MSc Electrical Energy Systems
Cardiff, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 28,200 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for overseas | for home: £11,700
Introduction
This course meets an urgent need for specialists in advanced electrical energy systems that are needed to design and build secure, reliable, low-carbon and affordable energy systems in developed and developing countries around the world. The programme maintains a particular focus on the integration of renewable generation into electricity transmission and distribution networks and will prepare you for a new era of truly ‘smart’ grids.
More specifically, the programme aims to equip you with:
- Demonstrable mastery of a broad spectrum of advanced engineering principles to real-life technological, financial, regulatory, managerial and ethical problems encountered in the electrical Energy and Power profession, and the potential to be key professional players in the wider industry, the professions, and public service
- A systematic understanding of knowledge and a critical awareness of current problems and new insights are at the forefront of Electrical Energy Systems
- A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship
- Originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the area of Electrical Energy Systems
Why Study this Course
This course has a particular focus on the integration of renewable generation into electricity transmission and distribution networks and on preparing students for a new era of truly ‘smart’ grids and is designed to meet the urgent need for specialists in advanced electrical energy systems.
Strong Research Focus
You will learn in a research-led teaching institution, with the opportunity to undertake your project in a successful, research-based environment with access to high-quality facilities to support your work.
Engaging Culture
There is an open and engaging culture between our students and our research-active staff, who are actively involved in the design and delivery of this course.
Research Project
Students will complete a major individual research project where they will apply project-specific engineering principles.
Professional Accreditation
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.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
We are committed to investing up to a total of £500,000 in this high-value competitive scholarship scheme to support UK students who are planning to start an eligible Master’s programme in 2024/25.
Each Scholarship is worth £3,000 and will be awarded a tuition fee discount.
Eligibility
UK students are eligible to apply for the Scholarship. You normally need to have achieved at least a 2.1 or equivalent in your first degree to be eligible. You need to submit an application to study at Cardiff University and be made an offer to study before your fee status can be confirmed.
Curriculum
This course is presented as a one-year, full-time Masters level programme.
The programme takes place over two stages: In Stage 1 students follow taught modules to the value of 120 credits, whilst Stage 2 consists of a Dissertation module worth 60 credits.
Core Modules for Year One
- Research Study
- Advanced Power Systems and High Voltage Technology
- Risk and Hazard Management in the Energy Sector
- Advanced Power Electronics and Drives
- Alternative Energy Systems
- Magnetic Devices: Transducers, Sensors and Actuators
- Distributed Generation, System Design and Regulation
- Power System Protection
- Power Systems Analysis
- Smart Grids and Active Network Devices
- Dissertation [Electrical Energy Systems]
Optional Modules for Year One
- Condition Monitoring, Systems Modelling and Forecasting
- Energy Management
- Energy Studies
How Will I Be Assessed?
Assessment
Achievement of learning outcomes in the majority of modules is assessed by a combination of coursework assignments, plus University examinations set in January or May. Examinations count for 60%–70% of assessments in Stage 1 of the programme, depending on the options chosen, the remainder being largely project work and pieces of coursework.
Award of an MSc requires successful completion of Stage 2, the Dissertation, with a mark of 50% or higher.
Candidates achieving a 70% average may be awarded a Distinction. Candidates failing to qualify for an MSc may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma for 120 credits in Stage 1. Candidates failing to complete the 120 credits required for Stage 1 may still be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate for the achievement of at least 60 credits.
Program Outcome
What Skills Will I Practise and Develop?
You will practise and develop the following skills:
Knowledge and Understanding
- Understand the multidisciplinary nature of Electrical Energy Systems studies and the need for integration of knowledge from a range of engineering disciplines in the management of the integration of renewable generation energy and supply
- Use in an appropriate manner the fundamental scientific laws underlying the operation of a wide range of important renewable and non-renewable energy systems and their integration into the electricity supply system
- Recognise and be capable of utilising basic relationships and techniques of energy management for a range of given situations
- Explain and present information associated with the appraisal and assessment of energy projects
- Explain the role of the electricity regulators
- Compare and contrast the different challenges presented by distributed generation
- Outline the structure of the UK regulatory framework for the management of transmission and distribution of electricity systems
- Explain methods utilised in industry for identifying, quantifying and mitigating risks and hazards
- Demonstrate knowledge which is at the forefront of a range of Electrical Energy Systems disciplines, including high voltage engineering, power systems, power electronics, distributed generation, control and protection, power quality and condition monitoring, smart grids and active power control
Intellectual Skills
- Use knowledge and scientific, evidence-based, methods in the assessment and solution of Electrical Energy Systems challenges
- Deal with complex Electrical Energy Systems issues both systematically and creatively
- Show originality in tackling both familiar and unfamiliar problems
- Critically review the background of an electrical energy systems problem and formulate a programme of work to address the issue
- Systematically undertake a significant research project in Electrical Energy Systems which includes originality in the application of knowledge and the exercise of critical engineering judgement
- Collect, evaluate, synthesise and interpret qualitative and quantitative data in a variety of ways, and identify means to gain new data where needed
- Conceive, plan, execute and communicate the results of an extended in-depth piece of individual project work
- Sustain a critical argument, both in writing and through presentations
Practical Skills
- Use appropriate mathematical and experimental methods for the modelling and analysis of Electrical Energy Systems problems
Transferable Skills
- Manipulate, present and report data in a variety of ways
- Manage resources and time
- Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively through oral, written, and physical or practical means
- Generate a concise literature review
- Make effective use of information technology and communications tools, including spreadsheets, word processors, database systems and the Internet
- Work effectively in a group context towards achieving specific goals and targets
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Graduates from courses such as these are in high demand and are expected to gain employment in large electrical energy utilities, electricity distribution companies, consulting companies, the public sector, eg energy agencies and the Carbon Trust, and in research and development. A number of graduates set up their own companies.
Program delivery
How Will I Be Taught?
A wide range of teaching styles will be used to deliver the diverse material forming the curriculum of the programme, and you will be required to attend lectures and participate in example classes.
A 10-credit module represents approximately 100 hours of study in total, which includes 24–36 hours of contact time with teaching staff. The remaining hours are intended to be for private study, coursework, revision and assessment. Therefore you are expected to spend a significant amount of time (typically 20 hours each week) studying independently.
At the dissertation stage, you will be allocated a supervisor in the relevant field of research whom you should expect to meet with regularly.
Learning Central, the Cardiff University virtual learning environment (VLE), will be used extensively to communicate, support lectures and provide general programme materials such as reading lists and module descriptions. It may also be used to provide self-testing assessments and give feedback.