Triangle

Course overview

Applications should be made for this course online at: www.emjmdsteps.eu

This two-year Erasmus Mundus masters course has been developed by 4 leading European universities in partnership with 16 major international companies/organisations to respond to key challenges facing the energy sector:

  • the development of new energy sources and understanding their implications on power systems
  • identifying methods to reduce CO2 emissions by increasing energy efficiency and using cleaner energy sources

Why choose this course?

9th in the UK

for electrical and electronic engineering

The Guardian University Guide 2023

Prestigious

Erasmus Mundus Master programme, run by institutions recognised for teaching excellence

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees | Erasmus+

Course content

STEPS Erasmus Mundus MSc offers a highly specialized education in Electrical Engineering, focusing on two areas of the highest technological content and professional requirements in the energy sector. The STEPS JMD is promoted by a partnership led by the University of Oviedo (ES), together with the University of Nottingham (UK), the University of Rome (IT) and the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra (PT).

In Year 1, students choose either the Sustainable Transportation stream or the Power Systems stream, and take the appropriate modules below.

Modules

Core modules

Sustainable Transportation and Electrical Power Systems (Sapienza/Coimbra) 60 credits

This module includes fundamental scientific and technical aspects of Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, Machines and Control.Fundamental and practical knowledge of Microprocessors for Electrical control.

It will provide students with an appreciation of power electronics technologies, and how they are implemented within Electrical Power or Electric Transportation systems.

Assessment method

Assessment Type Weight
Coursework 100.00

Optional modules

Sustainable Transportation

Power Systems for Aerospace, Marine and Automotive (spring) 20 credits

This module aims to develop an understanding of the design and operation of power systems in aerospace, marine and automotive applications.

With the introduction of more electrical technologies in these application areas, the understanding and expected performance of the power system has become a critical platform design issue.

Delivery

Activity Number of Weeks Number of sessions Duration of a session
Lecture 12 weeks 2 week 2 hours
Practicum  10 weeks 1 week 2 hours

 

Assessment method

Assessment Type Weight Requirements
Coursework 25.00

Part 1: weight 12.5%, 12.5 hours of student effort; assessment of student ability to demonstrate fundamental acquisition of the module’s learning outcomes.

Part 2: weight 12.5%, 12.5 hours of student effort; assessment of student ability to demonstrate application of the module’s learning outcomes to realistic engineering design and implement tasks.
Exam 75.00

 
Advanced AC Drives (spring) 20 credits

This module covers the control of AC drives, covering drives for a variety of machine types and control strategies, for example, vector control.

This module:

  • provides a good understanding of the concepts of field orientation and vector control for induction and non-salient and salient PM AC machines.
  • provides information and guidance on the design of control structures and their implementations including parameter dependencies and field weakening
  • imparts design skills through the design of a vector controlled drive using manufacturer’s machine and converter data and defined design specifications
  • develops critical assessment skills through design evaluation

Delivery

Activity Number of Weeks Number of sessions Duration of a session
Lecture 12 weeks 2 weeks 2 hours

 

Assessment method

Assessment Type Contribution Requirements
Coursework 50% 2-hour written examination
Exam 50%

Part 1: weight 20%, 20 hours of student effort; assessment of student ability to demonstrate fundamental acquisition of the module's learning outcomes.

Part 2: weight 30%, 30 hours of student effort; assessment of student ability to demonstrate application of the module's learning outcomes to realistic engineering design and implement tasks.
Advanced Electrical Machines (spring) 20 credits

This module introduces advanced electrical machine concepts and applications in the area of more electric transport, renewable generation and industrial automation.

The module will help you to:

  • develop a fundamental understanding of the interaction of the electromagnetic, mechanical and thermal engineering disciplines related to electrical machine design.
  • develop analytical skills in modelling and design of electrical machines.
  • have a clear understanding of the different types and topologies of modern electrical machines.
  • develop skills in designing electrical machines
  • develop the ability to analyse and characterise an electric motor through its parameters and performance using FEA approach

Delivery

Activity Number of Weeks Number of sessions Duration of a session
Lecture 12 weeks 2 weeks 2 hours
Practicum  10 weeks 1 week 2 hours

 

Assessment method

Assessment Type Contribution Requirements
Coursework 25%

Part 1: weight 12.5%, 12.5 hours of student effort; assessment of student ability to demonstrate fundamental acquisition of the module's learning outcomes.

Part 2: weight 25%, 12.5 hours of student effort; assessment of student ability to demonstrate application of the module's leaning outcomes to realistic engineering design and implement tasks.
Exam 75%  

Power Systems

Renewable Generation Technologies (spring) 10 credits

This module covers the analysis and design of renewable and sustainable energy systems. It covers the various types of renewable energy and the resources available.

It uses an understanding of the physical principles of various types of energy resources in order to develop analytical models which can be applied to the design of renewable energy systems, including energy conversion and storage, especially for electrical power generation.

It includes;

  • Wind power: wind probability distributions, wind turbine performance and control, comparison of generator types
  • Hydro and tidal power: resource assessment, turbine types and principles
  • Solar power, including PV cell equivalent circuit, analysis of losses, matching to DC and AC power systems
  • Wave power systems, including wave energy characteristics, types of energy converter
  • Characteristics of synchronous and induction generators
  • Embedded generation; types of generator and operation of RE within the power system
  • Economic and environmental assessment of energy conversion technologies.

Delivery

Activity Number of Weeks Number of sessions Duration of a session
Lecture 12 weeks 1 week 2 hours

 

Assessment method

Assessment Type Contribution  Requirements
Coursework 25% Sustainable energy case study: A written report.
Exam 75% Two Hour Paper. The examination will be based on the whole of the course.
Energy Storage (spring) 10 credits

Energy storage is emerging as one of the most important and most exciting of modern engineering activities. This module begins with an overview of why energy storage is becoming so important and reviews the main options available. Then it addresses thermo-mechanical solutions (springs, flywheels, pumped hydro, compressed air and pumped thermal), electro-chemical solutions (batteries, supercapacitors and flow-batteries) & fossil fuel storage (gas, oil & coal).

Assessment: 100% exam

Advanced AC Drives (spring) 20 credits

This module covers the control of AC drives, covering drives for a variety of machine types and control strategies, for example, vector control.

This module:

  • provides a good understanding of the concepts of field orientation and vector control for induction and non-salient and salient PM AC machines.
  • provides information and guidance on the design of control structures and their implementations including parameter dependencies and field weakening
  • imparts design skills through the design of a vector controlled drive using manufacturer’s machine and converter data and defined design specifications
  • develops critical assessment skills through design evaluation

Delivery

Activity Number of Weeks Number of sessions Duration of a session
Lecture 12 weeks 2 weeks 2 hours

 

Assessment method

Assessment Type Contribution Requirements
Coursework 50% 2-hour written examination
Exam 50%

Part 1: weight 20%, 20 hours of student effort; assessment of student ability to demonstrate fundamental acquisition of the module's learning outcomes.

Part 2: weight 30%, 30 hours of student effort; assessment of student ability to demonstrate application of the module's learning outcomes to realistic engineering design and implement tasks.
Distributed Generation and Alternative Energy (spring) 20 credits

This module covers the operation of modern power systems including:

  • deregulated power systems
  • distributed generation
  • microgrids
  • the energy storage
  • technologies for producing clean energy
  • efficient HVDC power transmission

Delivery

Activity Number of Weeks Number of sessions Duration of a session
Lecture 12 weeks 2 weeks 2 hours
Practicum  10 weeks 1 week 2 hours

 

Assessment method

Assessment Type Contribution Requirements
Coursework 1 50%

Part 1: weight 25%, 25 hours of student effort; assessment of student ability to demonstrate fundamental acquisition of the module's learning outcomes.

Part 2: weight 25%, 25 hours of student effort; assessment of student ability to demonstrate application of the module's learning outcomes to realistic engineering design and implement tasks.
Exam 1 50%  
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Tuesday 22 August 2023.

Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Core modules

Sustainable Transportation and Electrical Power Systems (Oviedo) 60 credits

100% coursework, assessed by end of autumn semester.

MSc Project (Summer) 60 credits

In this module a student will be assigned to an individual supervisor who will be a staff member in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering. The student will carry out a practical or theoretical project chosen from the current interests of the staff member concerned.

The principal aims of the module are to develop the student's ability to work as part of a group to develop and analyse a proposed process design and to identify research need. Then to develop the student’s ability to evaluate and select information and apply this knowledge to propose and execute a research programme to address the identified need.

The module is composed of four major deliverables, a mixture of group and individual project work.

Assessment: 100% coursework

Task 1 (30%) Group design project

Task 2 (Formative) Individual research proposal

Task 3 (50%) Individual research paper

Task 4 (20%) Individual design re-evaluation

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Tuesday 22 August 2023.

Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Independent study
  • Lectures
  • Group study
  • Practical classes
  • Workshops
  • Lab sessions
  • Supervision
  • Tutorials

You will be taught using up to date practice, including the use of appropriate electronic resources.

How you will be assessed

  • Coursework
  • Examinations
  • Lab skills
  • Group project
  • Online exams
  • Dissertation
  • Research project
  • Presentations

The assessment strategy differs between the taught modules (180 credits) and the individual project (60 credits), and varies from semester to semester depending on the institution you attend. At Nottingham, modules contains both written assignment(s) and a year end exam which is mostly weighted as 50%. The individual project module is continuously assessed in the summer period and concludes with submission of a final project report and a viva presentation. The pass mark for all the modules is 50%. Your final degree classification will be based upon your aggregated achievement from both the taught and the project stages of 240 credits.

Contact time and study hours

You will study a total of 240 credits (=120 ECTS) which consists of 180 taught credits over the first three semesters, with the final 60 credits from an individual project in the fourth semester (spring/summer of year two). Typical class contact time at Nottingham is four hours per week for a 20 credit module. There is typically 11 weeks of class teaching in each taught semester. In addition to direct contact time with academics, students are expected to put in additional self-study time preparing for lectures, tutorials, labs and assignments. As a guide, one credit is equivalent to 10 hours of total combined effort.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

MSc

Undergraduate degreeA 2.1 degree in Electrical and/or Electronic Engineering, or other relevant degree.

Applying

Applicants must complete the online application form. For more information about the application process, please visit the Erasmus Mundus website.

For further information contact:

Prof. Pablo Arboleya Department of Electrical Engineering Universidad de Oviedo Campus of Gijón, Edif. 33204
Gijón, Asturias, SPAIN

t: (+34) 985 18 2283 e: arboleyapablo@uniovi.es

Run by four universities in four countries, students will specialise in either sustainable transportation or electrical power systems and follow one of the mobility tracks shown below:

  • Sustainable transportation: Spain (Oviedo) – Italy (Rome) – UK (Nottingham) – Spain (Oviedo)
  • Electrical power systems: Spain (Oviedo) – Portugal (Coimbra) – UK (Nottingham) – Spain (Oviedo)

Find out more about our Nottingham campuses or take a virtual tour.

All students begin with a two-week introductory session at the University of Oviedo, Spain in October. During the last semester of the programme, students spend around six months on an internship at one of the consortium universities or at one of the partner companies/organisations in Europe, America or Asia.

Graduates are awarded a joint masters degree in Sustainable Transportation and Electrical Power Systems by all the consortium universities. The award is fully recognised in the four partner countries.

The programme is taught in English but students will also be able to work in at least three other European languages.

Apply now

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

How to apply
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Where you will learn

University Park Campus

University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

Fees

Qualification MSc
Home / UK £11,850
International £28,600

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course you should factor some additional costs into your budget alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. Project equipment and components are normally covered by the department, though some students opt to buy some of their own components up to £100.

You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles which could cost up to £300. Please note that these figures are approximate and subject to change.

Funding

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

Career destinations for our graduates in the department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering include:

  • IT business analysts
  • Systems designers
  • Programmers
  • Software development professionals
  • Production technicians
  • Electrical engineers and engineering professionals

Career progression

100% of postgraduates from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering secured work or further study within six months of graduation. The average starting salary was £25,450.

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time, postgraduate, home graduates within the UK.

This masters course is funded by the Erasmus Mundus programme and is delivered by the University of Oviedo (Spain), The University of Nottingham (UK), Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Coimbra (ISEC) (Portugal), and Università di Roma (Italy).

Other world-leading universities from the USA (the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Illinois), Brazil (Federal University of Santa Maria - UFSM), and South Korea (Yeungnam University), and companies/organisations are involved as associated partners, offering specialised training and internships.

Associated companies include:
ABB; EDP; E.ON; Ford Motor Company; Gamesa Electric; HC Energía; ISF (NGO); REN; Schneider Electric; SEAT; Siemens; TRW Conekt; WEG; Windtec; Trainelec; General Electric Global Research.

Two masters graduates proudly holding their certificates

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This content was last updated on Tuesday 22 August 2023. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.