KTH Royal Institute of Technology
MSc Decentralized Smart Energy Systems (DENSYS)
Stockholm, Sweden
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2027
TUITION FEES
SEK 360,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-EU/EEA/Swiss | no tuition fee for citizens of EU/EEA country or Switzerland
Key Summary
About: The Erasmus Mundus MSc Decentralized Smart Energy Systems (DENSYS) at KTH trains engineers to design, size, optimize and operate decentralized renewable energy systems. The programme uses a multi-physics, system-scale approach to build a T-shaped profile across mechanical, chemical and electrical engineering. It includes joint summer schools, an immersive week at University of Liège (UL) on AI for energy networks, social science courses, case-based projects with industry, and the option to earn double master’s degrees from UL and KTH.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work as energy systems engineers, grid integration specialists, R&D engineers, policy advisors, clean-tech entrepreneurs and consultants globally.
Decentralized smart energy systems play a vital part in the transition towards a low-carbon society by integrating renewable energy sources into the energy system. Students in the programme acquire skills to design, size, optimize and operate these energy systems. Graduates have a holistic overview of decentralized energy systems, specialised competencies in energy engineering and a strong international network.
Decentralized Smart Energy Systems at KTH
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree “DENSYS” aims to educate highly skilled engineers who can design, optimise, and operate decentralised smart energy systems. The programme takes a multi-physics approach and provides students with a strong systemic understanding of the complex interactions within energy systems.
It also prepares future researchers for both the public and private sectors, addressing the need for continued R&D in decentralised energy systems. This includes training at multiple levels: at system scale (e.g. smart management), component scale (e.g., optimisation of the lifespan, energy efficiency or density), and elementary mechanisms scale (e.g. funamentals).
Students develop a “T-shaped” educational profile: deep expertise in mechanical, chemical, and electrical engineering, combined with broad interdisciplinary knowledge. This enables them to understand the complexity of decentralised energy systems and collaborate effectively across disciplines.
In addition to technical and academic training, the programme offers a rich international experience, including cultural and language immersion, and access to a strong European network of institutions and professionals.
To further enrich the learning experience, the programme organises two joint summer schools focused on networking and developing both entrepreneurial skills and technical skills, such as energy storage, hydrogen or energy systems modelling. It is also possible to participate in an immersive week at the University of Liège, Belgium. This opportunity offers specialised training in the use of artificial intelligence for managing energy networks, bringing together the programme’s technical, interdisciplinary, and international dimensions.
To broaden students’ perspectives, the programme offers a wide range of complementary courses in social sciences and humanities. These cover topics such as energy policy, geography, social acceptance, risk perception, finance, and business, and are combined with an integrated cultural and language experience.
A key part of the teaching approach is case- and challenge-based learning. Students work on large, multidisciplinary projects based on real-world problems, often in collaboration with industrial partners, policy makers, local stakeholders, and civil society organisations. For students choosing to complete the third semester at KTH, double master's degrees will be awarded from UL and KTH.
This is a two-year, 120 ECTS master’s programme jointly built with four academic partners across Europe: the University of Lorraine—UL (Nancy, France), KTH, Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm, Sweden), Polytechnic University of Catalunya—UPC (Barcelona, Spain), and Polytechnic Institute of Torino—PoliTo (Turin, Italy). One of the programme’s strengths is precisely the broad network of associated partners from international universities, SMEs, large industries, and other EU consortia.
The programme includes an integrated mobility scheme, with the first year spent at the University of Lorraine (UL). During this year, students build a strong foundation in the physical principles and governing parameters of the leading renewable energy sources, energy storage technologies, and conversion systems between energy carriers applied to the control and optimisation of smart multi-carrier decentralised energy systems.
In the second year, students continue their studies at one of the partner universities (KTH, UPC, or PoliTo), where they choose a specialisation in one of three areas: integrating decentralised energy systems into global energy systems, thermal energy engineering, or energy storage through power-to-X technologies.
The final semester is dedicated to an internship or master’s thesis, typically carried out in collaboration with DENSYS associate partners from industry or research institutions. This hands-on experience allows students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings and build professional connections. Examples of past internship/thesis work include Vattenfall, Sweden; ENSTOe, Belgium; International Energy Agency, France; Huawei Technologies, Germany; Scania, Sweden; Arcelor Mittal Research- France; Rocky Mountain Institute, USA.
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree “DENSYS” aims to educate highly skilled engineers who can design, optimise, and operate decentralised smart energy systems. The programme takes a multi-physics approach and provides students with a strong systemic understanding of the complex interactions within energy systems.
It also prepares future researchers for both the public and private sectors, addressing the need for continued R&D in decentralised energy systems. This includes training at multiple levels: at system scale (e.g. smart management), component scale (e.g., optimisation of the lifespan, energy efficiency or density), and elementary mechanisms scale (e.g. funamentals).
KTH Scholarships
KTH offers four different scholarship opportunities for master's studies. The KTH Scholarship covers the tuition fee of a one or two-year master’s programme. The KTH One-Year Scholarship is aimed at current KTH master's programme students and covers the tuition fee of the second year of studies. The KTH Joint Programme Scholarship is aimed at students in certain joint programmes and covers the tuition fee for the study period spent at KTH. The KTH India Scholarship is aimed specifically at students from India.
- KTH Scholarship
- KTH One-Year Scholarship
- KTH Joint Programme Scholarship
- KTH India Scholarship
Swedish Institute
SI Scholarship for Global Professionals
The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals covers the tuition fee for a master's programme and also includes living costs. It is open to students from 33 countries with previous work and leadership experience. You apply directly to SI after completing your application to KTH.
SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM
The SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM covers the tuition fee of a selection of master's programmes at KTH and also includes living costs. It is open to female students from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand or Vietnam. You apply directly to SI after completing your application to KTH.
KTH associated scholarship organisations
KTH cooperates with the following organisations, providing scholarship opportunities for prospective KTH students.
- COLFUTURO (Programa Crédito Beca) for students from Colombia
- LPDP (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education) for students from Indonesia
- FUNED for students from Mexico
- MESCYT for students from the Dominican Republic
- ANII for students from Uruguay
Scholarship portals
- IEFA database: The IEFA database offers a comprehensive scholarship search, grant listing, and international student loan programmes.
- Studyportals: The Studyportals scholarship database lists over 1,000 scholarships and grants for students worldwide applying for studies in the EU.
- Scholars4dev: Scholarships for Development is a database of scholarships open to students from developing countries.
- WeMakeScholars: WeMakeScholars helps students from India secure education loans from banks and NBFCs. They also list more than 26,000 international scholarships from different trusts, foundations, and the government. Bodies.
Deferment of student loans in the United States
KTH is an accredited institution at the US Department of Education and holds a Title IV 'Deferment Only' status (OPE ID 03274300). US students may defer payments on existing federal student loan accounts while enrolled in a master’s programme at KTH. The 'Deferment Only' status does not allow students to take out federal student loans for enrollment at KTH. However, the accreditation facilitates grant and loan opportunities for US students, as many private student loan institutions in the US use this designation as a requirement to grant new loans. Students who wish to defer payments must contact their lending institution in the US.