Develop advanced skills and knowledge in sustainable energy systems to shape a low-carbon future.
Why study postgraduate Sustainable Energy?
Governments and industry worldwide are striving to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy security through energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. A postgraduate degree in Sustainable Energy will build the advanced knowledge and practical skills you need to contribute to creating cleaner, more sustainable energy systems. You explore the science behind renewable energy resources and technologies, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction, while developing a deep understanding of both the current status and economic viability of technologies and real-world barriers and how to overcome them.
Applied courses cover a wide range of sustainable energy topics, giving you the flexibility to pursue areas that match your interests and goals. Independent applied research projects may involve investigating energy-efficient housing, highly renewable electricity systems, low-carbon transport, heat pump and heat exchanger technology, or generating energy from waste.
Courses and projects are designed to develop technical knowledge in sustainable energy and applied problem-solving skills to equip you to lead the shift to a low-carbon future.
Career opportunities
Postgraduate study in Sustainable Energy prepares you for roles across industry, government, and research where expertise in sustainable energy and carbon reduction is highly-valued. Possible career pathways include:
- Renewable energy analyst or engineering consultant
- Energy and Carbon policy advisor
- Carbon, Energy or Sustainability Manager
- Energy systems researcher
What it’s like to study at this level
You study through advanced coursework, independent inquiry, and research-led learning that brings theory into practice.
Your learning experience emphasises critical thinking and applied problem-solving. You engage with current research, analyse case studies, and explore energy challenges through discussion and project work. Collaboration is central, as you learn alongside students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
Academic staff with leading in expertise sustainable energy research support you to refine your ideas, strengthen your analytical skills, and develop confidence working with complex energy issues. Depending on your pathway, you may also undertake a supervised research project that allows you to investigate a topic aligned with your interests and career goals.
This is for you if ...
Postgraduate Sustainable Energy study suits students with prior study or experience in science, engineering, environmental studies, or related disciplines. Ideally, you will have been awarded a Bachelor of Science or Engineering. There are different pathways for students without a background in sustainable energy and want to upskill and those with an existing sustainable energy degree who want to deepen their knowledge.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Sustainable Energy as an undergraduate at Otago.
From lab to low-carbon future
You study Sustainable Energy at Otago in an environment built for hands-on exploration and forward thinking.
During your studies, you gain access to a wide range of high-tech laboratory facilities and specialist equipment. These include climate chambers used to test heat pump and dehumidifier technologies, a femtosecond laser machining facility, and detailed models of the New Zealand energy and electricity system that let you explore future energy scenarios.
Teaching is led by experts actively shaping the field of energy system sustainability, bringing current research directly into your learning. Our staff have secured competitive research funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for projects including energy-efficient buildings, hydrogen storage, and next-generation heat exchanger technology. Additional support comes from Energy Education Trust funding for waste-to-energy research and industry collaboration funding.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Postgraduate Certificate in Science (PGCertSci)
A coursework programme, typically consisting of three papers, that can be completed with full-time (one-semester) or part-time (full-year) study
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
A one-year programme which builds on an undergraduate science degree, encompassing coursework and a chosen research topic
Master of Science (Thesis) (MSc(Thesis))
A two-year degree with a wide range of subject options. The MSc(Thesis) may be taken by a combination of coursework and thesis, or by thesis only.
Master of Science (Applied) (MSc(Applied))
A coursework postgraduate degree with a research component. The MSc(Applied) can be completed in 12 months or in stages over a longer period.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Find a supervisor
Potential supervisors (Dr Arjan Abeynaike, Dr Sam Lowrey and Professor Michael Jack) and their research interests can be found in the Physics site.
The papers were interesting, the staff were supportive, and Dunedin itself is a glorious place to live and study. I particularly appreciated the hands-on learning opportunities – tutorials and laboratory sessions were essential throughout my undergraduate degree. They provided practical experience and allowed time for discussion and reflection
Rafferty Parker
Master of Science (Energy Science and Technology), Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Energy Studies), Bachelor of Applied Science (Major: Energy Management, Minor: Mathematics)
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
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(i) Entry requirements include any BSc/BE equivalent qualification and Mathematics experience equivalent to a first year course in Calculas and linear algebra (similar to MATH 130). (ii) With Programme Director approval, one of the 400-level papers listed above may be replaced by another. |
Contacts
Professor Michael Jack
Department of Physics
Tel +64 3 479 7753
Fax +64 3 479 0964
Email michael.jack@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/physics/energy-studies/
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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