The programme examines the theory and practice of renewable energy technologies and the built environment.It places this topic within the political, economic and social background of energy issues, including global examination of energy provision, consumption, climate change to local environmental considerations. The theory and practice of renewable energies are examined through both practical work and the lecture programme. Specific technologies studied include hydroelectricity, wind power, biomass, solar thermal, photovolatics, heat pumps, and combined heat and power systems. Throughout the programme students are made aware of the relationship between the supply of renewable energy and the demand made by buildings.

• The programme is run by the Centre of Alternative Technology (CAT) which is one of Europe's leading eco-centres and is situated in a stunning location overlooking Snowdonia National Park;
• Lectures and teaching activities take place in a recently completed and award winning Wales Institute for Sustainable Education Building, which is sensitively constructed out of low embodied energy materials and is a combination of environmentally conscious design and cutting edge green building techniques;
• The programme is validated for the MSc by the University of East London (UEL), with students being registered at UELfor the duration of their studies;
• The programme offers a unique combination of design, evaluation, and practical experience that will equip students with skills that are becoming increasing sought after in all areas of professional practice;
• Students interact with a large range of onsite working renewable energy technologies throughout the course of their study;
• Delivery is in the form of 30 credit taught modules and a 60 credit thesis research module; taught modules are residential events that take place at CAT;
• A flexible combination of topics can be studied with practical modules offering additional depth of study for key technologies chosen;
• Leading Professionals and experts from the renewable energy industry are utilised to offer a cutting edge perspective on current policy, practice and research.

The programme is intended to cater for those with a technical or engineering background. 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.

UEL and CAT are strongly committed to widening participation and equal opportunities for all.

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, and IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for the appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiental Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an agreed articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

Application to this programme can only be made on line at http://gse.cat.org.uk/msc-renewable-energy-and-the-built-environment-rebe

Programme structure

The MSc is a 180 level M credit programme and is offered in a full time and part time mode of study. It has one entry point in September. Students on this programme will complete teaching equivalent to 120 credits, and the 60 credit thesis module in order to be awarded the MSc.

The programme is delivered by staff from CAT and specialist visitors fromassociated areas of professional practice. A choice of seven different 30 credit modules are offered in any academic year, for which a full time student can choose to complete four. A part time student can choose and complete four modules over an extended two year period, which also offers additional flexibility in module choice.

The taught programme consists of a combination of 'Practical Modules' and 'Combined Topic' modules. Practical modules offer students the opportunity to study a particular technology in more depth, with increased scope for design, practical experimentation, data collection and analysis. Combined topic modules offer a more flexible combination of two technologies which can be studied within one 30 credit option.

Each 30 credit module requires students to attend two five day residential teaching events at CAT, which take place each month between September and May inclusive. Some module options run in parallel with eachover during the same month and students choose which technology to follow. The initial combined topic module which takes place in September and October is core to the programme and all students must attend this. Students are also required to complete at least one practical module.

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. Students are required to formulate a  written thesis proposal, present and obtain approval for their chosen topics by completion of their sixth residential attendance at CAT. Attendance at one thesis workshop days is compulsory prior to the thesisproposal presentation event.

Formal tutorials are available whilst attending at CAT; additional support and tutorials are available by email or Skype.

The CAT site is a unique and valuable practical demonstration centre, a living laboratory with an enormous range of live examples of sustainable and renewable energy solutions.

Studies take place on site in the Wales Institute for Sustainable Education (WISE) which opened in June 2010. The award winning building was constructed with sustainable, low embodied energy materials, has very high standards of energy efficiency and utilises renewable
sources of energy.

 CAT has one of the largest ranges of installed renewable systems anywhere. These include:

• Photovoltaics;
• Solar thermal;
• A micro-grid;
• Off-grid and grid-connected systems;
• Biomass heating systems;
• Hydro-electricity;
• Air and water source heat pumps;
• A community heat main;
• A range of small to medium wind turbines;
• We also have two reed bed waste water treatment systems, our own off-mains water supply and extensive organic gardens.

Modules consist of lectures, seminars, presentations and practical studies. Learning is delivered through a combination of formal and informal methods. Lectures are used to present information, general principles, applications and methods. These are not always student-passive sessions and can be interactive sessions with students participating. Lectures will be enhanced by supporting activities aiming to reinforce student understanding and learning including practical sessions, seminars and tutorials. Group working and field trips are features of Practical Modules. In addition, student presentations aim to develop the necessary skills to clearly describe and present their research on an individual and a group basis.

Students benefit from access to in-house computing facilities and internet based support at CAT.

The programme is assessed through coursework, which builds to form the students’ academic portfolio, culminating in a thesis. The modular coursework aims to test that the Learning Outcomes have been met and takes various forms: an essay or report on a subject chosen from the module material and a presentation of the essay or report topic.

Practical Modules are assessed from a 4000 word technical report and 20 minute group presentation.

Combined Topic modules are assessed from a 2500 word research essay, a 2000 word technical report and a 10 minute individual presentation.

Essays or technical reports are handed in to fixed deadline dates and the presentation occurs at the 2nd teaching event of any 30 credit module. There are no closed book examinations.

The programme is suitable for those students with an interest in developing expertise in an area of renewable energy. The part played by renewable energy in the wider environmental agenda and resource management is rapidly increasing in importance and skill shortages are being reported with increasing specialist knowledge required. There is increasing scientific and public concern over the problem of climate change resulting from the continued consumption of fossil fuels. One of the best solutions to this problem is the development of renewable energy technology and in particular how this can be integrated with buildings. The escalating nature of climate change makes the need for renewable energy urgent but expertise in this area is not yet able to meet this need. This programme has been developed to meet the specific demands of the industry in its quest to provide much needed expertise in this important area.

Thesis research worth 60 credits (14,000 words) gives the student an opportunity to apply the discipline and skills of the programme to an individually selected research topic. This requires a measure of original development, providing a vehicle for conducting an in-depth investigation, analysis and critical review of relevant material. The thesis is the culmination of work done on the programme and is considered to be of prime importance.

The process of producing the thesis includes attending a Thesis Workshop event which addresses research methods, aspects of structure and organisation etc. In conjunction with this, students are required to attend informal thesis discussions which take place every module. These consist of a number of students and staff with initial ideas for an individual thesis subject being discussed and commented on. Draft proposals are formulated with support from personal tutors. A student is required to make a formal presentation of their final thesis proposal by their sixth residential attendance at CAT.

An approved proposal is registered by the thesis coordinator who then allocates an appropriate supervisor. The thesis supervisor continues to support and track the student performance until hand-in. All students are encouraged to produce a publishable paper based on the thesis material. The thesis is read and assessed by two members of staff and moderated by the external examiner.

There is a significant skill shortage in the area of renewable energy, particularly where it relates to the built environment. There are significant employment opportunities in Local Government, Private Industry, Architectural Practices, NGO's associated with the Environment, and in Private Practice such as consultancy. The many skills acquired and areas considered during this programme are excellent preparation for work in any of the above areas.

All students studying this programme are allocated to a Seminar Group of about 20-25 students and are supported by a personal tutor who is responsible for providing advice and guidance throughout their term of study. Tutorials are available on a one to one basis at attended modules or by email and Skype when offsite. Seminar or small group teaching sessions are offered at each teaching event, which are acknowledged as being beneficial to students as it allows for individual attention and enables peer review and group discussion.

Support is also given during specific stages of progression, such as research methods for the thesis. An appropriate supervisor will be appointed to provide support and advice for the duration of the thesis semester.

General advice regarding programme attendance and logistics is provided by dedicated Student Support Officers.