Programme summary for MSc Renewable Energy and the Built Environment

About the programme

This stimulating and important programme is validated by UEL but run and operated by the Centre for Alternative Technology in mid-Wales. This programme examines the theory and practice of renewable energy technologies with special reference to the built environment. It ranges from the political, economic and social background of energy issues, including global examination of energy provision and consumption and climate change, to local environmental considerations. The theory and practice of renewable energies are examined through both practical work and lectures, enabling you to critically analyse the benefits and drawbacks of renewable energy systems.

Programme structure

The programme is delivered by staff from CAT and specialist visitors from the profession, and runs as a series of ten five-day residential events, which all take place at CAT. This brings the advantage of combining an academic programme with the practical application of research and development that has established CAT as Europe's leading Eco-centre.

The programme comprises of a total of 11 modules. Most modules are 15 credits; some are 30 credits. Each 15 credit module is a five-day residential teaching event which takes place every month except May and July at CAT; 30 credit modules consist of two of these five day sessions. The thesis is a 60 credit module. There are a number of options available ie modules that run at the same time and students choose which to follow.

After acquiring 120 credits from the available teaching modules and associated coursework, students are eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma; those who wish to obtain an MSc then complete the Thesis Module which is the culmination of the work done on the programme. A formal start to the thesis is made around the sixth module.

Formal tutorials are available at CAT; others by E mail.

Career opportunities

There is a significant skill shortage in the area of renewable energy, particularly where it relates to the built environment. There are employment opportunities in local government, private industry, architectural practices, non-governmental organisations associated with the environment, and in private practice. The many skills acquired and areas considered during this programme
are excellent preparation for work in any of the above areas.

Support

All students studying this programme are allocated to a Seminar Group of about 10 - 15 students and are supported by a personal tutor who is responsible for providing advice and guidance throughout their term of study. All seminars and tutorials take place within seminar groups. Support is also given during specific stages of progression, such as research methods for the thesis, as well as extra support for those that require it such as English / study skills and IT training. Small group teaching is acknowledged as being beneficial to students as it allows for individual attention and enables peer review and group discussion.

Admission

The programme is intended to cater for those with an engineering background. Students are admitted in accordance with the admission requirements in the programme specification (www.uel.ac.uk/cite/programmes/postgraduate/). For acceptance onto the programme the following requirements apply:-

First degree with an appropriate technical background
Students who do not possess formal qualifications but who can demonstrate that they have gained appropriate knowledge and skills equivalent to degree standard and that they will benefit from and contribute to the programme, may be accepted. Students may be admitted with advanced standing through the recognition of credit or the accreditation of experiential or certificated learning according to the University of East London Accreditation of (Experiential) Learning (A(E)L) policy.
A student may gain admission to a programme, with advanced standing, with up to half of the credits associated with the award being achieved through accredited experiential learning, or up two thirds through accredited certificated learning. (Where a combination of experiential and certificated learning is involved up to one half of the credits for the award may be achieved through accredited experiential learning with further credits being achieved through accredited certificated learning up to a maximum of two thirds of the credits for the award).
All students are expected to be interviewed which may take place by telephone
The University and CAT are strongly committed to widening participation and equal opportunity for all.
You must be able to understand and express yourself in both written and spoken English and some evidence e.g. TOEFL at 550 or an IELTS score of 6.0 will be required.

Application to this programme can only be made on line at www.cat.org.uk/graduateschool