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Master's Programme in Environmental Science with focus on Sustainable Development

  • Number of credits 120 credits
  • Study time 2 years (full time)
  • Level Master’s Degree
  • Starting Autumn Term 2024

The Master's Programme in Environmental science is a natural science programme that aims to develop your competence in working with environmental issues. You will study environmental issues from a scientific perspective – analysing causes, relationships and possible solutions to environmental problems. Sustainable development is a core theme in the programme, which will help you prepare for your future career, whether you aim to work at a government agency or in the private sector.

Study sustainability

Sustainable development is a core theme in the Master's programme in Environmental Sciences with focus on sustainable development.

While studying

The Master's programme in Environmental science with focus on sustainable development addresses current societal problems that are connected to global environmental and sustainability issues. The transition to a more sustainable society is a major challenge, requiring joint efforts by universities, society and the private sector. The challenge is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach.

The master's programme is based on current societal problems that are linked to global environmental and sustainability issues. Initially, you read a course that focuses on the transition to a more sustainable society. In order to achieve realistic conditions, we use in this course a so-called challenge-driven pedagogy, where you as a student are faced with a complex sustainability challenge in project form in collaboration with external collaborators. You can read more about the course structure in the program overview below, where you can also access the course syllabi. The programme provides the opportunity to take a degree of master of science in environmental science after one year.

Specialise or broaden your skills

In addition to the course mentioned above, you choose between a number of different courses in environmental science. You also have the opportunity to study up to 60 higher education credits where you choose courses in other subject areas to broaden your education. In the field of biology, for example, there are courses in nature conservation and water management, while in earth sciences there are courses focused on environmental biogeochemistry and geographical information systems. In the area of ​​environmental and health protection, there are courses in, for example, soil remediation and environmental impact assessment.

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, group exercises, laboratory work and field exercises. You complete the education with a degree project, which comprises either 30 or 60 credits. All teaching at the advanced level is usually in English.

If you wish you have the possibility after one year on the programme to take a Degree of Master of Science in Environmental Science. If so you will do a thesis project of 15 ECTS during the spring term of year 1.

Think globally, solve problems locally

An important part of the programme is to work with different forms of environmental problem solving. Important starting points include risk analysis, and analysis of the consequences of environmental changes. This includes work on adaptations to climate change and the transition to a sustainable future. The final degree project provides further opportunities for deepened problem solving in any part of the environment.

Read article: Sustainable campus: management important for gender equality

 

Programme overview

Year 1 Autumn term
Transition towards a sustainable society, 15 ECTS
Sustainability Science, 15 ECTS

Year 1 Spring term
Analysis of environmental changes, with a focus on biogeochemistry or long-term environmental problems, 15 ECTS
Elective courses, 30 ECTS
Examples of elective courses:
Theoretical environmental science, 15 ECTS
Degree of Master of Science thesis*, 15 ECTS
*This course is only for students who intend to take a one-year Degree of Master of Science (Swedish: “magister”)

Year 2 Autumn term
Elective courses, 30 ECTS
Examples of elective courses:
Freshwater Management, 15 ECTS
Geographical information system, 15 ECTS
Theoretical environmental science, 15 ECTS

Year 2 Spring term
Master's Degree thesis, 30 ECTS

Alternatively:

Year 2 Autumn and spring term
Master's Degree thesis, 60 ECTS

Career opportunities

Many of our students work with national or global environmental and sustainability issues, often with elements of planning, coordination, investigation or supervision. The education gives you good opportunities to compete for jobs in, for example, the public sector or as a consultant in the industrial sector.

Examples of professions:

• Environmental Coordinator
• Sustainability Coach
• Environmental Strategist
• Work Environment Engineer
• Environmental Consultant
• Environmental Manager
• Environmental Management Officer

Application and eligibility

Master's programme in environmental science with focus on sustainable development, 120 credits

Det finns inga tidigare terminer för kursen Autumn Term 2024 Det finns inga senare terminer för kursen

Second admission round for EU/EEA citizens

Programme starts

Autumn Term 2024

Type of studies

100%, Daytime

Study location

Umeå

Language

English

Eligibility

A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are at least 90 ECTS which include a thesis of at least 15 ECTS in environmental science, environmental health, earth sciences/physical geography or biology. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies. Entry requirements

Selection

Academic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)

Application code

UMU-P5068

Application

Application deadline was 15 April 2024. The application period is closed.

Application and tuition fees

As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.

Application fee

SEK 900

Tuition fee, first instalment

SEK 71,400

Total fee

SEK 285,600

International admission round

Programme starts

Autumn Term 2024

Type of studies

100%, Daytime

Study location

Umeå

Language

English

Eligibility

A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are at least 90 ECTS which include a thesis of at least 15 ECTS in environmental science, environmental health, earth sciences/physical geography or biology. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies. Entry requirements

Selection

Academic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)

Application code

UMU-M5068

Application

Application deadline was 15 January 2024. The application period is closed.

Application and tuition fees

As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.

Application fee

SEK 900

Tuition fee, first instalment

SEK 71,400

Total fee

SEK 285,600

Contact us

Please be aware that the University is a public authority and that what you write here can be included in an official document. Therefore, be careful if you are writing about sensitive or personal matters in this contact form. If you have such an enquiry, please call us instead. All data will be treated in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation.

Contactperson for the programme is:
Heidi Burdett