Electronics and Renewable Energy Systems MEng | School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Overview

As global demand for energy grows, governments and companies are increasingly seeking to reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels. This course allows you to study electronic engineering alongside specialist topics in the field of renewable energy systems to meet these challenges head-on.

You’ll gain a foundation in the mathematical and scientific principles that underpin electronic engineering and core topics like circuit theory and communications systems. Then you’ll build your knowledge of areas such as power systems, smart grid systems, power electronics for renewable systems control and energy conversion.

You’ll gain extensive hands-on learning in power electronics, electric drives, and solar/wind power test benches in our renewable energy study centre. Practical laboratory classes and project work in each year of the course will also allow you to apply your knowledge to real life work situations, developing your knowledge and skills for a variety of exciting careers.

This course is a four-year Integrated Masters degree. If you choose to finish after three-years, you will graduate with a BEng in Electronic and Electrical Engineering.

Enhancing your degree

During your time at Leeds, you can decide to spend a year studying abroad or undertaking an industrial placement year.

Specialist facilities

You will have access to excellent teaching facilities, including experimental rigs for renewable energy systems. the ARM-sponsored Embedded Systems Laboratory, the Keysight Technologies Electronics Laboratory and the NXP Electronics Systems Laboratory, all featuring professional-standard equipment including arbitrary function generators and digital oscilloscopes.

For your final-year project, you could also have access to research facilities such as our electromechanical test rigs with various transducers, Solar Power Laboratory, modular multilevel inverter set, Smart Grid Laboratory with Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop and microgrid prototyping capabilities, and the Smart Energy Systems and Energy Storage Laboratory.

Find out more about our facilities. 

Accreditation

The MEng is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students. For this course, these are the quality standards set by the IET.

Course content

Years one and two

All of our core electronic and electrical degree courses have a common first two years. This lays the foundations of your studies and gives you a thorough understanding of key topics, but it also means you can easily change between these courses until the end of year two.

You’ll learn about the physical principles that affect the function of electronic components and electrical systems, as well as circuit theory, analysis and design. You’ll also study communications systems and networks, power electronics and modules designed to improve your mathematical skills for engineering.

Year three

You’ll study specialised modules focusing on topics such as smart grid systems, electric drives and embedded systems. You’ll also choose to study digital communications or integrated circuit design, and learn more about the professional and industrial context of renewable energy systems and the engineering sector.

Year four

You’ll study the ways renewable energy sources can be used to generate power, and select from optional modules on topics such as control systems design, or power electronics. You’ll also complete a major individual project to build your awareness of a particular aspect of the industry, and apply your knowledge to a substantial research project.

Project work

Every year of your course gives you hands-on experience of project work. This gives you the opportunity to explore your subject further as well as developing valuable skills in problem solving, communication and teamwork.

Find out more about Project work.

Engineering ethics

You’ll study engineering ethics as part of your course, with lectures and/or seminars in each year of your study.

Find out more about Engineering ethics teaching on this course.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Learning and teaching

You’ll benefit from our integrated style of learning and teaching. Laboratory classes and project work allows you to gain first-hand experience investigating and applying material from your lectures and tutorials to real life work situations. Together they will equip you with in-depth knowledge and key practical skills that will put you in a good position to compete in science and technology-related careers. Our close links with industry also mean that you have direct contact with industry and potential employers from an early stage in your course.

Our personal tutorial system will provide academic and pastoral support. You will have a designated personal tutor throughout your studies at Leeds. He or she will be an academic member of staff: you will have academic tutorials with your tutor during your first year, in your tutor group (of typically 5 students), as well as one-to-one meetings.

In addition, our excellent student support team is based close to where you’ll work and study to help with anything from academic advice to timetabling and project submission enquiries.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Most modules are assessed by more than one component. These components can include written examinations held at the end of each year, in-class and online tests, example sheets, assignments, and coursework in the form of reports, projects, presentations and posters.

Entry requirements, fees and applying

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA including Mathematics.

Where an A-Level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-Level at the stated grade.

Excludes A-Level General Studies or Critical Thinking.

Extended Project Qualification - We recognise the value, effort and enthusiasm applicants make in the Extended Project, and where an applicant offers an A in the EPQ we may make an offer of AAB at A-Level (any required subjects such as Mathematics must still be at grade A).

GCSE: English Language at grade C (4) or above, or an appropriate English language qualification.

Access to HE Diploma

Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, 30 credits with Distinction (including an appropriate number of Mathematics modules) and the remaining 15 credits with Merit or above.
BTEC

D*DD (RQF) with Distinctions in all Mathematics units including Maths and Further Maths (and/ or other appropriate maths units) plus a diagnostic Maths test. Some units may be optional on your BTEC but are required by the Faculty. Please contact us for further information.
Please note – there may be different requirements for the older QCF BTEC’s, please contact Admissions.
Cambridge Pre-U

D3, D3, D3 including Mathematics.
International Baccalaureate

35 points overall, with 18 points at higher level to include 5 points in HL Mathematics.
Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2, including Mathematics.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

AA at Advanced Higher level, including Mathematics and AABBB at Higher Level.
Other Qualifications

Engineering Diploma: A (plus A level Mathematics at grade A or above).

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds A Level offer: ABB including Mathematics and dependant on successful completion of the Access to Leeds Scheme.

For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.

If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year. We offer a Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc for students without a science background at A-level and an Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each section. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

Read our advice and guidance about writing your personal statement.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Applicant days

If you receive an offer to study with us, we’ll invite you to attend one of our applicant days. You’ll have the opportunity to meet our academic staff and students, explore the School and University and find out more about your course and what it’s like to be a student at Leeds.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024

Fees

UK: See fees section below

International: £24,500 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Scholarships are available.

Career opportunities

A degree from Leeds and the experience you'll gain here will give you the edge to find the career you want. Your course will give you the experience and knowledge that employers are looking for to help you secure a graduate job.

University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2021, High Fliers Research.

Careers in this area are as diverse as renewable energy systems, power generation, electrical machines (such as the switched reluctance motor pioneered here in Leeds), industrial control systems (e.g. for automotive assembly), power electronics and electric drive systems (e.g. for hybrid petrolelectric vehicles).

The course is particularly suited to careers in power electronics and renewable energy systems. The employment prospects for graduates are excellent, as all countries around the world seek to make systems more energy efficient and to re-engineer a “smart grid” that integrates renewable energy sources. You could also pursue a career in the automotive industry, as electric vehicles are the subject of intense research and development activity.

Because this course maintains a strong element of traditional electronic engineering, you could pursue a career in a wide variety of industry sectors such as communications.

Read our alumni profiles to find out more about where our students are working.

Careers support

At Leeds we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our Leeds for Life initiative is designed to help you develop and demonstrate the skills and experience you need for when you graduate. We will help you to access opportunities across the University and record your key achievements so you are able to articulate them clearly and confidently.

You will be supported throughout your studies by our dedicated Employability team, who will provide you with specialist support and advice to help you find relevant work experience, internships and industrial placements, as well as graduate positions. You’ll benefit from timetabled employability sessions, support during internships and placements, and presentations and workshops delivered by employers.

You will also have full access to the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.

Visit our Careers and employability page to find out more.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

An industrial placement year is a great way to help you decide what kind of career you might like when you graduate. As well as giving you the opportunity to develop your skills, you’ll gain a real insight into working life in a particular company or sector.

With the help and support of our dedicated Employability team, you can choose to undertake a salaried industrial placement year at one of the 100+ companies that we work with. If you decide to undertake a placement year this will extend your period of study by 12 months and, on successful completion, you will be awarded the ‘industrial’ variant in your degree title to demonstrate your added experience to future employers.

During your industrial placement you will have an industrial supervisor from within the company, plus an academic supervisor who will keep in touch throughout your placement.

Find out more about Industrial placements.