Programme Structure

When you enroll in the MSc programme in Environment and Development, you must choose between two different specialisations: In the Agriculture and Ecology-specialisation, your main academic focus lies within the field of natural sciences. In the Livelihoods and Governance-specialisation, your focus is on the field of social sciences. Read more about each specialisation at the bottom of the page.

In both specialisations, the programme consists of three compulsory courses, which introduce you to an interdisciplinary scientific approach to environmental resource challenges, particularly in lower income countries. 

Furthermore, you follow both restricted elective (specific to each specialisation) and elective courses. The teaching methods varies between lectures, exercises, field work, and project work. You will be working both independently and in project groups.

You and your fellow students will participate in field work abroad. This might be, for example, the mountain areas of Thailand, where you collaborate with local students and educational institutions in a problem-based case study on resource use, agriculture, and livelihoods. You will also collect primary data in connection to your thesis.

Do a Project in Practice or Study Abroad

You may choose to use some of your elective or restricted elective courses to do a project in practice in collaboration with a company or an organisation. You can also choose to study abroad for one or two semesters or for a shorter period.

Master's Thesis

The programme is completed with a thesis, which takes approximately six months. Your title will be MSc in Environment and Development. The thesis requires a minimum of two months' field work. You decide the subject for your thesis.

Specialisations

 

On this specialisation your main focus will be on theories and interventions in relation to agricultural production and sustainable use of natural resources in the Global South.

You will be able to identify critical aspects of natural resource management in relation to food, fibre, feed, and fuel production, as well as describe patterns associated with their sustainable production. The learning approach is a combination of class-room and field-related experiences, including data collection in complex real-life situations.

Programme Overview

Compulsory courses: 30 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4
Year 1

Global Challenges in Environment and Development Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Environment and Development Practicing Interdisciplinary Field Research on the Environment Elective course
Restricted elective course Restricted elective course Elective course
Year 2 Restricted elective course Thesis
Restricted elective course

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS.

Restricted Elective Courses

Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description.

 

 

You focus on people’s livelihoods and environmental resources, and the governance links between these.

The specialisation is oriented towards social science theories and concepts related to analysing and understanding challenges at the nexus of agriculture, livelihoods, and governance at local and household levels.

You will learn to master a range of quantitative and qualitative techniques and learn to analyse and interpret different forms of data to generate consistent conclusions. This includes the ability to apply principles, theories, and frameworks to case studies and engage in research and debates related to local development and environmental resource governance.

Your thesis must be based on at least two months of field work.

Programme Overview

Compulsory courses: 30 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4
Year 1 Global Challenges in Environment and Development Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Environment and Development Practicing Interdisciplinary Field Research on the Environment Elective course
Restricted elective course Restricted elective course Elective course
Year 2 Restricted elective course Thesis
Restricted elective course

One block each year equals nine weeks of study or 15 ECTS.

Restricted Elective Courses

Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description.