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Studies

Bachelor
Full time
International Environment and Development Studies

Do you strive to develop the skills to critically analyze and assess international environmental and development issues and their interconnectedness?

Apply here

ECTS credits:

180

Application deadline:

International applicants (including EU/EEA): 1 December

Norwegian and Nordic applicants: 15 April

Start of Studies:

Autumn

Requirements:

 

Tuition fees

Higher Education Entrance Qualification + documented proficiency in English

Information on how to document your proficiency in English

  • Requirements in detail

    Higher Education Entrance Qualification

Bachelor of Science. Three-year, full-time, 180 ECTS

Language of instruction: English

The Bachelor's degree program in International Environmental and Development Studies (B-IEDS) explores various fields and their interrelationships, including issues of social justice, sustainability, resilience, natural resource management, resource conflicts, development policy, environmental, gender, and development issues, as well as underlying power dynamics.

B-IEDS lets you tailor the program to your own interests through a combination of compulsory and elective courses. Elective courses can be chosen from a wide range of courses at NMBU, for example, in ecology and economics, or at other universities in Norway or abroad. The program has a strong international focus, reflected in its study topics, the opportunity of an exchange semester, and the chance to participate in a field course to India or Tanzania. The field courses offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience to apply the theoretical knowledge gained during your studies in practice, while also gaining insights into a different culture and collecting research experience.

Our courses are closely linked to cutting-edge research, and we frequently invite guest lecturers who are experts in environmental and development challenges and their policy implications. This gives you a real sense of how concepts are applied in practice and opens doors to exploring different career paths.

Studying B-IEDS allows students to not only learn from internationally recognized scientists but also alongside fellow students with diverse backgrounds, creating the foundation for fruitful, dynamic discussions and meaningful collaboration among students and teachers.

Beyond the classroom, many students are involved in Ås' vibrant student community. This includes joining local chapters of national and international organizations, building networks, and applying their knowledge in the real world.

As graduates of the International Environmental and Development Studies program, students connect with and can become part of an international community of changemakers, promoting a climate and socially just world for everyone.

More about the admission requirements and process.

View or download the study plan for this degree.

Student accommodation: 

Accommodation close to our beautiful campus is offered through NMBU's Student Welfare Association (SiÅs). International students are prioritized for on-campus housing, though this is not guaranteed. We recommended that you apply for accommodation immediately after accepting your admission offer to secure housing. Read more. 

Career opportunities

Graduates may find employment in a wide range of national and international institutions, including government agencies and non-governmental development organizations. The program provides a sound basis for further studies within: Development Studies, Environmental Studies, International Relations, Resource Management, or Ecology.

Career Interviews

Helene Rød - Advancing gender equality and health as a Technical Officer at the WHO

Ida Morén Strømsø - Senior Adviser for Climate Adaptation at the Norwegian Environment Agency

Leo Alfredo Ruiz Montes - Managing and analyzing environmental and social risks in the banking sector

Oyun-Erdene - Supporting education as a Gender Expert

Marte Vestvik - Finding solutions for sustainable waste management

  • Learning outcomes

    A candidate who has completed their bachelor's degree should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

    Knowledge:

    ▪ Good understanding of international environment and development issues and their interlinkages.

    ▪ Knowledge of development theory, the history of development, and the roots and theory of sustainable development.

    ▪ Familiarity with basic social science concepts common to disciplines spanning sociology, political economy and anthropology.

    ▪ Basic knowledge of ecology and the environmental sciences.

    ▪ Basic knowledge of perspectives in political economy as well as in economics.

    ▪ Knowledge of theory, concepts, approaches and themes related to social diversity, inequalities and injustice, including those related to gender.

    ▪ Familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research methodology, as well as methodological issues related to interdisciplinarity.

    Skills:

    ▪ Ability to write academic texts and build logical line of reasoning.

    ▪ Ability to find, review and cite relevant literature in own papers and reports.

    ▪ Ability to critically reflect on information and science claims.

    ▪ Ability to manage academic project work and fieldwork.

    ▪ Ability to give oral presentations and participate in oral discussions.

    General competence:

    ▪ Broad understanding of the interconnectedness of the social and natural sciences.

    ▪ Ability to seek new knowledge and acquire new skills relevant to meet local and global environment and development challenges.

    ▪ Ability to think critically and analytically, and to make well-founded assessments of local and global environment and development challenges.

    ▪ Ability to explore and present issues in cooperation with others.

    ▪ Ability to work in a focused and independent manner, and to communicate knowledge, analyses and results in a convincing manner, both orally and in writing.

  • Exchange possibilities

    Students may enter an exchange scheme at one of NMBU's partner institutions in the 5th semester.

  • Program structure

    The programme consists of mandatory and elective courses. The mandatory courses constitute 115 ECTS and make up the two first years of the programme. A progression from introductory to more advanced courses within the interdisciplinary field of international environment and development studies provides the specialization of the programme. Students will also be introduced to philosophy, ecology, scientific writing, and research methods. The third year is set aside for elective courses, either at the department, at other departments, or with other universities. A minimum of 45 ECTS from the elective courses must be on the 200-level or above. Some options for field courses will be provided and in the fifth semester exchange to partner universities abroad will be possible.

  • More about the program

    • Societal relevance

      Humanity is faced with challenges of increasing scale and complexity, including climate change, global inequality and poverty. The University, Research, and Higher Education sectors in Norway have determined that the guiding principles, directions and funding mechanisms for research and education will be aligned with a number of policy frameworks, all anchored first and foremost in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a global agenda. The Bachelor’s degree in International Environment and Development Studies has a unique interdisciplinary and international focus that bridges environmental and social sciences and equips students with knowledge and skills to address global challenges.

    • Learning activities

      The programme utilises a wide range of teaching methods. Because working with environment and development often involves adapting knowledge to new situations, many courses use case-oriented teaching and group work. This ensures that students take an active interest in their own learning. Teaching methods vary between courses and include lectures, seminar activities, assignments, presentations and discussions. Field exercises and practical experience is also part of the programme through elective field courses.

    • Examination

      The courses offered utilise a wide range of forms of evaluation such as written sit-in exams, take-home exams, oral exams and term papers. These evaluate the student’s skills in academic reading and writing, as well as analytical skills, in different ways.

    • Equipment

      All students should have access to their own laptop computer for use in learning and assessment, cf. regulation of 21 December 2018 no. 2221 on self-payment at universities and colleges § 3-3 third paragraph.

    • Information for students from partner universities

      Noragric can offer individually tailored packages for students from our partner universities. All courses at the department are offered in English.

    • Cooperation with other institutions

      Noragric has a broad network of international partners. One or more field courses in developing countries will be offered.

Study advisor(s):

Jørn Kongsten Brevik

Jørn Kongsten Brevik

Senior Advisor