Case Study 190: Loughborough University, UK
MSc Renewable Energy Systems Technology
Loughborough University, UK
Summary
The distance learning MSc in Renewable Energy Systems Technology has been developed with five years
funding from UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. The course is designed for graduate
engineers or physical scientists wishing to receive advanced training in renewable energy technologies. Since
the course started in 2001 over 100 students have already joined this part-time programme from over 20
countries around the world. Because the activity is still ongoing a full set of results is not possible. Early
indicators show that students are making good progress and a number of them have now graduated. Please
contact us for further information via the contact project website.
End-user area
Target Audience
New buildings
Citizens
Refurbishment of buildings
Households
Transport and mobility
Property owners
Financial instruments
Schools and universities
Industry
Decision makers
Legal initiatives (regulations, directives, etc)
Local and regional authorities
Planning issues
Transport companies
Sustainable communities
Utilities
User behaviour
ESCOs
Education
Architects and engineers
Other
Financial institutions
Other
Technical
Energy efficiency
Heating
Cooling
Appliances
Lighting
CHP
District Heating
Solar energy
Biomass
Wind
Geothermal
Hydro power
Other
Context
The reasons for the development of the postgraduate course in Renewable Energy Systems Technology
(REST) were the growing need across Europe to develop renewable energy technologies to reduce reliance on
fossil fuels. The strategic developments for renewable energy would require highly knowledgeable individuals
to undertake the management of the implementation of renewable energy projects. However, limits on
resource availability to bring students to Loughborough University led to the concept of the development of a
distance learning version of the existing full-time MSc in REST
Objectives
The objectives of the programme were to develop a postgraduate distance learning course in Renewable
Energy Systems Technology to meet the needs of the emerging renewables industry.
Process
The project has developed a course that has both breadth and depth in terms of its knowledge transfer
capacity. The markets for the course are graduate engineers or physical scientists wishing to receive
advanced training in renewable energy technologies and are wishing to find employment in this evolving sector.
Students receive pre-course guidance and materials. On starting the course students also receive computer
access facilities, CD-ROMs of resources including video lectures, lecture notes, tutorial, computer simulation
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Case Study 190: Loughborough University, UK
coursework and access to mechanisms to upload work. Exams which are part of the assessment can be taken
in the host country to avoid travel to the UK. But all students are welcome to attend lectures if they like. Each
module’s lectures are taught over a 5 day time period. Students can access extensive library resources.
Additional resources are also made available during the students study. Students can submit work online and
receive feedback on their progress.
Financial resources and partners
The funding for the project was approximately €400,000 from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences
Research Council. The renewable energy industry has been heavily involved in the development of the
curriculum and teaching on this course.
Results
The course has traditionally had a very high success rate in employing students within the renewables sector
around the world. This is now beginning to be also true for the distance learning students. The course is
ongoing and is developing a sustainable business plan based upon a student cohort in excess of 100 students.
The objective, of developing postgraduate distance learning in Renewable Energy Systems Technology to
meet the needs of the emerging renewables industry, has and is being met.
Lessons learned and repeatability
A significant amount of management was required during the early stages of the development of the course.
However, as it has developed and systems have become more robust, this need has lessened. It could be
possible to licence the course resources to other institutions across Europe. It is very important to develop
clear and unambiguous resources for students who are at distance.
Contact for more information:
Project Web Site:
http://crestdl.lboro.ac.uk
Organisation / Agency: Loughborough University
Main contact:
Dr Richard Blanchard
Address:
Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Loughborough University,
LE11 3TU, UK
Tel:
+44 1509 227190
E-mail:
r.e.blanchard@lboro.ac.uk
Website: www.lboro.ac.uk
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