Master of Science - Global Energy Technologies and Systems

This course provides both the understanding of how energy systems are changing, and what technologies will be important in the future. A challenge-driven programme sits alongside internationally-recognised innovation at the Birmingham Energy Institute that spans fundamental research through to industrial application.

Energy systems around the world are in transition, with drivers including:

• Environmental impacts, especially climate change and air quality; • increasing demand, and providing universal access to reliable supplies; • growing urbanisation, putting pressure on infrastructure.

To meet these aims, new technologies are being developed, but the systems themselves are also changing. People are needed not just to develop or deploy single technologies, but to understand the context in which they will operate. This interdisciplinary course is designed to cater to that need in a global context.

The programme take a systems-based approach to the provision, distribution and utilisation of energy in all forms. Course content is delivered from the School of Chemical Engineering in conjunction with the School of Physics and Astronomy and the School of Government and Society, by research staff who have backgrounds in academia, industry and policy.

Students will study 120 credits of core material to bring breadth and depth; as well as learning about specific energy technologies and the design of energy systems, the course also covers the economics, policy and geopolitics of energy. This will allow students to get a real understanding of how energy systems operate and must change to meet future objectives.

A 60-credit research project will give students the opportunity to explore issues in depth and allow them to undertake cutting-edge research on experimental, theoretical, or policy-based projects within one of the School’s internationally-recognised research groups.

Expertise both from across the University and from within the energy sector will be engaged to deliver an approach to the design and analysis of global energy systems, giving students a well-rounded educational experience.