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MSc Power Electronics and Control with Extended Professional Practice

Why choose Herts?

  • Industry accreditation: This course is accredited by IET and meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UKSPEC).
  • Employment Prospects: Our graduates work as Power Engineers, Power Systems Engineers, and Control Engineers working on power systems projects for organisations including EDF, British Gas and AAB.
  • Work Placement Opportunities: You have a one-year industry placement option enabling you to gain real-world industrial experience.

Professional Accreditations

This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) up to and including the January 2024 intake on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Accredited Programme RGB

About the course

The Extended Professional Practice award provides you with the opportunity of a placement, working in a relevant engineering environment to further develop the knowledge and skills you gain from the taught modules. The placement takes place during the first two semesters of the second year of enrolment, after which you’ll return to complete your MSc Individual Project. It's up to you to secure a suitable placement, although the Careers and Employment service is here to support you throughout the process. 

On the MSc in Power Electronics and Control, the development of skills and advancement of knowledge focus on enabling you to solve multidisciplinary problems related to energy conversion, renewable energy systems integration and energy efficiency. Alongside this there will be the opportunity for you to develop practical skills for the analysis, design and application of power conversion systems in key areas of industry.

You will cover subject specific subjects such as Advanced Power Electronics and Control and Control of Engineering Systems alongside cohort taught subjects to develop their management skills and their employability.

The successful postgraduates of the course will acquire the knowledge and understanding, intellectual, practical and transferable skills necessary for the analysis and synthesis of problems in engineering and manufacturing through a combination of experimental, simulation, research methods and case studies. You can expect to gain work in a range of disciplines within a variety of industries from specialist technical roles to positions of management responsibility.

Why choose this course?

  • During your placement year, you'll gain hands-on industrial experience, applying the skills learned during your studies. 
  • Gain experience of integrating and designing systems that are based on renewable energy systems.
  • Develop knowledge and understanding of fundamental technologies used in the control and conversion of electric power.
  • Supported by the School which has over 25 years' experience of teaching electronic engineering and has established an excellent international reputation in this field.
  • We offer extensive lab facilities for engineering students, including the latest software packages.
  • 7th for engineering and technology in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024).

What will I study?

The industrial placement award offers the opportunity for you to undertake a period of industrial placement, and so develop your understanding and skills within a professional environment. This award requires the successful completion of at least 30 weeks full-time equivalent placement activity from a maximum of two separate approved placement, neither of which will be normally less than 12 weeks. The Careers and Employment service will actively support you in the placement process, however, the responsibility of securing a suitable placement lies with you. Ultimately, the placement company will select students usually through an interview process. 

Our enthusiastic staff is always looking for new ways to enhance your learning experience and over recent years, we have won national awards for our innovative teaching ideas. In addition, our staff are active in research and useful elements of it are reflected on the learning experience.

The Department of Engineering and Computer Science has a reputation for innovation in teaching and learning, where nearly all MSc modules are delivered through a combination of traditional face-to-face teaching and backup tutorial's using the University's StudyNet web based facility. StudyNet allows students to access electronic teaching and learning resources, and conduct electronic discussions with staff and other students.

A heavy emphasis is placed on theory and practice, and the Department of Engineering and Computer Science has a policy of using industrial standard software wherever possible. 

Where will I study?

Learn in our brand-new School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science building, opening in 2024, where you’ll experience a range of experiential learning zones. You will have access to modelling, simulation and research labs, our Merlin Flight Simulator and automotive workshop (complete with electric vehicle facility), wind tunnel, welding bay and controls testing suite.

You will also benefit from a Success and Skills Support Unit, which is aimed at helping you build your employability and academic skills. Plus, have access to industry mentors who will provide you with pastoral support, vocational guidance, and career progression opportunities.

The new building will also provide space to collaborate, with plenty of workshops, social and meeting spaces available. Even better, the building has been designed with the University’s net zero carbon target in mind, and forms part of our plan to replace or upgrade older sites that are energy inefficient.

  • Level 7
    ModuleCreditsCompulsory/optional
    MSc Professional Work Placement60 CreditsCompulsory
    Advanced Reconfigurable Systems Design15 CreditsCompulsory
    Artificial Intelligence and Applications15 CreditsCompulsory
    Digital Signal Processing and Applications15 CreditsCompulsory
    MSc Individual Project (Electronics)60 CreditsCompulsory
    Preparation for Work Placement0 CreditsCompulsory
    Advanced Power Electronics15 CreditsCompulsory
    Embedded Control Systems15 CreditsCompulsory
    Power Electronics Design and Applications15 CreditsCompulsory
    Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies15 CreditsCompulsory
    Smart Grid Technologies15 CreditsCompulsory
  • Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    MSc Power Electronics and Control - Extended Download
    Programme specifications
    MSc Power Electronics and Control - Extended Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    n/a

    Applications open to international and EU students

    Yes

    Student experience

    At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

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