MSc Marine Renewable Energy 12 months Postgraduate Programme By Heriot-Watt University |TopUniversities
Subject Ranking

# 201-275QS Subject Rankings

Programme Duration

12 monthsProgramme duration

Tuitionfee

20,456 GBPTuition Fee/year

Scholarship

9Scholarships

Programme overview

Main Subject

Earth and Marine Sciences

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Overview

MSc Marine Renewable Energy provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the marine energy sector, including the technical, environmental, and economic drivers which shape the industry. You’ll be involved in interdisciplinary teaching and learning to make a positive contribution in the development of sustainable marine renewable energy initiatives. The programme is suitable for those from a wide variety of academic backgrounds who want to work in the marine renewable energy industry.  

You’ll become familiar with the key drivers and limitations of marine renewable energy technologies and their associated development processes. The curriculum focuses on three themes of environment, technology, and governance.  

You’ll understand the marine environment, sources of energy, and consider potential environmental effects of marine energy development.  

You’ll gain an awareness of the fundamental technology options for generating new marine renewable energy platforms and their limitations, including issues surrounding the storage of energy and the integration of marine energy into wider energy systems.  

You’ll also explore the relevant policy, legislation and planning approaches, and understand the nature of energy markets and the economic instruments used to promote marine renewable energy through using financial appraisal tools for individual developments. 

This career-focused master’s programme will develop your technical, scientific, and managerial abilities, and provide you with a specialist education to set you up to become a professional in a range of roles within marine renewable energy.  



Our Expertise

Your learning will be informed by experts in renewable energy, environmental and social science, and transition engineering at the International Centre for Islands Technology (ICIT) in Stromness, Heriot-Watt University’s Orkney campus, which is part of Heriot-Watt’s School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society.  

 

Your learning will be further enhanced by proximity to the Islands Centre for Net Zero (ICNZ) and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC). Collectively, current ground-breaking research is helping to navigate current challenges, and making progress in the development and delivery of new renewable and sustainable energy supply and end-use systems. 

 

Heriot-Watt Orkney is one of the United Kingdom’s most stunning and unique university locations. Set in the picturesque harbour of Hamnavoe and Scapa Flow, for over 25 years the campus has supported a broad range of research, teaching, and consultancy activities within the marine, oil and gas, and fisheries sectors. 

 

The research relevance of this postgraduate programme ensures your studies remain innovative and industry focused. 


Your Learning Environment

The MSc Marine Renewable Energy programme is taught though a combination of lectures, tutorials, laboratory practicals and field work, allowing you to get to know and build relationships with your teaching staff, academics, and peers. You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your dissertation, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.  


During your studies, you’ll benefit from relatively small class sizes and have access to our specialist equipment, software and laboratories. You will have the opportunity to work on real-world problems, and work across disciplines to deliver practical solutions with global impact.  


Outside of the classroom, you’ll benefit from living in a a friendly island environment and experience landscapes of remarkable beauty. Orkney offers a large range of sports and leisure activities, and you’ll find there is lots to enjoy and explore.  


Customise Your Learning

You will study the programme full-time for 12 months in Orkney. You’ll take two mandatory courses that will provide you with current knowledge in marine renewable energy technologies and commercialisation. You can customise your learning to match your specific interests or desired career pathway by choosing six optional courses from a range of over ten environmental, marine, and energy transition specialist courses, including marine planning, environmental processes, oceanography, and transition engineering.  


In semester three, you’ll undertake an extensive and specialised investigation into your chosen area of interest in marine renewable energy through your dissertation. You’ll be required to demonstrate your mastery of the subject area by researching, investigating, and reporting on a specialist topic, and you’ll be required to do this within the time and resources available.   


You’ll have the opportunity to go on a two-week field trip to Malaysia through the optional Tropical and Coral Reefs: Monitoring and Management course. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the marine environment whilst learning different techniques for surveying and monitoring coral reefs.  


Programme overview

Main Subject

Earth and Marine Sciences

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Overview

MSc Marine Renewable Energy provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the marine energy sector, including the technical, environmental, and economic drivers which shape the industry. You’ll be involved in interdisciplinary teaching and learning to make a positive contribution in the development of sustainable marine renewable energy initiatives. The programme is suitable for those from a wide variety of academic backgrounds who want to work in the marine renewable energy industry.  

You’ll become familiar with the key drivers and limitations of marine renewable energy technologies and their associated development processes. The curriculum focuses on three themes of environment, technology, and governance.  

You’ll understand the marine environment, sources of energy, and consider potential environmental effects of marine energy development.  

You’ll gain an awareness of the fundamental technology options for generating new marine renewable energy platforms and their limitations, including issues surrounding the storage of energy and the integration of marine energy into wider energy systems.  

You’ll also explore the relevant policy, legislation and planning approaches, and understand the nature of energy markets and the economic instruments used to promote marine renewable energy through using financial appraisal tools for individual developments. 

This career-focused master’s programme will develop your technical, scientific, and managerial abilities, and provide you with a specialist education to set you up to become a professional in a range of roles within marine renewable energy.  



Our Expertise

Your learning will be informed by experts in renewable energy, environmental and social science, and transition engineering at the International Centre for Islands Technology (ICIT) in Stromness, Heriot-Watt University’s Orkney campus, which is part of Heriot-Watt’s School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society.  

 

Your learning will be further enhanced by proximity to the Islands Centre for Net Zero (ICNZ) and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC). Collectively, current ground-breaking research is helping to navigate current challenges, and making progress in the development and delivery of new renewable and sustainable energy supply and end-use systems. 

 

Heriot-Watt Orkney is one of the United Kingdom’s most stunning and unique university locations. Set in the picturesque harbour of Hamnavoe and Scapa Flow, for over 25 years the campus has supported a broad range of research, teaching, and consultancy activities within the marine, oil and gas, and fisheries sectors. 

 

The research relevance of this postgraduate programme ensures your studies remain innovative and industry focused. 


Your Learning Environment

The MSc Marine Renewable Energy programme is taught though a combination of lectures, tutorials, laboratory practicals and field work, allowing you to get to know and build relationships with your teaching staff, academics, and peers. You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your dissertation, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.  


During your studies, you’ll benefit from relatively small class sizes and have access to our specialist equipment, software and laboratories. You will have the opportunity to work on real-world problems, and work across disciplines to deliver practical solutions with global impact.  


Outside of the classroom, you’ll benefit from living in a a friendly island environment and experience landscapes of remarkable beauty. Orkney offers a large range of sports and leisure activities, and you’ll find there is lots to enjoy and explore.  


Customise Your Learning

You will study the programme full-time for 12 months in Orkney. You’ll take two mandatory courses that will provide you with current knowledge in marine renewable energy technologies and commercialisation. You can customise your learning to match your specific interests or desired career pathway by choosing six optional courses from a range of over ten environmental, marine, and energy transition specialist courses, including marine planning, environmental processes, oceanography, and transition engineering.  


In semester three, you’ll undertake an extensive and specialised investigation into your chosen area of interest in marine renewable energy through your dissertation. You’ll be required to demonstrate your mastery of the subject area by researching, investigating, and reporting on a specialist topic, and you’ll be required to do this within the time and resources available.   


You’ll have the opportunity to go on a two-week field trip to Malaysia through the optional Tropical and Coral Reefs: Monitoring and Management course. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the marine environment whilst learning different techniques for surveying and monitoring coral reefs.  


Admission Requirements

169+
2.7+
6+
59+
79+
A minimum of honours degree at 2:2 or non-UK equivalent in any academic subject provided that it includes evidence of essay writing and use of critical thinking.

1 Year
Sep

Tuition fees

Domestic
10,864 GBP
International
20,456 GBP

Scholarships

The Island Scholarship Programme - Orkney Campus (UK) (International)

The Island Scholarship Programme - Orkney Campus (UK) (International)
Master Open

Value

100% tuition fee waiver

Deadline

31 Mar 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Postgraduate European Union Scholarship

Postgraduate European Union Scholarship
Master Open

Value

$5000

Deadline

31 Jul 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Norway Early Bird Scholarship

Norway Early Bird Scholarship
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$6000

Deadline

1 May 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

International Merit Scholarship

International Merit Scholarship
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$2000

Deadline

30 Jun 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Heriot-Watt University Expenses Bursary

Heriot-Watt University Expenses Bursary
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$525

Deadline

31 Aug 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Heriot-Watt Sports Scholarships

Heriot-Watt Sports Scholarships
Master Bachelors Open

Value

25% tuition fee waiver

Deadline

31 Jul 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Heriot-Watt Actuarial Scholarship For Academic Excellence

Heriot-Watt Actuarial Scholarship For Academic Excellence
Master Open

Value

20% tuition fee waiver

Deadline

30 May 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Americas and Europe (Non-EU) Scholarship

Americas and Europe (Non-EU) Scholarship
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$5000

Deadline

15 Jun 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Alumni Discount Scheme

Alumni Discount Scheme
Master Open

Value

20% tuition fee waiver

Deadline

31 Jul 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

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