MEng Electrical Energy Systems
ApplyKey facts
- UCAS Code: H630
- Accreditation: Institution of Engineering & Technology
Study with us
- learn about electrical, renewable and carbonneutral energy sources, and the applications of electrical power
- take part in our solar energy international development projects in Africa
- access to IET Power Academy & Scholarship programme with paid work placements
- gain international experience through studying abroad
- professional accreditation by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Why this course?
Electrical energy is vital in today’s society. It powers manufacturing and transport, provides heat and light and is part of all modern life.
One of the biggest challenges facing society is the need for reliable energy supplies with minimum impact on the environment. This degree responds to that need. It produces engineers with the technical expertise and skills to tackle this challenge and all complex issues surrounding the applications of electrical power.
The search for, and integration of, renewable and carbon-neutral energy sources into the existing power network requires innovative engineering solutions involving fuel cells, solar, wind, wave and tidal technologies. Examples of such innovation include our energy project in The Gambia and opportunities exist for you to be part of the annual expedition there to install solar technologies into rural communities.
Accreditation
The Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) - this programme is CEng accredited and fulfils the educational requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
What you’ll study
Year 1
You study a variety of technical subjects including electronic & electrical theory, analogue and digital circuits, maths, business management and software engineering.
You complete group-based laboratory projects such as how to build hydrogen-powered vehicles and design wireless communications to gain practical training in core engineering applications and project management skills.
Year 2
You build upon the subject material completed in Year 1 through classes in design and analysis of electrical systems, digital electronics, electromagnetism, linear signals and systems, and engineering design and manufacture.
Year 3
You’ll begin to develop specialist engineering skills focused within the electrical and renewable energy sectors.
Year 4
You can choose to either spend fourth year at a partner institution abroad or remain at Strathclyde. The home curriculum focuses on developing an advanced technical understanding of the design, control and integration of electrical power and renewable energy systems, and their applications. You’ll also undertake an individual, industry-focused research project to help you gain the project management skills needed by professional engineers.
At the overseas partner, you’ll study an approved curriculum that is equivalent to the home one, and all the subjects/credits you pass count towards your degree at Strathclyde. You’ll not be required to take extra classes on returning.
The choice of which partner is yours – we offer opportunities in Europe through Erasmus or further afield through our international exchanges to USA, Canada, China, Singapore, Australia & New Zealand. To give you some ideas, take a look at our latest international exchanges list.
Year 5
In Year 5 you'll have the opportunity to develop your team-working skills through a multidisciplinary group project. This project will have a strong industrial influence and provide you with the opportunity to utilise both your hardware and software skills by developing a fully functioning system, which you are required to demonstrate at an internal business tradeshow/exhibition at the end of the year.
In addition to the project, you'll select modules from a range of advanced electrical and electronic application areas.
Top-ranked department
The Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering at Strathclyde is acknowledged as one of the premier providers of education in electronic & electrical engineering in the UK. Renowned for its teaching and research quality, student satisfaction ratings and excellent graduate employment rates, it provides the specialist theoretical and practical training in electronics, communications design and operation, hardware engineering systems, image/video processing and robotics.
Facilities
Students have exclusive access to our extensive computing network, and purpose-built teaching spaces including high voltage facilities, and student design and project labs equipped with the latest technologies.
I spent the final two summers of my degree as an intern for Open Grid Systems Ltd. This enabled me to understand more about working on real-world projects, dealing with the difficulties of deadlines and uncooperative clients, and also to learn a lot more about the Power Industry in general. It provided me with valuable work experience and in the long run ended with a job offer.
Corinne Shand, PhD while working with Open Grid Solutions
Compulsory classes
Engineering Industry & Profession
To provide an overview of industry and give you some understanding of the industry environment that you would enter as well as the types of roles you would/could undertake. To explain role and responsibility of the engineering profession and individual engineer.
The class is delivered to first-year undergraduate students in the specific context of electronic and electrical engineering together with relationship to mechanical engineering and computer systems.
Electronic & Mechanical Techniques & Design 1
This module aims to:
- introduce you to the practical and professional skills required of an engineer
- underpin theoretical concepts introduced elsewhere in Year 1 modules
- introduce you to individual and group project work
- expose you to problems requiring system integration and design
- encourage innovation in the context of project work
- facilitate the development of a range of transferable skills
Engineering Design For Software Development 1
This class will teach elementary computer programming for the absolute beginner. We begin with an introduction of how a computer process instructions then move on to the basic of programming.
Foundation level programming constructs are addressed early in the class and include decision making (conditional flow control) and iteration (loops). The class focuses largely on procedural programming in the first semester and leaves details of functionalisation and object-oriented programming to the second semester.
Throughout the class, the emphasis is strongly on problem solving such that the skills developed can be cross transferred to other languages.
The teaching language used will be Python - a language that permits the programmer to concentrate on the problem solving aspects of programming rather than being distracted by the syntax of the language.
Electronic & Electrical Principles 1
Engineering Mathematics 1E
Engineering Mathematics 2E
Physical Electronics
By the end of the class you'll be able to:
- calculate the linear or rotational motion of objects under simple forces or torques
- apply a basic understanding of atomic and solid state physics to explain conduction in semiconductors and semiconductor devices
- calculate the motion of charges in simple electric and magnetic fields
- calculate the electric and magnetic fields around static charge or current configurations using the laws of Coulomb, Gauss and Ampere
- calculate properties of electromagnetic devices such as motors and dynamos
Compulsory classes
Engineering Design & Manufacture
An overview of manufacturing and the manufacturing industry will provide a general appreciation of the range of processes employed in manufacturing together with an understanding of how components can be manufactured economically and reliably.
Physical Electronics
Early experiments – e/m, photo-electric effect
Structure of the atom
Wave-particle duality
Schrodinger equation and application in simple systems
Basic Semiconductor Physics
Crystal structure Electron mobility Band theory
Doping of semiconductors
Physics of p-n junctions
Basic Device Physics
Diode operation
LED and laser diodes
.
Electromagnetism
Electronic & Electrical Principles 2
Digital Electronic & Programming Design
To introduce you to the use of digital electronics and the rudiments of digital signal processing systems.
Electronic & Mechanical Techniques & Design 2
To develop a broad understanding of many aspects of engineering (general electrical and electronic, power engineering, mechanical engineering, computing and software) and to enhance generic skills required of a professional engineer (research, practical, team working, communications, reporting writing, oral presentation).
Engineering Design For Software Development 2
To give:
- an understanding of programming concepts and object orientation
- familiarity with the syntax and facilities available in C++
- an ability to write working programs for use in engineering applications
Engineering Mathematics 3E
- to develop the means of solving certain differential equations
- to consider applications of Taylor and Maclaurin series
- to generalise earlier ideas in calculus to deal with functions of several variables
- to discuss in more detail matrices, determinants and functions of a complex variable
- to introduce vector calculus and eigenvalues/eigenvectors
Compulsory classes
Signals & Communications Systems
Electronic & Electrical Principles 3
This class promotes detailed understanding of the electrical and electromagnetic principles and their deployment in a range of engineering applications. These are associated with electromagnetic waves propagation in bounded and unbounded media. They are also in:
- electric power generation (both conventional and renewable)
- power distribution and energy utilisation
- electric transportation systems
- the propagation of electromagnetic waves in free space
- in insulating and conducting lossless and lossy media
- optical fibre
You'll gain an appreciation of the fundamental principles, engineering solutions, and social and economic implications of such applications.
Instrumentation & Microcontrollers
INSTRUMENTATION
To develop techniques for system modelling based on block diagrams and transfer functions and to use such techniques in the context of analysis and design. To introduce you to instrumentation and measurement as an interdisciplinary engineering activity. To explain the basic principles of feedback and control systems.To enable understanding of the dependence of measurement and control on a wide variety of scientific and engineering disciplines; to provide appreciation of the universal application of measurement and control within the same range of disciplines.
To demonstrate engineering design as applied to instrumentation systems and control engineering; in particular, to explain the important contribution of electrical, mechanical and software engineering to this process.
MICROCONTROLLERS
To allow you to gain practical design, implementation and test experience of the techniques required to create combined hardware/software systems with an emphasis on measurement.
Engineering Analysis
The aim of this class is to further develop your skills and abilities in advanced mathematical concepts in the field of engineering. This will be achieved through contextualised problem solving using applicable mathematical and statistical techniques and tools on problems of moderate complexity.
Engineering Innovation & Management
This class aims to provide you with an understanding of the importance of innovation in today’s business environment. The class aims to also develop understanding and skills in the area of innovation management. It aims to develop practical skills for you to integrate a number of themes including:
- product development
- IP
- product finances
- project management
- market analysis with a view to successfully exploiting new ideas
Engineering Project
To conduct, under supervision, a group based project within a EEE-related domain from a selection of projects tailored to match the EEE curriculum.
In this class you'll develop project management skills, including team work, time management, presentation skills and technical report writing. Moreover, the class will enhance your technical skills and knowledge in a EEE-related subject.
Elective classes
Analogue & Digital System Design
Renewable Energy Technologies
Individual Project
You undertake an individual design project. This will help you gain valuable technical and project management skills.
Renewable Energy Technologies (if not taken in Year 3)
Elective classes
Power Electronics, Machines & Applications
- Understand the principles of common power electronic systems
- Gain familiarity with the techniques required to analyse common power electronic circuits
- Understand the basic principles behind the design of rotating electrical machines
- Gain familiarity with the techniques required to analyse basic DC and AC machines
- Recognise that disturbances exist within a power system substation and appreciate that these disturbances may affect electromagnetic compatibility
- Be competent in dealing with the implications of those disturbances; in particular the effects of system switching
- Understand the use of power electronic devices, drives and machines for given applications, specifically for Electric Vehicles i.e. cars and trains
- Understand the range of energy sources capable of powering `independent? (as opposed to catenary supplied) EVs (e.g. batteries and fuel cells), understand how these energy sources work, their performance and degradation issues, and how to charge/fuel them.
Power System Design, Operation & Protection
Communications Networks
Control Principles
- to introduce you to the basic concepts, mathematical tools and design methods of classical control theory
- to enable you to use analysis and design tools used in control engineering and appreciate the industrial applications of control systems
- to enable you to analyse and design closed loop control system specifically using industrial three-term (PID) controllers
- to introduce you to advanced control methods and to provide a basic understanding of a time-domain approach to control analysis and design of industrial processes
- to appreciate the application of control theory in industrial applications
Photonic Systems
Compulsory classes
Group Project
This project will have a strong industrial influence and provide you with an opportunity to utilise both your hardware and software skills by developing a functioning system. You are required to demonstrate at an internal business tradeshow/exhibition at the end of the year.
Elective classes
Advanced Power System Analysis & Protection
To 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.
To enable you to have a detailed understanding of the main concepts related to the function, design and operation of protection schemes for distribution, transmission and generation applications.
To enable you to understand the implementation and other associated issues relating to protection of power systems.
High Voltage Technology & Electromagnetic Compatibility
The aim is:
- to introduce the fundamentals of high voltage electrical insulating systems
- to provide a basic understanding of principles, mechanisms and characteristics of high voltage discharges in vacuum and condensed media
- to provide a basic understanding of the behaviour of dielectric materials stressed with electric fields and their use in high voltage systems
- to understand the principles of high voltage generation and impulse testing of the high voltage systems
- recognise that disturbances exist within a power system substation and appreciate that these disturbances may affect electromagnetic compatibility
- be competent in dealing with the implications of those disturbances; in particular the effects of system switching
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
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.
Give an understanding of power system economics under an environment of multiple suppliers and users.
Present the challenges, technologies and value of asset management within an electricity supply industry context.
Give a deep appreciation of factors affecting security of supply and how it might be quantified.
Wind Energy & Distributed Energy Resources
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through a variety of techniques.
In Years 1 to 3, you'll complete at least six modules per year, with each module made up of a combination of written assignments, individual and group reports, oral presentations, practical lab work, and where appropriate, an end-of-term exam.
In Year 4, you'll complete at least four modules and an individual project. Assessment of this project consists of four elements, interim report, poster & oral presentations, conduct and final report.
In Year 5, you'll complete at least four modules and a major group project. Assessment of this project is based on project specification, interim report, oral presentation, group conduct, peer review, individual assessment, tradeshow show demonstration and a final report.
Learning & teaching
To engage and challenge you, we use a blend of teaching methods. These include lectures, small group problem-solving tutorials, practical laboratories as well as industrial visits and seminars by professional engineers
You’ll not only develop technical engineering expertise but also communication, project management, leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
In later years, you’ll have opportunities to work with academic staff on active research projects.
The course typically consists of around 10 lectures, five tutorial/problem-solving classes and three practical classes per week. To enhance your understanding of the technical and theoretical topics covered in these, you're expected to undertake a further 20 hours of self-study, using the web-based virtual learning environment (MyPlace), computing and library facilities.
Entry requirements
Required subjects are shown in brackets.
| Highers |
AAAAB (Maths A, Physics or Engineering Science) ABBB or BBBBB (Maths and Physics or Engineering Science) |
|---|---|
| Advanced Highers | Maths and Physics recommended |
| A Levels | Year 1 entry: AAB-BBB (Maths, Physics) Year 2 entry: A*AA-AAB (Maths A, Physics, Computing) |
| International Baccalaureate | Year 1 entry: 36-32 (Maths HL5, Physics HL5) Year 2 entry: 38-34 (Maths HL6, Physics HL6, Computer Science HL6) |
| International students | View the entry requirements for your country. |
| 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. |
Additional information
- deferred entry is accepted
- SQA Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted instead of Higher Mathematics
- both IB Higher Level Mathematics pathways are accepted
*Standard entry requirements
Offers are made in accordance with specified entry requirements although admission to undergraduate programmes is considered on a competitive basis and entry requirements stated are normally the minimum level required for entry.
Whilst offers are made primarily on the basis of an applicant meeting or exceeding the stated entry criteria, admission to the University is granted on the basis of merit, and the potential to succeed. As such, a range of information is considered in determining suitability.
In exceptional cases, where an applicant does not meet the competitive entry standard, evidence may be sought in the personal statement or reference to account for performance which was affected by exceptional circumstances, and which in the view of the judgement of the selector would give confidence that the applicant is capable of completing the programme of study successfully.
**Minimum entry requirements
Contextual Admissions for Widening Access
We want to increase opportunities for people from every background.
Strathclyde selects our students based on merit, potential, and the ability to benefit from the education we offer. We look for more than just your grades. We consider the circumstances of your education and will make lower offers to certain applicants as a result.
University preparation programme for international students
We offer international students (non-UK/Ireland) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for an undergraduate degree at Strathclyde the option of completing an Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Business and Social Sciences at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre.
Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Strathclyde.
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
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.
| Scotland |
Fees for students who meet the relevant residence requirements in Scotland are subject to confirmation by the Scottish Funding Council. Scottish undergraduate students undertaking an exchange for a semester/year will continue to pay their normal tuition fees at Strathclyde and will not be charged fees by the overseas institution. |
|---|---|
| England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £9,250 Assuming no change in fees policy over the period, the total amount payable by undergraduate students will be capped. For students commencing study in 2024/25, this is capped at £27,750 (with the exception of the MPharm and integrated Masters programmes), MPharm students pay £9,250 for each of the four years. Students studying on integrated Masters degree programmes pay an additional £9,250 for the Masters year with the exception of those undertaking a full-year industrial placement where a separate placement fee will apply. |
| International | £26,700 |
| Scholarships | The Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering (EEE) can help you with funding and getting relevant work experience while you study, through its industry-supported scholarship programme. More than 200 students currently benefit from this. They receive annual bursaries, paid summer placements and company mentoring from key UK and global employers including Rolls-Royce, ScottishPower, Wood Group, Jaguar Land Rover and Xilinx. Details of all the scholarships on offer each year are highlighted at a scholarship seminar in week three of Semester 1. In addition, each October we host a scholarships fair, providing the opportunity for you to meet potential sponsors face-to-face. You can learn more about the funding and work experience prospects, build useful contacts for the future and develop industry-specific knowledge through visiting the companies’ exhibitions and presentations. |
| Additional costs | Course materials & costs: the department provides a service whereby printed notes are available to the students subject to a small charge to cover copying costs. Students are recommended/required to have copies of such notes but we provide access to both printed copies and e-copies. The latter are provided without charge – in accordance with University policy. Any printed material that is mandatory (in that form) is provided without additional charge to the students. In relation to mandatory books for modules, the requirement is for access and reading rather than purchase specifically. It's expected that students will, as part of their course, read around the subjects and consult text books. Placements & field trips: the department and student societies support a number of industrial visits throughout the year. These trips are not mandatory for specific programmes and modules and any incurred charge to cover transport is either met by the students or by the department. Study abroad: study abroad is possible in Years 3 to 5 but is only compulsory (in year 4) for the "with International Study" degree programmes. Students will bear some of the cost of this which will vary depending on country of study. (Support from SAAS and Erasmus may be available). Other costs: students are not required to purchase any specific software licenses – all software used is available on campus machines, either locally or remotely. All undergraduates and PGI students are provided for the duration of their course with student membership of IET (Professional Body) paid for by the department. Some hardware (micro controllers, design boards) may be made available to students for loan subject to appropriate refundable deposit. Students may consider purchase of low cost microcontroller boards for 3rd year and beyond project work - cost from £10 to £30. Access to EEE Computer labs out of working hours is via card access - card cost is £20 - refundable on return of card. Students are provided with an additional print-quota for use in EEE labs for EEE classes conducted in EEE computer labs. (Paid top-ups possible via University IT services). Expected printing and report binding costs are around £15 to £20 a year - will depend upon exact programme and class assignments. Binding is provided at cost (50p to £1.00) by EEE Resource Centre in R4.01. International students: International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. |
| Available scholarships | Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities. |
Please note: All fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
How can I fund my studies?
Students from Scotland
Fees for students who meet the relevant residence requirements in Scotland, you may be able to apply to the Student Award Agency Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government. Scottish students may also be eligible for a bursary and loan to help cover living costs while at University.
For more information on funding your studies have a look at our University Funding page.
Students from England, Wales & Northern Ireland
We have a generous package of bursaries on offer for students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales:
You don’t need to make a separate application for these. When your place is confirmed at Strathclyde, we’ll assess your eligibility. Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities.
International Students
We have a number of scholarships available to international students. Take a look at our scholarship search to find out more.
Faculty of Engineering International Scholarships
If you're an international applicant applying for a full-time, on-campus undergraduate course in the Faculty of Engineering, you'll be eligible to apply for a scholarship award equivalent to a 10% reduction of your tuition fees for each year of study. The first year of the scholarship will typically be £2,670 deducted from fees.
Scholarships are available for applicants to all self-funded, new international (non-EU) fee-paying students holding an offer of study for a full-time, on-campus undergraduate course in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Strathclyde.
Please note you must have an offer of study for a full-time course at Strathclyde before applying. You must start your full-time undergraduate course at Strathclyde in September 2024.
Faculty of Engineering International Scholarships
Careers
Studying electronic & electrical engineering opens many doors. The Scottish Government stated that it's Scotland’s ambition to become a world leader in clean, green energy. To achieve this, we need engineers with the technical expertise to deal with the complex issues surrounding the supply of electrical energy and applications of electrical power.
This degree responds to that need, offering excellent career opportunities in the electrical supply industry and power & renewable energy sectors. In addition, as electrical energy is increasingly used for powering transport, the automotive, aerospace, rail and shipbuilding industries will need graduates who can design and realise the transport systems of the future
Many of our graduates have secured well-paid and exciting jobs by the time they finished their degree. They take up positions as electrical engineers, transmission engineers and smart grid engineers with employers including ScottishPower, SSE REnewables, National Grid, and Aker Solutions.
How much will I earn?
Starting salaries for recent graduates averaged £30,000.
This rises with experience. Highly experienced engineers can earn up to £65,000.*
*Information is intended only as a guide.
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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Start date:
Electrical Energy Systems (1 year entry)
Start date: Sep 2024
Electrical Energy Systems (1 year entry)
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