Energy & Environmental Engineering
Energy and Environmental Engineering addresses one of the defining challenges of our time: the need to supply reliable, affordable energy to a growing global population while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are driving climate change. It is a discipline that combines the engineering fundamentals of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and electrical systems with environmental science, materials engineering, and systems thinking, applied to the design, operation, and improvement of energy generation and distribution systems. Engineers who work in this field are central to the transition to renewable energy, the improvement of energy efficiency, and the development of the infrastructure that will characterise a low-carbon economy.
At Edinburgh Napier University, this four-year full-time programme covers the core engineering disciplines relevant to energy systems alongside the environmental science needed to understand the broader context in which energy decisions are made. You will study thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, electrical engineering, renewable energy technologies including wind, solar, and tidal power, energy management, and environmental impact assessment. The programme reflects the Scottish context, which has particular relevance given Scotland's significant renewable energy resources and ambitions, as well as the global challenge of decarbonising energy systems at scale.
You will develop technical problem-solving skills alongside the project management and communication abilities that engineering careers require. The programme's balance of engineering rigour and environmental awareness prepares you to work on energy systems that must meet both technical and sustainability criteria simultaneously.
Graduates pursue careers in renewable energy development, energy management, environmental consultancy, grid operations, offshore engineering, and policy work relating to energy and climate. Many go on to further professional qualifications or postgraduate study in energy engineering, environmental management, or related fields. The demand for engineers with this combined expertise is growing as governments and organisations commit to net-zero targets.