Sustainable Development

The transformation to sustainable and just societies needs contributions from everyone – from activists demanding change, to visionaries experimenting to create new solutions and imagine a better future, historians learning from the past, scientists creating new insights and informing debates, entrepreneurs creating new business models for circular and sharing economies, to dedicated public  servants working to steer governments towards sustainable decisions. All these perspectives and insights matter, and are topics of discussion and exploration in the Sustainable Development Master’s Programme.

Become an expert in Sustainable Development: contribute to shaping a sustainable and equitable future

Sustainable Development is a two-year programme designed for students who want to contribute to developing solutions needed for a transformation to more sustainable and equitable societies.

Through studying theory, methods and practices the programme equips you with strong analytical skills, preparing you to work in inter- and trans-disciplinary ways to tackle sustainability issues, integrating both social and (bio)physical aspects, all for you to become an agent for positive change.

Breadth of knowledge & in-depth expertise

The Sustainable Development Master’s Programme is designed to create a solid foundation of common knowledge, while at the same time offering opportunities for specialization – what is referred to as a ‘T-shaped’ profile that equips you with breadth of knowledge across different disciplines, from the (bio)physical to the social sciences, as well as expertise in your chosen subject area.

Following admission to the programme you will be able choose one of four tracks according to your interests, but throughout studies you will work with peers from all four tracks. After all, sustainability challenges cannot be met from a single perspective. The tracks are:

• Energy and Materials
• Environmental Change and Ecosystems
• Earth System Governance
• Politics, Ecology and Society

Admission Requirements

The Sustainable Development Master’s Programme is a selective programme which looks for motivated students with a background in sustainability issues, natural processes, mathematics and statistics, and research skills.

You’ll find different perspectives and critical reflection among students in every class.

Why study Sustainable Development at Utrecht University?

Studying Sustainable Development at Utrecht University has several advantages and benefits:

• This Master’s programme is offered by the Faculty of Geosciences, the only Geosciences faculty existing in the Netherlands.
• The programme is closely affiliated with the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, recognized internationally as a leader in sustainability research.
• The university’s extensive international network will make a wide range of research projects available to you and takes you right into the heart of scientific practice.
• Your program will prepare you for societal engagement, for example through advisory work for policy-makers and the business sector and collaboration with civil society.
• The programme is international by definition, over 100 students from all over the world voicing a variety of views are welcomed to the programme each year, helping you to develop the skills to work with a variety of stakeholders representing different perspectives.
• Throughout the programme you will have contact with the labour market through seminars and consultancy projects where you are able to work for real clients in industry, government, research institutes and NGOs, as well as some opportunities for internships.