European Master in Renewable Energy and European Master in Sustainable Energy System Management
European Master in Renewable Energy
Ixelles, Belgium
Master degree
DURATION
16 months
LANGUAGES
English, Spanish, French
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2027
TUITION FEES
EUR 13,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-EU students | EUR 8.000 for EU students
Key Summary
About: The European Master in Renewable Energy is run by EUREC EEIG and a consortium of leading European universities and research centers. It addresses EU directives and international CO2 reduction commitments by training postgraduate specialists to fill skills shortages in renewable energy technology. Since 2002 a Steering Committee oversees the programme from the EUREC secretariat in Brussels.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can enter roles across the renewable energy sector.
Possible careers: renewable energy engineer; project manager; policy advisor; researcher; R&D specialist; consultant; energy analyst; grid integration specialist; programme coordinator in research centers or industry and roles in industry and public research.
International agreements on CO2 diminution and European directives on the expansion of renewable energy generation ensure that the recent rapid growth in renewable energy installations will continue. Skills shortages in this sector are already being identified and the expected growth will only exacerbate the situation. Within the rapidly expanding European renewable energy industry, an urgent demand exists for more post-graduate trained staff, specialized in renewable energy technology.
EUREC together with leading European Universities involved in renewable energy education and training have responded to this demand through the development of the European Master in Renewable Energy.
Who are we?
The European Master in Renewable Energy is an initiative proposed and developed by the association of European Renewable Energy Research Centres (EUREC) and a consortium of Universities outlined in the Partnering Universities section.
The program has been run since 2002 by a network of eight European universities and research centers that are leading the way in renewable energy research, development, and demonstration. It is coordinated by EUREC EEIG, a consortium of European renewable energy research centers, which has its headquarters in Brussels.
EUREC was founded in 1991 as European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG) with the goal of improving the quality and scope of European research and development in renewable energy technologies. The purpose of the association is to promote and support the development of innovative technologies and human resources to enable a prompt transition to a sustainable energy system.
EUREC is the voice of renewable energy research in Europe, representing European Research Centres active in renewable energy.
The decision body of the European Master in Renewable Energy is the Steering Committee. It is composed of one member per Partnering University and is supported by the EUREC secretariat. The Steering Committee chairperson is elected for a year.
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.
How to find a sponsor?
Each student is responsible for finding their own funding for studying in the EUREC Master Programme. EUREC does not supply financial aid and cannot provide tuition reductions. Some students have previously applied for scholarships and whenever needed, EUREC is able to provide Proof of Acceptance and similar documents.
Erasmus+ study loans have been created by the European Commission to make it easier to study a full degree program abroad. The EUREC Masters take place in Erasmus+ program countries, some students may therefore apply for an EU-guaranteed Erasmus+ study loan at a bank in their home country. Currently, the Erasmus+ scheme is available through universities and banks in Spain, Italy (Emilia Romagna), Croatia, Romania, and Turkey for outgoing students from these countries who are pursuing postgraduate study abroad; and to students from other program countries going to Spain for a Master’s course. More information on Erasmus+ loans is available here. Please note: the Erasmus+ study loan program is not financed or organized by EUREC.
These are some scholarships and fellowship programs that have been obtained by previous students of the SESyM Master Programme.
- Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership (formerly e8): gives support to outstanding students that are pursuing advanced studies in sustainable energy development. Applicants must be citizens of low-income countries.
- Fundacion Iberdrola (for studies in Spain or in the UK)
- NSERC: Canadian citizens may be eligible for a scholarship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
- CBIE: Canadian citizens may be eligible for scholarships through the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
- Ford Foundation Fellowship Program: Students are eligible by being residents or resident nationals of International Fellowships Programme countries or territories; 22 countries across the world, mostly low-income countries. The Fellows must hold the intention to serve their communities in the areas of development.
- FONGECIF: Scholarships through FONGECIF are available for citizens and residents of France, and are divided into application regions: Nord/Pas-de-Calais, Ile-de-France, and Bretagne are some examples.