Renewable Energy Development (RED)

Entry requirements

Masters (MSc)

Masters (MSc) level entry applicants must have one of the following:

• Minimum of 2:2 honours degree or equivalent academic qualification in a related subject area.
• For postgraduate conversion courses, non-related degrees will be considered.
• Corporate (or chartered) membership of relevant professional institutions will also be considered

PG Diploma

PG Diploma level entry applicants must have an ordinary degree in a related subject area and relevant post qualification industry experience.

Heriot-Watt Online students on Renewable Energy Development MSc undertake eight taught courses and a dissertation. Students must first take exams in two courses of the programmes, Economics of Renewable Energy and Energy in the 21st Century. Based on the results from these courses students continue on the programme at MSc or at PG Diploma level.

Candidates who do not meet the above entry requirements or have no formal academic qualifications will be considered individually based on their CV and possibly interview. Admission via this route will be at the discretion of the Director of Recruitment.

Recognition of prior learning

We are committed to providing study opportunities to applicants who have a wide range of prior experiences through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). For more information on RPL, please contact the Online Admissions Team (egis-idl-apps@hw.ac.uk) ahead of application. We can only consider requests for RPL at the time of application to a course of study.

Months of entry

January, May, September

Course content

Delivered through the International Centre for Island Technology, our Renewable Energy Development degree is designed to provide graduates with inter-related skills in the renewables sector. This programme will specifically address the need of renewable energy developers as they seek to maximise economic benefits whilst overcoming regulatory and environmental issues.

The online MSc Renewable Energy Development (RED) is delivered through the International Island Technology (ICIT) on our Orkney campus. It has been designed around three key drivers of renewable energy development: policy and economics; technology; and the environment. The degree is designed to specifically address these key drivers of renewable energy development in the UK and abroad.

The RED degree is relevant to people from a wide variety of backgrounds wishing to apply their knowledge and experience to the renewable energy industry. It aims to give you cross-cutting skills in the renewables sector. The degree addresses the needs of renewable energy developers as they seek to maximise economic benefits whilst balancing the challenges of overcoming regulatory and environmental issues, and securing finance. Teaching is reinforced with project work where emphasis is placed on simulating real working situations and international examples.

Information for international students

If English is not the applicant’s first language a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required with all elements passed at 6.0 or above. Please refer to English language requirements for further details.

Some applicants may be asked for alternative evidence in line with UKVI recognised English speaking countries. Applicants who have previously successfully completed courses delivered in the medium of English language may be considered and will be required to provide documentary evidence of this. Examples would be secondary school education or undergraduate degree. A minimum of at least one year of full-time study (or equivalent) in the medium of English language will be required.

All evidence of English language needs to be dated within two years of the start of study.

We also offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your master’s programme:

• 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
• 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no more than one skill at 4.5)
• 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with minimum of 5.0 in all skills)
• 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with minimum of 5.5 in reading and writing and minimum of 5.0 in speaking and listening)

Fees and funding

See University website