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MSc Wind Energy Systems

Key facts

  • Start date: September
  • Accreditation: Institution of Engineering and Technology
  • Application deadline: August
  • Study mode and duration: 12 months full-time

Study with us

  • develop the expertise to strengthen, lead and transform the high-growth global wind energy industry
  • study within Europe's largest and leading university electrical power and energy technology research group
  • for ambitious engineering graduates who wish to strengthen, lead and transform the high-growth global wind energy industry
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Why this course?

Our Masters in Wind Energy Systems offers engineering graduates the opportunity to study at the Institute for Energy & Environment – one of Europe's largest and leading university power and energy technology groups.

The Institute is home to over 200 staff and researchers conducting strategic and applied research in the key technical and policy aspects of energy systems. It also houses the UK’s only government-funded Centres for Doctoral Training in Wind & Marine Energy Systems, and Future Power Networks and Smart Grids, both of which are dedicated to pioneering research and advanced skills training. 

On this course, you'll develop and enhance your technical expertise of wind energy and deepen your understanding of the engineering, political and economic contexts of wind power. This course will provide you with an advanced level of knowledge to address the current and future challenges of this exciting and dynamic sector. 

With links to key UK and global business and industry energy partners, you’ll have unique access to companies at the forefront of wind energy developments.

Wind Turbines on a large wind farm at Whitelee near Glasgow

THE Awards 2019: UK University of the Year Winner

What you’ll study

You'll undertake two semesters of compulsory and optional classes, followed by a three-month research project in a specialist area. You'll have the opportunity to carry this out through our Department's competitive MSc industrial internships.

The internships are offered in collaboration with selected department industry partners, eg ScottishPower, Smarter Grid Solutions, SSE. You'll address real-world engineering challenges facing the partner, with site visits, access and provision of relevant technical data and/or facilities provided, along with an industry mentor and academic supervisor.

Facilities

You'll have exclusive access to our extensive computing network and purpose-built teaching spaces including our outdoor test facility for photovoltaics high voltage laboratory, equipped with the latest technologies including:

  • LDS 6-digital partial discharge test and measurement system
  • Marx impulse generators & GIS test rigs
  • £1M distribution network and protection laboratory comprising a 100kVA microgrid, induction machines and programme load banks

You'll have access to the UK’s only high-fidelity control room simulation suite and the PNDC. This is Europe’s first centre dedicated to the development and demonstration of 'smart-grid technologies.

Accreditation

The course is fully accredited by the UK professional body, the Institution of Engineering and Technology  and fulfils the educational requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer when presented with a CEng-accredited Bachelors programme.

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Course content

(September to May)

Assignment & Professional Studies

The aim of this class is to provide you with support for your general academic and professional development.

You'll undertake an advanced investigation of an electronic or electrical engineering topic of your choice, to enhance your learning, and develop presentation and communication skills.

Power Systems & Wind Integration

This class will provide an understanding of the principles of wind turbine power generation with attention to the wind resource, rotor aerodynamics, structural design, power conversion and control.

Socio-economic issues, distributed energy resources including small scale generation, energy storage and demand management and their integration and management within power networks will also be examined.

Wind Turbine Technology

The objectives of this class is to provide a basic understanding of the wind resource and the principal of wind turbine power conversion including:

  • an introduction to rotor dynamic suitable for non-specialist engineers and scientists
  • an explanation of  the evolution of contemporary wind turbine technology

You'll gain sufficient understanding to outline the design and operation of multi-megawatt machines.

Three classes to be chosen – at least two from List A.

List A

Power Electronics, Machines & Applications

You'll develop an understanding of the principles of common power electronic systems. You'll gain familiarity with the techniques required to analyse common power electronic circuits and learn about the basic principles behind the design of rotating electrical machines. The techniques required to analyse basic DC and AC machines will also be investigated.

You'll learn to recognise that disturbances exist within a power system substation, appreciate that these disturbances may affect electromagnetic compatibility and become competent in dealing with the implications of those disturbances.

You'll gain an understanding of the use of power electronic devices, drives and machines for given applications, specifically for electric vehicles. You'll examine the range of energy sources capable of powering ‘independent’ EVs, how these sources work, their performance and degradation issues and how to charge/fuel them.

Power System Design, Operation & Protection

The objective of this class is to enable you to appreciate the principles of analysis, design and protection of electrical power systems including:

  • the design and operational approaches in power systems including electricity generation, transmission and distribution
  • the analysis and design of transmission and distribution networks
  • power flow, fault and stability calculations
  • power system control including load frequency control and economic dispatch
  • generation technology implications on power system design and operation.

You'll also study the main concepts related to the requirements, functions, design and operation of protection schemes for power system transmission and distribution systems. You'll gain an advanced understanding of selected protection schemes used in transmission and distribution networks.

Control Principles

This module will deliver the following learning outcomes:

  1. appreciate and experience state-of-the-art modeling and simulation tools, represent linear dynamic systems in state space and transfer function, create simulations using Simulink, use MATLAB system analysis tools.
  2. understand the feedback control fundamentals. Use and interpret time and frequency domain performance measures, understand stability and controller tuning principles, understand system controllability and observability, and obtain awareness of functionality and design of state observers.
  3. understand the structure and effects of PID controllers, use simple PID tuning methods, design state feedback controllers including pole-placement and linear quadratic optimal control, be aware of advanced control methods such as predictive control and statistical process control.

Advanced Power & Energy Systems

This class will allow you to understand, critically analyse and assess technical requirements for power system operation, management and planning. It will enable you to carry out advanced types of power system analysis as well as understand and use results from these analyses in power system operation and planning. You'll also develop an advanced knowledge of the main concepts related to the function, design and operation of protection schemes for distribution, transmission and generation applications.

High Voltage Technology & Electromagnetic Compatibility

This class will introduce you to the fundamentals of high voltage electrical insulating systems and the principles, mechanisms and characteristics of high voltage discharges in vacuum and condensed media. It will also provide you with a basic understanding of the behaviour of dielectric materials stressed with electric fields and their use in high voltage systems. You'll also gain an understanding of the principles of high voltage generation and impulse testing of the high voltage systems.

Power Electronics for Energy & Drive Control

Modern energy conversion systems rely on the integration of range of technologies including power electronics, electromechanical actuators and energy storage elements. This class will build knowledge of the building block technologies and show their application to modern energy conversion systems.

Power System Economics, Markets & Asset Management

This class will present and give an understanding of the economics, trading and pricing of electricity supply and how it is shaped by technical, commercial and regulatory considerations.

It will give you an understanding of power system economics under an environment of multiple suppliers and users, and present the challenges, technologies and value of asset management within an electricity supply industry context. You'll gain a deep appreciation of factors affecting security of supply and how it might be quantified.

List B

Energy Economics

The class aims to provide students with:

  • an understanding of economic principles underpinning the demand for, and supply of energy resources
  • an understanding of the role of energy policy and efficient and sustainable energy use
  • economic techniques used by private and public organisations in analysing energy projects and policies
  • the interrelationships between economy-energy-environmental impacts of energy policies, including the use of economic modelling techniques

Inspection & Survey

This module provides you with an insight into ‘marine’ materials, their properties, failure and protection and an understanding of how degradation affects the life-cycle of marine and offshore structures.

Particular emphasis is on inspection and assessment of inspection results, corrosion, fatigue and fracture of steels and the corrosion properties of high-strength and stainless alloy steels.

Renewable Marine Energy Systems (10 credits)

TBC

Geographical Information Systems (10 credits)

This class, run by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, introduces Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and spatial data analysis. The course covers the key theory with a strong focus is on practical applications. Students will develop skills to apply GIS independently to real world datasets and problems. The student will need to independently develop spatial research questions, find, or collect relevant data and perform a state-of-the-art spatial analysis. GIS is a digital tool for analysing spatial phenomena. It focusses on spatial data, so data where the location of the data is just as important as the data itself. GIS allows us to organize, visualize and analyse this data in a spatial context, so that we can interpret and understand the underlying processes. GIS can be used in a wide range of fields for example in engineering (site selection, flood risk, transport planning, impact of construction), environmental science (e.g. soil erosion, health and disease, pollutant transport, landscape visual impact assessment, wildlife preservation), business (e.g. asset management, customer relations) to policy making (e.g. urbanization, deforestation, spatial distribution of crime).

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) relates to the process of identifying, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, economic, cultural and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made.

This class aims to provide you with an introduction to some of the methods used to predict environmental impacts and to see how these may be used to integrate environmental factors into decisions.

The class emphasises the use of EIA as a design tool and focuses on issues related to the quality of the EIA process overall and of Environmental Impact Statements in particular.

The class draws principally on the UK planning context of environmental impact assessment (also called Environmental Assessment), but also takes account of EIA experience in other countries and international organisations, together with developing international experience of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

Summer (June to September)

MSc Research Project / Internship

The aim of the research project is to provide you with an opportunity to bring your knowledge and skills together and deploy them in a significant practical investigation, using relevant engineering literature, and where relevant, initial experiments or simulations.

Andrew from Australia

Andrew is one of our international students from Australia. Find out what he thinks about his course and why he decided to study it.

The academics are really good. They're some of the leading people in their field. You can tell when you're in the lectures that they understand perfectly what they're talking about.

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Our Unibuddy ambassadors can answer all the questions you might have about courses and studying at Strathclyde, along with offering insight into their experiences of life in Glasgow and Scotland.

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Learning & teaching

We use a blend of teaching and learning methods including interactive lectures, problem-solving tutorials and practical project-based laboratories. Our technical and experimental officers are available to support and guide you on individual subject material.

Each module comprises approximately five hours of direct teaching per week. To enhance your understanding of the technical and theoretical topics covered in these, you're expected to undertake a further five to six hours of self-study, using the University's virtual learning environment (Myplace), research journals and library facilities.

Individual modules are delivered by academic leaders, and with links to key UK and global industry energy partners, you'll have unique access to companies at the forefront of wind energy developments.

The teaching and learning methods used ensure you'll develop not only technical engineering expertise but also communications, project management and leadership skills.

You'll undertake group projects. These will help to develop your interpersonal, communication and transferable skills essential to a career in industry.

Industry engagement

Interaction with industry is provided through our internships, teaching seminars and networking events. The Department delivers monthly seminars to support students’ learning and career development. Atkins Global, BAE Systems, Iberdrola, National Grid, ScottishPower, Siemens and Rolls-Royce are just a few of the industry partners you can engage with during your course.

Assessment

You'll complete at least six modules, each assessed by a combination of written assignments, individual and group reports, oral presentations, practical lab work and, where appropriate, an end-of-term exam.

Assessment of the summer research project/internship consists of four elements, with individual criteria:

  • Interim report (10%, 1,500 to 3,000 words) – the purpose of the report is to provide a mechanism for supervisors to provide valuable feedback on the project’s objectives and direction
  • Poster Presentation (15%) – a vital skill of an engineer is the ability to describe their work to others and respond to requests for information; the poster presentation is designed to give you an opportunity to practise that
  • Final report (55%) – this assesses the communication of project objectives and context, accuracy and relevant of background material, description of practical work and results, depth and soundness of discussion and conclusions, level of engineering achievement and the quality of the report’s presentation
  • Conduct (20%) – independent study, project and time management are key features of university learning; the level of your initiative, and independent thinking and technical understanding are assessed through project meetings with your supervisor and your written logbooks
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Entry requirements

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Academic requirements

A first or upper second-class Honours degree or equivalent qualification in electronic, electrical or mechanical engineering or related discipline (physics, mechatronics, control or systems engineering) from a recognised academic institution.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, please visit our English language requirements page for full details of the requirements in place before making your application.

Pre-Masters preparation course

The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non-UK/Ireland) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde.

Upon successful completion, you'll be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.

Please note: Previous Maths & English qualifications and your undergraduate degree must meet GTCS minimum entry requirements as well as the pre-Masters course and an interview will be conducted before an offer can be made.

International students

We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.

Visit our international students' section

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Fees & funding

All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.

Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.

All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.

Annual revision of fees

Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that tuition fees are revised annually and may increase in subsequent years of study. Annual increases will generally reflect UK inflation rates and increases to programme delivery costs.

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Scotland

£10,800

England, Wales & Northern Ireland

£10,800

Republic of IrelandIf you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status. For more information and advice on tuition fee status, you can visit the UKCISA - International student advice and guidance - Scotland: fee status webpage. Find out more about the University of Strathclyde's fee assessments process.
International

£28,250

Additional costs

Visa & immigration:

  • International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information.

Printing and report binding costs:

  • around £10-£15 a year (depending on programme and class assignments)
Available scholarships

Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities.

Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.

How can I fund my course?

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Scottish postgraduate students

Scottish postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

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Students coming from England

Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

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Students coming from Wales

Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

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Students coming from Northern Ireland

Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

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International students

We've a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city

Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.

Life in Glasgow
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Apply

During the application process, you must upload the following supporting documents. If these are not provided, we will not be able to process your application:

  • certified individual semester mark sheets/academic transcript showing subjects taken and grades achieved for all qualifications. If you're still studying, please provide your individual semester mark sheets to date
  • certified degree certificate for all qualification. If youre still studying, please provide this after completing your qualification
  • provide evidence of suitable English language proficiency if English is not your first language, or you're not from a “UKVI recognised "Majority English Speaking" country”; check the University’s language requirements
  • if you have been out of full-time education for over two years, provide a CV, detailing employment history, organisations worked for and a brief description of roles and responsibilities
  • a copy of your passport containing your photo and passport number
  • a copy of your sponsor letter/scholarship award (if appropriate) 
  • names, job titles and email addresses for two nominated referees

Start date: Sep 2025

Wind Energy Systems

MSc
full-time
Start date: Sep 2025

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Contact us

Faculty of Engineering

Telephone: +44 (0)141 574 5484

Email: eng-admissions@strath.ac.uk