Mode of Study
Full-time, Part-timeDuration
1 year full-time (September start), 16 months full-time (January start), 3 years part-time (September start)Start date
September 2023, January 2024, September 2024Accredited
Yes
Overview
Join the next generation of specialists who can deliver better energy management in the energy industry, and help reduce our impact on the environment.
On this unique Master's in Energy and Power Systems Management, you'll build on your existing knowledge with up-to-date skills and advanced concepts in the operation, control, design, regulation and management of the power systems and networks of the future. You'll follow an industry-accredited learning programme shaped by the sector's needs and practices, guided by our industrial advisory board, and you'll design and deliver a research project specific to your interests in the energy sphere.
Whether you're already working in sustainable electrical power and energy generation or planning to enter the field, you'll graduate in a strong position to pursue a career as an engineer at an advanced level, in the field of energy and power systems management.
You can start this course in September (full-time or part-time) or January (full-time only)
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
Course highlights
- Gain an unusual mix of management understanding with state-of-the-art engineering knowledge on energy systems
- Benefit from a course that's underpinned by the principles of sustainability
- Use industry-standard simulation packages such as MATLAB/Simulink, HOMER PRO, Power Factory, COMSOL, ANSYS, MultiSim, Minitab, and MS Project
- Learn from academics engaged in externally-funded research projects and guest speakers drawn from companies in the power sector
- Follow a course shaped by an industrial advisory board, which predicts where our industry is going and ensures this course comes to meet it
- Build your skills in the operation, control, design, regulation and management of power systems and networks of the future
- Develop your knowledge of task analysis and methodologies, and explore how best to apply your technical learning to complex problems
Accredited by:
This MSc Energy and Power System Management degree course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). This MSc also qualifies, under the UK Engineering Council's Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC), as the further learning required to register for Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
This course is awarded the EUR-ACE (European Accredited Engineer) label.
What you'll study on this MSc Energy and Power Systems Management degree course
Full-time
All modules on this MSc Energy and Power Systems Management are core.
Core
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate in-depth understanding of static and rotating magnetic fields and relate this theory to the tasks of design and construction of both DC and AC electrical machines and power transformers.
- Discuss and critically analyse the applications of DC machines and transformers and critically analyse the steady state and dynamic operation of synchronous machines.
- Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the principles of operation of power electronic devices and gain an advanced knowledge of how power electronics is used to control the speed and operation of electrical machines.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and operation of the modern power systems and its constituent components and subsystems.
- Competently perform the load flow analysis for an electrical power network and interpret the results of the analysis.
- Analyse the faults and transient stability of the system using both analytical and simulation approaches and techniques.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate advanced conceptual understanding of the theory of economics based on discounted cash flow.
- Demonstrate a critical awareness and utilise knowledge or processes to calculate the key economic metrics used in investment decision making.
- Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the engineering inputs to the cash flow model.
- Critically evaluate the underlying concepts in risk analysis and uncertainty management. As well as HSE requirements for the industry.
- Act autonomously in implementing the above concepts in the examples and exercises given to them and demonstrate self-direction and originality in problem solving.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
- Describe operating principles of renewable energy production.
- Undertake a feasibility study of suitable renewable energy system for a particular scenario.
- Design and analyse renewable energy systems.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse the performance of a measurement system against set criteria.
- Propose solutions which yield reliable measurement systems.
- Assess the needs in terms of measurement from both hardware and software perspectives for a given application.
- Design and implement a measurement system (hardware and/or software) as part of a solution developed for a given problem.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate an in-depth and systematic knowledge and understanding of Smart Grid concepts, including business and technological aspects, and of the benefits that Smart Grid brings to the environment, sustainability and society, and communicate this knowledge effectively.
- Use independently and creatively a range of digital and analytical tools for performance analysis and optimisation tasks of relevance to the Smart Grid, including economic dispatch, optimal power flow and microgrid optimisation, and communicate effectively about the use of these tools.
- Demonstrate knowledge and develop curiosity about the rapid evolution of key communication, networking, data management, metering, sensing and monitoring technologies involved with Smart Grid and how these technologies contribute towards the achievement of the Smart Grid vision.
- Demonstrate and understanding of the fundamentals of decision and control schemes involved with the Smart Grid, including demand side response and active network management, along with their limitations.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the main aspects, challenges and technologies associated with the integration of renewable energy, distributed generation, and energy storage into the power grid.
- Demonstrate an understanding of key aspects related to Smart Grid standards and architectures, as well as interoperability and cyber security issues affecting modern power systems.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Plan and manage a substantive individual project activity with the breadth, scope and discrimination appropriate to a Master of Science award with time, technical and resource constraints.
- Appraise current practice limitations and Investigate the new emerging technologies by research and experiments.
- Apply mathematical or technical skills for identifying problems, designing, implementing, testing and critically evaluating solutions in engineering.
- Evaluate and reflect on the scientific, commercial or industrial context of the project) and reflect on the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering.
- Professionally use of technical literature and other information sources and formally report the progress and results of the project, orally and in writing.
Part-time
All modules on this MSc Energy and Power Systems Management are core.
Core
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate in-depth understanding of static and rotating magnetic fields and relate this theory to the tasks of design and construction of both DC and AC electrical machines and power transformers.
- Discuss and critically analyse the applications of DC machines and transformers and critically analyse the steady state and dynamic operation of synchronous machines.
- Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the principles of operation of power electronic devices and gain an advanced knowledge of how power electronics is used to control the speed and operation of electrical machines.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and operation of the modern power systems and its constituent components and subsystems.
- Competently perform the load flow analysis for an electrical power network and interpret the results of the analysis.
- Analyse the faults and transient stability of the system using both analytical and simulation approaches and techniques.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate an in-depth and systematic knowledge and understanding of Smart Grid concepts, including business and technological aspects, and of the benefits that Smart Grid brings to the environment, sustainability and society, and communicate this knowledge effectively.
- Use independently and creatively a range of digital and analytical tools for performance analysis and optimisation tasks of relevance to the Smart Grid, including economic dispatch, optimal power flow and microgrid optimisation, and communicate effectively about the use of these tools.
- Demonstrate knowledge and develop curiosity about the rapid evolution of key communication, networking, data management, metering, sensing and monitoring technologies involved with Smart Grid and how these technologies contribute towards the achievement of the Smart Grid vision.
- Demonstrate and understanding of the fundamentals of decision and control schemes involved with the Smart Grid, including demand side response and active network management, along with their limitations.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the main aspects, challenges and technologies associated with the integration of renewable energy, distributed generation, and energy storage into the power grid.
- Demonstrate an understanding of key aspects related to Smart Grid standards and architectures, as well as interoperability and cyber security issues affecting modern power systems.
All modules on this MSc Energy and Power Systems Management are core.
Core
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate advanced conceptual understanding of the theory of economics based on discounted cash flow.
- Demonstrate a critical awareness and utilise knowledge or processes to calculate the key economic metrics used in investment decision making.
- Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the engineering inputs to the cash flow model.
- Critically evaluate the underlying concepts in risk analysis and uncertainty management. As well as HSE requirements for the industry.
- Act autonomously in implementing the above concepts in the examples and exercises given to them and demonstrate self-direction and originality in problem solving.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
- Describe operating principles of renewable energy production.
- Undertake a feasibility study of suitable renewable energy system for a particular scenario.
- Design and analyse renewable energy systems.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse the performance of a measurement system against set criteria.
- Propose solutions which yield reliable measurement systems.
- Assess the needs in terms of measurement from both hardware and software perspectives for a given application.
- Design and implement a measurement system (hardware and/or software) as part of a solution developed for a given problem.
All modules on this MSc Energy and Power Systems Management are core.
Core
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Plan and manage a substantive individual project activity with the breadth, scope and discrimination appropriate to a Master of Science award with time, technical and resource constraints.
- Appraise current practice limitations and Investigate the new emerging technologies by research and experiments.
- Apply mathematical or technical skills for identifying problems, designing, implementing, testing and critically evaluating solutions in engineering.
- Evaluate and reflect on the scientific, commercial or industrial context of the project) and reflect on the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering.
- Professionally use of technical literature and other information sources and formally report the progress and results of the project, orally and in writing.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Careers and opportunities
Careers this Master's prepares you for
There's a growing skills shortage in the field of energy and power systems management. Global recruiters Brunel reported, in 2021, that the majority of the sector struggles with "an aging workforce and lack of skilled staff" – so, whether you're shaping yourself for entry to this industry or updating your knowledge of current design practice and analytical methods, you'll find this accredited Master's helps you stand out as someone the sector needs.
You'll graduate with knowledge of industry-standard hardware and simulation packages, like Simulink. You'll have made a network of contacts through commercially-engaged lecturers, visiting speakers and a global cohort of fellow students. And you'll have been studying concepts, theories and methods that our industrial advisory board recognises as central to current and future best practice in the power and energy sector.
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from your tutors and our Careers and Employability Centre – which you can access for up to 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- Regular emails from the Career Ready Programme sharing job opportunities, application tips and events
- Applied projects with companies such as IBM, Boeing and Hampshire County Council
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Support starting your own business
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
- 3 years (part-time study)
- 12 months (full-time study, September start)
- 16 months (full time study, January start)
In the last 3 months of the course you'll be focusing on your research project.
Full-time study
You can expect:
- 15 hours of teaching time every week, made up of lectures and tutorials .
- 20 hours of independent study each week, depending on the modules being studied..
Full-time teaching takes place 5 days a week. We do our best to keep your scheduled hours within a four-hour block each day so you can organise work or self-guided study around it.
Part-time study
You can expect:
- 5 hours of teaching time every week, made up of lectures and tutorials.
- 6–8 hours of independent study each week, depending on the modules being studied.
We do our best to keep all part-time teaching within 3 half-days, leaving you the rest of the week for work experience or self-guided study.
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Teaching on this course includes:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- laboratory sessions
- project work
Face-to face lectures are also recorded and put on your virtual learning environment, alongside bonus recorded materials.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- written examinations
- coursework
- laboratory-based project work
- a major project or dissertation
You'll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching staff
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course:
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.
January start
Courses that start in January have the same amount of teaching as September-start courses, but they normally run over a longer time period.
January-start courses normally run between 14–18 months, beginning in January and ending in the spring / summer of the following year. There are breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. In the last few months you’ll be writing your project / dissertation.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Facilities
Power Electronics Laboratory
Our Power Electronics Laboratory supports learning in the field of electrical & power engineering, enabling students to study the impact of electrical loads.
Telecommunications and Control Laboratory
Explore how to transmit radio waves, build circuit boards and analyse high-frequency signals at our Telecommunications Laboratories.
Supporting your learning
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your Master's.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
All our labs and practical spaces are staffed by qualified laboratory support staff. They’ll support you in scheduled lab sessions and can give you one-to-one help when you do practical research projects.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Cafe offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your mathematics skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2023 and January 2024 start)
- Full time: £9,900
- Part time: £3,300 per year
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time: £9,900
- Part-time: £3,300 per year
- Full time: £19,200
- Part time: £6,400 per year
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Find out more how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government postgraduate loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Discover how you can fund your Master's study at Portsmouth – including loans, scholarships and bursaries – and read our guidance on topics like how to budget, and how to get support if you're disabled or have dependents.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: Such as photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
September 2023 and January 2024
- A second-class honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
-
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 (or equivalent) with no component score below 5.5.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available. If you wait until your start month to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2021, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.