Climate change, loss of biodiversity, and the possible transition towards a low carbon society trigger political conflicts within the nations and across the globe. What does the concept of sustainable energy really include? How do the challenges regarding new energy systems affect a society?
2 years / 4 semesters
30 for local applicants 10 for international applicants
120
English
August every year
This Master's programme raises the fundamental questions of what sustainable energy might be and what a low carbon transition might look like from different perspectives.
The program is highly relevant to both the public sector and the private sector. Knowledge about sustainable development, energy and environmental challenges are expected to increase sharply in the future. Such social change also requires new ways of thinking. In-depth knowledge in these areas will therefore be on high demand. The multidisciplinary approach of this master will undoubtedly strengthen the relevance of social science graduates for both public and private sectors.
Through this programme students will gain advanced knowledge of national and international energy politics and policy and, among other things, analyse the relationships between energy, risk, societal safety and sustainable development.
Work placement
In the third semester, you can apply for the elective course «Work placement».
The internship course is worth 30 credits and gives you the opportunity to go on an internship at one of the companies UiS has an agreement with.
The course offers students work placements in businesses. The work placement contributes to increase the student's awareness of his/her role in relation to others in specific work related development and change tasks. Furthermore, the student gains insight in how to analyse situations and make use of different methods and theories to enhance wanted changes.
See more information under "Study plan and courses".
Career prospects
This Master's program in social sciences is highly relevant to both the public and the private sector. Demand for knowledge about the nexus between energy, environment and sustainability is expected to increase sharply in the future. Employers like the public sector, think tanks, consultancies and the energy industry explore new ways of thinking and new ways of governance to enable social change together with low-carbon energy transitions. In an area as dynamically changing, this Master’s social science graduates are an asset for the public and private sector.
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.
It is expected that the students after completing the master will have/be able to:
Knowledge
- Knowledge of energy carriers, energy technologies, energy challenges, digitalization and ICT related to energy system integration.
- Advanced knowledge of transition theory and other theoretical perspectives on politics and policy changes.
- Advanced knowledge of national and international energy politics and policy.
- Advanced knowledge of the challenges associated with a low carbon transition, and how this affects both societal structures and individual lives in an intersectional perspective.
- Advanced knowledge of strategies and actions necessary for a low carbon transition.
- Knowledge of the relationships between energy, risk, societal safety and sustainable development.
- Advanced knowledge of the geopolitics of energy and environmental policy.
- Knowledge of energy markets, resource economics and innovation.
Skills
- Critically assess different sources of information, and use them to structure and develop an academic argument.
- Apply different theories for analytical purposes.
- Work independently with practical and theoretical problem-solving.
- Conduct an independent research project.
- Be a good team worker.
- Apply an advanced understanding of political and policy issues related to sustainable energy politics and policy in practice.
General competencies
- Critically apply and evaluate relevant literature, theories, policy proposals, and recommendations.
- Apply knowledge and research skills in various energy and sustainability related fields.
- Communicate research, analysis and conclusions, making effective oral and written presentations.
Contribute to the strategies and solutions for a sustainable society.
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
- Political science
- Management
- Economics
Professional bachelor degrees in the following areas qualify for admission: police, teacher education, health care, 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
How and when to apply?
Deadlines, English requirements, documentation requirements and more
For inquiries regarding admission to international Master's programmes, send an email to: admissions@uis.no
Enrolment year:
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Compulsary courses
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Choose one course in term 2
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3 term at UiS or exchange studies
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Term 3 at UiS - Choose 3 courses
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Exchange studies
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Exchange - 30 SP
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Compulsary courses
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Master Thesis
ÅR 2 SEMESTER 3
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Choose one course in term 2
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3 term at UiS or exchange studies
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Term 3 at UiS - Choose 3 courses
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New Technologies and Ideas for Sustainable City Development
ÅR 2 SEMESTER 3
New Technologies and Ideas for Sustainable City Development
Study points: 10
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A posthuman era? New theoretical reflections on the human and its relations
ÅR 2 SEMESTER 3
A posthuman era? New theoretical reflections on the human and its relations
Study points: 10
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Intersectionality: critical perspectives on Inequality and Power
ÅR 2 SEMESTER 3
Intersectionality: critical perspectives on Inequality and Power
Study points: 10
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Work placement
ÅR 2 SEMESTER 3
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Energy, Societal Safety and Sustainable Development
ÅR 2 SEMESTER 3
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Environmental and Resource Economics
ÅR 2 SEMESTER 3
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Exchange studies
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Exchange - 30 SP
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Compulsary courses
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Societal transition and transformation - Energy and climate change
ÅR 1 SEMESTER 1
Societal transition and transformation - Energy and climate change
Study points: 10
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Philosophy of Science and Research Methods
ÅR 1 SEMESTER 1
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Energy, energy technologies, and energy system integration
ÅR 1 SEMESTER 1
Energy, energy technologies, and energy system integration
Study points: 10
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Social science research methods
ÅR 1 SEMESTER 2
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Energy and environmental politics and policy in a comparative perspective
ÅR 1 SEMESTER 2
Energy and environmental politics and policy in a comparative perspective
Study points: 10
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Master Thesis
ÅR 2 SEMESTER 3
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3 term at UiS or exchange studies
-
Term 3 at UiS - Choose 3 courses
-
New Technologies and Ideas for Sustainable City Development
ÅR 2 SEMESTER 3
New Technologies and Ideas for Sustainable City Development
Study points: 10
-
A posthuman era? New theoretical reflections on the human and its relations
ÅR 2 SEMESTER 3
A posthuman era? New theoretical reflections on the human and its relations
Study points: 10
-
Intersectionality: critical perspectives on Inequality and Power
ÅR 2 SEMESTER 3
Intersectionality: critical perspectives on Inequality and Power
Study points: 10
-
Work placement
ÅR 2 SEMESTER 3
-
Energy, Societal Safety and Sustainable Development
ÅR 2 SEMESTER 3
-
Environmental and Resource Economics
ÅR 2 SEMESTER 3
-
-
Exchange studies
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Exchange - 30 SP
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-
-
Choose one course in term 2
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Digital societies for sustainable energy transitions
ÅR 1 SEMESTER 2
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The geopolitics of the energy transition
ÅR 1 SEMESTER 2
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Economics of Energy Markets
ÅR 1 SEMESTER 2
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Perspectives on Strategic Innovation
ÅR 1 SEMESTER 2
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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's program Energy, Environment and Society 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's degree in Energy, Environment and Society, 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's degree in Energy, Environment and Society 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. If, on the other hand, you have at least 30 credits in social science subjects, in or in addition to your bachelor's degree, you will be able to be assessed 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.
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.
Exchange semester
Semester 3
Students at Energy, Environment and Society can do 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 instituitons, you can choose courses freely. The Department of Media and Social Sciences has a list over 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 have a number of courses to choose from.
Want to know more?
Please contact executive officer Live Kolstad Kvalsvik for more information.
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