The credit requirement for the ECGS programme is 120 ECTS credits, which can be completed in two years.
All students complete an introductory Core Module (30 ECTS).
In addition, there are study track-specific advanced studies (75 ECTS). When applying, you choose one of the two study tracks:
Students also choose elective studies (15 ECTS) according to their interests.
In the Studies service, you can explore the degree structure, content and learning outcomes from the level of the degree programme to individual courses in different academic years.
The introductory Core Studies Module (30 ECTS) is compulsory for all ECGS students and it focuses on the methodologies of environmental and sustainability science as well as the key concepts regarding interactions between science and society.
The Sustainability Science Module forms the basis for studies in the Master's Programme in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability. After completing the module, the student has a basic understanding of what sustainability science is and how human and natural systems interact. The student knows key concepts of sustainability science and can put knowledge into action when seeking solutions to real-world problems in multidisciplinary teams.
As part of the Core Studies Module, students choose a set of methodological studies. These studies provide students with the necessary research tools to tackle socio-ecological challenges.
All ECGS students take part in a common master's thesis seminar. During the course, students plan their research and present their thesis to other students.
When applying to the ECGS programme, you choose one of the following two study tracks:
Within your chosen study track, you complete study track-specific (advanced) studies (45 ECTS) and your Master's thesis (30 ECTS).
The study track-specific studies (45 ECTS) are comprised of disciplinary major and minor modules. Major modules are 15-30 ECTS and minor modules are 15 ECTS.
The study track in Environmental Change (EC) educates experts in natural sciences. The modules are offered in, for example, the following research fields: aquatic sciences, soil and earth sciences, environmental ecology, environmental biotechnology and agroecology.
There are five major modules and eight minor modules in the EC study track. You can choose two or three different modules to complete the required 45 ECTS credits for your advanced studies. Some modules also offer the possibility to expand the module with elective studies to 30 ECTS credits for more in-depth competence within the module.
At least 30 ECTS have to be chosen from major modules, but all 45 ECTS can be covered within major modules as well. If wanted, 15 ECTS can be chosen from minor modules.
You will complete your Master's thesis (30 ECTS) within your study track.
The study module in Aquatic sciences offers students comprehensive knowledge of the functioning of aquatic ecosystems, both marine and freshwater, including their food webs, and biological, chemical and physical regulatory mechanisms.
Students acquire skills in planning and carrying out aquatic ecosystem research, including both experimental and field studies. The study module in Aquatic sciences also teaches students to diagnose the main environmental problems of aquatic ecosystems and to apply research-based solutions; e.g. management and restoration planning.
After completing the study module in Environmental soil science, the student has in-depth knowledge of the advanced concepts and theories of Environmental Soil Science and can apply them in new contexts. Students learn advanced research methods in Environmental Soil Science and can apply them independently for research work. Students also learn to apply theoretical knowledge of Environmental Soil Science to solving advanced practical problems.
In the study module of Changing Arctic and northern environments students will develop an understanding of specific environmental issues related to the Arctic and knowledge of long-term perspective on Arctic environmental changes and human activities. Students get familiar with real-world problems and abilities for their management and solving.
The Changing Arctic and northern environments study module deals with central theories, concepts and glossary of Arctic research, including the questions of resilience, bifurcations and critical transitions. Students also learn key research methods and approaches and data acquisition means and become familiar with Arctic literature and topical research reports.
After completing the module, the student will gain understanding on agricultural production within its environmental context and impacts, and will gain some applied skills on planning environmentally sound production. Depending on the content of optional courses, the student can also deepen understanding between agriculture and environment from various perspectives of sustainability.
The aim is to introduce students to the basics of urban ecology and to help them become aware of the impacts of urbanisation on nature, the world and human beings. Both theoretical and practical courses will prepare the student to meet urbanization challenges, such as ecosystem degradation, policy issues, and management and planning. After completion, the student will be able to identify urban environmental/social problems and have the toolkit to meet these challenges and solve the problems with other interested parties.
Urban studies can be picked as a major or a minor module. The basic (minor) 15cr module focuses on urban ecosystem ecology, urban biodiversity and urban environmental policy. The advanced (major) 30cr module, in addition to the above-mentioned topics, includes skills such as nature-based solutions, fieldwork experience and a choice of subjects including ecotoxicology, urban climate and integrated methods in environmental social sciences.
This module offers an overall framework for understanding, analyzing and solving regional environmental problems, using the Baltic Sea as a case study. The students will gain an understanding of the causal interactions between human and natural systems:
The students will learn central concepts and tools from relevant disciplines (natural sciences, environmental economics and social sciences) needed in the analysis of sustainable marine management and governance. The students will learn to work as a group to access collective intelligence and a multidisciplinary balanced view of marine management.
The study module in Chemical pollution teaches students to evaluate the functions of drinking water and wastewater treatments, waste recycling, and related bioreactors and bioenergy production. Students learn to evaluate remediation needs and performance (contaminated air, water, soil) and to understand the employability skills, or commercialization possibilities of their own competences.
Within the Chemical pollution study module students also learn legislation related to environmental biotechnology, relations between bio- and environmental technology and social sciences, and the basics of biotechnology product development.
Having completed the study module each student will:
In addition to these competencies and skills, each student will have had the opportunity to deepen her/his understanding of food as an issue of sustainability through the choices of elective courses.
With this module, students may acquaint themselves with:
The basic (minor) 15 cr module in Urban studies focuses on urban ecosystem ecology, urban biodiversity and urban environmental policy.
Indigenous studies provide an opportunity to foster knowledge of Indigenous societies in local and global approaches. It offers transformative and decolonial methodological and analytical tools to approach different Indigenous social worlds, power relations, and reconciliation. The program introduces students to Indigenous knowledge-production as a relational and interactive process. Engaging with diverse local and land-based learning methods, students became familiar with historical and contemporary perspectives and themes within Indigenous studies.
This minor uniquely covers the following thematic, methodological, and theoretical competencies: Indigenous education and languages; Indigenous research methodologies and ethics; biocultural diversity, Indigenous arts, and Indigenous rights and history.
The indigenous studies module can benefit students planning careers in policy-making, environmental and sustainability sectors, education, law, economy, social work, health care, museums, and various areas of culture.
After completing the thematic module of Climate University MOOC, students will master the basics of physical, ecological and social phenomena of climate change. Depending on the amount and selection of optional courses, the student will also be able to:
International studies upon agreement with the PSP teacher.
The Master’s thesis is usually based on an empirical research project and critical contemplation of the results in the light of scientific literature on the topic. The thesis may also consist of a theoretical literature study. A Master’s thesis project usually consists of four distinct phases
After completing the thesis, the student will be able to
The study track in Global Sustainability (GS) educates experts in social sciences. The modules include themes such as environmental and natural resource economics, environmental policy, development studies, public and social policy, consumer research, forest policy and economics, and development geography.
There are four major modules and nine minor modules in the GS study track. You can choose two or three different modules to complete the required 45 ECTS credits for your advanced studies. Some modules also offer the possibility to expand the module with elective studies to 30 ECTS credits for more in-depth competence within the module.
At least 30 ECTS have to be chosen from major modules, but all 45 ECTS can be covered within major modules as well. If wanted, 15 ECTS can be chosen from minor modules.
You will complete your Master's thesis (30 ECTS) within your study track.
The Environmental Policy and Economics module provides students with skills to analyze the economic, policy, and governance aspects of human-environmental interactions, and to propose economically viable transition policies toward sustainability. In particular, the students learn to incorporate complex institutional, economic, socio-political, cognitive, ecological and technological factors in their interdisciplinary expert assessments and recommendations.
In the Environmental Policy and Economics module students take part in innovative learning environments – such as group work, case studies, problem sets, simulations, discussions, lectures and text production. This degree prepares students for the challenging, real-life interactions that characterize contemporary environmental governance in the public, private and non-profit sectors.
When having completed the module on Consumer citizens and sustainability transitions, students have the basic knowledge and skills enabling them to work as experts in sustainable consumption in the public or private sector. They understand the research paradigms and main empirical research findings concerning sustainable consumption well enough to evaluate competing theoretical perspectives, critique research findings and critically assess policy proposals.
After completing the module on Consumer citizens and sustainability transitions, students can structure and analyse policy, design and communications problems in sustainable consumption and collect sensible primary and secondary data to inform solutions to these problems. They also have a conceptual and experiential understanding of different ways in which such problems can be framed. Additionally, students improve their practical research design, methods, data collection, writing and communication skills.
The students will gain a holistic understanding of the crucial role of forests and forest-related people in realizing sustainability across multiple levels of governance, often in response to global drivers of change, such as climate change. They will gain an understanding of the fundamental elements of the ecological, economic, and societal dimensions of forests and their linkages.
The aim is to introduce students to the basics of urban ecology and to help them become aware of the impacts of urbanisation on nature, the world and human beings. Both theoretical and practical courses will prepare the student to meet urbanization challenges, such as ecosystem degradation, policy issues, and management and planning. After completion, the student will be able to identify urban environmental/social problems and have the toolkit to meet these challenges and solve the problems with other interested parties.
Urban studies can be picked as a major or a minor module. The basic (minor) 15 cr module focuses on urban ecosystem ecology, urban biodiversity and urban environmental policy. The advanced (major) 30 cr module, in addition to the above-mentioned topics, includes skills such as nature-based solutions, fieldwork experience and a choice of subjects including ecotoxicology, urban climate and integrated methods in environmental social sciences.
This module offers an overall framework for understanding, analyzing and solving regional environmental problems, using the Baltic Sea as a case study. The students will gain understanding about the causal interactions between the human and natural system:
The students will learn central concepts and tools from relevant disciplines (natural sciences, environmental economics, and social sciences) needed in the analysis of sustainable marine management and governance. The student will learn to work as a group to access collective intelligence and multidisciplinary balanced view to marine management.
The Environment and development study module focuses on long-term pathways and actual debates related to development and environment in the global South. After completing this module, the student is familiar with classic thinkers and theories and current debates relevant in Development Studies.
In the Environment and development study module, students gain a good knowledge of the main principles and relevant approaches concerning the political ecology and multi-scale resource governance in the global South. The study module also provides students the ability to apply the acquired knowledge in empirical research and policy-oriented work.
When having completed the study module each student will:
In addition to these competencies and skills, each student will have had the opportunity to deepen her/his understanding of food as an issue of sustainability through the choices of elective courses.
With this module, the students may acquaint themselves with:
The basic (minor) 15 cr module in Urban studies focuses on urban ecosystem ecology, urban biodiversity and urban environmental policy.
Indigenous studies provide an opportunity to foster knowledge of Indigenous societies in local and global approaches. It offers transformative and decolonial methodological and analytical tools to approach different Indigenous social worlds, power relations, and reconciliation. The program introduces students to Indigenous knowledge-production as a relational and interactive process. Engaging with diverse local and land-based learning methods, students became familiar with historical and contemporary perspectives and themes within Indigenous studies.
This minor uniquely covers the following thematic, methodological, and theoretical competencies: Indigenous education and languages; Indigenous research methodologies and ethics; biocultural diversity, Indigenous arts, and Indigenous rights and history.
The indigenous studies module can benefit students planning careers in policy-making, environmental and sustainability sectors, education, law, economy, social work, health care, museums, and various areas of culture.
After completing the thematic module of Climate University MOOC, students will master the basics of physical, ecological and social phenomena of climate change. Depending on the amount and selection of optional courses, the student will also be able to:
International studies upon agreement with the PSP teacher.
The module in Science and technology studies introduces students to key questions in science and technology research, as well as to research conducted on the topic at the University of Helsinki.
After completing the module, the student understands how the interaction between science and society can be studied using different social science methods. Similarly, the student understands how technology, technological development and interaction between technology and society can be explored using social science methods. Through their studies, students get familiar with the key issues and theoretical approaches of some of the special fields of science and technology research.
The Master’s thesis is usually based on an empirical research project and critical contemplation of the results in light of scientific literature on the topic. The thesis may also consist of a theoretical literature study. A Master’s thesis project usually consists of four distinct phases:
After completing the thesis, the student will be able to
Students can select elective courses according to their agreed personal study plan. The elective studies can be used to deepen the student’s knowledge in a field of specialization or to broaden exposure to additional relevant areas. The courses can also include those in other Finnish universities, student exchange abroad or an internship.
The Master’s Programme in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability (ECGS) offers three different degrees – Master of Social Sciences, Master of Science or Master of Science (Agriculture and Forestry). The degree is determined by the choice of study track and modules within the chosen track.
Students in the Environmental Change study track will be awarded the degree of Master of Science. However, if they choose the module in Environmental soil science or Agriculture and environment as part of their advanced studies, they will have the choice to be awarded the degree of Master of Science (Agriculture and Forestry) upon their graduation instead.
Students in the Global Sustainability study track will be awarded the degree of Master of Social Sciences. By choosing the module in Forests, global changes and sustainability as part of their advanced studies, students will have the choice to be awarded the degree of Master of Science (Agriculture and Forestry) upon their graduation instead.
The courses in the ECGS Master’s programme are taught in English. All assignments, exams and dissertations can be done in English, Finnish and Swedish.
ECGS also offers study modules and courses for students in other Master's degree programmes at the University of Helsinki