Engineering - Zero Carbon Engineering

Overview

This course supports individuals who wish to undertake sustainability-focused roles in a wide range of engineering and manufacturing sectors in relation to our zero-carbon transition and achieving our 2050 Net Zero Emission targets. Specifically, it will provide detailed understanding and training in renewable energy production and assessing and monitoring sustainable processes. In association with the Postgraduate Certificate in Hydrogen Energy Systems, this certificate course will help provide training and support for regional, national and international transition towards a net-zero economy.



On completion of the course the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate awareness of the various low-carbon technology options and evaluate how these can be deployed in different scenarios.



• Exercise investigation and critical analysis of the published literature to produce technical and economical evaluations of low-carbon technologies.



• Build skills in the modelling of systems and understand the complexity of achieving net-zero carbon.



• Effectively communicate net zero carbon options to a wide range of stakeholders ranging from the general public though industry and policy.



WHO ARE YOU?

You are someone who is interested in the energy transition towards achieving our Net Zero Emissions targets. That could be in relation to understanding more about the fundamental process and how we can achieve it or developing the skills to directly contribute within your current sector or industry. You could be someone already working within the renewable energy sector or someone thinking about reskilling and beginning a career in a more sustainability-focused role.



WHY STUDY THIS COURSE?

You will gain a strong foundation in the engineering and associated skills that are needed to underpin growth in the renewable energy sector. This includes exploring current low-carbon energy manufacturing routes, advancements in emerging technologies, and assessing and modelling sustainability. You will therefore be well placed to support existing and new industries in their energy system transition. Students completing this course will possess skills in each of these areas which are increasingly sought by local and international employers for positions such as a low-carbon technology engineers, carbon consultants and low-carbon solutions managers. You will therefore be well placed to support existing and new industries in their energy system transition which will play a key role in the growing local and global economy.



Course Structure

Governments around the world have set legally binding targets in support of low-carbon growth, which will require significant investments in resources, infrastructure, and technology. The aim of this programme is to provide students with a strong foundation of the engineering and associated skills that are needed to underpin such “green growth” in a wide range of sectors. They will therefore be well placed to support existing and new industries in their transition to net-zero carbon manufacturing.



Introduction

This course will start in September 2025 and run until mid-May 2026. Assessment activities will be carried out throughout the course and may extend beyond individual module teaching blocks. Students on the course will need to have access to a computer with internet access.



The course will be divided across three 20 CATS modules (60 CATS total) and will utilize online delivery and blended-learning activities to enable students to access learning materials in a highly flexible manner, compatible with a part-time mode of study. Delivery will take the form of pre-recorded lectures and reading material being made available to students on a weekly basis, followed by regular synchronous online workshops, seminars and Q&A sessions to ensure continuous engagement with the students.



Blended teaching and assessments will be delivered via a mixture of pre-recorded lectures, live online workshop and seminar classes and self-directed study and practice materials. In addition, a short guest lecture series will be delivered with lecturers from industry.

List of Indicative Programme modules

• Applied Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Technologies

• Sustainability and Net Zero Carbon Criteria

• Tools for Assessing Energy and Carbon

Graduate

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in any STEM subject. Applicants who can demonstrate appropriate work experience in a process, manufacturing or related role will be considered on a case by case basis and may be required to successfully complete a brief skills assessment and/or interview.



The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit the link below for more information.

http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicyQUB



International Students

Please see International Student's link below.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 30th June 2025 for courses which commence in late September.



In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder.



Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.



Please note: a deposit will be required to secure a place.

12 weeks (Full-time)



Teaching Times

Blended teaching and assessments will be delivered via a mixture of pre-recorded lectures, live online workshop and seminar classes and self-directed study and practice materials.

Entry Year: 2025/26

Career Prospects

Introduction

Those graduating with a PGCert in Zero Carbon will have significantly enhanced their skills portfolio in renewable energy and will be able to effectively communicate low-carbon energy options to a wide range of stakeholders ranging from the general public though to industry and policy developers. As a result, they will be well placed for securing a job in one of the growing number of sustainability-focused careers, including positions such as a low-carbon technology engineer, carbon consultants, low-carbon solutions managers.



Employment Links

The School has excellent links with a range of established and emerging companies for whom Sustainability and the Green Economy are key platforms.



Options for further study

This programme (60 CATS), along with the one in Hydrogen Energy Systems (60 CATS), can also contribute towards the MSc in Net Zero Engineering (180 CATS). Students who are interested in using this certificate to build towards the MSc in Net Zero Engineering are encouraged to contact the MSc Programme Director.