Master in Renewable Energy Engineering in Coastal Environment at Iuav University of Venice
Two-year English-taught LM-35 master's at Iuav University of Venice, run with CNR-ISMAR, on renewable energy from water, coastal infrastructure, environmental modelling and maritime spatial planning. Entry needs 90 set credits, B2 English and a video.
Master
2 years
Venice
English
Iuav University of Venice
Renewable Energy Engineering in Coastal Environment is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-35) taught in English at Iuav University of Venice, run with CNR-ISMAR. Entry needs a civil and environmental engineering degree or 90 credits in maths, sciences and engineering, English at B2, and 60 of 100 points including a video. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Iuav's Renewable Energy Engineering in Coastal Environment master asks for an Italian civil and environmental engineering degree or another three-year degree with 90 credits in set maths, science and engineering fields, English at B2, and at least 60 of 100 points for your degree class, grade and a short video. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and credit rule
The course is open access, with a set number of places for non-EU applicants living abroad: 40 in 2026/27. [2] You need either: [1]
- An Italian bachelor's in civil and environmental engineering (class L-7, or class 8 under the older system).
- Another three-year degree or equivalent qualification, from Italy or abroad, with at least 90 credits in set subject areas.
The 90 credits split into two blocks: [1]
- 30 credits in maths and sciences: computer science, mathematics, statistics, chemistry and physics (sectors INF/01, ING-INF/05, MAT/02 to 09, SECS-S/01 and 02, CHIM/03 and 07, FIS/01 and 07).
- 60 credits in engineering and related fields: hydraulic, environmental, transport, geotechnical and structural engineering, surveying, drawing and urban planning (ICAR/01 to 11, 17 and 20), ecology (BIO/07), environmental chemistry (CHIM/12), geology (GEO/02, 05 and 11), energy, chemical, mining, electrical and management engineering (ING-IND/08 to 11, 23 to 25, 27 to 31 and 35), automation (ING-INF/04), geography (M-GGR/01) and administrative law (IUS/10).
The committee can also count related subject sectors, and it checks that your background fits the course after applications close. Any missing credits must be made up before your preparation is assessed, which for 2026/27 meant by the application deadline. [1][2]
What this means for your transcript
Italian CFU and the credits on a foreign transcript are not the same unit, and Iuav looks at your subjects, not just your total. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Tech or B.E. in Civil or Environmental Engineering. It is closest to the Italian L-7 class and usually covers maths, physics and chemistry plus hydraulics, structures and environmental engineering.
- Check carefully: a B.Tech or B.E. in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical or Energy Engineering. The 30 science credits are usually there, and energy, chemical and electrical units are on the list, but all 60 engineering credits must come from the listed sectors.
- Often short: a B.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry or Environmental Science, which may cover the 30 science credits but rarely the 60 engineering credits, and a BCA, B.Com, BBA or BA.
Your degree class also earns up to 30 of the 100 selection points, so the closeness of your degree counts twice. [2]
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher, with proof uploaded when you apply. [1] The 2026/27 call accepts: [2]
- A certificate from a body accredited by Italy's Ministry of University and Research, or from a university language centre.
- A university exam that explicitly states the CEFR level.
- A degree taught entirely in English, shown by the original degree or a self-declaration.
- An older-system degree in foreign languages, or a master's with at least 36 credits in the language.
Certificates are valid for five years, and self-declarations are checked. The call does not list specific test scores. [2]
Selection
There is no written test. The regulations call for a check of your skills on three topics chosen by the committee, in writing, by interview or by video, and in 2026/27 this took the form of a video. [1][2] The committee scores your file out of 100, and you need at least 60: [2][3]
- Degree class, up to 30 points: scored by class on a scale set in the call.
- Graduation grade, up to 20 points: on the Italian scale out of 110, from 20 points for 110 with honours down to 1 to 4 points for 66 to 80. Applicants not yet graduated by the application deadline get no grade points.
- Video, up to 50 points: up to three minutes in English on your academic and professional experience, your vision for coastal protection and green energy, and what you expect from the course. It is scored for communication (up to 15), argument (up to 15) and motivation (up to 20).
Two rankings are drawn up, one for non-EU and one for EU applicants, and ties go to the younger applicant. [2][3]
2026/27 deadlines
For 2026/27, applications were due by 13:00 on 23 February 2026, and the ranking was published on 13 March 2026. Admitted applicants pre-enrolled from 13 to 19 March 2026, and places left free were offered from 23 to 30 March. Non-EU applicants abroad then completed Universitaly pre-enrolment by 30 April 2026. [2] A later application deadline of 6 July 2026 led to a ranking on 21 July 2026. [3]
Foreign degrees had to be completed by 31 July 2026, enrolment for foreign degree holders ran from 1 August to 15 October 2026, and classes started on 28 September 2026. [2] These rules come from the 2026/27 call. The 2027/28 call is not yet published, and it sets the new dates.
Documents and non-EU steps
The Iuav Online Desk application asks for: [2]
- A valid identity document.
- Your English B2 certificate.
- Your video.
- A copy of your degree certificate, or an enrolment certificate with your expected graduation date.
- Your transcript or Diploma Supplement, with an English or Italian translation if the originals are in another language.
At enrolment, Iuav may ask for a declaration of value, a CIMEA statement of comparability or verification, legalisation or an apostille. In 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad had to show by 31 July 2026 that their visa process had started, such as an embassy appointment request, and needed a study visa and residence permit, or proof of applying for one, to enrol. The first instalment is refunded only in set cases, such as a refused visa. [2]
Sources and verification
Checked by the ApplyAZ admissions team against the university's official documents listed below. Entry rules can change with each new call, and we re-check them before every application.
- Iuav University of Venice, Department of Design Cultures. Teaching regulations, Master's degree in Renewable Energy Engineering in Coastal Environment (LM-35), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Iuav University of Venice. Call for applications no. 35, Master's degree in Renewable Energy Engineering in Coastal Environment, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Iuav University of Venice. Evaluation of applications and ranking lists, Renewable Energy Engineering in Coastal Environment, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Iuav University of Venice, Renewable Energy Engineering in Coastal Environment programme page, academic year 2026/27 (fees, coordinator and CNR-ISMAR collaboration). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Renewable Energy Engineering in Coastal Environment is a two-year laurea magistrale in environmental engineering (class LM-35) at Iuav University of Venice, run by the Department of Design Cultures and coordinated by Massimiliano Scarpa. It is taught in English and carries 120 ECTS. [1][4]
The course trains engineers to protect coastal environments and to manage the design of infrastructure and plants that meet sustainable development goals. It is run with the Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR) of Italy's National Research Council (CNR), also based in Venice, which brings experiments and research-grade calculation and simulation tools into teaching. [4] It suits engineering graduates with a solid maths and science base who want to work on renewable energy, water and coastal protection.
What you will study
Many units are grouped into integrated laboratories with a practical outcome. The 2026/27 study plan includes: [1]
- Water as a renewable energy source
- In-shore infrastructures and renewable energies
- Infrastructures for sustainable development in coastal environments
- Hydrology and marine fluid dynamics
- Calculus and machine learning for environmental modelling
- Modeling and planning for energy efficiency, noise control and lighting
- Water supply, drainage and treatment in coastal areas, and structural design and risk analysis
- Chemistry and processes of coastal environments, ecology and environmental assessment, environmental laws and economics, and digital tools for maritime spatial planning
How the programme is taught
Attendance of at least 70% of lesson hours is required. Students visit coastal and marine sites around Venice and carry out experimental work linked to their courses. The plan includes a 6 ECTS internship with a public or private body, in-house at Iuav or abroad, and a 9 ECTS final examination. Iuav's exchange network offers study periods abroad. [1][4]
Career paths
According to the teaching regulation, graduates are prepared to:
- Conceive and coordinate renewable energy plants, such as solar, small and medium hydro, wind and wave energy
- Design and certify low-impact water supply chains for civil and agricultural use
- Carry out ecological modelling and environmental impact certification
- Design coastal landscapes and plan large-scale coastal interventions
- Lead research and development teams in companies in the sector
Fees and scholarships
For 2026/27 Iuav offers five Study@Iuav fee waivers for this master. Fees follow family income (ISEE) and are fully waived up to an ISEE of €26,000 if merit rules are met. Students with income abroad use an ISEE parificato or a flat rate. Adding the Veneto regional DSU scholarship, the course can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
This master had 40 places for non-EU applicants living abroad in 2026/27; EU applicants and residents in Italy had open access. Applications go through the Iuav Online Desk with your documents and a video. [2] The 2026/27 deadlines for non-EU applicants were 23 February and 6 July 2026. [2][3]
After admission you pre-enrol at Iuav, we pre-enrol you on Universitaly, and you apply for a type D study visa. For the first 2026/27 ranking, Universitaly pre-enrolment was due by 30 April 2026. [2] The 2027/28 call has not been published yet.
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your transcript against Iuav's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your Iuav Online Desk application with your video, Iuav pre-enrolment and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your regional DSU scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
What bachelor's degree do I need for Iuav's Renewable Energy Engineering master?
An Italian civil and environmental engineering degree (class L-7) fits directly. Any other three-year degree, including a foreign one, needs 90 credits in listed fields: 30 in maths, physics, chemistry, statistics or computing and 60 in hydraulic, environmental, structural, energy or related engineering subjects. [1][2]
Is there an entrance exam?
No written test. A committee scores you out of 100: up to 30 for your degree class, 20 for your graduation grade and 50 for a three-minute video in English on your background, your vision for coastal protection and green energy, and your expectations. You need at least 60. [2][3]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2, with proof uploaded at application. The 2026/27 call accepts certificates from accredited bodies or university language centres, university exams that state the CEFR level, or a degree taught entirely in English. No specific IELTS score is listed, so we check which proof your file can use. [2]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad applied by 23 February 2026, with the ranking on 13 March, and a later deadline of 6 July 2026 had its ranking on 21 July. The 2027/28 call is not yet published. [2][3]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes, with an enrolment certificate showing your expected graduation date. For 2026/27, foreign degrees had to be completed by 31 July 2026. If you have not graduated by the application deadline, you get no points for your grade, so your degree class and video carry your score. [2]
I have a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering or a B.Sc. in Environmental Science. Can I apply?
Possibly. A Mechanical degree usually covers the 30 science credits, and energy and fluid units can count towards the 60, but civil and hydraulic subjects may be thin. An Environmental Science B.Sc. often lacks the 60 engineering credits. We check your transcript against the listed sectors. [1]
How many places are there for non-EU students?
For 2026/27 there were 40 places for non-EU applicants living abroad. EU applicants and non-EU applicants legally living in Italy had open access with no fixed number, and the two groups are ranked separately. [2][3]
Who runs the course with Iuav?
Iuav runs it with the Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR) of Italy's National Research Council (CNR) in Venice, which brings experiments and simulation tools into teaching. The course sits in the Department of Design Cultures and is coordinated by Massimiliano Scarpa. [4]
Can someone handle my whole application to Renewable Energy Engineering in Coastal Environment at Iuav?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Iuav's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the regional DSU scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.
I'm applying from India. What is the route into Renewable Energy Engineering in Coastal Environment?
A recognised Indian bachelor's, most naturally a B.Tech or B.E. in Civil or Environmental Engineering, can meet the rule of 90 credits: 30 in maths and sciences and 60 in listed engineering fields. You also need English at B2 and a three-minute video in English. The steps are the Iuav Online Desk application, Iuav pre-enrolment with a first fee instalment and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1][2] Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.
Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?
No. The academic rules for Renewable Energy Engineering in Coastal Environment are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: Iuav Online Desk application, Iuav pre-enrolment and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.
I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?
At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for Renewable Energy Engineering in Coastal Environment are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: Iuav Online Desk application, Iuav pre-enrolment and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?
The academic rules for Renewable Energy Engineering in Coastal Environment are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: Iuav Online Desk application, Iuav pre-enrolment and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
More English-taught programmes at this university
Other public universities in this city
They began right where you are
