Power Systems Engineering MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The Power Systems Engineering MSc is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to work at a professional level in industries involved in the production, distribution and consumption of energy and power. This wide range of industries includes transport, conventional and renewable power generation.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£19,300
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£37,500
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 05 Apr 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university in a suitable engineering subject such as electrical, mechanical or mechatronics, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Some basic knowledge of applied electricity is essential.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

If you are intending to apply for a time-limited visa to complete your UCL studies (e.g., Student visa, Skilled worker visa, PBS dependant visa etc.) you may be required to obtain ATAS clearance. This will be confirmed to you if you obtain an offer of a place. Please note that ATAS processing times can take up to six months, so we recommend you consider these timelines when submitting your application to UCL.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Students will study the analysis and design of conventional and renewable machinery systems and the use of computers in advanced engineering analysis. Students gain knowledge of electrical and mechanical engineering principles, quantitative methods, and mathematical and computer modelling. They also gain an awareness of the codes of practice, standards and quality issues within the modern industrial world and gain insights into project management methodologies.

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for graduates with a first degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or a related degree.  The programme will benefit students who wish to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to become Chartered Professional Engineers or to pursue careers in higher levels of management in manufacturing, transport and power engineering.

What this course will give you

UCL Mechanical Engineering is a dynamic and vibrant place to study and do research. Located in central London, it was the first mechanical engineering department in the UK. The department has a long reputation for internationally leading research, funded by numerous organisations and industry, and quality teaching.

The department has an international reputation for the excellence of its research which has been funded by numerous bodies including: EPSRC, EU, Wellcome Trust, the Royal Society, the Leverhulme Trust, UK Ministry of Defence, BAE Systems, Cosworth Technology, Ebara, Jaguar Land Rover, Shell, and BP.

UCL Mechanical Engineering has a range of research and teaching facilities which enhance the experience of students on the programme. Highlights include an extensive workshop, four engine test cells of the highest specification, a fuel cell laboratory, an electrical power laboratory and a fluid mechanics laboratory.

Delivered by leading research and academic staff from across UCL, the programme provides a range of opportunities for students to network and keep abreast of emerging ideas. This is enhanced by our collaborations with companies and governmental bodies such as BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Lloyds Register and TfL, who provide specialised lectures and are key to our research success.

We encourage students to develop networks through their studies and via the department's employability activities, which includes employer-led events and individual coaching.

The foundation of your career

Engineering graduates with good analytical abilities are in high demand and graduates from this programme have a range of employment opportunities across many sectors and industries, including but not limited to, maritime careers. Recent graduates have gone on to work in organisations such as:

  • BAE Systems
  • BMT
  • Houlder
  • Lloyd’s Register
  • The Royal Navy (UK)

Employability

Graduates from this programme have the opportunity to forge careers in a range of sectors internationally. There are career opportunities in manufacturing and the engineering of transportation, including rail, road, shipping and aviation and the design of electric and hybrid drive trains. 

Graduates can also gain employment in power industries, including new and renewable energy technologies such as wind, solar and tidal power.

This programme helps to develop engineers capable of managing multi-disciplinary projects, for example projects which bring together electrical, mechanical and financial elements. 

Networking

All postgraduate students have access to rich ecosystem of opportunities to enrich their study and future career prospects by networking. These include a range of networking events, talks and training facilitated by UCL Careers, UCL Engineering Careers, the Office of Vice Provost Advancement (OVPA) and UCL Innovation and Enterprise, with tailored events at department level, including a Mechanical Engineering Careers Fair.  These are complemented by student-led events with guests from industry, often featuring UCL alumni, industry visits and a range of events from dedicated UCL student societies, focussed on specific industrial sectors, as well as entrepreneurship.

Accreditation

The Power Systems Engineering MSc has been accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) [decision pending] and Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Teaching and learning

This dynamic programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, project work (including group projects), workshops and problem classes, which frequently draw upon real-life industrial case studies.

Assessment for this MSc programme is through a combination of examinations, coursework, reports, presentations, the group design project and the individual research project.

Contact time takes a variety of forms, including lectures, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, student feedback and consultation hours (where staff are available for consultation), email, and situations where feedback on assessed work is given. This is supplemented by self-directed learning to build up knowledge and skills.

Each module has a credit value that indicates the average learning hours you will spend on the required content. One credit typically equates to 10 hours of learning, which includes all contact time, self-directed study and assessment.

The contact time for each of your 15 credit taught modules will typically include 20-30 hours of teaching activity over the term of its delivery, with the balance then comprised of self-directed learning and working on your assessments. You will have ongoing contact with teaching staff via each module’s online discussion forum, which is typically used for discussing and clarifying concepts or assessment matters, and will have the opportunity to access additional support via regular student feedback and consultation hours with module leaders and programme directors.

Your project module will include regular contact with your project supervisor(s), who will guide and support you throughout your project. You will dedicate most of your time on this module to carrying out research in connection with your project and writing up your final report.

Modules

The taught part of the programme is comprised of seven subject modules: six compulsory modules (one of which is the group project), and one optional, chosen from a list of modules. The taught modules consist of lectures, seminars, tutorials and example classes. Each module is assessed by coursework submission, examination, or a combination of examination and coursework. Some include oral presentation of project/assignment work. 

The first two academic terms consist of the taught modules, including the group project. The Individual Research Project comprises a large part of the programme (running from March to September); it is carried out under the supervision of an academic member of staff and is assessed on the basis of a written report and a project presentation.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Power Systems Engineering.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £19,300
Tuition fees (2024/25) £37,500

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

There may occasionally be small, incidental expenses which can be reimbursed by the department once claimed.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

UCL East London Scholarship

Deadline: 20 June 2024
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,700 stipend ()
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you think you have the skills to study Power Systems Engineering
  • why you want to study Power Systems Engineering at graduate level
  • why you want to study Power Systems Engineering at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and/or professional background meets the demands of a challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.