What is Energy Engineering?
Energy Engineering is one of the branches of Engineering science dealing with the transformation, transmission, storage and use of energy.
The list of specializations in Energy Engineering includes:
- Energy systems and complexes;
- Electric stations and electric power systems;
- Nuclear power plants;
- Industrial heat power engineering;
- Power plants based on renewable energy;
- Technique of high voltage;
- Thermal power plants, their power systems and units.
Usually a career of Energy Engineer does not require a specific education in this area - many Energy Engineers have completed a basic undergraduate degree in Engineering. However, many universities have specific study programs and even faculties dedicated to Energy Engineering.
Graduates usually start their career in Energy Engineering after receiving a Bachelor degree, but Master degree in Energy Engineering are either very common for those who wish to apply for a more advanced job placement, increase their salary, or for whose who have completed a Bachelor degree in some other (but related) area.
Entry requirements for Energy Engineering applicants
Applicants for a Bachelor study program in Energy Engineering need to have excellent grades in Mathematics and Physics. Those applicants whose native language is other fro English need also to submit the results of a language certification, such as TOEFL or IELTS.
Structure of an Energy Engineering study program
First years of study program in Energy Engineering usually consist of basic courses in Engineering and Physics, Calculus, Thermodynamics. Last years are more specific and usually are dedicated to such courses as Electromechanical Energy Conversion, Nuclear Energy, Heat and Mass Transfer, Energy And Environment, Energy Management. Students of last courses are also engaged into a design or research project dedicated to energy systems.
All Bachelor study programs in Energy Engineering are designed to prepare specialists in this particular area - which means they need enough practice. Different universities deal with it in different ways - some of them provide one long or several short internships. Some universities encourage students to spend a whole year in industry, sometimes even in another country. But if a study program in Energy Engineering does not include an internship, students can still find one during the summer holidays - because in technical specializations such as Energy Engineering a pre-work experience is very important for employers.
Best Universities to study Energy Engineering
According to QS Top Universities Ranking by Subject 2017, the best university in the world with study programs in Energy Engineering is Massachusetts Institute of Technology. All needed information about applying for this university and requirements for international students can be found in the university’s profile on our website. Some further information about applying for US universities can be found here.