About this course

Develop the skills to design and develop future energy networks. This MSc power engineering degree looks at all aspects of sustainable energy generation, transmission and distribution engineering.

If you’re considering a career in the electrical power industry, this course will give you the skills in high demand from employers.

Through this master's in electrical power engineering you’ll gain an advanced understanding of the relationships between core types of energy, work, force, power and efficiency.

You’ll learn about:

the design and management of power systems
bulk electrical energy transport issues
the design and operation of electricity transmission and distribution networks
how to specify equipment through tools such as ERACS and PowerWorld
the fundamentals and impact of current and future energy/power production methods

You'll get to personalise this master of electronic and energy engineering course to your interests and career aims, through a choice of modules and an individual project. You’ll also have access to research facilities, including our high-voltage laboratory and interdisciplinary clean room.

Course lead

The course leader for this MSc is Dr Igor Golosnoy. He is an Associate Professor (Methods of Modelling and Simulation of Systems) at the Electrical Power Engineering Group. Some of his research interests include:

numerical modelling of various coupled electrical, thermal, and mechanical phenomena
electric propulsion systems for spacecraft
eddy currents in electrical machines
oil and dust migrations in transformers
gas flow and heat exchange in fibre network materials

Accreditations

Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

ODT

Download 2021-22 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in electrical engineering or electronic engineering.

You must also have an upper 2:1 score in the following modules:

1 electrical machines module (e.g. electrical machines, electrical apparatus, electrical drives, electrical motors, control of machines or drives, electro-mechanical energy convertors)
1 electric power systems module (e.g. power system control, electrical power systems, energy power systems, transmissions and distribution of electrical power, power generation, electrical networks)
1 electrical engineering module (e.g. high voltage engineering, power circuits, electrotechnics, power electronics, electronic converters)
1 engineering physics module (e.g. engineering physics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, electromagnetic theory, applied electromagnetics, robotics, control engineering)

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 6.5
reading: 6.0
writing: 6.0
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

This is a one-year course running September to the following September split over 3 semesters. In semesters 1 and 2 you’ll study taught modules, and in semester 3 (summer) you’ll complete an individual research project with dissertation.

In semester 1 you'll study technical modules covering core energy and electrical power engineering material. You'll also cover a research methods and project preparation module. There will be exams in January.

In semester 2 you'll study some modules of your choice, and will continue to study the compulsory research methods and project preparation module. There will be exams in May and June.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

For entry in Academic Year 2021-22

You must study the following modules:

Fundamental Principles of Energy and Power Systems

This module covers: - 'Review of Power Systems Fundamentals' (12 lectures) - Energy Fundamentals - Principles of Energy Conversion and Energy Systems - Heat Engines - Electrochemical Energy Conversion - Thermoelectric Energy Conversion - Solar Ener...

MSc Project

Your research project will enable you to explore in depth some aspect of your specialist subject area. You will be allocated a project supervisor with whom you will meet and agree a project brief and plan. These must be submitted to, and agreed by, ...

Power Distribution: Design, Operation and Protection

This module introduces students to fundamental issues in the design and operation of electricity transmission and distribution networks. There is a particular focus on understanding how to specify equipment, including through the use of power flow modell...

Power Generation: Technology and Impact on Society

The module content allows students to 1) Appreciate the role of electric power in the modern world – Size of the industry 2) Understand current power demands and projected increase – Geographic location – Seasonal and daily variations 3)...

Power Systems Operation and Economics

- To introduce fundamental concepts relating to the design, analysis, economics and management of modern electrical power systems. - To develop awareness of the technical problems associated with operation of such systems. - To gain analytical and numer...

Research Methods and Project Preparation

The Module will prepare students for the summer Research Project and research based coursework exercises. It will give students a grounding in the research methods and techniques necessary in order for planning and successful execution and completion of t...

You must also choose from the following modules:

Bioenergy

The bioenergy industry is undergoing rapid growth due to the policy drivers underpinning the current interest in bioenergy, such as energy security and climate change. This module provides an overview of key topics on sustainable bioenergy production, inc...

High Voltage Insulation Systems

This module provides a systematic understanding of knowledge and critical awareness of issues related to the management and design of high voltage insulation systems. The course introduces a number of topics related to the design and testing of insulation...

Mechanical Power Transmission and Vibration (MSc)

The module provides an overview of relevant topics in mechanical power transmission and methodology of vibration analysis for such mechanical assemblies. The main objective of the module is to learn methods of analysis and design of machines and their com...

Power Electronics for DC Transmission

The syllabus will be based upon several topics relating to the use of power semiconductors and components in power systems. The course starts with considerations of the individual power electronic devices, before moving on to their use as part of an HVDC ...

Renewable Energy from Environmental Flows: Wind, Wave and Tide

The atmospheric and gravitational processes present on the earth generate flows of wind and water. This module studies these resources and practical methods/technologies for extracting cost-effective electrical and other energy conversions. The main focu...

Learning and assessment

Learning

The learning activities for this course include:

lectures and tutorials
laboratory sessions
visits to industrial sites
lectures from visiting industrialists and academics
independent learning (studying on your own)

What to read before you start

You’ll need to do some pre-reading before the start of this course. These books are recommended to re-familiarise yourself with the relevant course material:

Circuit Theory - Dorf R C, Svoboda J A Introduction to Electric Circuits, 7th ed., John Wiley & Sons,2006
Electrical machines - Chapman S. J, Electrical Machinery and Power System Fundamentals, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2001
Electromagnetics - Hammond P and Sykulski J K, Engineering Electromagnetism, Oxford University Press 1994
Thermodynamics - Sonntag R.E, Borgnakke C. and Van Wylen G.J., Fundamentals of Thermodynamics, 6th ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2003

Assessment

We’ll assess you through a range of methods to demonstrate your knowledge, understanding and ability.

Assessment methods will include:

reports and coursework
using software
a dissertation
individual and small-group projects
problem solving and design exercises
laboratory reports with literature reviews
unseen written exams

Dissertation

You’ll carry out an individual research project lasting up to 14 weeks with a 15,000-word dissertation. The Research Methods and Project Preparation module in semester 1 and 2 will prepare you for this.

Academic Support

We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.

Careers

We are ranked second equal for graduate prospects in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in the Complete University Guide 2019.

Create a career in the electrical power industry from this course. Graduates from our MSc are employed worldwide in leading technology companies, innovative energy and transport providers, and government departments and organizations.

You’ll benefit from our strong relationship with employers. We communicate with around 300 companies a year to support a full range of visits, events and activities. We also advertise over 400 technology positions every year directly to our Southampton graduates only.

Our dedicated careers hub is affiliated with over 100 renowned companies such as:

IBM
Arm
Microsoft Research
Imagination Technologies
Nvidia
Samsung Google

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV/resume and interview skills workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £26,850.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
Search for the course you want to apply for.
Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
Submit your application.

Application deadlines

UK students

Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.

International students

We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.

We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, or if you're applying for a PGCE course via UCAS, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

your knowledge of the subject area
why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to send 2 academic references.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.