Renewable Energy Systems (M. Sc.)

The global energy sector experiences a tremendous change at the moment. Investments are shifting from nuclear and fossil energies to renewable energies. Global investments in renewables with 286 Billion Dollars in 2015 more than double the investments in coal and gas plants.

But as renewables are more volatile the perfect interaction between energy systems is more significant than ever and simultaneously more complex.

Therefore the students learn how different energy techniques can be integrated into a system.

The Master programme Renewable Energy Systems (RES) aims at providing graduates with the skills required to successfully plan, develop and control energy systems. Graduates will be familiar with renewable energy technologies and able to expand their professional knowledge. The main focus is not on single technologies but on the interrelation between these technologies and the structure of the demand side.

Degree
Master of Science (M. Sc.)
Duration
3 Semesters
Start of studies
Winter
NC
Yes

Accreditation
in planning
Aptitude Test
Yes
Dual Study
Yes Dual Offers
Language
English

In the energy system modules the students will be confronted with the practical tasks to design energy systems. To do so a project oriented approach is necessary and eventually missing knowledge has to be acquired. Students are supported by a team of specialists. These specialists don’t teach basical knowledge, but the system relevant aspects of components. Students compare, select and dimension components according to the defined requirements of the systems. Thereby they learn which constraints and requirement are important for planing, financing and operating these systems.

The program consists of two terms with lectures, seminars and laboratory work and a final term for the master thesis. In the first term methodological seminars dominate the curriculum and only one energy system is developed. In the second term there are only additional seminars, but the workload is dominated by the development of two energy systems.

Every year three out of four energy systems will be selected: Building ES, Industrial ES, Off-Grid ES und Urban Area ES. Whether the selection will be taken by each single student or by a team agreement depends on the available ressources.

Curriculum

1. Semester

Introductory Laboratory Course

System Analysis and Control

Scientific Research Seminar

Elective course (p.e. Energy Management and Energy Efficiency)

Energy System 1

2. Semester

Energy Policies and Economics

Numerical Methods and Computation Simulation

Energy System 2

Energy System 3

3. Semester

Master's Thesis

Quick Info

Admission and application

Students will have to document considerable experience in the field of energy engineering as well as proof of their English skills. The new requirements for the course are:

The successful completion of a Bachelor or "Diplom"-degree in Engineering or Science, or an equivalent degree at a German university with a minimum of 210 credit points (in conformity with General Examination Regulations) - or - the successful completion of an equivalent degree at a foreign university
A successfully passed aptitude test (according to § 4 of Examination Regulations) with following criteria: documented proof of energy specialization in their study program or experience in the field of Energy Engineering by internship and/or project work/academic papers. The aptitude test is carried out on the basis of documents provided by the applicant. There is NO interview. Energy experience can be gained by way of professional jobs, suitable internships, a Bachelor's thesis, and other project work.
Admission for applicants with Bachelor's degrees comprising 180 ECTS:
For applicants who have a Bachelor's degree with less than 210 credits (but with a minimum of 180 ECTS), an approval of 30 ECTS on the basis of the qualified working experience is possible if the examination board agrees. The extent and nature of the working experience must comply with the rules for a second practical semester at Bavarian applied universities (§ 13 RaPO ) and must be documented with a certificate of employment, i.e. an internship or work expirience for the duration of a semester.
See also General information

Please find further information regarding the application process here. (if you get to a german website please press the english button in the menue bar again)

Dual studies or studies with in-depth practical

The dual studies programme enables a combination of practical training elements in a company with the theoretical education provided by the university. There is a choice of either the joint model (academic study + vocational training) or the degree course with vocational experience (academic study + intense practical phases). There is an obvious advantage to students here: practically oriented academic study generally enables a particularly smooth transition from university to the world of work. What is more, the student usually receives financial remuneration from the company concerned.

In the joint model, students may start working at the company several months before the start of the first semester, depending on the company concerned. At the start of the course there is an alternation between theory (during the semester) and practical experience (between semesters and during the practical semesters). In order to embark on a dual studies programme, students have to apply to both a company and to THI (be sure to take note of company application deadlines!).

More info on our dual studies-pages, or check dual cooperation partner companies. Even if no partner company is currently active in this degree programme, you are welcome to contact us.

Job profiles

Absolvents of the study program are qualified for expert and leadership tasks in the following fields:

For the future careers of the students the following industry branches are convenient:

Energy engineering
Building Services / HVAC
Environmental Engineering
Integration of the research institute InES into the program enables the pursuit of a scientific career

Financing

General information on scholarship:

Financing your study programme might be a big challenge for you. On our homepage you find different opportunities of financing your academic studies at our university. Link:

Financial assistance

Please note that financial aid programmes are mostly not open to foreign students. For scholarships for students from abroad you may have a look here:

https://www.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/12359-finding-scholarships/
Public funding (BAföG) is only available to Germans and to EU citizens if they have spent a considerable part of their education in Germany. The university awards a scholarship called Deutschlandstipendium once a year which cannot fully cover living expenses. Additionally we have limited funds and support some international students for a maximum of one semester. Please do not actively approach the International Office on scholarships, once a year a call for application automatically reaches all international students.

Third party scholarship:

If you are an applicant from abroad, you may qualify for a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): www.daad.de
If you are a German students we recommend to research for suitable scholarships on www.mystipendium.de
Please note that we cannot offer any guidance or support concerning scholarship applications.

We recommend that single students budget at least 700-900 EUR per month to meet personal expenses (accommodation, health insurance, stay, books, semester contribution)

General information

English
The study program will be taught completely in English (exception: there will be several elective courses offered but only one can be guaranteed to be in English). Proof of sufficient English language skills, documented by a TOEFL-test score of 530 or above (paper-based) or 197 or above (computer-based) or 71 and above (internet-based) or an IELTS score of 6 or above or an equivalent certificate. This proof is not required provided the university entrance qualification certificate or the Bachelor degree was acquired in English or the applicant possesses the citizenship of a country in which English is the native language.

Deutsch/German
German language skills are not required for admission, but we strongly recommend learning german or enhancing german language skills, as most employers expect at least A2 level. Students can learn German up to A1-level in courses offered by the university.

Useful Links (if you get to a german website please press the english button in the menue bar again)
Flyer Future in Motion

Practical Information for All International Students
We also offer an energy engineering bachelor degree - Energy Systems and Renewable Energies (ESYS)
The Masterprogramm is carried out in close cooparation with our research institute for renewable energies InES.

RES is truly international

Testimonials

Ala Saed from the 2017 RES intake:

As a part of my renewable energy systems master of science studies, I was supposed to select a subject for the master thesis. Being lucky I had the chance to work on an exciting topic related to the impacts of the global warming. Since the end of the last century Africa has been going through environmental changes causing a reduction in the annual precipitation in several countries and consequently a run-down in the rivers discharge values. As 85% of Zambia electricity is generated from the hydropower plants, THI in cooperation with InEs sent me in a trip there to investigate the effect of the climate change on the electricity sector in the country where I had the chance to meet persons from the Zambian university, the Zambian electricity company, the Zambizi river authority and the energy regulation board, a thing that was truly helpful in accomplishing the targets of my master thesis research.

Johannes Klein, Bachelor in Energiesysteme und Erneuerbare Energien:

As a former bachelor student of renewable energy technologies at the THI, the RES master represents an ideal addition for me. Since the bachelor program focuses more on fundamentals and technologies, entire energy systems are considered in the RES. Hence, the master program pursues a practical approach regarding urban, industrial and domestic energy supply. The challenges here are often more difficult and complex. However, I personally liked that most lectures are carried out in form of projects or group work. This helps working together as a team and not learning all lecture content only by yourself. From personal experience, social skills are particulary important in addition to technical knowledge when working as a professional afterwards. The job profile after graduation can differ in many ways. The RES provides access to work e.g. as R&D engineer, project engineer, process engineer, environmental engineer or research assistant.

Contact Student Counselling

All about application, enrollment and examination

Apply online

The aptitude test is not a typical test, neither in oral nor in written form. For this test you have to upload documents on our online platform. These documents should demonstrate your experience in the field of energy engineering: It can be scientific- or project- reports, excerpts of an energy science related bachelor thesis or documentation of your working experience / internships in the area of energy business.

Please apply at uni-assist now!

Please note: Application for this Master programme is possible from May 2nd to July 15th this year. Application at uni-assist is not linked to the application process at THI.

Academic advisor

Studiengangleiter / Academic Advisor Renewable Energy Systems
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tobias Schrag
Phone: +49 841 9348-2820
E-Mail: res@thi.de

Module Handbook

The module handbook is the guide to all modules of the degree programme. It contains information on prerequisites, contents, learning outcomes, ECTS points, duration, work load, literature and references.

Module Handbook Master RES WS 2023/24 (pdf)

Study and Examination Regulations

Study and examination regulations (SPO) (German only) deal with judicial matters concerning your study course. For more information please turn to the pages of the legal department. You'll find the Statutes of this programme linked here. For issues with requirements or enrollment, please turn to the Service Center Study Affairs.