Depletion of fossil fuels, global warming, water scarcity, loss of biodiversity, and other environmental challenges impact both developed and developing nations. Additionally, they are compounded by increasing consumption pressures and a growing global population. Sustainability and Energy policies are increasingly preoccupying governments around the world. Graduates with a Masters in Renewable and Sustainable Energy will be very well-equipped to deal with these problems. Moreover, they will also have a wide range of exciting career opportunities all around the world. Earlier, we had discussed renewable energy careers and jobs and top 5 countries to study energy & sustainability. In this post, we will look at the Best Masters Programs in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Engineering and Management in Europe, UK, Canada, and USA.

Best Masters Programs in Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Top Universities for Masters in Renewable Energy & Sustainability in Europe, UK, Canada & USA

Best Masters Programs in Renewable Energy and Sustainability in Europe

Master in Energy Science and Technology – ETH Zurich

The ETH Masters program is typically 4-5 semesters long. The program (entirely taught in English) includes compulsory and elective courses, a semester project, an internship in the industry, and a final Master’s Thesis. The courses and the semester project can be completed in two to three semesters, and the internship and the Master’s Thesis usually take an additional six months (full-time) each.

The program accepts students from diverse backgrounds, but it is mainly those students holding a Bachelor degree in engineering or natural sciences with a strong academic performance from a nationally or internationally reputed university who have a good chance of being admitted to the course. To be considered, the candidate’s Bachelor degree should comprise the following courses (although a deviation of up to 6 ECTS credit points is allowed):

• Mathematics: an equivalent of 26 credit points or more
• Physics: an equivalent of 10 credit points or more
• Chemistry: an equivalent of 3 credit points or more
• Engineering sciences: an equivalent of 24 credit points or more (mechanical/electrical engineering, informatics, systems/control etc.)
• Economics: an equivalent of 3 credit points or more

Joint Nordic Master in Innovative Sustainable Energy Engineering

The purpose of the Nordic Master in Innovative Sustainable Energy Engineering is to provide state-of-the-art education in the fields of conventional and renewable energy sources like conventional and new power generation, solar energy, biomass energy, wind power, geothermal power, and energy utilization in the built environment by means of economically and environmentally sustainable systems and technologies.

The Master’s programme in Innovative Sustainable Energy Engineering is a collaboration between five leading technical universities in the Nordic countries (Nordic Five Tech). The programme gives you a unique opportunity to tailor your degree based on your academic interests.

You will get to study at two of the partner universities in different countries, spending one year at each one, and you will graduate with a double master’s degree.

The universities participating in the Master’s in Innovative Sustainable Energy Engineering are:

1. Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
2. Aalto University in Finland
3. Chalmers University of Technology
4. KTH Royal Institute of Technology
5. Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Study Tracks

• Bio Energy (KTH – Aalto)
• Energy Systems (Aalto – KTH)
• Heat and Power Engineering (Aalto – Chalmers)
• Solar Cell Systems and Materials (DTU – NTNU)
• System Integration of Wind Power (NTNU – DTU)

Alternatively, you could also study the whole Master’s program at the individual university.

MSc Sustainable Energy – NTNU

Masters in Sustainable Energy Engineering – KTH

MSc Sustainable Energy Systems – Chalmers

MSc Sustainable Energy – DTU

Masters in Advanced Energy Solutions – Industrial Energy Processes and Sustainability – Aalto University

Masters in Advanced Energy Solutions – Sustainable Energy in Building and Built Environment – Aalto University

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MSc Sustainable Energy Technology – TU Delft

Just like the Nordic programs, it’s one of the best Master’s programs in the world for sustainable and renewable energy. Sustainable Energy Technology includes renewable energy sources (such as solar energy, wind energy, and energy from biomass) and technologies designed to improve energy efficiency. Specializations are available in Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Biomass Energy, Power, Storage, and Economics & Society.

Master’s in Renewable Energy (MSc RENE) – EiT

You will join students from all over the world for two years at two different universities as well as winter and summer schools at two of Europe’s leading business schools (Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics and ESADE Business School). After successfully completing the programme and your thesis, you will receive a Master’s degree from two of the following institutes in the form of a double degree:

• Master of Energy Engineering and Management, from IST: Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
• Master of Science, from KTH: Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
• Graduate Degree Programme in Energy Environment: Science Technology and Management (STEEM), from École Polytechnique, Université Paris-Saclay, France
• Master of Energy Engineering, from UPC: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech, Spain

The Master’s in Renewable Energy (MSc RENE) provides in-depth knowledge of all major renewable technologies and gives you the opportunity to specialise in areas that interest you most. With courses in business skills and innovation management, our goal is to transform you into an energy engineer, entrepreneur or innovator of the future.

Combining traditional teaching with practical, challenge-led projects, and hands-on engagement with established businesses and exciting young start-ups, MSc RENE gives you the skills and experience to design, develop and deliver the next generation of renewable energy solutions.

Companies like Total, EdF, Energias de Portugal (EDP), and Iberdrola are all actively involved in the programme, as are smaller companies and start-ups like CorPower Ocean, EOLOS, Principle Power Inc, and Tecnoturbines.

Students will have the opportunity to engage with these industrial partners through networking events, guest lectures, and study visits. They are also involved in curriculum design, selection processes, teaching, hosting internships and Master’s theses, and providing job opportunities for graduates.

European Master in Renewable Energy – Hanze University of Applied Sciences

The 16-month programme is divided into three semesters: the core semester, the specialisation and the thesis project. For the core you can choose one of the following universities:

• Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, the Netherlands(English)
• Ecole des Mines de Paris, France (French)
• Zaragoza University, Spain(Spanish)
• Loughborough University, UK(English)
• Oldenburg University, Germany(English)

Other Top Masters Programs in Renewable and Sustainable Energy in Europe

MSc Energy Science – Utrecht University

This programme is aimed at students with a background in science or engineering who want to contribute to the transition towards sustainable energy systems.

MSc Sustainable Development – Utrecht University

This two-year Master’s programme is aimed at students who want to contribute to the design of the solutions needed to achieve an environmentally and socially accountable society. In this programme, you will learn how to analyse the processes associated with change and will consider the short and long-term management of these processes on local and global levels.

MSc Energy and Environmental Sciences – University of Groningen

MSc Renewable Energy – TU Cologne

MSc Renewable Energy – University of Bergen

MSc Renewable Energy Systems – THI

Masters in Renewable Energy – UiA

Masters in Energy Studies – University of Oslo

Best Masters Programs in Renewable and Sustainable Energy in the UK

University of Manchester

Imperial College London

University of Edinburgh

University of Reading

Loughborough University

Best Masters Programs in Renewable Energy and Sustainability in Canada

University of Toronto

Toronto offers two excellent study options in the field of Sustainable Energy – Engineering track and Management track. The Engineering track is suitable for the graduates of Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Electrical & Computer, Mechanical & Industrial, and Materials Science. Read more about the program curriculum and modules. The School also offers generous scholarships in the field of sustainable energy studies.

Master of Science in Sustainability Management (MScSM)

The MScSM program provides the training for our graduates to act outside the traditional disciplinary black boxes; integrate knowledge from management, social, and natural sciences to address sustainability issues.

The program is unique among science and management graduate programs by providing a strong foundation in sustainability management while offering an opportunity to specialize in a management or science concentration.

The program is designed for students from diverse backgrounds such as management science, social science, natural science and engineering. The program was developed in consultation with leaders and future employers in business, non-profit, research, and government organizations.

Master of Engineering Leadership in Clean Energy Engineering – University of British Columbia

The Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) in Clean Energy Engineering is a 12-month program. It’s designed for engineers and environmental science graduates who want to make their sustainable vision a reality and advance their careers in the in-demand field of clean energy.

Technical specialization in the areas of sustainable energy generation, energy transmission, distribution and storage, and efficient energy use are key components of the curriculum. Combined with strong leadership and business skills, this program will help you to develop innovative solutions, manage teams and direct projects – a skill set that is highly relevant in today’s business environment.

Masters in Sustainable Energy – Carleton University

The program covers innovative research into new and existing technologies, changes in consumer behaviour and more creative policy and regulatory approaches.

Carleton University has well-established strengths in the sustainable energy field on both the engineering and policy sides. In engineering, research is ongoing in a wide variety of sustainable energy-related areas.

MSc Sustainable Energy Development – University of Calgary

It’s an interdisciplinary graduate program providing a balanced education related to energy and environmental management.

A combined offering through the Haskayne School of Business, Schulich School of Engineering and the Faculties of Law and Environmental Design, it is a singular and innovative program designed for professionals and students seeking a comprehensive education in sustainable energy.

The program is open to Bachelor degree holders from diverse backgrounds – design, business or law, economics, biology, or engineering.

MSc in Renewable Resources – University of Alberta

The Department of Renewable Resources oversees the following graduate degrees. Graduate students can select from 18 thesis-based or course based degrees in five different topic areas Conservation Biology, Forest Ecology and Management, Agriculture and the Environment, Reclamation and Restoration of Land and Water, and Environmental Soil Science.

Applicants need to have a 4-year Bachelor degree in order to pursue Masters. All applicants for the thesis-based graduate programs (MSc & PhD) must have a faculty member agree to supervise their program before admission is approved. We strongly recommend obtaining supervision prior to applying online. Applications with no prospective supervisor listed will not be reviewed for admission.

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Best Masters Programs in Renewable Energy and Sustainability in USA

MS Energy Resources Engineering – Stanford University

The program has a strong interest in related energy topics such as renewable energy, global climate change, carbon capture and sequestration, and energy systems. The Energy Resources Engineering curriculum provides a sound background in basic sciences and their application to practical problems to address the complex and changing nature of the field.

Coursework includes the fundamentals of chemistry, computer science, engineering, geology, geophysics, mathematics, and physics. Applied courses cover aspects of energy resources engineering in fields like oil and gas recovery, geothermal engineering, carbon sequestration, clean coal and renewable energy.

The curriculum emphasizes the fundamental aspects of fluid flow in the subsurface of the Earth. These principles apply to optimize oil recovery from petroleum reservoirs and remediating contaminated groundwater systems. The program also has a strong interest in renewable energy, global climate change, and CO2 sequestration.

Master of Engineering in Energy Systems Engineering – University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)

It’s one of the top programs in the US and offers great flexibility in the curriculum. The courses are designed by faculty members from across the University of Michigan, including the College of Engineering, the School for Environment and Sustainability, the Ross School of Business, the Gerald Ford School of Public Policy, the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning of Art and Architecture, and the College of Literature Science and Arts.

Graduates can find employment in the government, private, and nonprofit sectors, often obtaining leadership roles in engineering and product development, management consulting, and strategic and sustainability planning. They work toward systems improvements including transportation efficiency, green buildings, supply chain management, public utility analysis and regulation, and renewable energy. The following are select employers of Sustainable Systems graduates:

Masters in Energy Systems Engineering – University of Maryland (College Park)

Admission Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree, GPA of 3.0 or better, in civil and environmental, mechanical, or chemical and biomolecular engineering from an accredited institution
• Completion of Calculus I, II, and II and differential equations, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer

Master of Science in Energy Management – University of Texas at Austin

The Master of Science in Energy Management provides a means to explore the energy future and prepare for exciting careers across the industry.

No work experience is required for applicants, and the program is open to all undergraduate majors. Applicants will be required to demonstrate quantitative aptitude through coursework or test scores.

The MSEM Curriculum features:

• Award-winning, inter-disciplinary faculty leading small cohort classes
• A capstone experience working with real-world companies on energy issues
• Specialized career coaching, including career search tips, mock interviews, and industry visits, to prepare for a career following graduation
• A weekly seminar where academic and industry energy experts present cutting-edge technologies, evaluation approaches, and future trends

Masters in Energy Engineering – University of Massachusetts Lowell

The UMass Lowell graduate program in Energy Engineering offers professional training at the master’s degree level designed to prepare the student to perform state-of-the-art work on energy systems. There are two options:

• Renewable (Solar) Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering

The programs are designed to achieve a balance between hands-on experience and theory. Energy engineering draws students from all branches of engineering, mathematics, physics and chemistry.

The program has three tracks from which to choose: Thesis, Project, and Course Only. Each track requires 30 credits to graduate. Courses include Energy Engineering Workshop, Fundamentals of Solar Utilization, Transfer Processes in Energy Systems, and Alternative Energy Systems. Students will defend their thesis in an oral examination.

Master of Science in Energy Systems – Northeastern University

The Master of Science in Energy Systems is an interdisciplinary program with a focus on the effective implementation of energy systems analysis and the integration of energy systems engineering technology with financial planning. This Master’s degree is suitable to those students who have either a business or engineering undergrad degree.

The program curriculum combines engineering technology, business and financial decision processes. Students are exposed to business educators and practising professionals and have the opportunity to participate in a six-month co-op experience. Practising professionals with experience at this interface who have successfully implemented energy systems or devices and policies are actively involved in the program as adjunct professors and invited speakers.

Other Top US Universities for Masters in Sustainable Energy and Renewables

UC Boulder

UC Denver

Columbia University

Folks purely interested in research should also consider MIT.

Few More Top Management Programs in the Field of Renewable Energy and Sustainability

MSc Carbon Finance – University of Edinburgh

MSc Climate Change, Management and Finance – Imperial College London

Energy & Finance Certificate Program – HEC Paris

MSc Applied Carbon Management – University of Glasgow

MSc Renewable Energy Management – TU Cologne

MSc Sustainable Energy Technologies and Management – Brunel University London

MBA: Energy and Environment – Symbiosis

MBA: Energy and Clean Technology – UC Berkeley (Haas Business School)

MBA Sustainability – Michigan Ross

MBA Sustainability – Yale SOM

MBA Energy & Environment – Stanford GSB

MBA Renewable Energy and Environmental Management – SRH Berlin

MBA Responsible Management – Copenhagen Business School

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