The MSc Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology course will develop the cutting-edge multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills to enable students to develop a rewarding career in this fast moving growth industry.

Accredited by The Energy Institute, this renewable energy masters is based in USW’s Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC), a leading and internationally recognised centre for more than 30 years. SERC is also home to The Wales Centre of Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion and the University of South Wales Centre for Renewable Hydrogen Research and Demonstration.

Students will be taught by SERC’s team of academics and researchers who are engaged in industrially linked projects such as FLEXIS, RICE and SMART circle working with companies such as Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Tata Steel, and ITM Power. This ensures that the course modules are informed by the latest up-to-date and industrially relevant research, preparing students for employment.

The subjects taught within this course are underpinned by high quality research which was rated as being mainly internationally excellent or world-leading in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. This included research in Anaerobic Digestion, Analytical Technology, Bioelectrochemical Systems, Biohydrogen and Biomethane Production, Hydrogen Energy, Hydrogen Vehicles and Refueling, Biopolymer Production, Modelling and Control, Nano Materials and Wastewater Treatment.

Learners will also complete a substantial dissertation project within the Sustainable Environment Research Centre where they'll be supervised by USW's team of academics and researchers with access to the state-of-the-art labs. As part of the dissertation process, students will attend tutorials on research methods, including practical lab based sessions with the University's research team. Moreover, the programme of site visits includes tours of Radyr Hydro Power Station, Mynydd Portref Wind Farm, Cardiff WWTP, Court Farm Water Treatment Plant, and the Hydrogen Demonstration Centre at Baglan.

There is substantial global demand for graduates with expertise in renewable energy and sustainable technology. The argument for the need to produce knowledgeable and highly skilled graduates in this area has never been stronger, and will keep getting stronger. The need to meet emissions targets and a net-zero carbon economy will create a need for highly skilled individuals to implement the changes.

Graduates with a renewable energy qualification can find work in multiple sectors from the renewable energy industry, local authorities, government regulatory agencies, manufacturing industries, energy and environmental consultancy companies, water companies, research or academia or national and international NGOs. Graduates may also progress on to a PhD or research degree.