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Studies & Degrees in Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is heat from inside the earth. It counts as a renewable source because the earth produces this heat constantly, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Wells bring steam or hot water to the surface, where it drives turbines to generate electricity or heats buildings and industrial processes directly. Near the surface, geothermal heat pumps use the stable temperature of the ground to heat and cool buildings.

As a subject, geothermal energy sits between the earth sciences and engineering. Students learn how to find a resource (geology, geophysics and geochemistry), how to reach it (drilling and well design), how to manage it (reservoir engineering and modelling) and how to use it (power plants, district heating and heat pumps). Environmental impact assessment and project economics are usually part of the programme as well.

What the technology covers

Spain's energy agency IDAE classifies geothermal resources by temperature, and the classification shows why the field is so broad. High-temperature resources, above 150 °C, are used mainly to produce electricity. Very low-temperature resources, below 25-30 °C, are the heat stored in shallow ground and groundwater, and are always used through heat pumps for heating, cooling and hot water. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes three common types of geothermal power plant: dry steam, flash steam and binary cycle.

In 2022, 25 countries generated about 92 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity from geothermal energy, with Indonesia as the largest producer, according to the EIA. In Kenya geothermal plants supplied about 43% of the country's electricity. In the United States, plants in seven states produced about 16 billion kilowatt-hours in 2025, some 0.4% of utility-scale generation.

Qualifications and levels

Few universities offer a first degree in geothermal energy alone. Most people enter the field with a bachelor's degree in geology, geophysics or an engineering branch and specialise afterwards.

  • Master's degrees. At Reykjavik University in Iceland, the MSc Sustainable Energy Engineering is a two-year degree of 120 ECTS credits. Students who follow its geothermal pathway choose at least three courses from a list that includes Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Geothermal Reservoir Modelling and Geothermal Drilling and Well Design. An Energy Field School is required for all international students. Published tuition for the 2026-27 academic year is ISK 677,000 per semester for EEA/EFTA students and ISK 1,246,000 for others. In the United States, the Stanford Geothermal Program offers graduate study leading to an MS or a PhD for applicants with a first degree in the physical sciences or engineering.
  • Postgraduate certificates. The University of Auckland in New Zealand teaches a Postgraduate Certificate in Geothermal Energy Technology: 60 points, half a year full-time, only in the second semester, with two week-long field trips to the Taupo volcanic zone. International applicants need a four-year engineering degree, or an undergraduate degree plus one year of postgraduate study in an earth or physical science, and an IELTS Academic score of 6.5. The 2026 fee for international students is listed as NZ$34,103.
  • Professional training. The GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme in Iceland, which operates under the auspices of UNESCO, runs a six-month course from June to November, taught in English. It is aimed at people who already work in the sector: candidates need a university degree in science or engineering and practical geothermal experience. According to the programme, 839 fellows have completed it and 68 countries have taken part.
  • Spain. Official bachelor's degrees (grados) have 240 ECTS credits and official master's degrees 60, 90 or 120. In vocational training (FP), the higher-level diploma Técnico Superior en Energías Renovables lasts 2,000 hours, but it is centred on wind and solar photovoltaic installations. Students who want geothermal content should check the syllabus of each programme.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 17 active schools under geothermal energy. Nine are in the United States, two in Spain and two in Italy; Greece, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Singapore have one each. The list includes the University of North Texas, the University of Kent, the State University of New York (SUNY) and Greenville Technical College. Not every listed school has a programme devoted only to geothermal energy. The subject is often one module within a wider course in energy, engineering or environmental studies, so ask the school how much of the programme deals with it.

The specialised programmes named above are taught in English. Courses with field work are tied to places with active geothermal systems, which is why Iceland and New Zealand have a strong presence in this subject.

Careers

Geothermal projects employ several professions. The BLS lists geologists, hydrologists and environmental scientists, who assess sites; civil, electrical, mechanical and environmental engineers, who design plants and equipment; drilling crews; construction workers; and plant operators. Engineers typically have at least a bachelor's degree, and hydrologists usually enter with a master's degree, according to the BLS. The University of Auckland names analyst, geothermal drilling supervisor, geothermal project manager, reservoir engineer and site geologist as jobs related to its certificate.

There are no separate official employment statistics for geothermal graduates. As a reference, the BLS projects employment of geoscientists in the United States to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035. The US Department of Energy estimates that geothermal could generate 90 gigawatts of electricity in the United States by 2050.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a bachelor's degree in geothermal energy?

Rarely. Most students take a first degree in geology, geophysics or engineering and then specialise with a master's degree, a postgraduate certificate or professional training.

How long does it take to specialise in geothermal energy?

It depends on the route. The postgraduate certificate at the University of Auckland takes half a year full-time, the GRÓ training programme in Iceland takes six months, and the MSc at Reykjavik University takes two years (120 ECTS credits).

Is geothermal energy only about power plants?

No. Besides electricity generation, it covers the direct use of hot water for heating and industry, and heat pumps that heat and cool buildings using the shallow ground.