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

Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
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 an overall score of 6.5 and the following scores for reading, writing, listening and speaking:
IELTS score requirements
- 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
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules:
You must also choose from the following modules:
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.
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, or if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, 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.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We'll assess your application on the strength of your:
- academic achievements
- relevant professional experience
- personal statement
- academic references
We'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
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