Geographies of Sustainable Development (Master's)

Our planet faces environmental, social and economic sustainability challenges that must be addressed through a knowledge-based approach. This programme gives you the framework, theories and skills to constructively engage with global sustainability issues.

New student?

Starting time: Welcome meeting at The Faculty of Social Sciences Wednesday 14 August 10:00 in Egget, Studentsenteret

Programme: Here you can find the programme for the opening week

Checklist for new students: Follow the steps in our checklist to make sure you are on track. 

What will you learn?

This programme will introduce you to ongoing scientific discourses on human-environment relations and development. You will learn about theoretical approaches to important current issues and be trained in using appropriate methods for researching and evaluating factors affecting both the environment and people’s livelihoods.   

You will learn about current topics such as:   

  • Globalisation and sustainable development  
  • Food security and sustainable land use  
  • Political ecology   
  • Environment and development discourses   

You will develop your skills in critical thinking, analysis and academic writing. You will have the opportunity to conduct fieldwork abroad or in Norway. You will learn how to plan and carry out collection and analysis of empirical data to form the basis for your Master’s thesis.   

You will learn how to write a research report within given time and resource limits.

Student life

Master’s students are an important element of the social and work environment of the Department of Geography. 

You will typically be expected to attend 2-4 lectures and seminars per week and to follow them up with reading to broaden your understanding of the issues. This will help improve your discussion, presentation, writing and analytical skills  

At the end of your first semester, you will have chosen a Master’s thesis topic in close cooperation with your supervisor.   

After the second semester, fieldwork (usually 1-2 months) can be conducted in the Global South or Global North, including in Europe or Norway, with a globally oriented sustainability focus.  

Your second year will be spent on analysing your findings and completing the thesis with guidance from your supervisor. 

Career

Our graduates benefit from practical and theoretical skills and highly relevant knowledge for understanding the complexity of global issues such as climate change, migration, urbanisation and sustainability.    

Typical jobs that our graduates go on to do are in 

  • Planning
  • Research
  • Regional development 
  • Environmental management  

These can be in public or private sector organisations or in NGOs, both in Norway and abroad. Many of our graduates continue in academic research by pursuing a PhD, while others work in the education sector.

Read interviews with former students
Admission requirements and how to apply
Grade requirements: C (2.5)
Requires a minimum average grade of Norwegian grade C (2,5) or the equivalent, to be eligible for admission.

Students with citizenship from countries outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland must pay tuition fees. Some applicants may be exempted from this rule.

To apply for the Master’s Programme in Geographies of Sustainable Development you need a Bachelor’s degree of 3-4 years’ duration, or an equivalent educational background. The degree must include at least 1.5 years (80-90 ECTS) of full-time studies in geography, or other relevant background such as environmental studies, development studies or political ecology with a social science perspective. 

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

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

Submission deadline for autumn semester: 15 April
Teaching language

Teaching language: English

Study structure

The programme covers two academic years (four semesters), and starts in the autumn.  

First semester

GEO308 – Theory of Science and Research Design for Geographers (10 ECTS)

GEO310 – Writing Course and Project Description (10 ECTS)

GEO330 – Theories of Sustainable Land Use (10 ECTS)

Milestone 1: Presentation of project description

Second semester

GEO306 – Methods in Human Geography (10 ECTS)

GEO337 – Discourses, Politics and People: Critical Perspectives on Environmental Governance (10 ECTS)

Milestone 2: Presentation of theory, research design and fieldwork plans

Choose one of the following courses:

GEO316 – Practical Skills in Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis (10 ECTS)

GEO317 – Special Topics in Geography (10 ECTS)

GEO324 – Human Geographies of Adaptation to Climate Change (10 ECTS)

Third and fourth semester

GEO350 – Master’s Thesis in Geography (60 ECTS)

Milestone 3: Poster presentation of data, mail findings and methodology

Study abroad

You can spend the second semester as an Erasmus+ exchange student at one of the department’s partner universities in Europe, or as an exchange student at one of UiB’s partner universities outside Europe.  

The application deadline is 25 August in the first semester.

Further studies

Many of our graduates continue in academic research by pursuing a PhD.

Questions about the study?

Phone number: +47 55 58 30 73
E-mail: advice@geog.uib.no
Study plan

A study plan is a formal document between you as a student and the University of Bergen. The study plan must provide a clear framework for the study, describe the learning goals you will achieve and how the study is structured.

Study plan for Master's Programme in Geographies of Sustainable Development