Program Overview

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Sustainability Transitions

Discover how your creativity can contribute to solutions for societal challenges with this master's degree programme.

Type

Master

Variant

Full-time

Duration

1 year

Start

Starts in September

Location

The Hague - Main Campus

Lesson language

English

Admission Requirements

• You hold a relevant bachelor’s degree.
• The programme will be fully in English, so a good command of the English language is required.
• You have a clear interest in sustainability and complex societal challenges.

Entry Advice

The part-time Master’s in Sustainability Transitions is suitable for graduates of any Applied Sciences University bachelor’s degree. The most important factor is that you have a strong passion for sustainability. We also ask you to demonstrate this.

Intake Procedure

After your application, we will invite you for an intake interview with a lecturer from the programme. During this conversation, we will discuss your prior education, your passion for sustainability, and any relevant work experience. Of course, you will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

Admission Statements

No exceptions can be made to the official admission requirements. Only the Admissions team can make decisions about your eligibility based on the official rules. You cannot derive any rights from statements made by others regarding your eligibility or information on this website.

Why this Programme?

• The Master’s in Sustainability Transitions is hands-on. You’ll be right in the thick of it. Around 80% of the time, you'll be actively working on real-world sustainability transitions.
• You’ll learn to work across disciplines. Your classmates will come from a variety of academic backgrounds. You’ll gain valuable experience collaborating in an interdisciplinary setting.
• You can make a real impact in the sustainability transition. We’ll equip you with in-depth knowledge of sustainable development, environmental policy, and sustainability innovation – so you can truly make a difference.
• Strong focus on personal leadership. Become the best version of yourself with coaching and personal development throughout the programme.

Programme Content

Transition Labs

Together with 3 or 4 fellow students and external stakeholders, you’ll work on a so-called wicked problem – a real-life transition challenge. How do you tackle a sustainability issue that has no clear owner and no obvious solution? That’s exactly what you’ll explore together.

Student Led Module

In this module, you'll focus on your own development in both knowledge and skills. This includes areas like systems thinking, regenerative leadership, and creating future scenarios. Together with your mentor, you’ll decide where to focus, based on your background and case study. You’ll then create a plan, including criteria for successful completion.

Regeneration and Sustainability Transitions

In this module, you’ll learn about transitions, systems thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and research. You’ll become familiar with different theories and methods, helping to build a shared foundation of knowledge that will support teamwork throughout the rest of the programme.

Transformative Research and Co-Creation

In this module, you'll develop your research skills. Based on both theory and practice, you’ll learn how to conduct research in the context of complex transitions. You’ll also explore how to apply co-creation. We’ll teach you various processes to help with this.

Personal Project

In this module, you’ll work on a project based on your own work environment, from A to Z, including thorough methodological research. Of course, your project must align with the context of the sustainability transition.

Strategising for Sustainability

Strategic thinking is the focus of this module. You’ll be prepared to lead transformations in organisations and society. Through both theory and practice, you’ll learn how to strategically manage the co-creation process with various stakeholders. How do you organise such a process? How do you coordinate large groups of people? How do you identify opportunities for innovation and regeneration? By the end, you’ll have built your own personal toolbox for making real change in the world.

Regenerative Leadership

This module immerses you in the principles and applications of leadership, with sustainability at its core. You’ll learn about the emotional and psychological aspects of working through global crises. As a leader, you need to be resilient, inspiring, and aware of both your own emotions and those of the people around you. We’ll provide you with tools and techniques to stay motivated and hopeful, even when facing major challenges.

Learning Methods

• Projects. The curriculum for this programme consists of 80% projects. In these projects, you’ll actively work on transitions. You’ll be in the thick of it! These projects usually take place outside the university, at real-world project locations.
• Interdisciplinary. This Master’s teaches you how to work interdisciplinary. This happens quite naturally, as nearly all students have different academic backgrounds. By collaborating on projects, you’ll learn to broaden your perspective. Each student brings their own expertise, and therefore, a different viewpoint. Sometimes, these perspectives may conflict. How do you handle that?
• Coaching. There’s a significant amount of coaching in this programme. You’ll work on your personal development. Together with your mentor, you’ll decide where the focus will lie, based on your background and case. One thing is certain: you’ll learn how to communicate clearly, effectively, and inspiringly. You’ll learn to deal with high levels of uncertainty and develop your personal leadership skills. Getting things done! That’s ultimately what we’re here for.

Career Perspectives

Relevant Positions

• Process Director for Digital Sustainability
• Programme Manager for Inclusive Energy Transition
• Transition Manager in Circularity for the Manufacturing Industry
• Coach in Systemic Co-design
• Policy Advisor or Sustainability Consultant
• Sustainability Coordinator

Non-Relevant Positions

• Business process design of Lean Six Sigma coach
• Project Manager for CSRD Legislation Implementation
• Project Manager for Recycling in a Manufacturing Company
• Industrial designer
• Project Manager for Energy Supply Procurement

Further Studies

Further academic possibilities include PhD programmes, professional development (PD) programmes, or post-master specialisations in sustainable development and environmental policy.

Practical Information

How to Apply

At this moment, registration via Studielink is not yet possible. Would you like to be notified when Studielink opens for registrations? Leave your details to be added to our mailing list.

Tuition Fee

You will have to pay tuition fees when you enrol on a bachelor's programme. You can pay in one or more instalments. If you pay in more than one instalment a small administration fee is charged.

Scholarships

Find out more about scholarships for international students. Please note that these scholarships are one-off scholarships only, meaning that if you obtain them it is only for your first year of study.

Student Finance

Dutch students qualify for extra financial support via a loan. Dutch students automatically qualify for this financial assistance and international students may be eligible if they have lived in the Netherlands for at least five years or are employed for at least 56 hours per month.

Visa and Residence Permit

More information about the visas and residence permits.

Diploma and Accreditation

Upon successful completion of this Master's, you will receive a diploma from The Hague University of Applied Sciences. You will be awarded the title MSc, Master of Science.

The Master's in Sustainability Transitions is an internationally accredited programme (MVO).

Official Programme Name

This degree programme is registered in Registration of Institutions and Programmes (RIO):

• Official Programme Name: Sustainability Transitions
• Official International Name: Sustainability Transitions
• Programme Code (Isat): Available soon
• Institution Code (Brin): Available soon

Both the official Dutch and the official international name of the degree programme (current at the time of your graduation) will be printed on your diploma.

Accreditation

For more information on the accreditation of this degree programme, see the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) website.