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Sustainable Energy Engineering

Entry Year: 2024

7 study options

Sustainable Energy Engineering BEng (Hons)

Key information

Degree
BEng (Hons)
Duration
3 years
Start
September 2024
UCAS code
H221
Institution code
Q50
Typical A-Level offer
Grades AAB at A-Level. This must include A-Level Mathematics, and Physics or Chemistry. Excludes General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Full entry requirements
Home fees
£9,250*
Overseas fees
Fees for 2024 entry will appear here shortly

*These fees are for the 2023-24 academic year and are provided as a guideline. Fees for 2024-25 have not yet been set.

Engineering with Foundation BEng (Hons)

Key information

Degree
BEng (Hons)
Duration
4 years
Start
September 2024
UCAS code
HHX3
Institution code
Q50
Typical A-Level offer
Grades BBB at A-Level.
Full entry requirements
Home fees
£9,250*
Overseas fees
Fees for 2024 entry will appear here shortly

*These fees are for the 2023-24 academic year and are provided as a guideline. Fees for 2024-25 have not yet been set.

Sustainable Energy Engineering with Industrial Experience BEng (Hons)

Key information

Degree
BEng (Hons)
Duration
4 years
Start
September 2024
UCAS code
HF21
Institution code
Q50
Typical A-Level offer
Grades AAB at A-Level. This must include A-Level Mathematics, and Physics or Chemistry. Excludes General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Full entry requirements
Home fees
£9,250*
Overseas fees
Fees for 2024 entry will appear here shortly

*These fees are for the 2023-24 academic year and are provided as a guideline. Fees for 2024-25 have not yet been set.

Sustainable Energy Engineering with Year Abroad BEng (Hons)

Key information

Degree
BEng (Hons)
Duration
4 years
Start
September 2024
UCAS code
H22Y
Institution code
Q50
Typical A-Level offer
Grades AAB at A-Level. This must include A-Level Mathematics, and Physics or Chemistry. Excludes General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Full entry requirements
Home fees
£9,250*
Overseas fees
Fees for 2024 entry will appear here shortly

*These fees are for the 2023-24 academic year and are provided as a guideline. Fees for 2024-25 have not yet been set.

Year abroad cost

Finances for studying abroad on exchange

View details

Sustainable Energy Engineering MEng (Hons)

Key information

Degree
MEng (Hons)
Duration
4 years
Start
September 2024
UCAS code
H224
Institution code
Q50
Typical A-Level offer
Grades AAA at A-Level. This must include A-Level Mathematics, and Physics or Chemistry. Excludes General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Full entry requirements
Home fees
£9,250*
Overseas fees
Fees for 2024 entry will appear here shortly

*These fees are for the 2023-24 academic year and are provided as a guideline. Fees for 2024-25 have not yet been set.

Sustainable Energy Engineering with Industrial Experience MEng (Hons)

Key information

Degree
MEng (Hons)
Duration
5 years
Start
September 2024
UCAS code
HG21
Institution code
Q50
Typical A-Level offer
Grades AAA at A-Level. This must include A-Level Mathematics, and Physics or Chemistry. Excludes General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Full entry requirements
Home fees
£9,250*
Overseas fees
Fees for 2024 entry will appear here shortly

*These fees are for the 2023-24 academic year and are provided as a guideline. Fees for 2024-25 have not yet been set.

Sustainable Energy Engineering with Year Abroad MEng (Hons)

Key information

Degree
MEng (Hons)
Duration
5 years
Start
September 2024
UCAS code
H24Y
Institution code
Q50
Typical A-Level offer
Grades AAA at A-Level. This must include A-Level Mathematics, and Physics or Chemistry. Excludes General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Full entry requirements
Home fees
£9,250*
Overseas fees
Fees for 2024 entry will appear here shortly

*These fees are for the 2023-24 academic year and are provided as a guideline. Fees for 2024-25 have not yet been set.

Year abroad cost

Finances for studying abroad on exchange

View details

Overview

Meeting future energy needs is one of the greatest challenges facing the world in the twenty-first century.

Emerging economies are leading a huge increase in global energy consumption, and demand is projected to rise further in the near future. We urgently need new supplies of affordable, renewable, sustainable energy.

Our Sustainable Energy Engineering programme provides students with the tools and knowledge needed to tackle the greatest challenges regarding sustainable development and renewable energy sources. This unrivalled and innovative programme will place you at the forefront of one of the most important fields of the century.

For your third-year design project, you’ll design and conduct an individual project to address a real-world issue related to sustainability and energy and learn how engineering can influence the way we build a sustainable society. In your third year you will also learn about the most important aspects of sustainable and renewable energy engineering including, sustainable energy systems, energy storage, vehicles for the future and waste minimisation.

Students who choose to take the MEng degree will carry out an industry or research-linked project that focuses on solving real engineering research and design problems. In the fourth year of the MEng you will also learn advanced skills in sustainable and renewable energy topics such as solar energy conversion, electrochemical energy storage, biomass and wind energy and green hydrogen. 

Structure

You can complete your Sustainable Energy Engineering degree in three, four or five years. A typical BEng programme will comprise 3 years of study, whilst a typical MEng programme will comprise 4 years of study. Study abroad can be taken in Year 3 and Year 3 modules will instead be taken in Year 4. Industrial Experience can be taken in Year 3 or 4 of a BEng programme or Year 3, 4 or 5 of an MEng programme. Please note that students cannot do both study abroad and a year in industry.

Year 0

Foundation

Semester 1

Compulsory

  • Physics - Mechanics and Materials
  • Essential Foundation Mathematics
  • Communication in Science & Technology
  • Mathematics B  (double module across Semester 1 and 2)

Semester 2

Compulsory

  • Physics- Fields and Waves
  • Physics - Electricity and Atomic Physics
  • Introduction to Engineering
  • Mathematics B  (double module across Semester 1 and 2)

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Year 2

You'll cover the following specialist topics:

  • Applied Fluid Mechanics
  • Heat and Mass Transfer
  • Materials for Sustainability
  • Structure and Properties of Materials
  • Thermodynamic Cycles
  • Numerical Methods and Data Science in Engineering
  • Process Control
  • Functional Materials

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Year 3

Module topics include:

  • Design Project (30 credits)
  • Electrical Systems for Renewable Energies
  • Fuels and Sustainability
  • Heat Exchange and Waste Minimisation.
  • Vehicles for the Future
  • Electrochemical Engineering and Energy Storage
  • Sustainability Assessment for Design

 

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Year 4

MEng only

Students choosing the MEng option spend an additional year studying advanced specialised modules and working on a group project. Recent projects have included taking part in the Shell Eco Challenge, designing, building and testing a novel solar collector, and a control-oriented sea wave energy converter.

Compulsory 

  • Renewable Energy Sources
  • Solar Energy Engineering

Specialist 4th year modules include:

  • Computational Engineering
  • Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Electrochemical Components and Devices
  • Environment, Ethics and Economics in Engineering Design
  • Renewable Fuels

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Study options

Apply for this degree with any of the following options. Take care to use the correct UCAS code - it may not be possible to change your selection later.

Integrated foundation year

Students who do not have the required high school qualifications for admission to this degree,  and students who do not meet their UCAS Conditional offer may be considered for the 4 year degree (foundation year plus the 3 year degree). 

International students with Year 12 or a completed international high school certificate qualify for the one year foundation programme commonly known as the ISEFP.

The foundation programme offers a range of transferable skills and an opportunity to improve on your knowledge content for relevant Maths and Science subjects.

You will enrol on an  Engineering BEng with Foundation which will offer progression to a range of degrees in the School of Engineering and Material Sciences including BEng or MEng Sustainable Energy Engineering.  At the end of the foundation programme, students will be required to meet the progression requirements for admission to  BEng or MEng Sustainable Energy Engineering.

Year in industry

Apply for our Sustainable Energy Engineering BEng or MEng with Industrial Experience to spend a year in industry. You'll have the opportunity to put your understanding of sustainable energy engineering into practice in a real-world environment, gaining invaluable experience for your future career.

Master of Engineering (MEng)

Take an extra year to study your choice of advanced modules and complete a high-level group project. Apply for our Sustainable Energy Engineering MEng, ideal if you want to go into research and development, or to give you an edge in the job market.

Year abroad

Go global and study abroad as part of your degree – apply for our Sustainable Energy Engineering BEng or MEng with a Year Abroad. Queen Mary has links with universities in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia (partnerships vary for each degree programme).

Find out more about study abroad opportunities at Queen Mary and what the progression requirements are.

You can do either a year in industry or a year abroad - you cannot combine these options.

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Testimonial

The best thing about my course is that it covers both fundamental engineering as well as specialised modules for sustainable energy, providing you vast knowledge for industrial application. Queen Mary has a very good careers service and my department has its own Industrial Placement Manager as well.

Tsu May Lim, Sustainable Energy Engineering with Industrial Experience (2018)

Teaching

Teaching and learning

You'll learn through a combination of lectures, problem-solving classes, laboratory practicals and problem-based learning.

You should plan for 14 to 17 hours of formal teaching each week, plus time spent on group projects. For every hour spent in class, you’ll complete a further one to two hours of independent study.

Assessment

Assessment typically includes a combination of coursework, written report, projects, presentations, group work and exams in the summer.

Resources and facilities

The School offers excellent on-campus resources to aid your studies, including:

  • Sustainable Thermal Systems Laboratory
  • Piezoelectric energy harvester tester
  • Photovoltaic device testing facilities
  • A wide range of electrochemical and photoelectrochemical facilities
  • A Thermoelectric Suite
  • Our fully refurbished Design Studio
  • A combustion laboratory

Entry requirements

A-LevelGrades AAB at A-Level. This must include A-Level Mathematics, and Physics or Chemistry. Excludes General Studies and Critical Thinking.
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 34 points overall, including 6,6,5 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include Mathematics at Higher Level, and either Physics or Chemistry, also at Higher Level.
BTECSee our detailed subject and grade requirements
Access HEWe consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma in a Physics and Mathematics based discipline. Entry will normally be to the BEng or BSc. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 33 credits must be at Distinction and 12 credits at Merit or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis.
GCSEMinimum five GCSE passes including English at grade C or 4.
EPQ

Alternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification.

For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq

Contextualised admissionsWe consider every application on its individual merits and will take into consideration your individual educational experiences and context. More information on how academic schools and programmes use this information as part of the admissions process, can be found on our contextualised admissions pages.
A-LevelGrades BBB at A-Level.
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 30 points overall, including 5,5,5 from three Higher Level subjects.
BTECSee our detailed subject and grade requirements
Access HEWe consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 27 credits must be at Distinction and 18 credits at Merit or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis.
GCSEMinimum five GCSE passes including English and Maths at grade C or 4.
A-LevelGrades AAB at A-Level. This must include A-Level Mathematics, and Physics or Chemistry. Excludes General Studies and Critical Thinking.
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 34 points overall, including 6,6,5 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include Mathematics at Higher Level, and either Physics or Chemistry, also at Higher Level.
BTECSee our detailed subject and grade requirements
Access HEWe consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma in a Physics and Mathematics based discipline. Entry will normally be to the BEng or BSc. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 33 credits must be at Distinction and 12 credits at Merit or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis.
GCSEMinimum five GCSE passes including English at grade C or 4.
EPQAlternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification. For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq
Contextualised admissionsWe consider every application on its individual merits and will take into consideration your individual educational experiences and context. More information on how academic schools and programmes use this information as part of the admissions process, can be found on our contextualised admissions pages.
A-LevelGrades AAB at A-Level. This must include A-Level Mathematics, and Physics or Chemistry. Excludes General Studies and Critical Thinking.
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 34 points overall, including 6,6,5 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include Mathematics at Higher Level, and either Physics or Chemistry, also at Higher Level.
BTECSee our detailed subject and grade requirements
Access HEWe consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma in a Physics and Mathematics based discipline. Entry will normally be to the BEng or BSc. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 33 credits must be at Distinction and 12 credits at Merit or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis.
GCSEMinimum five GCSE passes including English at grade C or 4.
EPQAlternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification. For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq
Contextualised admissionsWe consider every application on its individual merits and will take into consideration your individual educational experiences and context. More information on how academic schools and programmes use this information as part of the admissions process, can be found on our contextualised admissions pages.
A-LevelGrades AAA at A-Level. This must include A-Level Mathematics, and Physics or Chemistry. Excludes General Studies and Critical Thinking.
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 36 points overall, including 6,6,5 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include Mathematics at Higher Level, and either Physics or Chemistry, also at Higher Level.
BTECBTEC qualifications are not considered for entry to this programme.
Access HEWe consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma in a Physics and Mathematics based discipline. Entry will normally be to the BEng or BSc. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 33 credits must be at Distinction and 12 credits at Merit or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis.
GCSEMinimum five GCSE passes including English at grade C or 4.
EPQAlternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification. For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq
Contextualised admissionsWe consider every application on its individual merits and will take into consideration your individual educational experiences and context. More information on how academic schools and programmes use this information as part of the admissions process, can be found on our contextualised admissions pages.
A-LevelGrades AAA at A-Level. This must include A-Level Mathematics, and Physics or Chemistry. Excludes General Studies and Critical Thinking.
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 36 points overall, including 6,6,5 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include Mathematics at Higher Level, and either Physics or Chemistry, also at Higher Level.
BTECBTEC qualifications are not considered for entry to this programme.
Access HEWe consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma in a Physics and Mathematics based discipline. Entry will normally be to the BEng or BSc. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 33 credits must be at Distinction and 12 credits at Merit or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis.
GCSEMinimum five GCSE passes including English at grade C or 4.
EPQAlternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification. For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq
Contextualised admissionsWe consider every application on its individual merits and will take into consideration your individual educational experiences and context. More information on how academic schools and programmes use this information as part of the admissions process, can be found on our contextualised admissions pages.
A-LevelGrades AAA at A-Level. This must include A-Level Mathematics, and Physics or Chemistry. Excludes General Studies and Critical Thinking.
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 36 points overall, including 6,6,5 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include Mathematics at Higher Level, and either Physics or Chemistry, also at Higher Level.
BTECBTEC qualifications are not considered for entry to this programme.
Access HEWe consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma in a Physics and Mathematics based discipline. Entry will normally be to the BEng or BSc. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 33 credits must be at Distinction and 12 credits at Merit or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis.
GCSEMinimum five GCSE passes including English at grade C or 4.
EPQAlternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification. For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq
Contextualised admissionsWe consider every application on its individual merits and will take into consideration your individual educational experiences and context. More information on how academic schools and programmes use this information as part of the admissions process, can be found on our contextualised admissions pages.

Non-UK students

We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit International Admissions for full details.

English language

Find out more about our English language entry requirements, including the types of test we accept and the scores needed for entry to the programme.

You may also be able to meet the English language requirement for your programme by joining a summer pre-sessional programme before starting your degree.

Further information

See our general undergraduate entry requirements.

Funding

Loans and grants

UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans from Student Finance England or other government bodies.

Scholarships and bursaries

Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries, which currently benefits around 50 per cent of our undergraduates.

Scholarships are available for home, EU and international students. Specific funding is also available for students from the local area. International students may be eligible for a fee reduction. We offer means-tested funding, as well as subject-specific funding for many degrees.

Find out what scholarships and bursaries are available to you.

Support from Queen Mary

We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.

Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:

  • additional sources of funding
  • planning your budget and cutting costs
  • part-time and vacation work
  • money for lone parents.

Careers

The Sustainable Energy Engineering programme equips you with specific skills and knowledge to tackle environmental issues related to energy creation and consumption. You might work for an energy company or for government, advising on sustainability issues.

Recent Sustainable Energy Engineering graduates have been hired by:

  • Komplett Group
  • O2
  • Sunlabob.

Career support

The School of Engineering and Materials Science holds a weekly careers session where employers provide information, advice and skills training. We also run networking events for students to meet employers and alumni.

The Queen Mary careers team can also offer:

  • specialist advice on choosing a career path
  • support with finding work experience, internships and graduate jobs
  • feedback on CVs, cover letters and application forms
  • interview coaching.

Learn more about career support and development at Queen Mary.

Data for these courses

Sustainable Energy Engineering - BEng (Hons)

Engineering with Foundation - BEng (Hons)

Sustainable Energy Engineering with Industrial Experience - BEng (Hons)

Sustainable Energy Engineering with Year Abroad - BEng (Hons)

Sustainable Energy Engineering - MEng (Hons)

Sustainable Energy Engineering with Industrial Experience - MEng (Hons)

Sustainable Energy Engineering with Year Abroad - MEng (Hons)

The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats)

About the School

The School of Engineering and Materials Science attracts some of the brightest minds from across the country, and the world. The most recent national assessment of the quality of university research (REF 2021) placed us seventh for our engineering research (Times Higher Education) and second for the quality of our research outputs.

Our academic staff have extensive contacts with major industrial companies in engineering and materials science, and there is constant interaction between industry, research and our teaching.

Our students benefit from personal contact with approachable teaching staff in small-group settings, where discussion and feedback is actively encouraged.

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