Umeå University - Faculty of Science and Technology

Master in Environmental Science and Sustainability

The Master's Programme in Environmental Science and Sustainability 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 within 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.

While studying

A sustainability-focused Master’s programme

The Master's Programme in Environmental Science and Sustainability is a multi-disciplinary programme that aims to develop your competence in working with global environmental issues. You will study these environmental issues with a holistic perspective – analysing the environmental, societal and political causes, relationships and possible solutions.

As the world faces growing environmental concerns such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, there is an increasing demand for experts with an environmental science education who can analyze complex issues and develop effective solutions. Sustainable development is a core theme throughout the programme, which will help you prepare for your future career, which could be with a government agency, in the private sector, policymaking, or in future research.

Focus on global challenges

The programme addresses some of our most pressing global challenges. Transitioning to a sustainable society requires cooperation between academia, policymakers, and the private sector. This transformation is highly complex and demands a multidisciplinary approach, which is a core aspect of this programme.

Right from the start, you will take an introductory course focused on the transition towards sustainability. This course employs a challenge-driven pedagogy, where you will work on real-world sustainability challenges in collaboration with external partners. Through project-based learning, you will gain practical experience in analyzing environmental problems and proposing innovative solutions. This is followed by a course dedicated to Sustainability Science, which provides you with the theoretical knowledge to underpin our transition towards sustainability.

Environmental Science education with specialization options

Beyond the core sustainability-focused courses, you can choose from a wide range of specialized courses in environmental science, allowing you to develop expertise in areas that align with your interests and career aspirations. For students interested in broadening their knowledge, the programme offers the opportunity to take up to 45 higher education credits in other disciplines, providing a sustainability master's with an interdisciplinary edge.

Some of the specialization areas include:
Biology: Courses in ecosystem management and Global change science
Earth Sciences:Studies in Soil and Water, Geographic information systems (GIS), and Limnology

The teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group exercises, laboratory work, and field studies, ensuring a well-rounded education. In the final stage of the programme, you will complete a Master’s thesis of either 30 or 60 credits, allowing you to explore a topic within Environmental Science and/or Sustainability Science in depth. All courses at the advanced level are taught in English, making this programme accessible to international students and preparing graduates for the global job market.

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Umeå University placed first of all participating universities in the International Student Barometer (ISB) in the categories of living, support, and overall satisfaction.