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Science for Sustainable Development – (M.Sc.)
Linköping University
Natural and Environmental Sciences
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| Application Deadline: | January 16 | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | Free - ≈ € 12,000 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Linköping / Sweden / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 24 months | Start Date: | August |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 120 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of Linköping University
The two-year M.Sc. in Science for Sustainable Development is an interdisciplinary master’s programme comprising both theoretical and empirical studies in the natural sciences, social sciences and technology. The focus is on the global environment and sociotechnical issues such as climate change, the availability of water and energy and to help guide their development towards socially appropriate ends. It covers two years of full time studies.
Issues of sustainability are inherently complex and constantly changing. It is therefore crucial to address these issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. Courses are designed to provide deeper knowledge in the relevant fields, and at the same time broaden the students’ perspective on questions and challenges related to sustainable development. Students also learn how to use relevant analytical tools for interdisciplinary studies of environmental change.
Climate science and policy is one important focus of the programme, since successful mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change are closely linked to the possibility of achieving sustainable development. Another two important foci of the programme are mitigation and adaptation possibilities that are linked to energy and water resources management.
Another important focus is the understanding of biogeochemical and ecological processes that are fundamental for life on earth and how humans affect these processes, e.g., through resource utilization. These aspects will be integrated in all parts of the programme.
Employment and career opportunities
The programme aims at preparing students to work with issues regarding sustainable development in international and national agencies, universities, municipalities, non-governmental organisations and international corporations. The programme also prepares those students who want to pursue a doctoral programme (Ph.D.) in related fields.
Contents
The interdisciplinary programme draws on recent research from a number of disciplines, such as: environmental science, sociology, economics, history, geography, etc. Environmental, social and economic aspects - the three ‘pillars’ of sustainability - of the energy and water resources sectors, as well as links between these, are also studied also in historical contexts other than climate change, including demographic, political and technological change, production of scientific knowledge and economic globalisation. The programme also draws on recent research and analytical frameworks from the field of science and technology studies.
To complete the degree, students must follow a combination of course-work and the preparation of an individual thesis. The Master’s thesis, an individual student project, is an important part of the programme, allowing students to choose the area within which to develop expertise based on interest and with support from on-going relevant research.
The programme is open to both Swedish and international students. The language of instruction is English. The programme is offered by two of the units at TEMA - The Department of Thematic Studies: Water and Environmental Studies and Technology and Social Change, in co-operation with the European Inter-University Association on Society, Science and Technology (ESST). It involves collaboration and exchange with other European universities (for instance ESST). As an international programme, it offers the students the possibility to study at another European university participating in ESST. Similar possibilities to study at Linköping University on an exchange basis are offered to students from other universities that take part in the programme through the ESST.
The Programme is interdisciplinary and therefore has a very wide scope. It is run over two years and encompasses 120 credits, including a thesis.
The components of the programme are as follows:
Semester 1
- Introduction to Advanced Academic Studies, 3 credits
- Introduction to Sustainable Development, 4.5 credits
- Environmental and Resource Use Challenges, 7.5 credits
- Analytical Frameworks in Sustainability Studies, 15 credits
Semester 2
- Climate Science and Policy, 15 credits
- Sustainable Resources Management, 15 credits
Semester 3
- Designing Environmental Studies in Sustainable Development, 7.5 credits
- Elective courses covering 22.5 credits.
Semester 4
- Master's Thesis, 30 credits
Information about the ESST association
The International M.Sc. Science for Sustainable Development is offered in co-operation with the European Inter-University Association on Society, Science and Technology (ESST). Membership in ESST involves collaboration and exchange with 17 other European universities.
Students in the programme may take their second semester of study and thesis work at another European university participating in ESST. Similar opportunities for study at Linköping University on an exchange basis are offered to students from other universities that take part in the programme.
Membership in ESST is a key asset of International M.Sc. Science for Sustainable Development. In addition to providing broader opportunities for students, international collaboration within ESST ensures that the Master’s Programme will be of high academic quality and close to the current frontiers of research in its field. The ESST website provides information about the ESST association and its members, the MA programme in ESST (curriculum, thesis guidelines, etc.), ongoing research projects, and alumni.
Students are encouraged to make use of the ESST website, since this is the main source of information concerning second semester specializations within ESST. It also provides complete information about the ESST calendar, curriculum and guidelines and procedures for thesis evaluation.
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
More informationRequirements
- A Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen) from an internationally recognised university.
- Proficiency in English. This is normally attested by means of an internationally recognised test, see below for more information.
- The specific requirements stated for each programme
A bachelor's degree awarded in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Nepal must in most cases be of four years or followed by a master's degree to meet the admission requirements.
Applicants who do not hold the required degree are eligible provided that they can prove that they are registered for the last semester of a programme leading to such a degree. An official document stating that they are likely to be awarded the degree before the start of the programme must be sent in with the application. The degree certificate has to be presented by 15 October.
Specific requirements
A relevant background for the programme is a degree in either natural sciences, social sciences, health sciences, humanities or engineering that relates to environmental, social or economic aspects of sustainable development.
Each applicant must enclose a Letter of Intent written in English, explaining why they want to study this programme, and a summary of their bachelor's essay or project. If applicants hold a degree that does not include a bachelor's essay or project, their Letter of Intent should describe previous studies and any academic activities that are related to the master's programme applied for.
Language tests in English
Applicants must have documented skills in English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (English B). For applicants who have not studied in Swedish upper secondary education, skills in English are normally attested to by means of an international language test, such as:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Paper-based score of 4.5 (scale 1-6) in the written test with a total score of 575 and Internet-based score of 20 (scale 0-30) in the written test with a total score of 90. NB! TOEFL Examinee Score Records are not accepted. All TOEFL tests must be sent straight from Educational Testing Service (ETS).
- International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) - Academic modules, an overall mark of 6.5 and no section below 5.5
- Cambridge ESOL Certificate of Proficiency in English/CPE or Certificate in Advanced English/CAE.
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): | Grade C (Score: 60) |
| TOEFL Paper-based: | 575 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 90 |
Funding details
- Students who have applied for a master’s programme at Linköping University through the online national application website universityadmissions.se, and who have chosen a programme at Linköping University as their first priority (ranked as No.1 out of 4), and who are required to pay tuition fees. The scholarship is a tuition fee waiver of 50-100 %.
- This scholarship programme is not open for students from the following 12 countries: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Students from these countries may apply for a Swedish Institute Scholarship.
- To apply for a LiU International Scholarship, you must first apply for the programme(s) you wish to study at Linköping University using the online national application website, universityadmissions.se.
- More details on elegibility, etc and application form for the LiU International Scholarship.
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