52859WA Graduate Certificate in Renewable Energy Technologies
Engineering Institute of Technology
Key Information
Campus location
Online
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning
Duration
6 months
Pace
Part time
Tuition fees
Request info
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
04 Jun 2024
Introduction
Course at a Glance
- National Code: 52859WA
- Code: GRE
- Course Length: 6 Months
- Course taught in English
Programme Details
The Graduate Certificate in Renewable Energy Technologies is an advanced programme, presented at a considerably higher level than the advanced diploma and bachelor’s degree level programmes. This programme has equal standing and level to that of a university Graduate Diploma but focuses on the career outcomes of a professional engineer and technologist. It has a higher vocational or ‘job related’ emphasis and focuses more on developing practical skills that you can apply to the workplace, rather than theory alone.
This programme is designed for students who aim to build up their theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of standalone and grid-connected photovoltaic systems, hydroelectric power generation systems, and wind power plants. The course will also enhance your learning experience in energy storage systems, distributed generation systems as well as non-mainstream renewable energy technologies used for power generation.
The programme deals with practical issues of renewable energy that will confront an advanced practitioner in the field. For example, you will be expected to critically analyse the characteristics of solar irradiation, wind, and water as energy sources. You will also examine and investigate photovoltaic systems, wind farms and hydroelectric plants in terms of construction and operation mode, system design requirements and characteristics of the turbine, generator and auxiliary equipment used for system installation and interconnection to the grid.
While studying this programme, you will also evaluate and investigate the technologies used for solar thermal electricity generation, and model and simulate wind power plants and carry out analysis on wind farm siting and sizing. This graduate certificate also covers how to identify and outline the fundamental principles of fuel cells, biomass, biofuel, geothermal, hydrothermal, wave and tidal power, osmotic, hybrid wind-diesel, and low-energy nuclear reaction systems; compare and contrast characteristics of these systems. Finally, you will learn to analyse the economic impacts of renewable energy systems; address technical problems faced by electric grids with large-scale distributed generator units.
There is a definite ongoing need for highly qualified and skilled specialists in the renewable engineering field, and this programme caters to that need. Upon completing this programme, you will be able to show technical leadership in the field of renewable energy and be known as an advanced practitioner in the field.
Accreditation
This qualification is officially accredited within the Australian Qualifications Framework by the Training Accreditation Council (TAC), and EIT is approved by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) to deliver in all Australian states. EIT delivers this programme to students worldwide.
Career Opportunities
Potential Job Outcomes
You could expect to gain employment in the following industries:
- Power generation
- Energy and environmental consultancies
- Local councils
- Energy market operator
- Energy efficiency and environmental consultancies
Potential job outcomes could include:
- Electrical Engineer/Senior Electrical Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Officer
- Project Manager
- Project Coordinator
- QA/QC Manager
- Sales Engineer
- Renewable Energy Consultant
Gallery
Curriculum
Course Structure
The Graduate Certificate is an intensive part-time programme, delivered over six months. The programme is composed of six units as per below:
- Unit 1 – Fundamentals and General Distribution/Interconnection Components (GREFGD801)
- Unit 2 – Solar-Based Systems (GRESBS802)
- Unit 3 – Wind Power Generation (GREWPS803)
- Unit 4 – Hydro Power Generation Systems (GREHPG804)
- Unit 5 – Other Renewable Energy Technologies (GREORE805)
- Unit 6 – Energy Storage Technologies (GREEST806)
Time Commitment & Duration
You are expected to spend approximately 10-15 hours per week learning the programme material and completing assessments. This includes attending weekly webinars that run for about 90 minutes to facilitate class discussion and allow you to ask questions. This programme is run online on a part-time basis and has been designed to fit around full-time work. It will take six months to complete.
We understand that sometimes work commitments and personal circumstances can get in the way of your studies, so if at any point you feel that you are struggling with the pace of the course or finding a particular unit challenging, you are encouraged to contact your designated learning support officer for assistance.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
VET Student Loans (VSL)
The VET Student Loan program is available for eligible EIT courses. This means eligible students can use a VET Student Loan to pay their tuition fees up to a maximum loan cap amount, to be repaid through the Australian Taxation System.
If you have been approved for a VET Student Loan, the borrowed amount will be incurred as a debt that is repayable to the Commonwealth government.
Who is eligible for a VSL?
Citizenship
To be eligible for a VET Student Loan, you must either:
- be an Australian citizen, or
- hold an eligible permanent humanitarian visa and usually reside in Australia, or
- be a New Zealand citizen on Special Category Visa (SCV subclass 444) and meets the following long-term residency requirements: You began living in Australia at least 10 years before applying for a loan, and at that time, you were a child under 18 years of age and did not have a spouse or de-facto partner; and you have resided in Australia for at least eight of the 10 years immediately prior to applying and at least 18 months of the last two years.
Note: Holders of other permanent visas and temporary visas are NOT eligible for a VET Student Loan.
In addition to the Citizenship requirements, you must also meet the following:
Academic Suitability Requirements
To be eligible for a VET Student Loan, you must be able to provide a copy of one of the following:
- Australian Year 12 certificate or International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) Diploma, or
- Achievement of an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) qualification at level four or above. A transcript of your USI register for qualifications after 2015, is also acceptable, or
- Achievement of an approved Australian Government assessed overseas qualification, or
- A certificate of an approved literacy and numeracy assessment demonstrating achievement of ACSF Exit Level 3 or above.
Additional Requirements
You must also meet the following enrolment and loan application requirements:
- Provide EIT with information and documents confirming your identity and date of birth, and establish that you meet the eligibility requirements for a VET Student Loan.
- Be over 18 years of age
- have a tax file number (TFN) or have applied for one. The personal details of your TFN with the Australian Tax Office must match the personal details you have provided to EIT, for example, your name and date of birth (see Commonwealth TFN Student Fact Sheet). If you have applied for a TFN, but have not been issued one yet, you must provide a certificate from the Commissioner stating that you have applied for one.
- have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) or be exempt
- intend to undertake your course primarily in Australia
- Submit an online course application form
- not have exceeded your lifetime Commonwealth student loan limit, which is set each year by the Commonwealth
- have read the VET Student Loans information booklet.
- have given any requested documentation to EIT and submitted the electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) online by the first census day no less than two business days after enrolling, and
- comply with ongoing Commonwealth engagement and progression requests to log on to complete your online student engagement form to confirm that you are a genuine student, continuing to study and the progress in your course. You will get these requests two or three times a year, depending on how long your course is. If you do not complete the form and survey within 14 days, you will become ineligible to continue accessing VET Student Loans to pay for the remainder of your course tuition fees.
IMPORTANT NOTE: students must meet all the requirements listed above to qualify for a VET Student Loan. VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements.
How to apply for VSL
Applying for a VET Student Loan is separate from your course application with EIT.
During your application submission, you will be asked to indicate if you want to apply for a VET Student Loan (VSL) in the relevant section. If you are accepted into an approved VSL course and wish to apply for a VSL, you will be contacted by our VSL team who will assess your eligibility.
Once our VSL team has confirmed you are eligible for a VSL we will give your enrolment information to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) through the electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) system. You will then receive an auto-generated email from the eCAF system providing details on how to sign into the eCAF system so that you can submit a Request for a VET Student Loan eCAF. This is your formal application for a VET Student Loan.
The last day to apply for the VET Student Loan is the census date for the course you are applying for, but we recommend the application be made as soon as possible to avoid any delays.
The Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) may contact you to confirm enrolment and that you wish to use VET Student Loan funds. If your contact details change, you need to update them with both EIT and the DESE.
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the institute website for more information.
Program Tuition Fee
Student Testimonials
Program delivery
You are expected to spend approximately 10-15 hours per week learning the program material and completing assessments. This includes attending weekly webinars that run for about 90 minutes to facilitate class discussion and allow you to ask questions. This program is run online on a part-time basis and has been designed to fit around full-time work. It will take six months to complete.
We understand that sometimes work commitments and personal circumstances can get in the way of your studies, so if at any point you Feesl that you are struggling with the pace of the course or finding a particular unit challenging, you are encouraged to contact your designated learning support officer for assistance.