Renewable energy

What are the entry requirements? You will need around ABB or BBB, preferably to include maths at AS- or A-level. You will probably need GCSE passes at grade C and above in English, maths and science, and at least the equivalent of a grade D at A-level in a science subject or a subject that is related to the course: physics, electronics, geography, environmental science, biology, human biology, physical education or physics, for example.

How long is a degree? Three to five years’ full-time study.

Is there an interview process? Universities generally don’t require an interview.

What does the course consist of? Renewable energy is an inexhaustible resource, unlike fossil fuels, and technologies are developing to utilise processes for transfer to usable energy.

Types of renewable-energy resources include moving water (hydro, tidal and wave power), thermal gradients in ocean water, biomass, geothermal energy, solar energy, and wind energy. Municipal solid waste is also considered to be a renewable energy resource. The aspiration with these technologies is to provide sustainable energy production that is environmentally friendly.

Renewable energy is a great course to study as it offers a wide scope of research expertise that covers the spectrum from solar energy, wind, geothermal and biomass technologies to power management, law and marketing. Graduates of this course will be able to make an immediate contribution to the world’s expanding renewable energy programmes. They will be able to make informed decisions that will have an impact on the development of programmes to meet ambitious targets for reduced dependence on fossil fuel. Each graduate will have a firm grasp of the science, technologies and engineering principles involved.

Related courses? Renewable energy can be taken as a joint-honours programme with straight engineering, electronic engineering or mechanical engineering.

How is the course assessed? Most assessment will be though coursework and laboratory reports, and there will be exams in some modules.

What careers do graduates go into? This course includes many transferable skills that are valuable to employers, including IT, numeracy, communication and business knowledge. It also delivers industry-specific technical skills and knowledge at a sufficient level that a graduate could apply for jobs in the renewable energy industry or in an advisory capacity with local government, for example. The industry is growing but jobs are often not widely advertised, so it remains the responsibility of graduates to take a proactive approach to finding a position.

Graduates will also be able to apply for jobs in many other areas and the broad base of skills that they learn through renewable energy technologies should allow graduates to compete favourably in the employment market.