Sustainable Energy -

Engineering MSc

Iceland's energy sector is unusually accessible. Depending on your courses, you may visit power plants, energy companies and research organisations, work with real cases and data, and learn directly from professionals working in the field.

ISE has long-standing connections across Iceland's energy community, including Reykjavík Energy and the Icelandic GeoSurvey.

You may complete an approved internship as part of your degree, working with an organisation on a defined project while gaining academic credit and professional experience.

Other opportunities may include faculty-led research projects and teaching assistant roles, depending on availability.

Students may take part in international study exchanges, Erasmus+ traineeships, study activities or conferences.

These opportunities can help you experience different energy systems, build international connections and bring new perspectives back to your studies.

Every student completes an independent MSc thesis with academic supervision.

You may complete either a 30 ECTS thesis or an approved 60 ECTS thesis. Both options form part of the same 120 ECTS MSc degree.

Your project may connect with faculty research, an industry challenge or your own academic interests.

You gain practical experience with machining processes in the university’s machine shop, equipped with lathes, milling machines (including CNC), welding equipment, a laser cutter, and other essential tools. Introductory courses cover safety and machining techniques, helping you bring your designs to life and tackle real-world engineering challenges.

In courses such as thermodynamics, heat transfer, power plant design, wind, and geothermal engineering, you apply theory through experiments in the Energy Technology Lab. The lab also supports your research projects and master’s thesis.

In the Electronics Lab, you work on projects in electronics, electrical engineering, power systems, control systems, and automation. The lab is equipped with oscilloscopes, microcontrollers, ADC converters, industrial robots, and a wide range of circuit components, making it a key space for both your coursework and thesis research.

Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification and normally have a minimum GPA of 7.0 on the Icelandic 1–10 scale, or equivalent.

Applicants with a lower GPA may still be considered where they can demonstrate significant relevant experience.

Applicants who are completing the final year of their bachelor’s degree may apply, with successful completion of the degree required before enrolment.

Applicants must have a substantial foundation in mathematics, science and engineering.

Foundations of Engineering

Applicants must meet the minimum requirements below and complete at least 50 ECTS in total across these subject areas:

Additional credits needed to reach the 50 ECTS total may come from these areas or related approved foundation study. Biophysics may also be considered as relevant preparation.

Engineering Fundamentals

Courses do not need to have the same titles as the Reykjavík University equivalents. Your previous studies are assessed based on their content and learning outcomes.

If you completed your bachelor’s degree outside Iceland, submit the Prerequisite Form with your application so your previous coursework can be assessed against the programme requirements.

Applications are reviewed individually. If you are missing a small number of prerequisite courses, you may in some cases be admitted on the condition that you complete them before or alongside the MSc.

Prerequisite courses completed outside the MSc curriculum do not count toward the 120 ECTS MSc degree and may be undergraduate-level courses taught in Icelandic.

Your application must include:

• academic transcript
• CV or résumé
• passport or national ID
• references
• proof of English-language proficiency, where required
• prerequisite information
• application fee