EIT-KIC Energy

EIT-KIC Energy, M.Sc.

  • Application Deadline
  • 24 months
    Duration

Overview

The Master in Energy for Smart Cities programme balances exciting technological opportunities in energy with environmental and socio-economic aspects of smart cities, such as energy efficiency in buildings, electric transportation, energy economics, smart lighting and other city services. The programme aims at maintaining a multidisciplinary approach to energy technology, while allowing you ample freedom to shape your personal profile.

The programme is a collaboration between KU Leuven and the Grenoble Institute of Technology (INP), Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC). You spend your first year at one university, your second year at another, and you have the possibility to complete an internship at a third.

During the programme, you have the opportunity to engage directly with major industry players and research institutes, small specialist companies and innovative start-ups in the field of smart cities and buildings. The programme aims at maintaining a multidisciplinary approach to energy technology, while allowing you ample freedom to shape your personal profile.

After successfully completing the programme, you receive a double degree, one from each university they attended during the two years, as well as an EIT InnoEnergy certificate in recognition of the extra activities accomplished.

Programme outline

The master's programme consists of 120 credits, organized in two stages of 60 credits. The first stage consists of compulsory courses that cover a broad base of electrical, thermo-mechanical, and techno-economic subjects. In the second year, you continue working towards writing a master's thesis and attend elective courses: general, broadening and option-specific.

  • Master 1: you can choose to attend either KU Leuven or KTH in Stockholm. In their first year, you combine electrical and mechanical engineering courses with energy-related socio-economic subjects.
  • Master 2: you choose to attend KU Leuven, KTH, INP or UPC. You have the opportunity to take general and option-specific elective courses that enable you to specialise in the areas that interest you most.

The master's thesis is a second-year research project on electrical or thermo-mechanical energy, or on one of energy's technical-economic aspects. Here you learn to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills acquired in your first year.

Strengths

  • Mobility and international exposure, including attendance to top international events related to the topic.
  • Innovation and close relations with industry in joint activities and project-based learning.
  • Unique, double degree, programme in Belgium and forging pioneering role in Europe.
  • Diverse group of part-time guest professors from industry with specific, in-demand knowledge on energy topics
Career perspectives

You will be a truly multi-disciplinary smart city expert: well qualified to work in industry or research, or to take on policy-making roles in energy issues related to secure, sustainable urban living and working. Energy engineers are in high demand by industry and society and most students have an industry contract before they officially get their degree.

Questions about student life in Belgium, life at KU Leuven or more information about a specific course? Chat with our students: www.kuleuven/be/chatwithourstudents.

Programme Structure

(KU Leuven)

Option: Energy for Smart Cities

Phase 1

  • Power Systems
  • Power Electronics
  • Power System Calculations
  • Energy Markets and Regulation
  • Energy Economics
  • Smart Distribution Systems
  • Hands-on integrated Project on Innovative Energy Systems
  • Hands-on integrated Project on Innovative Energy Systems, part 2
  • Numerical Methods in Energy Sciences
  • Nuclear Energy: Basic Aspects
  • Combustion Engines
  • Renewable Energy
  • Electrical Drives; Energy Efficiency of Electrical Machines
  • Thermal Systems: Basic Aspects
  • Energy Challenges
  • Technology Entrepreneurship and New Business Development

Phase 2

  • Electrical Energy
  • Thermo-Mechanical Energy
  • General Techno-Economic Energy Knowledge
  •  Complementary Technical Knowledge
  • Master's Thesis
  • General Interest Courses
  • Broadening Programme

Option: Smart Electrical Networks and Systems (SENSE)

Phase 2

  • Electrical Energy
  •  Thermo-Mechanical Energy
  • General Techno-Economic Energy Knowledge
  • Complementary Technical Knowledge
  • Master's Thesis
  • General Interest Courses

Detailed Programme Facts

English Language Requirements

  • Minimum required score:

    6.5

    The IELTS – or the International English Language Test System – tests your English-language abilities (writing, listening, speaking, and reading) on a scale of 1.00–9.00. The minimum IELTS score requirement refers to which Overall Band Score you received, which is your combined average score. Read more about IELTS.

    Get a free IELTS practice test

  • Minimum required score:

    80

    The TOEFL iBT ® measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The test has four sections (reading, listening, speaking, and writing), each with a score range of 0-30, for a total score range of 0-120. Read more about TOEFL iBT ®.

    Schedule TOEFL®

Academic Requirements

  • This programme accepts GRE® scores. However, it does not provide a recommended score range.

    Schedule GRE®

    The GRE® General Test is a widely administered admissions test that measures the skills needed in today's graduate and business school programs worldwide. The GRE® General Test contains three sections - Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Three scores are reported: a Verbal Reasoning score on a 130 - 170 score scale in one-point increments, a Quantitative Reasoning score on a 130 - 170 score scale in one-point increments, and an Analytical Writing score on a 0 - 6 score scale in half-point increments.

General Requirements

  • Candidates must hold a degree in Engineering.
  • Candidates must have obtained a BSc diploma (or equivalent) of substantial quality and level corresponding to at least 3 years studies at University, equivalent to 180 ECTS.
  • Candidates submit a transcript, requiring a Grade Point Average (GPA) for the BSc study of at least 75% of the scale maximum and a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test score of at least 450 in verbal reasoning, 4.1 in analytical writing skills, and 650 in quantitative reasoning.
  • Two letters of recommendation and a C.V. will be required. 
  • Students must provide proof of their command of English
For more information on the admission requirements, please visit the homepage of the programme.

Tuition Fee

  • International

    8000 EUR/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the original amount of 8000 EUR per year and a duration of 24 months.

  • EU/EEA

    4000 EUR/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the original amount of 4000 EUR per year and a duration of 24 months.
We've labeled the tuition fee that applies to you because we think you are from and prefer over other currencies.

Living costs for Leuven

  • 810 - 1280 EUR/month
    Living Costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Check the programme website for information about funding options.

Studyportals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.

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