Sustainability, Master's, 2 years

What do you learn? 

The programme gives you in-depth knowledge of the most important questions and developments within sustainability. We think of sustainability as an interdisciplinary field, since good solutions rarely come from one perspective alone. 

The Master’s programme examines how society, politics, science and legislation together can contribute to a more sustainable world. You will have the opportunity to study this across disciplines such as biology, law, climate science, history and social science. 

The programme has three fields of study. Your fellow students will therefore have backgrounds in a variety of different disciplines and fields, and you will learn a lot from working together with them in interdisciplinary groups. The fields of study are: 

• Global societal challenges  

• Climate and energy transition 

• Marine sustainability 

In the courses, we will actively explore and pursue questions such as: 

• What is sustainability, and how has the term “sustainability” developed over time? 

• What are the most important sustainability challenges in fields such as climate, energy, marine biology and global development? 

• How does sustainability play out in relation to law, politics and science? 

• How can one work in an interdisciplinary way to reach sustainability goals? 

• What is the relationship between theoretical knowledge and practice in the sustainability field? 

Student life 

The courses have both classical lectures and student-led activities. A typical week in the first two semesters consists of two days of lectures, two days of seminar teaching and one day of customised studies. During the seminar, you will have the opportunity to give and receive feedback on your work, together with your fellow students. 

The first semester focuses mostly on compulsory subjects, while the second semester focuses on specialisation. In the third and fourth semesters, you will be able to conduct your own Master's project. This can be in the form of a research project, or as an intern. At the same time, you will continue to attend seminars focusing on core material from the course. 

The course requires active participation from you as a student. We combine classroom teaching with practical exercises on current and relevant problems. You will focus on sustainability through problem-based learning, together with fellow students and professionals, and in meetings with researchers, entrepreneurs, activists and politicians. 

What can you work as? 

Sustainability has become an integral element of the strategies of governing authorities, public enterprises and many parts of the business world. 

With a Master’s in sustainability, you will be able to work in all areas where interdisciplinary frameworks and sustainability goals are important, for example 

• Public, private or non-profit organisations 

• Public administration   

• International organisations that work with sustainability  

• Journalism about sustainability 

• Private companies 

• Think tanks 

You will also get a relevant educational qualification to continue in a research and educational career, though, for example, doctoral work. 

Admission requirements and application deadline 

Follow these links to find the general entry requirements and guidelines on how to apply:

• Citizens from outside the European Union/EEA/EFTA (4 January)
• Citizens from within the European Union/EEA/EFTA (1 March)
• Nordic citizens and applicants residing in Norway (15 April)

You will also have to meet the programme specific entry requirements.

All applicants with citizenship from outside EU/EEA must pay tuition fees.

The structure of the program 

Semester 1

Introductory subject: 

• Introduction: Interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable development (15 credits) 

• Ways of knowing (5 credits) 

• Elective subject (10 credits). 

Semester 2 

• Systems thinking and modelling as a framework for sustainability analysis and action (10 credits) 

• Elective subjects (20 credits). 

Semester 3

• Internship (30 credits) 

or 

• Master's thesis (60 credits) 

Semester 4

• Intern-based master's thesis (30 credits) 

or 

• Continuation of master's thesis (60 credits). 

Electives must be chosen from a list of recommended electives. You can find this list in the study plan. 

Exchange 

As part of the degree, you can study one semester abroad. UiB has exchange agreements with a number of foreign universities with study programmes in the area of sustainability. An exchange stay gives you valuable cultural experience, linguistic training, new professional insight and experiences for life. 

Study opportunities 

You will be able to continue on a  PhD education programme, in which case you should choose to write a Master’s thesis of 60 ECTS, as this may be a requirement for admission to a PhD programme. 

Questions about the course? 

Telephone: 55588968 

E-mail: studie@svt.uib.no 

Study plan 

Study plan for MAHF-SDG