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Undergraduate Study

BEng Renewable Energy Engineering - 2025 entry

Please note: The below is for 2025 entries. Click here for 2024 entries.
UCAS code H803
Duration 3 years
Entry year 2025
Campus Penryn Campus
Discipline Renewable Energy
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 724061

Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A-Level: AAB - ABB
IB: 34/665 - 32/655
BTEC: DDD - DDM

Contextual offers

A-Level: BBB-BBC
IB: 30/555-28/554
BTEC: DDM-DMM

Overview

  • This course specialises in energy engineering with a focus on clean and renewable energy technologies
  • Learn from experts in energy policy, marine renewables, bio-fuels, electrical power and networks, wind, photo-voltaic and thermal technologies
  • Our new state-of-the-art Renewable Engineering Energy Facility (REEF) provides dedicated workshop and laboratory space for individual and small group projects
  • Cornwall is where the UK’s renewable energy revolution began and is the perfect location for local field trips to specialist renewable energy laboratories, wind farms, solar photovoltaic systems and offshore test sites
  • Group projects, small class sizes and a dedicated student society contribute to create a strong sense of community

View 2024 Entry

Request a prospectus

Open days and visiting us

How to apply

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Top 10 icon

Top 10 in the UK for General Engineering

10th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and 8th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Lab Flask icon

New state-of-the-art Renewable Engineering Energy Facility (REEF) provides dedicated workshop and laboratory space

Biofuel icon

Expertise in energy policy, marine renewables, biofuels, electrical power and networks, wind, photo-voltaic and thermal technologies

Accreditations

Engineering Council accredited degree
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BEng Renewable Energy Engineering

This degree has been accredited by the Energy Institute (EI) under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.

Accredited by the Energy Institute (EI) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level AAB – ABB B in Mathematics, Pure Mathematics or Further Mathematics and B in another Science* subject

*Accepted science subjects include: Biology/Human Biology**; Chemistry; Computing; Design and Technology; Electronics; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Geography; Geology; Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths**; Life and Health Sciences; Physical Education; Physics; Psychology; Science (applied); Statistics.
**If more than one of these is taken they would only count as one 'science' but could count as two A-levels towards our general requirements.
IB 34/665 - 32/655 HL5 in Mathematics (Analysis and approaches or Applications and interpretations) and HL5 in another Science subject
BTEC DDD - DDM Applicants studying one of the following new BTEC Extended Diplomas will be considered without an A-Level science subject. A-Level Maths is still required. Civil Engineering, Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering.
GCSE C or 4 English Language
Access to HE 30 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade - 24 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade. 12 L3 Credits at Merit Grade in Mathematics and 12 L3 Credits at Merit Grade in an acceptable Science subject area.
T-Level Distinction The following T-Levels only:
  • Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction
  • Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing
  • Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control
  • Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing
Contextual Offer

A-Level: BBB-BBC
IB: 30/555-28/554
BTEC: DDM-DMM

Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers.

Other accepted qualifications

View other accepted qualifications

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B1. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply

For any questions relating to entry requirements please contact the team via our online form or 01392 724061

I love my course as it’s so practical, I really feel like I’m applying the knowledge I’m gaining into practice. We do lots of hands-on work learning how to put up wind turbines or how to build solar panels and motors.

I’ve learned loads of new skills like soldering and riveting, which is all important for my future career.

The support from lecturers has been great. As it’s a developing field there is always a lot to discuss, we’re encouraged to ask questions and they always turn into open discussions with the whole cohort.

Read more from Sarah

Sarah

Studying Renewable Energy Engineering BEng

Course content

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Initial focus is on engineering fundamentals including Mathematics, Mechanical and Electrical engineering modules as well as Physics and Thermodynamics. Specific computer skills are covered as well as a broad introduction to Clean Energy Systems and environmental management in preparation for more advanced modules later in the programme.

120 credits of compulsory modules.

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
ENE1DCX12 Engineering Mathematics and Scientific Computing 30
ENE1DCX13 Multi-Disciplinary Group Challenge Project 30
ENE1DCX14 Entrepreneurship 1 15
ENE1DCX15 Fundamentals of Mechanics 15
ENE1DCX16 Fundamentals of Materials 15
ENE1DCX17 Fundamentals of Electronics 15

Core engineering modules continue the development of the key disciplines with further development of essential computational skills and additional modules on Clean Energy Systems. A field trip and related group project look at renewable energy resource assessment as well as developing report writing and team working skills.

120 credits of compulsory modules.

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
ENE2DCX23 Energy Management and Building Systems 15
ENE2DCX24 Renewable Energy Systems 15
ENE2DCX22 Energy Policy, Markets and Law 15
ENE2DCX18 Renewable Energy Engineering Challenge Project 15
ENE2003 Electrical Energy Conversion and Transport 15
ENE2007 Fluids Mechanics 15
ENE2006 Applied Thermodynamics 15
ECM2906 Data, Signals and Systems 15

An undergraduate dissertation forms an important element of the work in this year, allowing students to explore areas of particular interest and develop research, analytical and writing skills. Optional modules include specific clean or renewable energy technologies such as Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Marine Renewables, Renewable Heat Technologies and Energy storage. Modules can also be selected from a range of environmental impact, energy policy, ethics and life cycle analysis subjects.

60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules.

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
ENE3DCX31 Renewable Energy Field Course 15
ENE3002 Network Engineering, Monitoring and Management 15
ENE3DCX71 Undergraduate Dissertation Project 30

Optional modules

CodeModule Credits
ENE3DCX27 Systems Modelling and Control 15
ENE3DCX28 Risk, Reliability Systems and Safety Management 15
ENE3DCX32 Industry Summer Placement 15
ENE3003 Marine Renewable Energy 15
ENE3005 Wind Energy 15
ENE3007 Energy Storage Technology 15
ENE3009 Solar Power 15
ENE3010 Sustainable Architecture 15

Fees

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

UK students: £9,250 per year
International students: £30,900 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*. Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships

Learning and teaching

Our new state of the art Renewable Engineering Energy Facility (REEF) is equipped for the study of a number of renewable energy technologies, both practically and with industry-standard software. A variety of devices producing renewable energy exist around the campus, the latest being a 50kW solar PV installation on top of our engineering building, to go with a solar powered Performance Centre. The development of our Environment and Sustainability Institute at the Penryn Campus has seen a significant further expansion of installed renewable energy capacity on campus, representing the continuing commitment of the University to sustainability in our operations, teaching and research.

Fieldwork

Throughout your degree you will interact with a range of renewable energy technologies. This will include trips to renewable energy facilities such as Goonhilly Wind Farm, local solar PV farms, micro and large hydro, landfill gas production, large-scale gas generation and other relevant installations. You may also attend events like public planning meetings or energy use assessments of public or private buildings, as opportunities become available. Our aim is to get you out to see real-world technology or events whenever we can.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary between modules, but usually combine exams and coursework. This might include practical laboratory work, professional posters, group exercises, reports, essays or verbal presentations.

Module choice

Option modules can extend beyond your main subject area if you are studying a Single Honours degree: dependent on timetable constraints, pre-requisites and programme structure, it may be possible to study option modules outside your subject area.

Optional modules outside of this course

Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

Proficiency in a second subject

If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.

  • A Foreign Language
  • Data Science
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Innovation
  • Law (Penryn Campus only)
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Social Data Science

Find out more about proficiency options

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Your future

A renewable energy student in high-vis clothes, working with machinery on site

This degree programme has been designed to include the knowledge and skills that potential employers in the energy sector have told us they require. A very high proportion of our graduates find employment in the renewable energy sector or study for a higher degree in the field.

The UK’s commitment to expansion of renewable energy is likely to mean a high level of investment in the sector in the next decade. The adoption of the UK’s microgeneration tariff in 2010, the phased adoption of the Renewable Heat Incentive from 2011-2014 and introduction of Contracts for Difference from 2014, suggests continued strong support for rapid expansion of renewable energy in the UK. All EU countries are making similar investments and the US, India, China and many other nations are also investing heavily in the renewable generation. This will create broad opportunities for those seeking to work in the sector, both nationally and internationally. The global renewables sector has seen investment in excess of $289bn in 2017 and that investment has been over $200bn every year since 2010. A total of 10.3 million people now work in renewables around the world.

Our Renewable Energy programmes will shape you into a multi-talented individual, who is able to succeed in a wide variety of professional roles.

Career paths

The broad-based skills acquired during your degree will give you an excellent grounding for a wide variety of careers, not only those related to Renewable Energy but also in wider fields. Examples of roles recent graduates are now working as include:

  • Climate Change Consultant
  • Design Engineer
  • Electrical Engineer
  • Energy Analyst
  • Energy and Sustainability Engineer
  • Environmental Planner
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Marine Design Engineer
  • Offshore Wind Research Engineer
  • Renewable Technology Designer