Starting October 2019
Energy supply is fundamentally important to our homes and workplaces. Future energy supply has to be stable, secure, not only affordable but sustainable, which makes energy supply a systems engineering problem. Energy Informatics is an emerging discipline that utilises powerful tools from modern information technology to analyse data from different energy systems and sources to solve energy supply problems.
At a glance
- Start dateFull-time: October. Part-time: October
- DurationOne year full-time, two-three years part-time
- DeliveryTaught modules 40%, group project 20% (or dissertation for part-time students), and individual project 40%.
- QualificationMSc, PgDip, PgCert
- Study typeFull-time / Part-time
Who is it for?
This course is suitable for Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Information Technology graduates and practicing IT engineers wishing to pursue a technical management career in the strongly growing energy industry sector. It develops professional engineers and scientists with the multidisciplinary skills and ability to analyse current and future energy engineering problems.
Why this course?
Developed economies now face a number of challenges in procuring energy security and responding to energy pricing and affordability issues, as well as dealing with contributions to carbon emission targets. Due to the growth of sustainable and renewable energy production, energy informatics plays a significant role in managing the world's growing energy demand. Both developed and developing countries are facing great challenges in improvements in energy efficiency, reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and enlargements of renewable energy applications. For example, the UK Government has set ambitious targets to decrease the greenhouse gas emissions to 80% of today’s by 2050; the China Government has also planned to significantly reduce CO2 emissions to a level of 5,000 million tons in 2050, which is half of current emissions.
Through this course, you will develop professional informatics skills required in the growing energy sector, with essential abilities applicable in both the renewables industry (wind, geothermal and solar) and the traditional energy industry (oil and gas).
Students benefit from dedicated state-of-the-art facilities including unique engineering-scale facilities for the development of efficient technologies with low CO2 emissions. In addition to management, communication, team work and research skills, each student will attain at least the following learning outcomes from this degree course:
- Develop systematic strategies using traditional methods to resolve the technical and economic issues involved in the design and operation of industrial energy systems.
- Apply effectively the informatics knowledge gained to solve practical problems in principal subject areas of energy systems.
Informed by Industry
We have a world class reputation for our industrial-scale research and pilot-scale demonstration programmes in the energy sector. Close engagement with the energy and transport sectors over the last 20 years has produced long-standing strategic partnerships with the sectors most prominent players. The strategic links with industry ensures that all of the material taught on the course is relevant, timely and meets the needs of organisations competing within the energy sector. This industry-led education makes our graduates some of the most desirable in the world for energy companies to recruit.
Your teaching team
You will be taught by industry-active research academics from Cranfield with an established track record, supported by visiting lecturers from industry. To ensure the programme is aligned to industry needs, the course is directed by its own Industrial Advisory Committee.
Course details
The taught programme for the Energy Informatics masters is generally delivered from October to February and is comprised of eight modules. The modules are delivered over one week of intensive delivery with a second week being free from structured teaching to allow time for more independent learning and reflection.
Students on the part-time programme will complete all of the modules based on a flexible schedule that will be agreed with the course director.
Group project
The group project is an applied, multidisciplinary, team-based activity. Often solving real-world, industry-based problems, students are provided with the opportunity to take responsibility for a consultancy-type project while working under academic supervision. Success is dependent on the integration of various activities and working within agreed objectives, deadlines and budgets. Transferable skills such as team work, self-reflection and clear communication are also developed.
Individual project
The individual project is the chance for students to focus on an area of particular interest to them and their future career. Students select the individual project in consultation with the Thesis Co-ordinator, their allocated supervisor and their Course Director. These projects provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to carry out independent research, think and work in an original way, contribute to knowledge, and overcome genuine problems in the offshore industry. Many of the projects are supported by external organisations.
Assessment
Taught modules 40%, group project 20% (or dissertation for part-time students), and individual project 40%.University Disclaimer
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the core modules and some optional modules affiliated with this programme which ran in the academic year 2017–2018. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2018 entry. All modules are subject to change depending on your year of entry.
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course
Risk and Reliability Engineering
| Module Leader |
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|---|---|
| Aim |
To introduce the principles of risk management and reliability engineering and solve relevant engineering problems through widely applied methods and tools. |
| Syllabus |
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| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
|
Informatics for the Energy Industry (subject to University approval)
| Module Leader |
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|---|---|
| Aim |
Coming soon |
| Syllabus |
Coming soon |
| Intended learning outcomes |
Coming soon |
Advanced Control Systems
| Module Leader |
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|---|---|
| Aim |
To introduce methodologies for the design of control systems for industrial applications. |
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
|
Computational Fluid Dynamics for Industrial Processes
| Module Leader |
|
|---|---|
| Aim |
To introduce the CFD techniques and tools for modelling, simulating and analysing practical engineering problems with hands on experience using commercial software packages used in industry. |
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Process Measurement Systems
| Module Leader |
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|---|---|
| Aim |
To introduce a systematic approach to the design of measurement systems for process applications. |
| Syllabus |
Principles of Measurement System
Principles of Process Measurement |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
|
Management for Technology
| Module Leader |
|
|---|---|
| Aim |
The importance of technology leadership in driving the technical aspects of an organisations products, innovation, programmes, operations and strategy is paramount, especially in today’s turbulent commercial environment with its unprecedented pace of technological development. Demand for ever more complex products and services has become the norm. The challenge for today’s manager is to deal with uncertainty, to allow technological innovation and change to flourish but also to remain within planned parameters of performance. Many organisations engaged with technological innovation struggle to find engineers with the right skills. Specifically, engineers have extensive subject/discipline knowledge but do not understand management processes in organisational context. In addition, STEM graduates often lack interpersonal skills. |
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Elective modules
A selection of modules from the following list need to be taken as part of this course
Process Design and Simulation
| Module Leader |
|
|---|---|
| Aim |
|
| Syllabus |
Process Design Process Modelling, Simulation and Optimisation Case Studies (PC Lab and Demonstration Sessions) |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
|
Power Generation Systems
| Module Leader |
|
|---|---|
| Aim |
Understanding of the principles of operation, configuration, characteristics and key implementation issues of various types of power plant. |
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Advanced Optimisation of Process and Energy Systems
| Module Leader |
|
|---|---|
| Aim |
To introduce fundamental optimisation principles and tools for the design, analysis and optimisation of processes and operations in the energy and process industry. |
| Syllabus |
|
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
|
Fees and funding
European Union students applying for university places in the 2018 to 2019 academic year will still have access to student funding support. Please see the UK Government’s announcement (21 April 2017).
Cranfield University welcomes applications from students from all over the world for our postgraduate programmes. The Home/EU student fees listed continue to apply to EU students.
| MSc Full-time | £8,500 |
| MSc Part-time | £1,635 * |
| PgDip Full-time | £6,500 |
| PgDip Part-time | £1,635 * |
| PgCert Full-time | £3,250 |
| PgCert Part-time | £1,635 * |
Fee notes:
- The fees outlined apply to all students whose initial date of registration falls on or between 1 August 2018 and 31 July 2019.
- All students pay the tuition fee set by the University for the full duration of their registration period agreed at their initial registration.
- A deposit may be payable, depending on your course.
- Additional fees for extensions to the agreed registration period may be charged.
- Fee eligibility at the Home/EU rate is determined with reference to UK Government regulations. As a guiding principle, EU nationals (including UK) who are ordinarily resident in the EU pay Home/EU tuition fees, all other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees.
For further information regarding tuition fees, please refer to our fee notes.
| MSc Full-time | £19,000 |
| MSc Part-time | £19,000 ** |
| PgDip Full-time | £15,200 |
| PgDip Part-time | £15,200 ** |
| PgCert Full-time | £7,600 |
| PgCert Part-time | £11,310 ** |
Fee notes:
- The fees outlined apply to all students whose initial date of registration falls on or between 1 August 2018 and 31 July 2019.
- All students pay the tuition fee set by the University for the full duration of their registration period agreed at their initial registration.
- A deposit may be payable, depending on your course.
- Additional fees for extensions to the agreed registration period may be charged.
- Fee eligibility at the Home/EU rate is determined with reference to UK Government regulations. As a guiding principle, EU nationals (including UK) who are ordinarily resident in the EU pay Home/EU tuition fees, all other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees.
For further information regarding tuition fees, please refer to our fee notes.
Funding Opportunities
To help students in finding and securing appropriate funding we have created a funding finder where you can search for suitable sources of funding by filtering the results to suit your needs. Visit the funding finder.
GREAT China Scholarship
The GREAT Cranfield University Scholarship China is jointly funded by Cranfield University and the British Council. Two scholarships of £11,000 each for Chinese students are available.
We have a limited number of scholarships available for candidates from around the world applying for the 2017 intake. Scholarships are awarded to applicants who show both aptitude and ability for the subject they are applying. Find out more about the Cranfield Scholarship
Postgraduate Loan from Student Finance EnglandA Postgraduate Loan is now available for UK and EU applicants to help you pay for your Master’s course. You can apply for a loan at GOV.UK
Santander MSc ScholarshipThe Santander Scholarship at Cranfield University is worth £5,000 towards tuition fees for full-time master's courses. Check the scholarship page to find out if you are from an eligible Santander Universities programme country.
Chevening ScholarshipsChevening Scholarships are awarded to outstanding emerging leaders to pursue a one-year master’s at Cranfield university. The scholarship includes tuition fees, travel and monthly stipend for Master’s study.
Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing CountriesStudents from developing countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK can apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship which includes tuition fees, travel and monthly stipend for Master’s study.
Future Finance Student LoansFuture Finance offer student loans of up to £40,000 that can cover living costs and tuition fees for all student at Cranfield University.
Erasmus+ Student LoansThis new loan scheme for EU students is offered by Future Finance and European Investment Fund and provides smart, flexible loans of up to £9,300.
Cranfield Postgraduate Loan Scheme (CPLS)The Cranfield Postgraduate Loan Scheme (CPLS) is a funding programme providing affordable tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time UK/EU students studying technology-based MSc courses.
Conacyt (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia)Cranfield offers competitive scholarships for Mexican students in conjunction with Conacyt (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) in science, technology and engineering.
Entry requirements
A first or second class UK Honours degree (or equivalent) in engineering, physics, maths or computer science and information technology/informatics disciplines. Other recognised professional qualifications or several years relevant industrial experience may be accepted as equivalent; subject to approval by the Course Director.
Applicants who do not fulfil the standard entry requirements can apply for the Pre-Masters programme, successful completion of which will qualify them for entry to this course for a second year of study.
English Language
If you are an international student you will need to provide evidence that you have achieved a satisfactory test result in an English qualification. Our minimum requirements are as follows:
- IELTS Academic - 6.5 overall
- TOEFL - 92
- Pearson PTE Academic - 65
- Cambridge English Scale - 180
- Cambridge English: Advanced - C
- Cambridge English: Proficiency - C
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English III - minimum overall score of pass
In addition to these minimum scores you are also expected to achieve a balanced score across all elements of the test. We reserve the right to reject any test score if any one element of the test score is too low.
We can only accept tests taken within two years of your registration date (with the exception of Cambridge English tests which have no expiry date).
Students requiring a Tier 4 (General) visa must ensure they can meet the English language requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and we recommend booking a IELTS for UKVI test.
Applicants who do not already meet the English language entry requirement for their chosen Cranfield course can apply to attend one of our Presessional English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses. We offer Winter/Spring and Summer programmes each year to offer holders.
Your career
Graduates from this course will develop diverse and rewarding careers in the extremely promising energy sector. The international nature of this growing field would allow Cranfield graduates to develop careers all over the world.
If you are pursuing further study through continue education (PhD or MBA) in the energy sector, this programme would facilitated this through its international, interdisciplinary, project-oriented course design.
Applying
Online application form. UK students are normally expected to attend an interview and financial support is best discussed at this time. Overseas and EU students may be interviewed by telephone.
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