European Master in Renewable Energy

Structure

The course is divided into three sections. In the first semester (September/October to January), students acquire a solid foundation in key renewable energy technologies. In the second semester (February to June), they specialize in a chosen technology at a different university, and at the end of the course, the students complete a six-month practical or research project. A total of 90 ECTS credits (30 for each section of the course) are required with a satisfactory level of achievement in all the sections to obtain the European Master's degree.

The course’s three sections

The core provides a solid foundation in the key energy technologies (wind, solar, bioenergy, hydropower). Theoretical courses which also examine the socio-economic issues surrounding the deployment of these technologies are supported by laboratory workshops. The studies for the core can be done in French, English, or Spanish. The student can choose one of the following:

• MINES-ParisTech, France for the core taught in French;
• Zaragoza University, Spain for the core taught in Spanish;
• Oldenburg University, Germany for the core taught in English;
• Hanze UAS, The Netherlands for the core taught in English.

A specialization focused on a particular technology or implementation aspect. The specializations are all taught in English. The student specializes in one of the following:

• Photovoltaics – taught at the University of Northumbria in the UK;
• Wind Energy – taught at the National Technical University of Athens in Greece;
• Grid Integration – taught at the University of Zaragoza in Spain;
• Solar Thermal & Associated Renewable Storage – taught at the University of Perpignan in France;
• Ocean Energy – taught at IST Lisbon in Portugal;
• Sustainable Fuel Systems for Mobility – taught at Hanze UAS in the Netherlands.

Upon completion of the specialization, the student gains practical or research experience through a project undertaken in an industry or a research laboratory. The student is welcome to propose his/her own project. EUREC and the course directors continuously contact renewable energy companies throughout the year to encourage them to propose a student project. Yet, students should not expect to get a list of projects to choose from. Students are expected to look for companies or research centers wishing to offer them a project individually. A qualified person from the specialization university will give students advice about how to proceed in finding the best project to suit their qualifications and expectations.

The student can also discuss directly with the project provides practical arrangements (allowance, accommodation, etc). When a student proposes his or her own project it must be validated by the core providers before being accepted. Students are advised to ask the project host in order to seek insurance for them while working on the host company’s premises.

During the project, the student progress is monitored by:

• A professor from the Core provider;
• A professor from the Specialisation provider;
• A professional tutor from the Project provider.

The project is presented in Brussels, the student is also required to write a master thesis. The project is marked by the core provider (the university where the student studied in the first semester).

The aim of the European Master in Renewable Energy is to train post-graduate students to fill the gap between the growing industry demand for specialized renewable energy expertise and the skills currently available on the job market. By structuring the course in three sections, students are guaranteed to spend time in at least two different EU countries and make contact with a wide range of European institutes and companies involved in the renewable energy sector. The participating universities are all well-established in training and the education sector as well as being recognized at an international level for their work in the field of renewable energy technology.