In a bid to support careers in Geography, we have a weekly blog where we explore Geography-related degrees in detail, including what sort of thing students can expect to study over the 3 year course (including field work and possible dissertation focus), the typical entry requirements, universities that offer it, and the careers it can lead into. We have a created a collection which we will add to each week - you can find them here.

This week we are looking at a 'proper engineering degree' with geography, maths, physics, design and problem-solving at the heart of the course...

Studying Renewable Energy Engineering

How do you design a wind turbine that can survive decades at sea? How can electricity from solar panels be stored for when the sun isn't shining? Could hydrogen replace fossil fuels in transport and industry? And how do you build an electricity grid capable of coping with millions of electric cars, heat pumps and renewable generators? These are exactly the kinds of problems you'll explore on a BEng (Hons) Renewable Energy Engineering degree.

Renewable Energy Engineering combines traditional engineering with one of the biggest technological challenges facing the world: how to produce, store and distribute energy while dramatically reducing carbon emissions. You'll study technologies including wind, solar, batteries and hydrogen, but you'll also learn the engineering principles that make those technologies possible.

That means plenty of mathematics, mechanics, electricity, electronics, thermodynamics, computer modelling and engineering design - so if you're interested in climate change and renewable energy but also enjoy Maths, Physics and solving technical problems, Renewable Energy Engineering could be well worth considering.

What do you study on a Renewable Energy Engineering degree?

A BEng normally lasts three years, although many universities offer an optional industrial placement year that extends the course to four years. You may also see four-year MEng Renewable Energy Engineering degrees. These incorporate Master's-level study and can provide a more direct academic route towards becoming a Chartered Engineer.

The exact modules vary between universities, but the course normally moves from fundamental engineering principles towards increasingly specialised renewable-energy systems.

First year: Learning how engineering works

Your first year will normally give you a foundation in engineering before you start specialising heavily in renewable energy.

Typical topics might include:

• Engineering mathematics
• Mechanics
• Electricity and electronics
• Thermodynamics
• Materials
• Computer programming
• Engineering design
• Computer-aided design (CAD)
• Energy systems
• Engineering practice

At Southampton Solent University, for example, the first year of Renewable Energy Engineering is shared with other engineering degrees and develops core skills in mathematics, mechanics, electrics, manufacturing, CAD and engineering design.

At the University of Portsmouth, first-year study includes Energy and Electrical Engineering Fundamentals alongside Energy Conversion and Storage Technology, where students investigate technologies including batteries, electrolysis and solar cells.

This highlights something important about the degree. You don't start by spending every lecture talking about wind turbines. Before you can design renewable-energy systems, you need to understand why structures move, how electricity behaves, how energy is converted, how materials respond to forces and how engineers use mathematics to predict what will happen.

Second year: Specialising in renewable energy

During second year, you'll normally start applying your engineering knowledge to renewable technologies.

You might study:

• Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems
• Wind energy
• Electrical power systems
• Energy storage
• Batteries
• Hydrogen and fuel cells
• Thermodynamics
• Control systems
• Smart grids
• Sustainable transport
• Energy-efficient buildings
• Engineering materials

Portsmouth's course, for example, covers technologies including solar PV, wind turbines, batteries, hydrogen energy, low-carbon heating, smart grids, electric-vehicle charging and energy storage. At Solent, second- and third-year study develops students' understanding of renewable-energy generation and distribution alongside the efficient use of energy in engineering systems.

You'll also spend significant time applying what you've learned. Imagine you're designing a solar-energy system for a large building. It isn't enough to say, 'put some solar panels on the roof' - an engineer needs to calculate how much electricity the panels will generate, how output changes through the year, how much electricity the building consumes, whether batteries are worthwhile, how the system connects to the grid and whether the financial and environmental benefits justify the cost. That's the difference between learning about renewable energy and engineering renewable-energy systems.

Third year: Advanced engineering and your individual project

By final year, you'll normally move onto more complex engineering problems and have greater opportunities to specialise.

You might study areas such as:

• Advanced renewable-energy systems
• Offshore wind
• Smart grids
• Energy storage
• Hydrogen
• Electric vehicles
• Power electronics
• Energy management
• Engineering economics
• Control and automation

A major part of final year is usually an individual engineering project. This is the engineering equivalent of a dissertation, although it may involve designing, building, programming, modelling or testing something rather than simply writing a long research essay. You could investigate a particular technology, create a computer model, design an engineering system or conduct experimental work in a laboratory.

Possible final-year project topics could include:

• How can the efficiency of a solar PV system be improved?
• What is the optimum design for an offshore wind turbine?
• Could green hydrogen be used to decarbonise heavy industry?
• How can batteries help balance an electricity grid dominated by renewables?
• How should an EV charging network be designed?
• Can vehicle-to-grid technology help balance electricity demand?
• How does turbine blade design affect wind-energy output?
• What is the most cost-effective renewable-energy system for a particular building?
• Can excess wind power be stored as hydrogen?
• How can heat pumps be integrated with renewable electricity?
• How should a microgrid combine solar, batteries and grid electricity?
• What happens to the electricity grid when millions of electric cars charge simultaneously?
• How can floating offshore wind turbines be improved?
• Which battery technology is best suited to grid-scale energy storage?
• How could renewable energy supply an isolated community?
• How can artificial intelligence improve renewable-energy forecasting?

The final-year project can be particularly useful when applying for jobs because it gives you something substantial to discuss with employers and demonstrates your ability to solve an engineering problem independently.

Opportunity for fieldwork and practical work

Practical work on an engineering degree often looks different from fieldwork in Geography or Ecology. You'll typically spend time in engineering laboratories and workshops, testing equipment, building prototypes and using specialist software.

You might:

• Test solar panels
• Investigate electrical circuits
• Analyse battery performance
• Model wind-energy systems
• Design components using CAD
• Build electronic control systems
• Programme equipment
• Test materials
• Analyse energy data

Wrexham's Renewable Energy Engineering degree, for example, combines theory with hands-on laboratory work, workshops and industry-informed projects, including team design projects based on real-world energy and sustainability problems. Robert Gordon University similarly describes laboratory work, workshops, engineering practice, project-based learning and industrial engagement as important parts of its Renewable Energy Engineering degree.

Depending on the university, you may also visit renewable-energy facilities or work on projects with industry. This is worth investigating at open days. Ask not only 'Do you offer field trips?' but also what laboratories, renewable-energy equipment and industry projects you'll actually get to use.

What about an industrial placement?

This can be particularly valuable. Several universities offer the option to spend a year working in industry between the second and final years of your degree. At Portsmouth, for example, the BEng can be studied as either a three-year degree or a four-year sandwich course incorporating a work placement. Exeter similarly offers its Renewable Energy Engineering BEng as a three-year course or a four-year version with a Year in Industry.

A placement could potentially involve working for:

• An energy company
• An engineering consultancy
• A wind-energy developer
• A solar company
• An electricity network operator
• A battery or energy-storage business
• An engineering manufacturer
• A technology company

The National Careers Service specifically notes that internships and year-in-industry schemes can give aspiring renewable-energy engineers an advantage when they start looking for graduate work.

Which universities offer Renewable Energy Engineering?

This is a more specialised degree than Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, so it isn't offered by every engineering department.

Examples include:

• University of Exeter – BEng Renewable Energy Engineering: A three-year degree based at Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall, with a four-year Year in Industry option. The course specialises in energy engineering with a focus on clean and renewable technologies.
• University of Portsmouth – BEng (Hons) Renewable Energy Engineering: A three-year BEng or four-year course with work placement. It covers areas including solar PV, wind turbines, hydrogen, batteries, smart grids, EV charging and low-carbon heating. An integrated MEng is also available.
• Ulster University – BEng (Hons) Renewable Energy Engineering: The course combines mechanical design, electronics, power systems and renewable-energy engineering, covering technologies including wind, biomass, solar and hydro.
• Solent University – BEng (Hons) Renewable Energy Engineering: A three-year course covering core engineering alongside renewable-energy generation, distribution and energy efficiency. Students have access to facilities including 3D printers, electronics equipment and engineering software.
• Wrexham University – BEng (Hons) Renewable Energy Engineering: A three-year course combining engineering theory with hands-on laboratories, workshops and industry-informed projects.
• Robert Gordon University – BEng (Hons) Renewable Energy Engineering: A four-year Scottish BEng (Hons) degree based in Aberdeen. Teaching includes laboratory work, engineering workshops, project-based learning and industrial engagement.

You'll also find closely related degrees called:

• Energy Engineering
• Sustainable Energy Engineering
• Electrical Engineering with Renewable Energy
• Mechanical Engineering with Renewable Energy
• Energy Systems Engineering
• Sustainable Engineering

Don't automatically assume that a degree containing "renewable energy" in its title is the best option for working in the sector. Electrical, electronic, mechanical and civil engineers are also heavily involved in renewable-energy projects. Compare the actual modules, industrial links, facilities and professional accreditation rather than relying only on the course title.

What are the entry requirements?

Because Renewable Energy Engineering is a technical degree, entry requirements are more subject-specific than for many of the degrees we've looked at.

Typical offers vary from around CCC/BBC to AAB, depending on the university...

For example:

• Exeter – Renewable Energy Engineering BEng = AAB-ABB
• Portsmouth* – Renewable Energy Engineering BEng = BBB–BBC (for 2027 entry)
• Ulster** – Renewable Energy Engineering BEng = BBC (for 2026 entry)
• Wrexham – Renewable Energy Engineering BEng = 96–112 UCAS points
• Solent – Renewable Energy Engineering BEng = 104–120 UCAS points

*Portsmouth also requires a relevant subject such as Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Physics or Electronics.

**Ulster's 2026 entry requirement of BBC, includes an accepted subject such as Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering or Electronics.

Mathematics is particularly important. Some universities specifically require A-level Maths, while others accept a broader range of relevant STEM subjects. Physics is also extremely useful.

Potentially useful A-level subjects include:

• Mathematics
• Further Mathematics
• Physics
• Geography
• Design and Technology
• Engineering
• Electronics
• Computer Science

If you're interested in Renewable Energy Engineering but don't have the required Maths or Physics background, don't immediately rule it out. Some universities offer engineering foundation years designed to provide the necessary mathematical and scientific preparation. Always check the exact requirements for the university and year you're applying for.

BEng or MEng – what's the difference?

This is worth understanding before applying. A BEng is normally a three-year Bachelor's degree in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, whereas an MEng is usually a four-year integrated Master's degree. You start as an undergraduate but continue for an additional year of more advanced engineering study.

Why might that matter? Because if you eventually want to become a Chartered Engineer (CEng), the accreditation of your degree affects the academic route towards professional registration. At Portsmouth, for example, the Renewable Energy Engineering MEng fully meets the academic requirement for Chartered Engineer registration, while the BEng partially meets it. That doesn't mean a BEng prevents you becoming Chartered. It may mean completing appropriate further learning, such as a Master's degree, later.

When comparing courses, check whether they're professionally accredited by an Engineering Council-licensed institution such as the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and what that accreditation means for BEng and MEng students.

What careers can a Renewable Energy Engineering degree lead to?

The obvious destination is renewable energy, but the engineering skills you develop can also lead into electrical engineering, energy systems, consultancy, manufacturing, transport and other technical industries.

Renewable energy engineer

Renewable energy engineers research, design and develop systems that generate sustainable power from technologies such as wind, solar, hydrogen and biomass. You could work on the design of a wind farm, analyse solar-energy systems, develop hydrogen technologies or investigate ways of integrating renewables into the electricity grid.

The National Careers Service gives a typical salary range of around £31,000 for starters to £61,000 for experienced renewable-energy engineers.

Wind energy engineer

Wind energy provides opportunities for engineers from several disciplines. You might work on turbine design, blades, electrical systems, foundations, offshore structures, grid connections, or operations and maintenance. Jobs are available in both onshore and offshore wind, with offshore projects creating particularly interesting engineering challenges because turbines need to operate reliably in harsh marine environments.

Salary depends on the engineering specialism, but graduate engineering positions might begin around £28,000-£35,000, with experienced engineers commonly earning around £40,000-£60,000+. For comparison, the National Careers Service gives £25,000–£47,000 for wind turbine technicians; graduate engineers generally follow a different, more design- and analysis-focused career path.

Solar energy engineer

Solar engineers design and assess photovoltaic systems ranging from rooftop installations to enormous solar farms. You might determine how many panels are needed, where they should be positioned, how much electricity they'll generate, how the system connects to the grid, whether batteries should be included, or whether the project is financially viable.

Solar engineering jobs often sit within the broader renewable-energy, electrical or energy-engineering professions, where salaries can progress from around £30,000 at graduate level towards £50,000-£60,000+ with experience.

Electrical or power systems engineer

One of the biggest challenges with renewable energy isn't simply generating electricity – it's moving that electricity around the country and keeping the power system stable. Electrical and power engineers work on electricity grids, substations, high-voltage systems, offshore connections, smart grids, battery storage, or EV charging.

The National Careers Service gives a typical salary range of around £27,000 for starters to £58,000 for experienced electrical engineers.

Energy consultant

Energy consultants advise businesses, developers and public-sector organisations about energy use and low-carbon technologies. You might analyse a company's energy consumption, model potential renewable-energy projects or advise clients on how to reduce emissions. Engineering consultancies also employ specialists to design and evaluate major wind, solar, hydrogen, battery and electricity-network projects.

Junior/entry-level positions tend to be £18,000 to £32,785 per year (non-graduate sales or entry support roles can start near £16,000 to £22,000, while graduate technical roles typically begin around £25,000). Experienced engineers can progress into senior consultancy, project-management and technical-leadership positions typically earn £45,000 to £68,000+ but can exceed £80,000.

Hydrogen engineer

Hydrogen is being investigated for uses including industrial processes, energy storage and some forms of transport. Engineers in this area might work on electrolysers, hydrogen production, storage, fuel cells, pipelines, and industrial systems.

Because this is an emerging specialism, salaries vary considerably according to the engineering discipline and employer - the salary range for a hydrogen engineer in the UK typically spans from £30,000 to £70,000+ per year.

Battery and energy-storage engineer

As more electricity comes from variable sources such as wind and solar, storing energy becomes increasingly important. Engineers might work on lithium-ion batteries, alternative battery chemistries, grid-scale storage, EV batteries, battery-management systems, and recycling. This career combines areas of electrical, electronic, chemical and energy engineering.

The salary range typically spans from £35,000 to £150,000+ per year, depending heavily on experience, location, and sector specialisation. Graduate positions tend to be £35,000-£50,000 per year (rising up to £55,000 at major gigafactories); Mid-Level (3-5 years): £55,000-£85,000 per year (reaching up to £95,000 in specialised or high-demand hubs); Senior (6-10 years): £85,000-£120,000 per year (and up to £135,000 for specialized gigafactory or London roles); Lead/Principal: £120,000-£150,000+ per year (potential peaks up to £165,000 for top-tier leadership or technical experts).

Other possibilities

Renewable Energy Engineering graduates could also move into:

• Offshore wind
• Electrical engineering
• Energy storage
• Hydrogen
• Solar power
• Smart grids
• Electric vehicles
• Energy consultancy
• Project engineering
• Low-carbon heating
• Engineering design
• Manufacturing
• Sustainability
• Research and development
• Electricity networks
• Energy management
• Engineering project management

And because you'll graduate with a broad engineering education, you aren't necessarily restricted to the renewable-energy industry.

What skills will you develop?

Renewable Energy Engineering develops a particularly strong mixture of mathematical, technical and practical skills.

These can include:

• Engineering mathematics
• CAD
• Electrical circuit analysis
• Computer programming
• Computer modelling and simulation
• Engineering design
• Laboratory testing
• Data analysis
• Project management
• Technical report writing
• Problem-solving
• Teamwork
• Presenting technical information
• Economic analysis.

You'll also learn how to approach problems like an engineer. Rather than simply asking 'Is offshore wind a good idea?', for example, you might need to calculate how much power a turbine could generate, determine the forces acting on its structure, design its electrical systems, estimate its cost and work out how its electricity can be transported back to shore.

Is Renewable Energy Engineering a good degree?

Renewable Energy Engineering could be a particularly good choice if you're interested in climate change but want to work on the technological solutions to it. But it's important to understand what you're signing up for. This isn't primarily an environmental-studies degree - it's an engineering degree. You'll need to be comfortable with mathematics. You'll encounter physics, electricity, mechanics and computer modelling. You'll spend time solving equations, designing systems, analysing data and carrying out laboratory work.

If that appeals to you, the applications can be fascinating. One week you might be designing a wind-turbine component, another modelling a battery system, another investigating hydrogen production and another working out how thousands of electric vehicles could interact with the electricity grid.

And these aren't simply theoretical problems. The transition away from fossil fuels requires enormous changes to the way electricity is generated, stored, transported and used. Wind turbines need to become more efficient. Electricity grids need to become smarter. Batteries need to become cheaper and more sustainable. Industries need alternatives to fossil fuels. Homes need low-carbon heating. Transport needs cleaner sources of energy.

Someone has to work out how all of that actually works - and that's where renewable-energy engineers come in!