BEng Energy and Environmental Engineering (at ZJUT, China)
| UCAS code | N/A |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years |
| Entry year | 2027 |
| Campus |
| Typical offer | Gaokao: At least 80% English subject exam: At least 80% |
|---|---|
Why study BEng Energy and Environmental Engineering (at ZJUT, China) at Exeter?
Join a unique programme that brings together the academic strengths of both the UK and China. Through our partnership with the Zhejiang University of Technology (ZJUT), you can study for a University of Exeter degree without leaving China - combining the global perspective of a top UK university with the local expertise and reputation of one of China’s leading institutions.
BEng Energy and Environmental Engineering is a joint programme that offers high-quality teaching, a carefully designed curriculum and strong student support, all shaped by Exeter’s academic standards.
You’ll gain more than just a degree - you’ll develop a way of thinking that’s valued worldwide, giving you an edge whether you pursue a career in China or internationally.
Course content
You may notice changes to some of our modules over the coming months. This is because we are making space for the following:
- Minors: Future Skills Pathways - Alongside your main degree you may be eligible (depending on your course) to choose modules from another subject to broaden your skills and interests.
- Skills to Thrive built into every degree - Essential skills for your future, including communication, problem-solving, teamwork and digital confidence.
- Increased innovation and wellbeing - More room for creative learning, real-world projects and a healthier study rhythm.
The modules below 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.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
45 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of compulsory ZJUT modules not required for UoE award.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Engineering Mathematics and Scientific Computing 1 | 15 | |
| Engineering Mathematics and Scientific Computing 2 | 15 | |
| Fundamentals of Engineering | 15 | |
| ESE UGT Stage 1 Compulsory ZJUT Modules (not required for UoE award) | ||
| Academic English Reading | 15 | |
| Academic English for Science and Engineering | 15 | |
| Academic English Writing | 15 | |
| Academic Oral English | 15 | |
ENS1007ZUT: Engineering Mathematics and Scientific Computing 1
This module introduces modern engineering mathematics by teaching maths alongside programming. What you learn in this module will support mathematical content in core modules throughout your programme, allowing you to start developing strong quantitative skills, such that mathematical tools become second nature so you can focus directly on Engineering challenges and concepts. You will be introduced to core mathematical tools for modelling engineering systems which will be developed further in the module “Engineering Mathematics and Scientific Computing - part 2”. You will have a refresher unit on Algebra, and then study Functions, Vectors, Matrices, and Complex Numbers. An elementary introduction to programming in Python will be provided which will equip you with valuable data processing and modelling skills. This foundation in programming will help you develop new ways of Engineering thinking and cutting-edge solutions to ever-changing societal challenges.
ENS1008ZUT: Engineering Mathematics and Scientific Computing 2
This module will further provide mathematics and computing elements as well as programming, completing the framework introduced in the module “Engineering Mathematics and Scientific Computing 1”. What you learn in this module will complete your mathematical background and will give you the strong foundations for successful progression in your programme. The core mathematical tools for modelling engineering systems introduced in Part 1 will be further developed. You will learn about Differentiation, Integration, Ordinary Differential Equations, and Statistics and Probability for Engineers. The teaching of Python will mirror mathematical content, building on knowledge of specialist packages for matrices and differential.
This module aims to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the fundamental mathematical tools needed to tackle modern Engineering problems, allowing you to reinforce and refine your quantitative skills, using routinely mathematical tools when tackling Engineering challenges and concepts. The focus on programming is kept in this module, maintaining your attitude in developing innovative engineering solutions to ever-changing societal challenges.
ENS1009ZUT: Fundamentals of Engineering
In this module you will start your journey into Engineering discipline. It aims to equip you with fundamental knowledge and skills in Electronics, Materials and Mechanics. The contents on material science and material engineering will describe material properties, material structures, material failure and material applications, ensuring the relationships among the manufacture, structure, properties, and performances of materials are appreciated. As part of modern electronics, this module introduces the essential principles that underpin electronic systems. You’ll begin by exploring key concepts such as electricity, current, voltage, and charge, before learning how components like resistors, capacitors, and inductors shape the behaviour of electrical circuits. Classic mechanics will be used to describe and understand an object’s response to its environment, whether it’s the forces imparted by traffic as it traverses a bridge or the forces of lift that allow an aircraft to fly.
The module consolidates a common knowledge base, and begins the development of a learning methodology appropriate to a professional engineer. The module encourages you to actively manage your own learning and seeks to develop your ability to communicate your understanding of engineering theory and concepts in a professional manner, providing solid foundation for more in-depth contents of successive modules.
INT0087ZUT: Academic English Reading
This module develops your academic reading skills and ability to locate, evaluate, and use sources effectively for university study. You will learn strategies for reading academic texts efficiently, taking effective notes, and building your academic vocabulary. Through regular reading practice and source evaluation exercises, you will develop confidence in finding relevant sources, understanding complex texts, and synthesizing information from multiple sources. These skills are essential for success in research-based assignments in science and engineering programmes.
INT0088ZUT: Academic English for Science and Engineering
This module provides you with the foundational academic language skills needed to study science and engineering at university level. You will develop essential grammar and vocabulary knowledge alongside practical skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Through engaging with authentic academic materials and collaborative activities, you will build confidence in using English accurately in academic contexts. The module emphasizes systematic vocabulary development and grammatical accuracy, preparing you for the integrated demands of university-level study in science and engineering disciplines.
INT0089ZUT: Academic English Writing
This module develops your academic writing skills through a process-based approach, emphasizing planning, drafting, revising, and editing. Building on the grammar, vocabulary, and research skills developed alongside this module, you will learn to write clear, well-organised academic essays that integrate sources effectively. Through peer review and tutor feedback, you will develop your ability to revise and improve your writing. The module prepares you for the writing demands of university-level assignments in science and engineering programmes.
INT0090ZUT: Academic Oral English
This module develops your spoken English and listening skills for academic success in higher education. Through listening comprehension activities, collaborative group presentations and academic discussions you will build confidence in communicating effectively in English. You will learn to take effective notes from academic lectures, deliver clear presentations and participate actively in seminars. The module emphasizes group work and peer learning, helping you develop the interpersonal skills essential for study on science and engineering programmes.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
75 credits of compulsory modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Applied Computing for Energy Studies | 15 | |
| Fundamentals of Electronics | 15 | |
| Fundamentals of Materials | 15 | |
| Fundamentals of Mechanics | 15 | |
| Renewable Energy Systems 1 | 15 | |
ENS1010ZUT: Applied Computing for Energy Studies
Computing skills, including both coding and the application of specialist software for design and analysis, are an increasingly important requirement for renewable energy professionals and engineers. This module has been designed to enable you to start developing these skills in the second year of your degree programme. You will be provided with a hands-on introduction to industry-standard software package for GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and you will also build on the fundamental principles of programming you acquired in year 1 modules to enable you to adapt the software tools to solve specific problems. These skills can be applied and developed further in other modules throughout the programme and in your future careers in the renewable energy industry. By applying coding using easily accessible languages you start to see how to implement your designs by creating computer based systems. The module will draw these elements together in an assessed group project that will develop your skills in collaborative working and innovative thinking.
ENS1011ZUT: Fundamentals of Electronics
This module takes you into the world of Electronic engineering - a field that covers everything from radio to space flight. It aims to equip you with fundamental knowledge and skills in Electronics, and apply this knowledge and skill to understand and analyse the operation of electronic circuits (both analogue and digital). You will learn fundamental concepts of charge, current and potential which are the foundation of electrical signals. You will be introduced to the basic electronic components and circuital laws for developing circuits for applications in power supplies, wireless power transfer, signal filters and sensor circuits. You will learn how components like diodes and transistors help control and amplify signals, and how operational amplifiers are used in everyday devices. On the digital side, you’ll explore how computers and digital systems make decisions using logic, learning about the basic rules (Boolean algebra) and building blocks (logic gates, flip-flops, and counters) that underpin digital technology. The module blends theory with hands-on activities to help you understand how electronic circuits work and how they are used in real-world applications. The module encourages you to actively manage your own learning and seeks to develop your ability to communicate your understanding of engineering theory and concepts in a professional manner.
ENS1012ZUT: Fundamentals of Materials
This module aims to equip you with fundamental knowledge and skills in Materials. You will consolidate principles of material science and material engineering, exploring material properties and failure, and discussing material applications with focus on materials relevant to energy installation and on environmental considerations in the choice of materials. At the heart of any engineering analysis is the need to understand an object’s response to the applied conditions, whether it is the allowed stress level to avoid catastrophic failure of pressurised vessels, or altering material micro- and nanostructures to provide improved ductility, strength, or resistance to fracture. None of this analysis is possible without first understanding basic materials. The module encourages you to actively manage your own learning and seeks to develop your ability to communicate your understanding of engineering theory and concepts in a professional manner.
ENS1013ZUT: Fundamentals of Mechanics
This module aims to reinforce your knowledge and skills in Mechanics, introducing basic concepts of dynamics and fluid mechanics. It also consolidates a common knowledge base and begins the development of a learning methodology appropriate to a professional engineer. You will apply classical mechanics concepts to study hydrostatic, dynamics, and hydrodynamics. Foundational mechanics theory will also be used to identify how pressure and head are derived, and how to determine forces on submerged bodies. Furthermore, with the concepts developed in this module, you will be able to describe point-mass dynamics and the laws determining fluid flow. As the other modules introducing to fundamental engineering disciplines, this module encourages you to actively manage your own learning and seeks to develop your ability to communicate your understanding of engineering theory and concepts in a professional manner.
ENS1014ZUT: Renewable Energy Systems 1
Renewable Energy Systems 1 is an introductory module for understanding the sciences, engineering and deployment of ‘renewable energy’, starting from the scientific definition of ‘energy’, and a definition of ‘renewable energy’.
By setting-out the historical overview of the energy landscape, this module will provide you with the required understanding needed before focusing onto the main sources of renewable energy, i.e., solar, wind, hydro, and biomass energy. By introducing the more established renewable energy technologies, the module intends to provide a thorough introduction to the renewable energy studies, which will be further expanded and articulated in Year 3 module “Renewable Energy System 2”, and the specialistic modules in year 4.
For each of the described sources of renewable energy, you will learn and appreciate the scale and magnitude of the resource, and the variety of technologies available to harvest and employ each energy resource. The module will give you the understanding of opportunities and challenges in harnessing renewable energy sources, providing them with the tools needed to evaluate the potential and feasibility of renewable energy generation and use.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
120 credits of compulsory modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Communication and Climate Crisis | 15 | |
| Fundamentals of Machine Learning | 15 | |
| Applied Thermodynamics | 15 | |
| Fluids Mechanics | 15 | |
| Modelling of Engineering System | 15 | |
| Group Challenge Project | 30 | |
| Renewable Energy Systems 2 | 15 | |
CMM2019ZUT: Communication and Climate Crisis
The climate crisis is the defining issue of our era, threatening the future viability of human life on planet Earth. This module critically explores how the climate crisis is communicated. We will think about the role that the mass media, from the news to disaster movies, play in framing the parameters of climate change debates. Digital communications technologies, from the internet to the smartphone, play a key role in circulating information and images about the climate catastrophe and are often promoted as environmentally friendly solutions. However, they come with their own carbon costs that are frequently overlooked. We will develop critical approaches for thinking about the climate crisis through a range of topics, including media representations of the natural world, the carbon footprint of digital technologies, and fictional and non-fictional stories about environmentalism and celebrity activism.
COM2029ZUT: Fundamentals of Machine Learning
Unlike traditional software, artificial intelligence software can improve performance upon ingesting increasing quantities of data. This module will introduce you to the core concepts that are needed to understand the field of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. You will learn about the principal paradigms from a theoretical point of view and gain practical experience through a series of workshops. In this module, we will emphasise the notion and importance of data, and you will learn how machines can deal with different types of data sources, ranging from images and text to networks and user preferences.
This module aims to equip you with the fundamental notions to understand and identify the compromises and trade-offs that must be made when using a machine learning approach. It will provide the foundations to understand the principal flavours of machine learning techniques. Emphasis will be placed on how to work effectively with different information sources.
ENS2028ZUT: Applied Thermodynamics
Using (converting) energy efficiently is a key issue in the design and management of energy systems, and this module aims to instil deep quantitative knowledge and understanding about this topic.
In this module you will learn about the thermodynamic cycles characteristic of many existing machinery (or thermal systems) where heat and work transfer (i.e. energy transfer) takes place. You will develop the valuable skill of working out the efficiency of a given cycle from first principles. This will help you to appreciate how a thermal system should operate to maximise its efficiency and reduce energy losses, evaluating its economic viability. By investigating the refrigeration system in laboratory and calculating the coefficient of performance, electric motor efficiency, compressor efficiency and many other thermal parameters, you will develop skills that are transferable to other thermodynamic cycles.
The module also introduces technologies like Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and Geothermal energy systems, to provide skills useful in both conventional energy generation as well as renewable energy generation sectors.
ENS2029ZUT: Fluids Mechanics
This is an applied module, which aims to develop your understanding of the continuity and energy equations used to solve fluid problems of relevance to both environmental and renewable energy applications. By taking this module, you will develop an appreciation of energy loss in fluid flows and learn about dimensional analysis techniques and how they are applied to wide range of analytical and experimental situations.
The aim of this course is to expand on the basic principles of Thermodynamics, particularly with respect to fluid flow, and help you appreciate the relevance of these principles to real life situations such as flow in pipelines and the design of pump and hydraulic systems.
ENS2030ZUT: Modelling of Engineering System
This module is designed to introduce you to mathematical modelling techniques for engineering systems, and their implementation using scientific computing (e.g. Python).
The model builds on quantitative skills developed so far in the programme, and puts them into practice by analysing, simulating and solving real engineering challenges in fields such as mechanical systems, material science, fluid dynamics and electronic systems.
In this module, the mathematical and computational skills for solving mathematical challenges arising in the modelling of engineering systems will be strengthened, developing a large variety of analytical, numerical and mathematical techniques to be used for solving efficiently engineering problems.
The module will also build practical skills in translating engineering problem statements into mathematical models / questions, and then analysing, simulating and solving the problem by writing a software programme. Further to that, you will be supported in understanding the concept of analytical and numerical approximation, and in learning methods to validate and test the mathematical formulation and coding.
ENS2031ZUT: Group Challenge Project
This module is designed to develop your technical expertise and professional skills essential for a career in renewable energy, systems engineering and environmental engineering. Using project-based learning and working in teams, you will apply your engineering knowledge to a real-life renewable energy system design focusing on improved power capture and reduced environmental impact. Emphasis is placed on practical skills development, data analysis, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance. You will also gain hands-on experience in problem-solving, project management, and technical reporting, preparing to prepare you for industry roles.
This will be done through a combination of background research, practical skills workshops, communication techniques, environmental data collection and analysis, and development of sustainable solutions. The module is designed to:
- Develop your technical expertise to implement sustainable solutions in renewable energy, systems engineering, and environmental engineering.
- Encourage you to apply creative solutions and innovative thinking in sustainable design.
- Provide hands-on experience in teamwork, stakeholder engagement, and project execution through a multidisciplinary, industry-inspired challenge.
- Train you in system design, data analysis and risk mitigation to develop solutions that align with industry standards and environmental policies.
ENS2032ZUT: Renewable Energy Systems 2
This module is intended to build on the knowledge gained in previous module, Renewable Energy Systems 1, and form a bridge to the next year’s specific modules on renewable energy technologies.
Building on previous learning on more established renewable energy systems (solar, hydro, wind and biomass energies), this module will complete and complement your understanding and knowledge in the field of renewable energy by describing and detailing other, less mainstream energy systems such as wave energy, tidal energy, and geothermal energy. By the end of this module, you will have acquired skills needed to appreciate the feasibility and viability of each of the “big seven” renewable energy options, and you will be ready to tackle further specialistic learning of renewable energy sources in the next years.
Entry requirements for 2027 entry
Students are selected based their scores from the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) in China.
The typical offer would be a final average grade of at least 600 out of a total 750, i.e. 80%, and at least 80% for the English subject exam.
Learning and teaching
This programme covers core modules such as:
- Science for Energy Engineering
- Fundamentals of Mechanics and Fundamentals of Materials
- Engineering Mathematics and Scientific Computing
- Fundamentals of Machine Learning.
These will prepare you to solve complex energy and environmental problems using cutting-edge tools and technologies. You'll explore sustainable technologies through modules on Renewable Energy Systems, Solar Power, Wind Energy and Marine Renewable Energy.
Advanced topics include Energy Storage Technology, Thermodynamics and Environmental and Sustainable Technologies.
Practical skills are developed through Applied Computing for Energy Studies, Modelling of Engineering Systems and a multi-disciplinary project, while topics like the Communication and Climate Crisis prepare you to lead in the global energy transition.
You'll also complete a Final Project, tackling a real-world problem where you can innovate and showcase your expertise.
Your future
Graduates are equipped for exciting roles in renewable energy design, environmental consultancy, sustainable infrastructure and energy innovation.
This programme empowers you to lead the green transition - locally and globally - with technical expertise and a commitment to sustainability at the heart of your career.