Sustainable Energy Futures BSc

Program Overview

The BSc Sustainable Energy Futures program equips students with non-technical expertise in the rapidly expanding clean energy sector. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, graduates gain a comprehensive understanding of renewable energy technologies, policy considerations, and sustainable business practices. The program offers opportunities for industrial placements or study abroad, enhancing students' career prospects in fields such as consultancy and project management.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Designed for: Students seeking non-technical careers in the rapidly expanding clean energy sector, such as consultancy or project management.
• Objectives:
• Gain a grounding in the concepts and technology underpinning the Renewable Energy sector.
• Understand the societal and political considerations impacting the implementation of renewable energy.
• Learn from experts in energy policy, renewable technologies, electrical power and networks, environmental law and regulation, sustainable business practice, and environmental science.
• Tailor the degree to individual interests and career ambitions through various options covering the legal, political, and business aspects of the sustainable energy transition.
• Location: Penryn Campus, Cornwall, where the UK's renewable energy revolution began.
• Opportunities: State-of-the-art facilities and exciting opportunities to engage with and contribute to solutions for environmental challenges.

Outline:

• Year 1:
• Compulsory Modules:
• Mathematics 1A (15 credits)
• Renewable Energy Systems 1 (15 credits)
• Applied Computing for Energy Studies (15 credits)
• Energy Policy, Markets and Law 1 (15 credits)
• Environment, Society and Business (30 credits)
• CA Legal Foundation for Environmental Protection (15 credits)
• Optional Modules:
• Introduction to Data Science (15 credits)
• Global Issues in Environmental Science (15 credits)
• Year 2:
• Compulsory Modules:
• Energy Management (15 credits)
• Renewable Energy Systems 2 (15 credits)
• Project Management and Accounting (15 credits)
• Environmental Regulation and Redress (15 credits)
• Circular Enterprise Economy (15 credits)
• Social Enterprise Management (15 credits)
• Optional Modules:
• Green Consultants (15 credits)
• Green Politics (15 credits)
• Legal Foundations of Business (15 credits)
• Hazards and Human Society (15 credits)
• Year 3 (Industrial Placement or Study Abroad):
• With Industrial Placement:
• Year in Industry (120 credits)
• With Study Abroad:
• Study Abroad (120 credits)
• Final Year:
• Compulsory Modules:
• Third Year Field Course (Group Project) (15 credits)
• Renewable Energy Dissertation (30 credits)
• Optional Modules:
• Marine Renewable Energy (15 credits)
• Life Cycle Analysis (15 credits)
• Wind Energy (15 credits)
• Work Placement Report (15 credits)
• Sustainable Architecture (15 credits)
• Climate Change & Society (15 credits)
• Social and Technological Innovation (15 credits)
• Legal Response to Environmental Destruction (15 credits)
• The Politics of Climate Change (15 credits)

Assessment:

• Methods:
• Exams
• Coursework (including practical laboratory work, professional posters, group exercises, essays, and verbal presentations)
• First Year: Does not count towards final degree classification, but must be passed to progress.
• Final Two Years (Three Years for Four-Year Program): Assessments contribute to final degree classification.

Teaching:

• Methods:
• Lectures
• Laboratory classes
• Practical work
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Computer-based learning packages
• Residential or one-day field-based activities
• Contact Time: 16-20 hours per week.
• Independent Learning: Roughly the same amount of time as formal contact time.
• Research-Inspired Teaching:
• Taught by experts at the forefront of clean energy technology and policy development.
• Close collaboration with industry partners to ensure real-world relevance of knowledge and skills.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Energy & renewables consultant
• Energy & Utilities manager
• Energy Systems Associate
• Energy data analyst
• Sustainability project manager
• Sustainability data analyst
• Sustainable development coordinator
• Sustainability strategist/consultant (energy industry)
• Energy policy advisor
• Net Zero consultant
• Project developer/manager
• Climate Emergency Programme Manager
• Climate Change and sustainability adviser
• Environmental coordinator
• Environmental strategy officer
• Further Studies: Well-placed to continue studies at postgraduate level or become future energy entrepreneurs.
• Skills Development:
• Leadership and project management
• Analytical, independent, and innovative thinking
• Team working
• Self-awareness and motivation for personal development
• Decision making and problem-solving
• Discussion and group work
• Written and verbal communication
• Organising, planning, and time management
• Support:
• Careers skills sessions and employer-led events
• Career Zone activities (careers fairs, skills workshops, training events)
• Advice on graduate opportunities and volunteering

Other:

• Facilities:
• Teaching laboratory equipped with technology for studying biomass heating, water flows, hydroelectric turbines, photovoltaics, solar thermal, fuel cells, hydraulic systems, wind power, electronics, and electrical power systems.
• Industry-standard software for analyzing flows of liquids, gases, electricity, computer-aided design, wind energy resource assessment, and wind turbine design.
• Two solar-powered buildings on campus (Daphne du Maurier and the Performance Centre).
• 3 x 1MW fully condensing gas boiler and a ground source heat pump system.
• Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) employing solar and wind energy technology and benefiting from state-of-the-art energy efficiency.
• 500m from the Roskrow Barton commercial wind development with 2 x 850kW, V52-850 Vestas wind turbines.
• Proficiency Options:
• Students can gain "With Proficiency in Law" by completing 60 credits in elective law modules.
• Students can gain "With Proficiency in" a second subject (Foreign Language, Data Science, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Law, Leadership, Social Data Science) by completing 60 credits in modules within that subject.
• Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award: Encourage participation in employability-related workshops, skills events, volunteering, and employment to enhance career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.

UK students: £9,250 per year International students: £29,700 per year