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Studies

Master's degree (2 years)
Full time
Applied Economics and Sustainability

Want a master’s degree in economics that lets you specialize in some of the biggest challenges of our time? This programme gives you a solid foundation in economic theory and applied methods, while allowing you to specialize in climate, energy, and environmental economics. You receive an economics education fully comparable to other programmes, but with a unique opportunity to work on critical issues that will shape markets  and the society in the future.

Apply here

Application deadline:

Applicants outside EU/EEA: 1 December

Norwegian, Nordic, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens: 15 April 

 

Start of Studies:

August

Required points:

C (2025)

Requirements:

Tuition fees

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree in one of the academic fields specified in the 'Requirements in detail' section below:

  • Requirements in detail

    Applicants with a Bachelor degree in economics or other relevant fields. The degree should include courses in mathematics and statistics and intermediate level courses in micro- and macroeconomics.

    All the grades from the bachelor degree will be counted in the average grade. A weighted average grade of C or better is required for admission to the programme.

    Admission requirements

    Applicants must demonstrate English language ability in accordance with the NMBU regulations for programmes taught in English (Grade 4 from Norwegian upper secondary, or eqivalent test ): Language requirements for programmes taught in English at NMBU | NMBU

Studenter NMBU

Master of Science. Two-year, full-time, 120 ECTS 
Language of instruction: English

The master’s degree in Applied Economics and Sustainability will give you a solid foundation in applied economics, economic methods, and its application to sustainability.  

You have the opportunity to customize your degree through a wide range of electives, either within the School of Economics and Business or across other faculties, reflecting NMBU’s competitive advantage as an interdisciplinary institution. As a student in this programme, you can also gain work-life experience through the internship course ECN334 Internship in Economics, where you work with an external partner organisation, a private firm, or a public agency in Norway on an agreed set of work tasks to be performed. This practical experience further strengthens your career prospects.

The core of the program has a focus on how theory is applied to address real world problems, using analytical methods and contemporary software (e.g., R and Python). The program draws heavily on the research done at the School of Economics and Business in environmental, energy, resource and climate economics, development economics, public economics and taxation, and financial and commodity market analysis. 

Full overview of program structure

 

Prestigious accreditation 

NMBU has accreditation from the global standard-setting body for business education, confirming that our economics degrees rank among the very best in the world. AACSB represents the largest and most respected network of business schools globally. We are especially proud that the evaluation committee recognized the quality of our degree programmes as ‘outstanding’. Read more 

 

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

Economists understand how markets, policies, interventions, and incentives shape societies and the well-being of citizens. This makes them highly sought after across sectors. Career opportunities span consultancy firms, banks, financial institutions, and energy companies, along with ministries, directorates, public agencies, and NGOs. Economists have a competitive advantage compared to business studies because they are trained to analyse complex mechanism, evaluate outcomes of policies and interventions, and work with quantitative methods that support evidence-based decision-making.

 

Hajar Benhammou, former student at Applied Economics and Sustainability

 

- The possibliity of combining courses of interest with mandatory courses was also interesting for me, in that way I could tailor my own degree. In addition, this is in an international study program, that gives opportunity to form friendships with people from many different countries all over the world. This opened up new perspectives and contributed to engaging discussions in the classroom. An interdisciplinary master's degree, such as the master's Applied Economics and Sustainability at NMBU, is very relevant in the job I will be starting at Skatteetaten. 

Read more student stories 

Information about the student life at NMBU

 

 

Do you have questions for the study counselor?

If you have any questions about the study program that you cannot find the answer to here, you are welcome to contact us. Feel free to contact us by email at studieveileder-hh@nmbu.no or by phone directly to the study counselor. You can also book a study guidance appointment if you wish to schedule a meeting.

  • Learning outcomes

    Learning outcomes

    Learning outcomes
    A candidate who has completed his or her qualification should have the following learning outcomes:
    Knowledge:
    - Has advanced knowledge about microeconomic theory including producer and consumer behavior, and allocation of scarce resources, and how it relates to sustainability
    - Is able to formulate research questions, identify and collect relevant data, and consult and critically assess economic literature.
    - Has a strong understanding of how economic sustainability involves understanding trade-offs and opportunity costs in production, consumption, resource use and the government’s role in defining societal targets.
    - Insight into one of the key specialties at the School of Economics and Business e.g., climate, energy, resource, environment, or developmental economics, public economics, and taxation.

    Skills:
    - Identify and analyze contemporary problems using economic theory and evaluate their relevance
    - Undertake and complete an independent research project in economics including data collection, analysis, and draw conclusions.
    - Formulate researchable questions that links understanding of economy theory with its relevance for natural and environmental sciences, other social science, development studies, finance and commodity market analysis, or food and agricultural sciences; and
    - Apply advanced methods to analyze economic data and phenomenon, draw valid conclusions, and make relevant policy recommendations.

    General competency:
    - Identify, review and evaluate different theories and positions, primary and secondary data, and research and other publications; and to extract reliable information from these sources and identify knowledge gaps.
    - Work independently, or with direct responsibility to a diverse, interdisciplinary team to organize, plan, and conduct assigned tasks to achieve common goals in a timely fashion.
    - Build teams and inter-personal communication across cultures and across academic fields.
    - Communicate clearly and effectively, in speech and writing, about complex problems and solutions in ways tailored to different audiences.
    - Develop writing skills and learn to evaluate and use primary and secondary sources of data in the academic writing in line with ethical standards.

  • Exchange possibilities
    NMBU School of Economics and Business highly recommends its students to include a semester or a year of study abroad in their education. The department and the university have exchange agreements with universities across the world.

    For students interested in a semester exchange, it is recommended that this takes place in the first second semester. If you plan to go on exchange, please make an appointment with your study advisor.

    You will have the option to select an internship as part of your studies.
  • Program structure

    The master’s degree consists of 120 ECTS, including a 30 ECTS master’s thesis.

    The program is structured in four parts:

    A set of mandatory courses in mathematics, economics, data analysis, econometrics, introductory programming, public economics and taxation, and sustainability (55 ECTS).

    Specialization profiles in Environment, Climate, and Energy; Financial and Commodity Market Analysis; or elective courses (35 ECTS). The electives in the program can be either in one of the profiles, or freely chosen among the courses offered at NMBU. NB! The profile in Financial and Commodity Market Analysis requires BUS220 or equivalent from the bachelor level.

    Master thesis (30 ECTS)

    Full overview of program structure

  • More about the program
    • Societal relevance
      Modern economies are characterized by complexity, interconnectedness, and the exposure to rapid changes, which can originate domestically or internationally. Decision- and policymakers in both the private and public sectors require an ever-greater information and data base to assist them in responding to the challenges and opportunities that confront them. The theoretical and methodological foundation of an economist equips them to address real-world problems. The master’s program in Applied Economics and Sustainability provides comprehensive training in economic theory and quantitative analysis, and exposes the student to topics in sustainability, approaches, and methods that enable them to conduct economic and/or market analysis at the macroeconomic, sectoral and the firm or household level. The program also qualifies candidates for further studies at the doctoral level.
    • Learning activities
      The courses included in the program use a diverse set of pedagogical approaches including traditional lectures, group- and teamwork case studies, excursions and field trips and digital learning tools. There is a focus on student centered learning.

      A student mentorship program is implemented where 2nd year students act as mentors for 1st year students. A student conference takes place each spring where master students present their work.

      During work with the master thesis, students will be assigned a supervisor which provides ongoing feedback and assistance from beginning to end. Supervisors will be allocated according to students’ topics of interest.
    • Examination
      Individual courses in the program use a range of different assessment methods including semester assignments, project reports, peer review, presentations, and exams. All assessments are constructively aligned with each course’s learning outcomes, and courses in the program are selected such that they together meet the learning outcomes of the program. Assessments in courses are such that students will meet a variety of different assessment methods throughout the program.
    • Equipment
      In this study program we use computers in learning situations and on exams. Therefore every student must have their own laptop as per, the Academic Regulations for the Norwegian University of Life Sciences § 17-4.

Study advisor(s):

Kateryna Krutskykh

Kateryna Krutskykh

Senior Advisor