MSc Electrical Power Engineering
Gaining essential knowledge and skills in designing, managing, controlling and analysing the 21st century electric grid, you will bridge the gap that the Electrical Power industry is facing. As an Electrical Power Engineer you will play a vital role in the development of a sustainable energy market. Your role will enable the merger of new technologies and the integration of renewable sources in the industry.
The MSc Electrical Power Engineering offers very exciting opportunities to understand the real challenges in future power networks and to develop innovative solutions.
GCU’s School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment has almost 3 decades worth of graduates in the Electrical and Electronic Engineering field and this new Masters has been developed with UK-SPEC/IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) to develop motivated and critical thinkers for the industry.
Students on the MSc Electrical Power Engineering programme are encouraged to join the IET and the Energy Institute (EI) and to participate in the activities which are frequently hosted by GCU. Involvement in the activities of the engineering institutions is an important aspect of career development for you as a student engineer, especially from the point of view of the eventual attainment of Chartered Engineer Status.
Through the world class research led activities you will undertake you will develop proficiency in:
- Exploring operational principles and management of future power networks and the importance of network asset management
- Analyse and design power systems problems
- Managerial, communication and information technology skills
- Innovative thinking to accommodate future technological changes
- Sufficiently wide perspective of the subject area to evaluate problem solving approaches.
Download the Programme Specification for a detailed breakdown of its structure, what you will learn and other useful information.
Study Options
- 2019/20
Study Options
- 2020/21
All entry requirements listed here should be used as a guide and represent the minimum required to be considered for entry. Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place may be asked to achieve more than is stated.
Entry requirements
UK honours degree 2:2 (or equivalent) in electrical or electronics discipline.
Additional information
Other academic and vocational qualifications
Each application to GCU is considered on an individual basis. If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning scheme.
English language
Academic IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) with no element below 5.5.
Please note: if you are from a majority English speaking country, you may not be required to provide further proof of your English Language proficiency.
International pathways
If you do not meet the English language requirements, you may be eligible for our pre-sessional English programme which is taught at our Glasgow campus.
The tuition fees you pay are mostly determined by your fee status. What is my student fee status?
Tuition fees 2019/20
Home: £5500
RUK: £5500
EU: £5500
International: £12980
Part-time and distance learning tuition fees
Part-time and distance-learning fees can be paid annually or on a module by module basis.
View part-time and distance learning fees for 2019/20.
Fees are subject to change and published here for guidance only. Fees and refund policy.
Additional costs
As a student at the University, there are additional fees and costs which may or may not apply to you, but that you should be aware of.
Scholarships
We provide high-quality education for a fair price; as the University for the Common Good, we are committed to offering accessible higher education for talented students by keeping our tuition fees low and providing a generous scholarship package of over £2.5 million per year.
View our Postgraduate scholarships.
MSc Electrical Power Engineering - a scholarship of £4,000 (international students) or £2,000 (RUK students) which will be deducted from tuition fees.
For new international students, particular care is taken around our induction events which begin on 13 September 2019 to welcome you to the UK and GCU prior to the start of teaching. There will be a whole host of fun and informative activities taking place during this period, including campus tours, city tours and social events where you can meet other international students. Where possible, we encourage you to arrange travel to allow you to arrive in time to enjoy these.
Project Planning & Management
This module aims to develop in the student, the ability to select, develop and plan an MSc research project; to research and critically analyse the literature associated with the project; to present research findings effectively; and to be able to apply a competent process of thinking to all aspects of the project. In addition, the module aims to give the student an appreciation of the relationship between these skills and those associated with industrial project management.
Power Electronics and Drive Systems
This module examines Electro-magnetism and rare earth permanent magnets. It illustrates the applications of power electronic devices in addition to control and design of converter circuits and determination of filter technologies based on harmonic calculations. Characteristics of modern power electronic devices, driver circuits and protection. Also, it shows analysis and design of practical applications of electrical machines and power electronic systems.
Power System Operation & Protection
Critically analyse and assess technical requirements for power system operation, management and planning. It also develops a comprehensive view of power flow analysis, stability and protections. Appropriate modelling, analysis and design skills of AC power systems in steady state and in post-fault operation will be introduced.
Control Systems
This module aims to consolidate advanced classical and modern control design techniques encompassing the practical considerations in applying control design in an industrial environment. The appropriateness and difficulties encountered in applying various design techniques in practice is explored.
Energy Audit and Energy Asset Management
This module provides an understanding of the basic concepts and exposure to the relevant international standards in the areas of interests before it focuses the strategies and procedures of carrying out energy audit and asset management. The module will focus on life cycle management, including commissioning/decommissioning of equipment, techniques available for condition monitoring and statistical tools for remaining life and risk analysis.
Smart Grid & Sustainable Energy Systems
The module aims to introduce smart grids and renewable energy systems. It equips students with a detailed knowledge and problem solving skills of the engineering aspects of smart grids and the renewable generation of electricity.
Advanced AC and DC Transmission Systems
The module aims to equip the students with the knowledge and skills required for the design and analysis of hybrid modern AC/DC power systems. This module develops the students' understanding of FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems), HVDC and other emerging power electronics applications for power systems and puts emphasis on the skills required to analyse and design such systems.
Condition Monitoring
This module aims to provide an understanding of both Mechanical and Electrical Condition monitoring and associated instrumentation requirements for successful condition monitoring. The application of standard and non-standard electrical condition monitoring systems to a range of electrical plant will be explained. The students learn to use condition monitoring tools and then to evaluate the data provided by them.
MSc Dissertation
The project acts as a vehicle for extending the knowledge and understanding of the student and the technical community in some specialist area. It serves to develop and extend a range of high-level 'thinking' skills, including analysing and synthesising skills and affords the opportunity for the student to demonstrate initiative and creativity in a major piece of technological work.
Each module is presented in a structure of a 3 week teaching block where the first week is delivered through lectures from teaching staff and industry, tutorials and practical work. The two weeks following focus on open-ended laboratory work, tutorial work and undertaking assignments aligned with real-life concepts. Assessments may involve a range of activities including research, reports and the designing and development of technical solutions.
This programme will go forward for Partial CEng Further Learning accreditation by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in 2019/20. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.