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)
120
English
August every year
About the study programme
This Master programme takes the Paris Agreement (climate change) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the point of departure. The programme focuses on the challenges associated with the realization of these goals, with a special emphasis on energy. Energy and its associated environmental challenges present tremendous challenges for both nations and the international community. Energy systems across the globe are transitioning - or about to transition - towards lower carbon and more sustainable energy configurations. At the same time, debates about what constitutes sustainable energy policy have intensified in most countries, with political conflicts over the true meaning of concepts such as sustainable energy, low carbon transition, and with different and competing visions about the future energy mix and future energy system.
These political controversies constitute the core of this Master study. It raises the fundamental question what sustainable energy might be and what a low carbon transition might look like from different perspectives. The program gives students an overview into energy specific challenges, environmental challenges associated with energy (e.g. climate change, water resources deterioration, competition for land, etc.), and explores the different actors, interests, perceptions and drivers of a possible transition towards a low carbon society in diverse contexts. It encompasses the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development.
The Master explores transition theories. How can societal changes be managed and directed towards specific goals such as sustainable development and a low carbon society? What are the specific configurations of politics and policy that will enable a transition to a sustainable society in different contexts?
While the Master program is multidisciplinary in its approach, it provides room to specialize, through the selection of electives and by studying abroad at one of our partner institutions.
Please note that changes in the elective courses might occur. The selection of elective courses offered each year might therefore vary.
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
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, the energy industry, and start-ups 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 therefore an asset for the public and private sector. We are actively working with an expanding network of companies, institutions, the public sector, and alumni in Rogaland, Norway, and beyond.
Work placement
In the third semester, you can apply for the elective course ‘Work placement’. This course gives you the opportunity to do 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 UiS has an agreement with. You can also propose work placements, and these propositions will be evaluated according to pre-defined standards made by the department.
- This internship course is worth 30 credits
- The work placement increases your awareness of your role in relation to others in specific work environments
- The course will increase your capacity to perform new tasks in a dynamic surrounding; often this involves different and changing tasks
- You gain insight in how to analyse situations and make use of different theories, methods and skills to enhance wanted changes
See more information about work placements under "Study plan and courses".
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.
All study programmes at the UiS have a set of defined learning targets. In this study program, we are learning for sustainability. It is expected that the students after completing the master will be able to actively work with sustainable development and the energy transition in different work environments.
Knowledge
Our goal is to provide students with broad knowledge about the main elements of the sustainability transition:
- Knowledge about the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global challenges
- Advanced knowledge of transition theory and other theoretical perspectives on politics and policy changes
- Knowledge of energy carriers, energy technologies, energy challenges, and digitalization of energy systems
- Advanced knowledge of national and international energy politics and policy
- Advanced knowledge of the challenges associated with the low carbon transition, and how it affects societal structures as well as individual lives
- Advanced knowledge of strategies and actions necessary for a low carbon transition
- Knowledge of the relationships between energy, risk, security, and sustainable development
- Advanced knowledge of the geopolitics of energy and environmental policy
- Knowledge of energy markets, resource economics and innovation
Skills
The study program aims at developing the capacities needed for working with complex sustainability issues in different environments. Students will be able to:
- Critically assess different sources of information and to use them to structure and develop a scientific argument
- Apply theoretical approaches, formulate proposals, and recommendations
- Apply knowledge and methods in various energy and sustainability related fields
- Make effective oral and written presentations
- Work in teams
- Ability to work independently and conduct an independent research project
- Apply, communicate, and advance the understanding of issues related to sustainable energy
General competencies
In the study program, we aspire to promote competencies required to contribute to the strategies and solutions for a sustainable society. Students will be able to:
- Develop sustainability transition strategies
- Contribute to problem-solving, both in a practical and a theoretical sense
- Analyse and describe complex systems across different subject areas related to sustainability (e.g. regulation, economics, environment)
- Develop solutions to questions and challenges around sustainability, and to intervene in ongoing processes and systems
- Design and implement sustainability measures
- Facilitate cooperation towards sustainable solutions
Some of the above skills depend on which of the elective courses that are chosen.
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, 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. The program is an international Master's program and is therefore taught in English.
Application and admission
Deadlines
and other admission requirements
Contact
For inquiries regarding admission to international Master's programmes, send an email to: admissions@uis.no.
Find more information here: When to apply.
Study plan and courses
Enrolment year: 2023
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Compulsary courses
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Societal Transition and Transformation - Energy and Climate Change
Year 1, semester 1
Societal Transition and Transformation - Energy and Climate Change (MEE100)
Study points: 10
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Philosophy of Science and Research Methods
Year 1, semester 1
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Energy, Energy Technologies, and Energy System Integration
Year 1, semester 1
Energy, Energy Technologies, and Energy System Integration (PET515)
Study points: 10
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Applied Social Science Research Methods
Year 1, semester 2
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Master Thesis
Year 2, semester 3
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3 term at UiS or exchange studies
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Exchange studies
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Term 3 at UiS - Choose 30 ECTS
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New Technologies and Ideas for Sustainable City Development
Year 2, semester 3
New Technologies and Ideas for Sustainable City Development (BYG655)
Study points: 10
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Global Sexualities:Theories, Methodologies, Practices
Year 2, semester 3
Global Sexualities:Theories, Methodologies, Practices (GEN570)
Study points: 10
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Work Placement
Year 2, semester 3
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Energy, Societal Safety and Sustainable Development
Year 2, semester 3
Energy, Societal Safety and Sustainable Development (SAM550)
Study points: 10
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Choose two courses in term 2
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Energy and Environmental Politics and Policy in a Comparative Perspective
Year 1, semester 2
Energy and Environmental Politics and Policy in a Comparative Perspective (MEE120)
Study points: 10
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Digital Societies for Sustainable Energy Transitions
Year 1, semester 2
Digital Societies for Sustainable Energy Transitions (MEE128)
Study points: 10
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Geopolitics of the Energy Transition
Year 1, semester 2
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Governing Energy Transitions
Year 1, semester 2
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Economics of Energy Markets
Year 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. All about exchange
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 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!
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.
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
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.
- 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.
Contact Us
Department of Media and Social Sciences
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