In the master's program in sustainability studies, you learn to understand the connections between environmental considerations, energy production, and societal values, and how political, social, cultural, and technological factors influence the transition to a sustainable society.
2 years (4 semesters)
120
English
August every year
About the study programme
The master's program in sustainability studies is based on the Paris Agreement (climate) and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Challenges related to achieving the goals and energy issues require social scientists who understand the political controversies this brings
- Learn about sustainability: The master's program teaches you how climate change and biodiversity loss affect society. You gain insight into how political, economic, cultural, and social factors both promote and hinder the transition to a sustainable society.
- Understand the connections: Societies strive for sustainability, but the Earth's ecosystems are under great pressure. In the program, you learn how environmental considerations, energy production, and societal values are interconnected.
- Learn about global challenges: The program covers the Paris Agreement and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, and looks at social and political issues related to sustainable energy and low-carbon systems.
- Interdisciplinary approach: With a combination of social science and energy technology, you are equipped to analyze actors and interests in the transition to low-carbon societies. You can also specialize through elective courses or exchange studies.
- Practical experience: In the third semester, you can choose an internship and gain experience in tackling challenges related to climate change and sustainability in municipalities, companies, and organizations. Read the full course description for the internship course.
This program was previously called Energy, Environment, and Society. From the 2025 intake, it will be called Sustainability Studies.
In my professional life, I have benefited significantly from the understanding of the interaction between social science and technical perspectives on sustainability
Career opportunities
Career
With a master's degree in sustainability studies, you will be able to work with complex sustainability issues and energy transitions in various work environments. This degree qualifies you for work in public administration, the civil society sector, or private industry.
The demand for knowledge about sustainability and the connections between energy, environment, and society is constantly increasing. Here are some common roles and workplaces you can aim for:
- 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.
Further Studies
The program qualifies you to apply for doctoral programs.
Renewable energy is a large and complex field, and companies need employees who have a broad overview combined with technological and economic insight.
Work placement
In the third semester, you can apply for the elective course «Work Placement».
The work placement course is worth 30 credits and gives you the opportunity to go on a work placement with one of the companies UiS has agreements with.
Through UiS, you apply to the companies and are called for a job interview, similar to a regular job application process. The companies themselves choose whom they want to offer a place to; you are not guaranteed a work placement even if you apply. If you are offered a work placement, you work in a 75% position for 15 weeks.
Companies that have previously accepted work placement students include nearby municipalities, Stavanger University Hospital, Kolumbus, Lyse, Nordic Edge, and Zero.
The work placement aims to increase the student's awareness of their role in interaction with others in specific development and change tasks in working life. Furthermore, to be able to analyze situations and make use of various methods and theories to contribute to a desired change.
See the full course description for the elective work placement course.
Learning outcomes
All study programmes at the UiS have a set of defined learning targets. Read more about the learning outcome for this study programme.
In the study program, we aspire to promote the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to contribute to the strategies and solutions for a sustainable society. Graduates will after completion of the master have acquired the following learning outcomes, in terms of knowledge, skills and general competences:
Knowledge
Upon completing the programme, the student 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 associate with a energy transitions, and how it affects and is affected by societal and political systems and structures, institutions, geographies, as well as individual lives and beliefs.
- Advanced knowledge of theoretical and methodological approaches to politics and policy change, related to energy, environment, and society.
Skills
Students will be able to:
- Apply and assess theoretical and methodological approaches and analyses related to the field of energy, environment, and society.
- Apply theoretical and methodological perspectives to interpret, asses, and analyse complex systems across different subject areas related to sustainability (e.g. regulation, economics, environment, society, policies, and politics).
- Conduct and present research projects, independently and in teams.
- Communicate and advance understandings of issues related to sustainable energy, environments, and societies.
- Apply knowledges in various energy and sustainability related fields, to identify, asses, and propose measures to solve problems related to sustainability in terms of energy systems, environmental impact, and societal factors.
General competencies
Students will be able to:
- Analyse and assess various sources of relevance in new settings to conduct advanced projects and tasks in various sectors, for instance related to sustainability challenges and goals affecting societies and industries, such as the SDGs, ESG, and more.
- Contribute to innovation, critical thinking, and reflection in research, policy, practices, and strategies for transitions to a low-carbon society.
- Work independently and cooperate in projects to conduct and communicate rigorous research, analyses and conclusions, in accordance with scientific values.
- Contribute to the strategies and solutions for a sustainable society, in developing, designing, and implementing solutions to challenges around sustainability.
- Facilitate cooperation towards sustainable solutions by communicating across divides between e.g., technical specialists, engineers, policy makers, the general public, and various interest groups.
Study plan and courses
Enrolment year: 2024
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Compulsary courses
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Societal Transition and Transformation - Energy and Climate Change
Year 1, semester 1
Societal Transition and Transformation - Energy and Climate Change (MEE100)
Study points: 10
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Philosophy of Science and Research Methods
Year 1, semester 1
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Energy, Energy Technologies, and Energy System Integration
Year 1, semester 1
Energy, Energy Technologies, and Energy System Integration (PET515)
Study points: 10
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Geopolitics of the Energy Transition
Year 1, semester 2
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Governing Energy Transitions
Year 1, semester 2
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Applied Social Science Research Methods
Year 1, semester 2
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Master Thesis
Year 2, semester 3
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3 term at UiS or exchange studies
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Exchange studies
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Term 3 at UiS - Choose 30 ECTS
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New Technologies and Ideas for Sustainable City Development
Year 2, semester 3
New Technologies and Ideas for Sustainable City Development (BYG655)
Study points: 10
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AI and Society
Year 2, semester 3
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Global Sexualities:Theories, Methodologies, Practices
Year 2, semester 3
Global Sexualities:Theories, Methodologies, Practices (GEN570)
Study points: 10
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Green Transition management
Year 2, semester 3
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Work Placement
Year 2, semester 3
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Societal Safety and Security, Climate Change and Sustainable Development
Year 2, semester 3
Societal Safety and Security, Climate Change and Sustainable Development (SAM550)
Study points: 10
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Student exchange
By going on exchange to one of our partner institutions abroad as part of your studies, you will have an opportunity to get a unique education. In addition to improving your career opportunities, you grow as a person and gain the ability to greater reflect on the topics you study as part of your degree. All about exchange
Exchange semester
3rd semester
Students at Energy, Environment, and Society can study a semester abroad at one of our partner universities. Going on exchange is a great opportunity to make the most out of your degree, and to take courses not offered by UiS. Your semester abroad will be integrated into your degree, without your study progression being delayed.
Choosing courses
Throughout the recommended exchange semester, you are to take master level electives giving you 30 ECTS. This means you can choose freely which electives to take abroad, as long as the content is relevant for your study program. Some institutions have already made 30 ECTS course packages. At other institutions, you can choose courses freely. The Department of Media and Social Sciences has a list of previously approved courses.
Help to apply for pre-approval of courses
After the application deadline, the department invites you to a workshop, where you will receive guidance in how to apply for pre-approval of the courses you want to take abroad. We recommend you to include courses giving you more than 30 ECTS, so that you have a number of courses to choose from.
Want to know more?
magda.hognestad@uis.nofor more information.
General information about exchange: Exchange guide in Digital student service desk
Student exchange
- All countries
Aalborg Universitet
Aalborg Universitet (AAU) er kjent for å benytte seg av problembasert læring i grupper, noe som kan by på en spennende læringsprosess.
Bond University
Reis på utveksling til Gold Coast og Bond University!
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart ble grunnlagt i 1921. Universitetet har vunnet 5 stjerner av QS stars for deres felt innen ansettbarhet, undervisning, fasiliteter og engasjement.
Delft University of Technology
Delft University of Technology, også kjent som TU Delft, er regnet for å være blant verdens mest prestisjetunge universitet innen ingeniørfag og teknologi. Dette er en unik mulighet for deg som studerer ingeniørfag!
Griffith University
Griffith University er en populær utvekslingsdestinasjon for UiS-studenter. Universitetet er et særlig godt valg for studenter innen musikk/dans, hotell/turisme og business.
Göteborgs universitet
Göteborg er Sveriges nest største by. Her blir man aldri mett på inntrykk med supre shoppingmuligheter, koselige kafeer, flotte museer og ikke minst en skjærgård med mange flotte steder, severdigheter og øyer å besøke.
Københavns Universitet
København er et populært studiested for nordmenn, ikke minst på grunn av den geografiske og språklige nærheten til Norge.
Technical University of Munich
The Technical University of Munich, also known as TUM, accounts for major advancements in the field of natural sciences. TUM is one of the best universities in Germany and has several awarded scientists and Nobel Prize winners. The Technical University of Munich strives for excellent teaching and research quality.
University of Iceland
I hjerte av Islands hovedstad, Reykjavik, ligger University of Iceland omringet av et utrolig landskap. Reis på utveksling til Island og Reykjavik, og få stipend gjennom Nordlys, Nordtek eller Erasmus+.
University of Trento
Bli Erasmus+-student i Italia – Reis på utveksling til Trento!
University of Twente, Enschede
Opplev Europa og det internasjonale studiemiljøet i Nederland. University of Twente er UiS` partneruniversitet i ECIU-nettverket og tilbyr utvekslingsmuligheter for mange studenter ved UiS. Det er et moderne og innovativt campus-universitet som satser stort på entreprenørskap.
- Australia
Bond University
Reis på utveksling til Gold Coast og Bond University!
Griffith University
Griffith University er en populær utvekslingsdestinasjon for UiS-studenter. Universitetet er et særlig godt valg for studenter innen musikk/dans, hotell/turisme og business.
- Danmark
Aalborg Universitet
Aalborg Universitet (AAU) er kjent for å benytte seg av problembasert læring i grupper, noe som kan by på en spennende læringsprosess.
Københavns Universitet
København er et populært studiested for nordmenn, ikke minst på grunn av den geografiske og språklige nærheten til Norge.
- Island
University of Iceland
I hjerte av Islands hovedstad, Reykjavik, ligger University of Iceland omringet av et utrolig landskap. Reis på utveksling til Island og Reykjavik, og få stipend gjennom Nordlys, Nordtek eller Erasmus+.
- Italia
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart ble grunnlagt i 1921. Universitetet har vunnet 5 stjerner av QS stars for deres felt innen ansettbarhet, undervisning, fasiliteter og engasjement.
University of Trento
Bli Erasmus+-student i Italia – Reis på utveksling til Trento!
- Nederland
Delft University of Technology
Delft University of Technology, også kjent som TU Delft, er regnet for å være blant verdens mest prestisjetunge universitet innen ingeniørfag og teknologi. Dette er en unik mulighet for deg som studerer ingeniørfag!
University of Twente, Enschede
Opplev Europa og det internasjonale studiemiljøet i Nederland. University of Twente er UiS` partneruniversitet i ECIU-nettverket og tilbyr utvekslingsmuligheter for mange studenter ved UiS. Det er et moderne og innovativt campus-universitet som satser stort på entreprenørskap.
- Sverige
Göteborgs universitet
Göteborg er Sveriges nest største by. Her blir man aldri mett på inntrykk med supre shoppingmuligheter, koselige kafeer, flotte museer og ikke minst en skjærgård med mange flotte steder, severdigheter og øyer å besøke.
- Tyskland
Technical University of Munich
The Technical University of Munich, also known as TUM, accounts for major advancements in the field of natural sciences. TUM is one of the best universities in Germany and has several awarded scientists and Nobel Prize winners. The Technical University of Munich strives for excellent teaching and research quality.
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
Professional bachelor degrees in the following areas qualify for admission: police, teacher education, social care and journalism.
Admission to this master's programme requires a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (according to ECTS Standards) in your bachelor's degree.
Application and admission
Contact
For inquiries regarding admission to international Master's programmes, send an email to: admissions@uis.no.
Find more information here: When to apply.
Student life in Stavanger
Contact us
Department of Media and Social Sciences
Faculty Administration SV
Administrasjon IMS
Questions and answers about the study
Can I study part-time or combine my studies with work? Is it possible to take an internship during the study?
Can I study part-time or combine my studies with work?
The Master in Sustainablity Studies is a full-time program with many lectures and some group work. In addition, the study requires a good dose of self-study to acquire the knowledge you are expected to be left with after completing your studies.
It is not possible to follow an official part-time study program, but as a master's student you have three years' right to study, and you can thus spend three years taking the courses that according to the plan should take you two years. If you do not follow the education plan, we can not guarantee collisions on either teaching or exams.
What jobs can I get when I graduate?
By taking the Master in Sustainablity Studies, you get a social science master's degree. It is not always as easy to say specifically which professions you may end up in, because it is not a vocational degree. The master's will give you general insight into energy and environmental challenges, and it is therefore natural to think that you are relevant for jobs where these issues are relevant. Knowledge of sustainable development, energy and environmental challenges is expected to increase sharply in the time ahead.
The choice of profession and workplace after graduation may depend on your bachelor's degree and interests. In the master's program, you must choose four elective courses yourself, in addition to the compulsory courses. This means that here you have the opportunity to focus on topics and areas you would like to work on in the future. Also which theme you choose for your master's thesis can help to position you towards the jobs you could imagine.
How much compulsory education is there during the study?
Although the best thing for your learning outcome is to attend as many lectures as possible, and this is clearly what we recommend, there are not many compulsory lectures on the energy master. In some of the courses, you must also pass group work and assignments to be allowed to sit for the exam, and this naturally presupposes attendance and collaboration with your group.
I am educated in technical and scientific subjects / I am an engineer. Does this provide a basis for admission to the master?
The Master in Sustainablity Studies is a social science master's, and a bachelor's degree in technical and natural sciences / engineering will consequently not be a sufficient basis for admission.
Is it possible to take an internship during the study?
Yes, in the third semester you can apply for the elective course «Work placement». The internship course is 30 credits and gives you the opportunity to go on an internship at one of the companies UiS has an agreement with (you can not find an internship yourself, it must be one of the companies we collaborate with). Via UiS, you apply to the companies and are called for a job interview, similar to a normal job application process. The companies themselves choose who they want to offer a place, ie that you are not guaranteed an internship even if you apply for it. If you are offered an internship, you work in a 75 percent position for 15 weeks. Companies that have accepted interns are e.g. Stavanger Municipality, the County Governor, Columbus, Lyse, Nordic Edge and Zero.
Here you can read more about the internship topic.