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Studies

Master's degree (2 years)
Full time
International Environmental Studies

NMBU's International Environmental Studies Master's degree (M-IES) provides in-depth knowledge of the relationship between society and nature, and how governance and economic structures influence current environmental trends. The degree builds competence for addressing environmental challenges at global, national, and local levels.

ECTS credits:

120

Application deadline:

Applicants outside EU/EEA: 1 December

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

Start of Studies:

Autumn

Required points:

C (2024)

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 must hold a relevant bachelor’s degree in the social, natural, environmental, or agricultural sciences, or humanities.

    A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of C (or the equivalent) is required.

    Applications must include a one-page (A4) motivation letter outlining their background (personal, professional, academic), their motivation to study the M-IES programme and their contribution to the learning environment.

    Admission will be based on the applicants' academic transcripts and the motivation letter.

    Applicants must meet NMBU’s requirements for English language proficiency

    General information on Admission requirements | NMBU.

Master i Miljø og naturressurser
Uttørket jordsmonn. 2015 er "International year of the soil". IMV har kompetanse innen fagområdene jord, vann, geologi og miljøkjemi.

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

Everyone on Earth depends on nature — for the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and even for our happiness and peace of mind. But in the last fifty years, humans have changed the planet’s ecosystems faster than ever before, and many scientists are warning that this is becoming a serious problem.
To create a better and more sustainable future, we need to understand how nature works — and how our actions affect it. Building a world where people and the planet can thrive together means having smart, creative people who can study, plan, and take action for positive change.
As a student in the International Environmental Studies Master's program (M-IES), you will get to explore the fascinating connection between people and the environment. You’ll learn how societies use natural resources, how to protect ecosystems, and how to come up with new ideas for solving real-world challenges — like climate change, pollution, and sustainable development.
You will dive into exciting courses dealing with environmental governance, social transformations, political ecology, de-growth, and sustainable food systems — all designed to help you understand how people and the planet can thrive together.
Along the way, you will learn from internationally recognized professors and study alongside a diverse, global group of students who share your passion for making a difference. Our teaching is closely connected to real-world research, and we often bring in experts and professionals working in environmental management and policy, so you’ll see how ideas are applied in practice.
You will also have the chance to join field courses in places like India and Tanzania, and take part in internships with organizations in Norway and abroad. Plus, you can spend one semester studying in another country, giving you fresh perspectives and valuable experience.
All of this will broaden your knowledge, strengthen your career opportunities, and connect you to a truly international community of changemakers.
As a graduate of our Master's  program you can go on to exciting careers in government, environmental organizations, consulting companies, or global development agencies — helping make the world a cleaner, greener, and fairer place for everyone.

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

M-IES students develop professional and analytical research competences that employers seek. You will be qualified for employment in a wide range of national and international organizations, including government agencies, education and research institutions, media, business, and non-governmental organisations.

Career Interviews

Bijaya Neupane - Researching wildlife and protected area management

Jessica Giannoumis - Aquatech Community Manager for Ireland

Robin Renz - Driving corporate sustainability as a Sustainability Reporting Specialist

  • Program structure

    The Master Program in International Environmental Studies requires a total of 120 ECTS over two years.

    The first year consists of course work covering environmental studies theory, interdisciplinary research perspectives, research methodology, and an excursion that introduces new students to practitioners in the field. In addition, students can choose up from a wide range of core and elective courses. Students can choose elective courses offered in the M-IES program, but also more broadly at NMBU.

    During the first semester, students design an individual study plan for their M-IES degree allowing to specialise within topics such as political ecology, sustainable agri-food systems, environmental governance, or green economy.

    The second year comprises an individually designed combination of electives, field course and internship. Students are encouraged to spend a semester on exchange at a university abroad or in an internship with a national or international organization. Students are encouraged to write their Master Thesis based on field research and may locate their study in a variety of geographical contexts. The Master Thesis is normally written in the final semester.

    Year 1:

    Semester: Autumn

    Compulsory Courses:

    Introduction to International Environmental Studies (5 ECTS)

    Green Transformations in Theory and Practics (10ECTS)

    Research Methods (15 ECTS)

    Elective courses include:

    Climate Change and Society (10 ECTS) (Core course*)

    Global Political Economy (10 ECTS)

    Linking Ecological and Social Resilience (10 ECTS)

    Global Environmental Changes (5 ECTS)

    Global Food Systems and Food Security (10 ECTS)

    Ecological Economics and Degrowth (10 ECTS)

    Semester: Spring

    Compulsory course:

    Research Methods (continued)

    Elective courses:

    Political Ecology (10 ECTS) (Core course*)

    Global Environmental Governance (10 ECTS) (Core course*)

    Agroecology and Development (10 ECTS) (Core course*)

    Energy and Society (5 ECTS)

    Governance of Plant Genetic Resources and Seeds: Laws, Policies and Practices (5 ECTS)

    Practicum (practice-based field course)

    Year 2:

    Semester: Autumn

    Elective courses:

    Internship

    Exchange: Erasmus exchange in Europe | NMBU

    Exchange outside of Europe

    Faculty specific exchange

    Students can also choose elective courses offered in the M-IES program, at Noragric or other Faculties at NMBU. Course Catalogue.

    Sample of Elective courses often taken by M-IES students:

    EDS225 Linking Ecological and Social Resilience

    EDS260 Global Environmental Changes

    EDS285 Global Food Systems and Food Security

    EDS315 Governance of Genetic Resources and Seeds

    EDS348 Global Environmental Governance

    EDS349 Energy and Society

    EDS379 Global Political Economy​

    Semester: Spring

    Master thesis

    A 30 ECTS Master Thesis is normally written in the Spring Semester of the second study-year.

    A 60 ECTS Master Thesis is normally written in the Autumn and Spring Semester of the second study year.

    Study Structure 2024-2025
    Study Profiles - a guide to selecting elective courses

  • Learning outcomes

    The M-IES program is interdisciplinary and uses a socio-ecological approach, with courses that focus on both natural science and social science aspects of the environmental challenges of our time.

    The program provides an in-depth understanding of the relationship between social and natural processes, and how governance and economic structures influence current trends. The program has an international scope, with a curriculum that covers topics that are relevant for countries across the globe and utilises research-based knowledge from a wide set of geographical contexts.

    Knowledge:

    • Extensive knowledge regarding the characteristics of environmental challenges and their drivers at different scales: global to local
    • In-depth understanding of key concepts, frameworks and tools for understanding sustainability problems and creating solutions
    • Comprehensive insights regarding complexity and interrelated social and ecological processes occurring across temporal, spatial, and organisational/political scales

    Skills:

    • Ability to engage in management and policy formulation for sustainable development
    • Capacity to analyse complex environmental problems and governance issues in an interdisciplinary way
    • Learn about and critically assess academic advancements within the field of environmental and sustainability studies, as well as new policy developments
    • Capacity to create and evaluate solutions to environmental problems, acknowledging the dynamics between ecological and socio-political processes
    • Competence in planning and conducting field research, project management and development work.
    • Ability to use various frameworks and methods in the study of socio-environmental issues in the field.
    • Develop writing skills and learn to evaluate and use primary and secondary sources of data in the writing of papers, including the correct use and presentation of references.
    • Develop a critical perspective on power relations, ethical issues and conflicts of values related to environmental change and policy.

    General competence:

    • Plan and carry out independent research, develop relevant research questions and engage critically in policy formulation and project development.
    • Solve theoretical, methodological and project/policy problems independently.
    • Apply insights and knowledge in development or environment management, teaching or business
    • Engage in public debates, media, voluntary organisations, community meetings, popular dissemination and in meetings with policy makers
    • Build research teams and inter-personal communication across cultures and across academic fields.

  • Exchange possibilities

    Most students do thesis research in other countries than Norway, and many in countries in the Global South. During the third semester (Aug.-Sep.), some students attend a 15-credit field course for the time being at partner institutions in India. Internships and / or student exchange to partner universities are alternatives to the field course.

  • More about the program

    • Societal relevance

      All humans depend on the Earth`s ecosystems and the services they provide, for food production, water supply, a healthy environment, suitable climate, spiritual well-being, and aesthetic pleasure. Many consider the rate at which people have changed the ecosystems during the last fifty years alarming. The M-IES programme offers interdisciplinary knowledge about how and why a sustainable future will depend not only on our ability to understand the ecosystems, but also on our realization of how human societies can interact sustainably with the environment. Sustainable development depends on competent analytical and management capacity both in the public sector and in civil society. The M-IES programme equips students with such capacities. To build the capacity needed to ensure long-term ecosystem services, students will explore complex relationships between society and the environment. Graduates are expected to contribute with integrated and innovative solutions to far-reaching problems, fostering action and change to meet socio-economic and biophysical challenges. Job opportunities can be found in government agencies, environmental organizations, research and education, media and business.

    • Learning activities

      The overarching approach to learning in the M-IES program is problem-based and process-oriented. Such student-active learning strategies are based on responsibility for own learning facilitated and supported by educators, as per the NMBU Learning Philosophy. This implies that, in many courses, students will be given responsibility for developing assignments, finding information, and deciding on the form of the presentation. The development of collaborative and communicative skills is central in the programme, and problem-based learning is often done in groups. Most courses will combine problem-based and process-oriented learning with other teaching and learning methods, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, digital and visual methods and individual work, including academic writing. Guest lectures by practitioners or scholars contribute to courses and debate.

    • Examination

      Courses use a variety of evaluation methods designed to match the learning goals, such as term papers, group work, oral presentations, podcasts, digital storytelling and written exams. In some, performance is evaluated based on work and assignments during the semester in others on a final assignment or examination at the end of the semester. Course descriptions include information on the form of evaluation used.

    • Information for students from partner universities

      The programme is taught in English. Incoming exchange students can design a programme involving a variety of course combinations.

    • Cooperation with other institutions

      The Department and Faculty cooperate internationally with a wide range of universities and research institutions. Further information.

      https://www.nmbu.no/en/faculty/landsam/department/noragric/institutional_coop

Study advisor(s):

Vilma Veronica Bischof

Vilma Veronica Bischof

Senior Advisor