Energy, Environment and Society - Master's Degree Programme


Study programme description for study year 2024-2025

Facts

Credits (ECTS)

120

Studyprogram code

M-EES

Level

Master's degree (2 years)

Leads to degree

Master in Energy, Environment and Society

Full-/Part-time

Full-time

Duration

4 Semesters

Undergraduate

Yes

Language of instruction

English

In this study program, you will be learning about sustainability. Climate change and biodiversity loss represent two of the greatest challenges of our time. They involve political, economic, developmental, security, social and ethical challenges, especially for the most vulnerable societies.

It is expected that graduates of the master will be able to actively work with complex sustainability issues and the energy transition in different work environments.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes
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.

Syllabus

Duration

2 years (4 semesters)

Number of study places

30 for local applicants 15 for international applicants

ECTS credits

120

Language of instruction

English

Start of studies

August every year

Career prospects

Career prospects

Demand for knowledge about the nexus between energy, environment, and society is increasing. Employers such as public sector ventures and institutions, think tanks and interest groups, consultancies, the energy industry, and start-ups all explore new ways of thinking and acting to enable social change.

This Master’s social science graduates are therefore an asset for the public and private sector. We are actively working with an expanding network of private and public companies and institutions, as well as alumni in Rogaland, Norway, and beyond.

Work placement opportunity

In the third semester, students can apply for the elective course ‘Work placement’ (30 credits). This course gives students the opportunity to complete an internship in a company or organization related to sustainable development and/or the energy transition. Each year, we offer work places in businesses and organizations the department has an agreement with. Students can also propose work placements that may be evaluated by the department. See more information about work placements under "Study plan and courses".

Graduates from the master programme in Energy, Environment, and Society qualify for PhD studies.

Course assessment

The student evaluation of the program's courses is conducted according to the Faculty of Social Sciences' evaluation system. To ensure the study program’s quality and a good learning environment for student and lecturers, dialogues will be held early in each course all semesters. In addition, standardized course evaluation will be held every year. The evaluation of the study program and its courses is conducted according to UiS’ quality system.

Study plan and courses

  • Compulsary courses

  • 3 term at UiS or exchange studies

    • Exchange studies

    • Term 3 at UiS - Choose 30 ECTS

      • BYG655: New Technologies and Ideas for Sustainable City Development

        Year 2, semester 3

        New Technologies and Ideas for Sustainable City Development (BYG655)

        Study points: 10

      • GEN570: Global Sexualities:Theories, Methodologies, Practices

        Year 2, semester 3

        Global Sexualities:Theories, Methodologies, Practices (GEN570)

        Study points: 10

      • MEE128: Digitalisation for Sustainability

        Year 2, semester 3

        Digitalisation for Sustainability (MEE128)

        Study points: 10

      • MENPRA: Work Placement

        Year 2, semester 3

        Work Placement (MENPRA)

        Study points: 30

      • SAM550: Energy, Societal Safety and Sustainable Development

        Year 2, semester 3

        Energy, Societal Safety and Sustainable Development (SAM550)

        Study points: 10

  • Compulsary courses

    • MEE100: Societal Transition and Transformation - Energy and Climate Change

      Year 1, semester 1

      Societal Transition and Transformation - Energy and Climate Change (MEE100)

      Study points: 10

    • MEE125: Philosophy of Science and Research Methods

      Year 1, semester 1

      Philosophy of Science and Research Methods (MEE125)

      Study points: 10

    • PET515: Energy, Energy Technologies, and Energy System Integration

      Year 1, semester 1

      Energy, Energy Technologies, and Energy System Integration (PET515)

      Study points: 10

    • MEE200: Geopolitics of the Energy Transition

      Year 1, semester 2

      Geopolitics of the Energy Transition (MEE200)

      Study points: 10

    • MEE210: Governing Energy Transitions

      Year 1, semester 2

      Governing Energy Transitions (MEE210)

      Study points: 10

    • MEN185: Applied Social Science Research Methods

      Year 1, semester 2

      Applied Social Science Research Methods (MEN185)

      Study points: 10

    • MEEMAS: Master Thesis

      Year 2, semester 3

      Master Thesis (MEEMAS)

      Study points: 30

  • 3 term at UiS or exchange studies

    • Exchange studies

    • Term 3 at UiS - Choose 30 ECTS

      • BYG655: New Technologies and Ideas for Sustainable City Development

        Year 2, semester 3

        New Technologies and Ideas for Sustainable City Development (BYG655)

        Study points: 10

      • GEN570: Global Sexualities:Theories, Methodologies, Practices

        Year 2, semester 3

        Global Sexualities:Theories, Methodologies, Practices (GEN570)

        Study points: 10

      • MEE128: Digitalisation for Sustainability

        Year 2, semester 3

        Digitalisation for Sustainability (MEE128)

        Study points: 10

      • MENPRA: Work Placement

        Year 2, semester 3

        Work Placement (MENPRA)

        Study points: 30

      • SAM550: Energy, Societal Safety and Sustainable Development

        Year 2, semester 3

        Energy, Societal Safety and Sustainable Development (SAM550)

        Study points: 10

Student 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.

    North-West University

    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.

  • Sør-Afrika

    North-West University

  • 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.

Admission 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
  • Social science 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.

Contact information

The Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Media and Social Sciences. Phone no.: 51 83 15 00/15 35. Email address: post-ims@uis.no.

Please contact program coordinator Liv Sunnercrantz for academic questions. thomas.sattich@uis.no

Please magda.hognestad@uis.no.