboratory sessions. Real-life case studies and guest lectures from industry and/or academia may also be used to enhance your learning activities. Taught time per semester is typically a maximum of 12 hours per week, with class time occurring anytime between 9 am - 6 pm, Monday through Friday (exact timetables will be finalised in early September). As this is a master’s course there is a significant element of independent learning and self-motivated reflection.

Assessments are designed to give feedback as well as to monitor your level of achievement. The assessed projects will enable you to test your skills in ways that relate to current industrial practice. Specific assessment methods include assignments, exams, technical reports and presentations.

Our teaching team includes experts from the Northumbria Photovoltaics Application Centre (NPAC) and Power and Wind Energy Research (PaWER) group. Their experience, combined with their on-going active research, will provide an excellent foundation for your learning.

The quality of their research has put Northumbria University among the UK’s top 25% of universities for the percentage of research outputs in engineering that are ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

Our reputation for quality is reflected by the range and depth of our collaborations with industry partners. Our industrial links help inform our curriculums and ensure a variety of site visits and input from practitioners via guest lectures

Northumbria University provides outstanding facilities for electrical power engineering. Our laboratories have equipment that includes oscilloscopes, signal generators and Labview software as well as National Instruments Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite (NI ELVIS) to measure and control signal voltages.

Our New and Renewable Energy Laboratory is an excellent resource for research into power networks, wind energy, photovoltaics and battery testing for electric vehicles. All our facilities are backed up by a team of technicians who will give support and advice when you need it.

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is embedded throughout the course with tools such as the ‘Blackboard’ eLearning Portal and electronic reading lists that will guide your preparation for seminars and independent research. Our use of lecture capture software will help you revise challenging material.

To facilitate group projects there is a working space called The Hub that’s well equipped for meetings and working with IT. The Zone is another area that’s popular with students undertaking group work or individual study.

Northumbria’s strong research ethos is an essential aspect of how you will develop as a critical, reflective and independent thinker. With our problem-solving approach you’ll acquire a wide range of research and analytical skills as you progress through the course. These skills will come together in the practical/theoretical dissertation that you’ll undertake, which will require independent research and appropriate techniques of inquiry, critical evaluation and synthesis.

Throughout the course your learning will be directly impacted by the teaching team’s active research. Our specialist interests include electrical and electronic engineering, mobile communication, microelectronic, renewable and sustainable energy technologies, and advanced materials.

The course will equip you with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to work in the electrical power engineering and renewable energy sectors. At the same time you’ll develop transferable key skills and personal attributes that promote employability and lifelong learning.

The group projects will provide experience of working with others while also raising your awareness of commercial considerations and how industry operates. One project involves the development of an innovative product that must satisfy pre-determined criteria including a realistic business model.

Your dissertation can be linked to the University’s on-going research, giving you experience of being incorporated into a pre-existing working team and environment. Alternatively you can undertake a practice-based dissertation that’s linked to a project that you’ve chosen for its relevance to your interests, self-development and career prospects.

When it comes to applying for jobs our Careers and Employment Service offers resources and support that will help you find roles matching your interests and skills. You will be able to access a range of workshops, one-to-one advice, and networking opportunities.

By the end of this course you’ll be in an excellent position to start or continue a career in electrical power engineering and/or the renewable energy industry. Roles could include designing, developing and maintaining electrical control systems and components.

You could also undertake a postgraduate research degree such as an MPhil, PhD and Professional Doctorate. If you decide to start up your own business, it’s good to know that the combined turnover of our graduates’ start-up companies is higher than that of any other UK university.

Whatever you decide to do, you will have the transferable skills that employers expect from a master’s graduate from Northumbria University. These include the ability to tackle complex issues through conceptualisation and undertaking research, the ability to contribute to new processes and knowledge, and the ability to formulate balanced judgements when considering incomplete or ambiguous data.