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The route into renewable energy engineer

Assembled backwards from the job: the degrees that lead there, the subjects those degrees require, the exams and when they are sat, and what the whole thing costs in years. Print it.

1. Subjects, chosen at fifteen or sixteen

Aggregated across every degree that leads here. Anything marked required closes the door if you skip it.

Saudi curriculum track

مسار علوم الحاسب والهندسة— Computer Science and Engineering · مسار علوم الحاسب والهندسةor مسار الصحة والحياة· مسار الصحة والحياةor مسار علوم الحاسب والهندسة

A-Level

  • Mathematicsrequiredfor Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Earth Sciences and Geology, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Environmental Science, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering
  • Physicsrequiredfor Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Earth Sciences and Geology, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Environmental Science, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering
  • Chemistryrequiredfor Chemical Engineering, Earth Sciences and Geology, Environmental Science, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering
  • Further Mathematicshelpsfor Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering
  • Geographyhelpsfor Civil Engineering, Earth Sciences and Geology, Environmental Science, Petroleum Engineering
  • Design and Technologyhelpsfor Architecture, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
  • Biologyhelpsfor Earth Sciences and Geology, Environmental Science
  • Art and Designhelpsfor Architecture
  • History of Arthelpsfor Architecture
  • Computer Sciencehelpsfor Electrical and Electronic Engineering

IB Diploma

  • Physics HLrequiredfor Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Earth Sciences and Geology, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering
  • Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HLrequiredfor Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering
  • Chemistry HLrequiredfor Chemical Engineering, Earth Sciences and Geology, Environmental Science, Petroleum Engineering
  • Design Technologyhelpsfor Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
  • Geographyhelpsfor Civil Engineering, Petroleum Engineering
  • Geography HLhelpsfor Earth Sciences and Geology, Environmental Science
  • Visual Arts HLhelpsfor Architecture
  • Mathematicshelpsfor Architecture
  • Physicshelpsfor Architecture
  • Mathematics SL or abovehelpsfor Earth Sciences and Geology
  • Computer Sciencehelpsfor Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Biology HLhelpsfor Environmental Science
  • Environmental Systems and Societieshelpsfor Environmental Science
  • Chemistryhelpsfor Mechanical Engineering

Advanced Placement

  • AP Calculus BChelpsfor Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering
  • AP Physics C: Mechanicshelpsfor Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering
  • AP Chemistryhelpsfor Chemical Engineering, Earth Sciences and Geology, Environmental Science, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering
  • AP Physics 1helpsfor Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Earth Sciences and Geology
  • AP Environmental Sciencehelpsfor Civil Engineering, Earth Sciences and Geology, Environmental Science, Petroleum Engineering
  • AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetismhelpsfor Aerospace Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
  • AP Calculus ABhelpsfor Architecture, Earth Sciences and Geology
  • AP Human Geographyhelpsfor Earth Sciences and Geology, Environmental Science
  • AP Art and Designhelpsfor Architecture
  • AP Art Historyhelpsfor Architecture
  • AP Computer Science Ahelpsfor Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • AP Biologyhelpsfor Environmental Science
  • AP Statisticshelpsfor Environmental Science

2. The degree

More than one route usually exists. They are not equivalent.

  • Aerospace Engineering

    Wind turbine aerodynamics is the same physics applied to a different rotor.

    Four to five years. A master's is common and is close to expected for design roles.

  • Architecture

    Building performance and sustainable design, which is where architectural regulation is heading.

    Five to seven years in total across degree, practical experience and professional examinations. The Saudi and US B.Arch routes run five years; the UK route is three plus a year out plus two.

  • Chemical Engineering

    Hydrogen, carbon capture and storage — the areas where the Kingdom's energy investment is moving.

    Four to five years, with a preparatory year common in the Kingdom and industrial placements widely available.

  • Civil Engineering

    Foundations, sites and grid infrastructure for solar and wind at scale.

    Four to five years, plus several years of supervised experience before chartered or professional status.

  • Earth Sciences and Geology

    Geothermal, carbon storage and site assessment for large-scale solar and wind.

    Three to four years, with fieldwork throughout and a mapping project that is often the defining piece of work.

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

    Solar, grid integration and storage — where the demand in Saudi energy is moving.

    Four to five years, with a preparatory year common in the Kingdom.

  • Environmental Science

    Not a direct route, and environmental scientists work alongside them on siting, assessment and compliance throughout the energy transition.

    Three to four years, usually with fieldwork and often a placement.

  • Mechanical Engineering

    Wind, solar thermal and storage, all built on thermodynamics and mechanics.

    Four to five years, often including a preparatory or foundation year in the Kingdom and an industrial placement year elsewhere.

  • Petroleum Engineering

    Carbon capture, geothermal and hydrogen all use subsurface and process skills directly.

    Four to five years, with a preparatory year common and industrial placement standard.

3. Exams, and when to sit them

Registration deadlines fall weeks or months before the exam. That is what people miss, not the exam.

  • ESAT or PATOctober

    Required at Cambridge, Imperial and Oxford for engineering; not required at most universities.

    • July to SeptemberUCAT testing window, sat at a test centre.
    • September to JanuaryLNAT testing window for most law courses.
    • OctoberMost Oxford and Cambridge subject tests — TMUA, ESAT, PAT, TSA.
    • JuneSTEP, sat alongside A-Levels as a condition of a Cambridge or Warwick offer rather than for shortlisting.
  • Qudurat and TahsiliGrade 11 and 12

    The Saudi engineering composite.

    • Several periods across the yearQudurat (General Aptitude Test), open from Grade 11. Computer-based and paper sittings both run.
    • Final months of the school yearTahsili (Scholastic Achievement Test), sat near the end of Grade 12 once the syllabus is covered.
    • Spring and summer of Grade 12University applications through the unified admission portals and each university's own portal.
  • Security clearanceAt employment, not admission

    Much aerospace work is defence-related and gated on nationality and clearance rather than on qualifications. Worth knowing which employers that opens and closes.

  • PortfolioBuilt over one to two years before applying

    The decisive requirement at most schools, and the one that cannot be assembled in a month. Drawing, models, photography and sketchbooks showing how you think, not just finished pieces.

  • InterviewAfter shortlisting

    Usually a conversation about your portfolio. Being able to explain why you made a decision matters more than the decision.

  • ESATOctober

    Cambridge and Imperial require it for chemical engineering; most universities do not.

    • July to SeptemberUCAT testing window, sat at a test centre.
    • September to JanuaryLNAT testing window for most law courses.
    • OctoberMost Oxford and Cambridge subject tests — TMUA, ESAT, PAT, TSA.
    • JuneSTEP, sat alongside A-Levels as a condition of a Cambridge or Warwick offer rather than for shortlisting.
  • IELTS, TOEFL or STEPBefore enrolment

    Decides whether an English preparatory year is required at the engineering colleges.

    • Weekly, year-roundIELTS and TOEFL both run frequently at centres across the Kingdom; Duolingo and PTE can be sat at very short notice.
    • 3 to 13 days after the testResults, depending on the test. IELTS computer-delivered is among the fastest; paper-based is slower.
    • Autumn of Grade 12 at the latestWhen to have sat it by, leaving room for one repeat before offers are decided.
  • ESAT or TMUAOctober

    Required at Cambridge and Imperial; not required by most universities.

    • July to SeptemberUCAT testing window, sat at a test centre.
    • September to JanuaryLNAT testing window for most law courses.
    • OctoberMost Oxford and Cambridge subject tests — TMUA, ESAT, PAT, TSA.
    • JuneSTEP, sat alongside A-Levels as a condition of a Cambridge or Warwick offer rather than for shortlisting.
  • No admissions test for most coursesNot applicable

    Environmental science rarely requires a subject admissions test anywhere, which makes this one of the least administratively demanding science applications.

  • PATOctober

    Oxford's engineering, physics and materials test.

    • July to SeptemberUCAT testing window, sat at a test centre.
    • September to JanuaryLNAT testing window for most law courses.
    • OctoberMost Oxford and Cambridge subject tests — TMUA, ESAT, PAT, TSA.
    • JuneSTEP, sat alongside A-Levels as a condition of a Cambridge or Warwick offer rather than for shortlisting.

4. After the degree

Training, licensing and the years between graduating and practising independently.

Saudi Arabia

  1. schoolSecondary school, science track3 yr
  2. foundationPreparatory year at the university1 yr
  3. undergraduateBSc Electrical, Mechanical or Energy Engineering4 yr
  4. trainingGraduate development with a developer, utility or contractor1–3 yrs
  5. practiceRenewable energy engineer0 yr

LicensingSaudi Council of Engineers registration.

United Kingdom

  1. schoolA-levels including Mathematics and Physics2 yr
  2. undergraduateMEng Electrical, Mechanical or Energy Engineering3–4 yrs
  3. trainingGraduate scheme and progress toward chartership3–5 yrs
  4. practiceChartered engineer0 yr

LicensingChartered Engineer status through a professional institution. Not required to work, expected for senior technical roles.

United States

  1. schoolHigh school with calculus and physics4 yr
  2. undergraduateBSc Electrical or Mechanical Engineering4–5 yrs
  3. trainingSupervised practice toward licensure4 yr
  4. practiceRenewable energy engineer0 yr

LicensingProfessional Engineer licensure is required to seal designs, which matters for utility-scale work.

5. What the route costs

Not tuition — time. The years spent training are years not spent earning, and that is the largest cost of a long route by a wide margin.

Saudi Arabia

School-leaving to independent practice: 5–8 years.

The shortest route needing no degree written up on this site is air traffic controller at 4 years. Someone taking that route has been earning for 4 years by the time this one starts. At their entry pay of SAR 140,000–220,000, that is roughly SAR 560,000–880,000 of earnings deferred.

United Kingdom

School-leaving to independent practice: 4 years.

The shortest route needing no degree written up on this site is management consultant at 3 years. Someone taking that route has been earning for 1 year by the time this one starts. At their entry pay of £27,000–35,000, that is roughly £27,000–35,000 of earnings deferred.

United States

School-leaving to independent practice: 4–5 years.

The shortest route needing no degree written up on this site is aircraft maintenance engineer at 4 years. Someone taking that route has been earning for 1 year by the time this one starts. At their entry pay of $48,780–62,630, that is roughly $48,780–62,630 of earnings deferred.

How that figure was reached, and what it leaves out

It is arithmetic on the sourced figures elsewhere on this site — training years multiplied by the shortest route’s entry pay — not a measurement of anything. It ignores what trainees earn while training, which in medicine and several other routes is a real salary. It ignores the pay you reach afterwards, which for long routes is usually higher and can overtake the gap entirely. And it excludes tuition, deliberately: Saudi public universities charge nationals no tuition, and fees abroad vary so widely by country and university that any single figure would be misleading. Treat it as a sense of scale for the years, not as a calculation of whether a career is worth it.

Everything on this page is assembled from the career page, the majors that lead to it and the exams those majors require, so it cannot say something they do not. Entry requirements change every year — confirm on the course page for the year you apply.