Program Overview

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Master's in Sustainability Studies

The master's programme in sustainability studies focuses on the challenges and opportunities related to the Paris Agreement and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These challenges call for social scientists who understand both the technological, environmental, and socio-political contexts and conditions involved.

About the Study Programme

The master's programme explores the societal challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. Students gain insight into how political, economic, cultural, and social factors both promote and hinder the transition to a sustainable society.

Learn About Sustainability

The programme covers the Paris Agreement and the UN's SDGs, and looks at social and political issues related to sustainable energy and low-carbon systems in diverse contexts.

Understand the Connections

Societies strive for sustainability, but the Earth's ecosystems are under great pressure. During their studies, students learn to analyse how environmental considerations, energy production, and societal values are interconnected.

Learn About Global Challenges

The programme covers the Paris Agreement and the UN's SDGs, and looks at social and political issues related to sustainable energy and low-carbon systems in diverse contexts.

Multidisciplinary Approach

By combining social science with insights into energy technologies, students are equipped to analyse actors and material conditions for the transition to low-carbon societies. Students can also specialize through elective courses or exchange studies.

Practical Experience

In the third semester, students can choose the work-placement course and gain experience working with municipalities, companies, and organizations dealing with challenges related to sustainability.

Career Opportunities

With a master's degree in sustainability studies, graduates will be able to work with complex sustainability issues and energy transitions in various work environments. This degree qualifies graduates for work in public administration, the civil society sector, or private industry.

• Consulting services: Advising on sustainability, energy, environment, and ESG criteria for companies and organizations in both the private and public sectors.
• Environmental policy analysis: Working for public agencies, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and interest groups.
• Sustainability management: Implementing and monitoring sustainability initiatives in various organizations.
• Digitalization projects: Leading processes and projects that promote sustainability through digitalization.
• Analysis and marketing: Evaluating and promoting projects and technologies related to sustainability and renewable energy.
• Research: Working in the university sector or research departments in private and public organizations.
• Project management: Leading projects in sustainable development.
• Startups: Engaging in new companies and projects working with sustainability.

Work Placement

In the third semester, students can choose the elective course "Work Placement". The work placement aims to increase the student's awareness of their role interacting with others in specific development and change tasks in working life.

Learning Outcomes

The study programme aspires to promote the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to contribute to the strategies and solutions for a sustainable society. Graduates will have acquired the following learning outcomes, in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competences:

Knowledge

Students will have:

• Knowledge about Norwegian and international policies related to climate change mitigation and sustainability, such as the SDGs, as well as their application.
• Advanced knowledge about challenges, opportunities, and strategies related to energy systems and technologies, and how society can transform energy production and use in a more environmentally friendly direction.
• Advanced knowledge about the strategies and challenges associated with energy transitions, and how this affects and is affected by societal and political systems, structures, institutions, and geographies, as well as individual lives and beliefs.
• Advanced knowledge of theoretical and methodological approaches and traditions within the academic field, and the ability to use these to analyse relevant issues, policies, politics, and strategies related to sustainable energies, environments, and societies.

Skills

Students will be able to:

• Analyse relevant theories, methods, interpretations, and analyses, in an independent manner.
• Analyse and critically assess information from various sources to formulate scientific arguments and perform tasks related to sustainability challenges affecting societies and industries, such as the SDGs or environmental, social and governance principles.
• Apply theoretical and methodological approaches to identify, assess, and work independently and in teams on theoretical and practical problems related to sustainability.
• Work both independently and cooperate in groups to conduct rigorous research in accordance with scientific values, under supervision.
• Integrate different approaches, perceptions, and analyses related to sustainable energies, environments, and societies.

General Competencies

Students will be able to:

• Interpret and analyse relevant academic, professional, and ethical issues across different subject areas related to sustainability (e.g. regulation, economics, environment, society, policies, and politics).
• Apply acquired knowledge and skills in new areas to conduct advanced tasks and projects.
• Communicate research problems, analyses, and conclusions, in accordance with scientific terminology.
• Facilitate cooperation towards sustainable solutions by communicating across divides between e.g. technical specialists, engineers, policy makers, the general public, and various interest groups.
• Contribute to advancing processes, strategies, and solutions for a sustainable society, in developing, designing, and implementing solutions to challenges around sustainability.
• Contribute to innovation, critical thinking, and reflection in research, policy, practices, and strategies for transitions to a low-carbon society.

Study Plan and Courses

The master's programme consists of compulsory courses and elective courses. The compulsory courses are:

• Societal Transition and Transformation - Energy and Climate Change
• Philosophy of Science and Research Methods
• Energy, Energy Technologies, and Energy System Integration
• Geopolitics of the Energy Transition
• Governing Energy Transitions
• Applied Social Science Research Methods
• Master's Thesis

Student Exchange

Students can study a semester abroad at one of the partner universities. Going on exchange is a great opportunity to experience a new environment and take courses not offered by the University of Stavanger.

Academic Requirements

A bachelor's degree with a specialization of at least 80 ECTS credits in one or more of the following subject areas or equivalent is required: Social sciences, History, Hotel management, Tourism management, Sociology, Psychology, Pedagogy, Social anthropology, Law, Geography, Political science, Management, Economics.

Application and Admission

International and local applicants have different deadlines and application procedures, depending on their citizenship, language skills, and educational background.

Facts

• Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
• ECTS credits: 120
• Language of instruction: English
• Start of studies: August every year
• Tuition fees: See tuition fees for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens