Renewable Energy BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Sunny outdoor field scattered with wind turbines.

Our undergraduate degree in Renewable Energy covers this large and vital sector exploring a range of social, economic and environmental issues with a range of skills and approaches.

Course option

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

UCAS codes

HN86

Start date

September 2025


Course overview

Embarking on a career in renewable energy is an exciting journey, placing you at the forefront of sustainable innovation in the energy sector. Professionals in this field harness clean energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power for various applications, including electricity generation and transportation. Whether designing projects or advancing research, a career in renewable energy offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable planet.

  • This undergraduate course offers you a comprehensive exploration of renewable energy technologies, focusing on their principles, applications, and potential impacts on global energy systems.
  • You will gain a solid foundation in the fundamentals of various renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, and geothermal energy.
  • The course emphasises the interdisciplinary nature of renewable energy, integrating concepts from physics, engineering, environmental science, economics, and policy to provide a holistic understanding.
  • Through lectures, case studies and projects, you will develop practical skills in evaluating renewable energy systems' feasibility, performance and sustainability.
  • Discussions on current trends, challenges, and emerging technologies in the renewable energy sector will encourage critical thinking and foster innovation.
  • In your final year, you will undertake an innovative project of your choice (within the broad field of renewable energy).
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

Studying a course in renewable energy offers numerous benefits and is increasingly essential in today's world for the following reasons:

  • Addressing climate change: Renewable energy plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Understanding renewable energy technologies and their implementation is vital for combating climate change and transitioning to a sustainable energy future.
  • Diversification of energy sources: As traditional fossil fuels become increasingly scarce and expensive, diversifying energy sources through renewables becomes imperative for energy security. Studying renewable energy equips individuals with the knowledge to contribute to a more resilient and stable energy supply.
  • Career opportunities: The renewable energy sector is experiencing rapid growth, creating diverse career opportunities in fields such as engineering, research and development, project management, policy analysis, and consulting. Studying renewable energy opens doors to fulfilling and impactful careers in a burgeoning industry.
  • Technological innovation: The renewable energy field is characterised by constant innovation and technological advancements. Studying renewable energy provides students with the skills and expertise to contribute to the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies, driving innovation forward.
  • Economic benefits: Investing in renewable energy can stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and enhance energy independence. Understanding the economic aspects of renewable energy, including cost analysis, financing mechanisms, and market dynamics, is essential for maximising the economic benefits of renewable energy deployment.

What you'll study

In your first year, there is a focus on teaching the fundamentals that will underpin successful progression through the course. These ‘essentials’ are largely delivered through two key modules: Fundamentals of Energy and Global Energy Systems.

Modules

In your second year, topics become more specialised and you will be introduced to a variety of topics such as project management and climate change. Field skills and research skills are cultivated further, with a keen eye on the energy dissertation in the final year.

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the Fees and Funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or participating institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

In the final year, you have the opportunity to explore Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and Negative Emission Technologies (NETs), a topic that has a global application. The project forms an important component at this level, requiring detailed knowledge of the skills that have been acquired at levels 4 and 5 and, in some cases, from a year in industry too. The international field trip2 is also the culmination of the learning of field skills that have been acquired in previous years.

In the final year, you will apply your knowledge gained from years one and two.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

You will be taught by current experienced, qualified teaching staff who bring professional and research expertise into their teaching. Field trips2 which occur in each year, provide an unrivalled opportunity to contextualise classroom-based learning and develop practical skills through real-life application. In addition to the residential field trips, you will have opportunity to undertake a range of day trips to gain practical experience of applying your knowledge.


Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. The assessment methods may include:

  • phase tests
  • essays
  • group work
  • presentations
  • reports
  • projects
  • coursework
  • exams
  • individual assignments.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

You will have the opportunity to undertake an international field trip in your final year.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed2.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 112
A Level BBC
BTEC DMM
GCSE requirement 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above, to include English and Mathematics
IB Diploma 29 points
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year
Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 of £1,250 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip
  • any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

Other additional costs

  • Mandatory international field trips: Typically between £200 and £400 per trip

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

The £50m Engineering and Computing Building and new £25m Beatrice Shilling Building are designed to support hands-on learning. Our Sir John Laing Building also houses a variety of industry-standard labs and equipment4.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Students in lab coats in the Geotechnics Laboratory

Geotechnics Laboratory

Contains triaxial cells, direct shear box apparatus, a dimensional compression oedometer, California Bearing Ratio apparatus, soil classification equipment and Marshall test apparatus for asphalt mixes.

Students working on computers in the laboratory

Computer Laboratory

Equipped with access to ArcGIS for mapping and geographical information systems. It is also equipped with Petrel/Eclipse software for oil and gas reservoir simulation and calculation.

Students using the interactive screen in the simulation centre.

Simulation Centre

Our Simulation Centre uses an interactive screen and real-life scenarios to create a ‘virtual’ training environment. Role-play exercises are part of the course to help prepare you for situations in the workplace.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

  • demonstrate a sound understanding of the components of the global energy system including energy sources, generation and integration technologies, supply chains, and end-uses (electricity, transportation, heating/cooling)
  • critically evaluate potential renewable energy and energy management projects, and subsequently support their planning, financing, management and operation within a changing energy market
  • understand the importance of and apply appropriate techniques in multi-stakeholder engagement, communication, and co-operation in aspects of policy, project implementation and management
  • critically analyse the challenges and strategies (short-term and long-term) in transitioning towards decarbonised energy systems with a focus on energy supply, efficiency/conservation, storage and disruptive technologies
  • evaluate the issues and techniques involved in collecting, analysing and communicating energy data, and demonstrate research design and execution skills within renewable energy-related topics
  • demonstrate personal skills and competencies expected of an energy sector professional, including operating within individual and team settings, including digital fluency and written, oral, visual and numerical skills.

The breadth and blend of academic discipline covered in this course – the combination of social and environmental science; economics; health, safety and environment (HSE); and technical/engineering issues of energy demand and supply - are a strong mix of skills highlighted by Natural Environment Research Council as being essential.

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