Energy Transitions and Sustainability

The Master’s degree covers the theory, policy and practice aspects of the energy industry’s challenge of meeting energy demand in a sustainable way. Multistakeholder and multilateral engagements on climate and the environment, energy economics and policies for a just transition, and strategic risk management are key knowledge aspects of energy transitions and sustainability decision-making, which are subsequently applied to complete a substantive Capstone project.

Stage 1

The first stage of the course will provide you with a broad context for understanding energy sector strategic analysis, including energy finance considerations, appreciation of renewable energy management and the economics of energy transitions.

Stage 2

You will develop the skills for specific applications of management principles and tools in addressing environmental, operational and strategic risk management considerations. You will be able to provide sound rationale and clearly communicate to relevant stakeholder on the management of relevant policy, governance, quality and risk decisions in relation to energy transitions and sustainable energy systems.

Stage 3

The Capstone module is designed to provide you with an opportunity to integrate master's level knowledge and skills by independently working on a research focused project from a degree related discipline. Personal and professional skills such as research, communication and presentation skills will be developed.

Extended Master's

We offer an extended master’s route, starting in September, on our traditional 1-year route which incorporates a 12-month placement. This route has a duration of 24 months and will follow the same teaching programme as the 1-year course. You will receive training and guidance to support you through the recruitment and selection stages for the jobs on offer from our dedicated Employability and Enrichment Hub team.

Learning Methods

You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshop sessions. These comprise of a mix of group study, discussion, simulation and presentations of findings by teams and individuals. You will work as an individual and as part of a team on case studies, team activities, presentations and discussions.

Access to our virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle, is also provided giving you access from home to the learning materials (including videos, e-books and journals).

You will also have access to Refinitiv Eikon (Datastream), FAME and Osiris, which offer company insights and fundamentals and a host of market data.

Activity Summary

• Lectures - 20 students per group, 8 hours per week
• Seminars - 15 students per group, 2 hours, 2/3 masterclasses per session, typically 2 hours
• Webinars - 15 students per group, 2 hours, 2/3 masterclasses per session, typically 2 hours. Some masterclasses will be run as virtual sessions.
• Tutorial - 10 students per group, 4 hours per week
• Project Supervision - 1 student per group, 30 hours per term (Capstone)
• Practical class or workshop - 10 students per group, 2 hours per week
• Independent Study - 1 student per group, 38 hours per week (Terms 1 & 2)
• Independent Study - 1 student per group, 570 hours in Term 3 (Capstone)
• External Visits - 20 students per group, 2/3 industry visits per session, typically 2 hours

How long is an Energy Transitions and Sustainability course?

This Energy Transitions and Sustainability course can be successfully completed within 12 - 36 months.

Full-time on campus students starting in September can select the option of applying to undertake a 48-week placement following their completion of the taught modules included in their course. Students who select the Master with Placement undertake their Capstone project in parallel to their placement experience and will receive 60 credits at SCQF Level 11 (Master level) in addition to the master’s award.

Independent Study

The course encourages you to work autonomously and to take responsibility for your own learning and professional development. In addition to lectures and tutorials you will spend approximately 38 hours per week outside of class working on your own. This involves undertaking prescribed reading, preparing for tutorial assignments, team meetings and researching and writing course reports.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

• 1 written exam, typically taking up to 3 hours.
• 7 written assignments (coursework) including essays
• 1 dissertation (if dissertation option selected in Capstone)
• 1 project report: (if Business Consultancy option selected in Capstone)
• 1 oral assessment (presentation)

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Staff Delivering on This Course

Academic staff who teach on this course have worked in a range of professional backgrounds, are ‘business-connected’ and use professional networks and their academic research to ensure teaching is professionally relevant and cutting edge.

Our staff have either achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy or are working towards this. This is a professional recognition of lecturer practice, impact and leadership in teaching and learning. In addition, many have featured in the annual Support and Teaching staff with Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) awards voted by the students and organised by RGU:Union.

Other staff members include industry professionals, staff with research experience and guest lecturers who deliver presentations as part of a masterclass series in relevant work-related topics.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Job Prospects

This course will enable you to develop your career further and venture into a variety of energy sectors including oil and gas, renewables, nuclear, electricity and biofuels, overseeing various aspects of the energy transitions and sustainability agenda. You will have the opportunity to progress your career in a variety of areas including energy transitions management, policy analysis and evaluation, energy and sustainability assessment, exploration, distribution, environmental management, carbon management, engineering and risk management.

Is Energy Transitions and Sustainability a good career choice?

Previous graduates from the Energy Management Programme have gone on to work for:

• National regulators
• Private sector energy companies
• Start-ups

They have also gone on to work in related roles within finance and other sectors. Graduates who attained the desired level of performance have also been able to apply for Doctoral Study through either the PhD route or the DBA route. Graduates have also built on this qualification to gain full membership and attain higher levels of recognition of professional bodies like the Energy Institute.

12 Month Placement

For those on our Extended Master’s route (24 months Full-Time On Campus) you will have the opportunity to embark on a 12-month placement on completion of the teaching programme.

The employing organisation is likely to be a source of rich data for the Capstone module and you will be encouraged to research an organisational issue of your choosing – likely identified through discussion with the placement employer. You will also complete a reflective e-portfolio which captures the skills development through the placement period.

Throughout the placement you will be assigned both a workplace mentor and an academic mentor and will receive ongoing support to enhance your career development.

N.B. You are responsible for finding the placement, with support from the placement team, and as such the University cannot guarantee that all students will be successful in securing a placement. If unsuccessful, your course fee attached to the work experience element will be refunded.

What is needed for an MSc in Energy Transitions and Sustainability?

• Applicants normally hold a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree or its equivalent in any subject discipline.
• Applicants with a lower degree classification and / or relevant work experience will be considered on a case by case basis.

International Students

International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.