Renewable Energy Resources and the Energy Systems (part time)
Do you want to learn more about renewable energy resources such as solar, wind and hydropower? How does electricity pricing work, and which political and economic instruments are shaping energy policy for the future? A brand new part-time master`s course starts at UiB in January. Applications are now open!
Introduction
The University if Bergen has developed a new part-time master`s course designed to provide knowledge about how we build the energy systems of the future. Key topics include how we utilise renewable resources, the structure of energy systems, and social acceptance.
The course is at master’s level and is aimed at those who already have a background in natural sciences or engineering, as well as at least two years of relevant work experience. See the section on Admission Requirements below.
You can take this course as a standalone continuing education course. In the long term, it will also be part of an experience-based master’s degree in renewable energy currently under development at UiB.
Information Meeting – 5 December
On Friday, 5 December at 09:00, you can join a 30-minute digital information meeting about the new course.
Professor Asgeir Sorteberg and Professor Tor Eldevik will present the content and academic focus of the program, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Register by 08:00 the same day, and we will send you the Teams link for the meeting.
Course content
The course has a two-part focus:
In the first part, we will look at various energy resources, with an emphasis on renewable resources such as solar energy, wind power and hydropower. We will also cover bioenergy and thermal energy, and briefly touch on nuclear power and fossil energy sources. We will review the key principles for utilising these resources and different forms of energy storage.
In the second part, we will examine the structure of energy systems, focusing on how electricity production is organised from generation and consumption to transmission and distribution.
You will be introduced to electricity pricing and how political and economic instruments can be used to regulate the energy market. In addition, you will learn the principles of business and socio-economic analyses related to costs and revenues in electricity production. We will discuss concepts such as net present value, lifetime energy cost, and system costs.
Finally, we will address the importance of social acceptance and local governance.
How is the course organized?
The course runs part-time over approximately 15 weeks during the spring semester.
Teaching is primarily online and takes place via UiB’s learning platform Mitt UiB, which you will gain access to once you are admitted. Here you will find the syllabus, video lectures, exercises, discussion forums, and other learning resources.
We start with a joint digital kick-off meeting on 19 January 2026. Time and link will be provided.
Short modules – Learn at your own pace
The course is divided into short modules. Video lectures and other learning materials will be available so you can work on each module at your own pace. You control the speed and progression throughout the programme, leading up to the exam.
Each module instructor will be available via chat for questions and discussion on specific days and times, which will be announced at the start of the course. We will also organise online group sessions with other participants two to three times during the semester.
Each module ends with a small test in the form of a quiz or similar. You can take this as many times as you like until you pass. You will also submit a project assignment towards the end of the programme. The project and all quizzes must be approved before you can take the final exam.
On-campus session
During the course, we invite you to a physical session at UiB’s campus in Bergen. Attendance is mandatory. This session will focus on the project assignment, feedback and discussion, include a guest lecture, and provide an opportunity for interaction.
Examination
The course concludes with a digital four-hour exam that you complete from home. The exam is graded as pass/fail. Successful completion gives 10 ECTS credits.
Dates Spring 2026:
- Digital kick-off meeting: 19 January 2026
- On-campus session in Bergen: Between 20–24 April (exact date to be confirmed)
- Two evenings of group discussions: One in early March and one in mid-April (dates to follow)
- Exam: Last two weeks of May 2026 (final dates to follow)
Admission requirements and Documentation
Admission requirements
The course is at master’s level, and you must document that you meet both requirements listed below:
- Technical engineering education or other science-based education at a minimum bachelor level (3 years/180 ECTS credits).
- At least two years of full-time relevant work experience.
Extensive and relevant work experience beyond the minimum requirement may, upon assessment, replace up to one year of the education requirement (60 ECTS credits).
If you have worked in part-time positions, the total duration must add up to at least two years of full-time work experience.
Required documentation
To process your application, you must upload the following documentation:
- Diploma/transcript from higher education
- CV
- Confirmation of relevant work experience.
If you you have education from UiB or other public universities/colleges in Norway, we can usually access this information, and you do not need to upload anything.
If you have education from a private institution, from abroad, or completed your studies a long time ago, you must upload diplomas/transcripts with your application. You will find an overview of institutions that share results automatically when you log in to register your application.
You must also upload your CV and a certificate from previous relevant employment or a confirmation from your manager/HR documenting your employment (position and duration). An employment contract or CV alone is not sufficient documentation.
Study costs
Tuition fee
The regular tuition fee will be approximately NOK 25,000.
As the course is offered for the first time in spring 2026, it is available at an introductory price of NOK 11,000.
The tuition fee includes all costs related to teaching and examination.
Course literature and travel/accommodation expenses for the on-campus session in Bergen are additional and must be covered by the participant/employer.
We will send invoices for the tuition fee around the start of the course.
By default, the invoice will be sent to you personally. If your employer is paying the tuition fee, your employer must complete a form with invoicing details. Information about this will be provided when we send confirmation of your place.
Semester fee
All students must also pay a mandatory semester fee of NOK 650 per semester. This fee goes to Sammen – the Student Welfare Organisation in Western Norway – and covers shared welfare services for all students.
We will send you further information on how and when to pay the semester fee once you have been admitted.
Do you want more information?
Questions about academic content, organisation, or teaching? Contact the Geophysical Institute:
Contact UiB Continuing Education
Questions about applications, documentation requirements, deadlines, or your application status? Contact UiB Continuing Education:
- Phone number
- 55582040
- Emails
- videre@uib.no