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Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science - Master of Science programme

Master's programme · 2 years · 120 credits

Students smiling and talking in front of the LUX building

Description

Do you want to be part of solving key sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow and become an agent for change?

LUMES is an interdisciplinary programme focusing on sustainability challenges from a local to a global level through combining both social and natural science perspectives. 

Building on students’ previous knowledge and experiences, emphasis is placed on understanding present societal development patterns and the environmental problems they create, as well as approaches for formulating strategies for future sustainable pathways. The programme takes an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to sustainability, which provide students with a broad knowledge of the interaction between cultural, economic, environmental, political, and social dimensions of sustainability. 

Unique programme qualities

The LUMES programme is set in a unique interdisciplinary and internationally excellent educational and research environment at Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (www.lucsus.lu.se). Students are exposed to different perspectives, world views and experiences, and sustainability challenges in other parts of the world. Courses are taught by teachers and researchers from both the social and natural sciences with the aim of creating graduates that are able to grasp, analyse, and formulate governance strategies and practices for societal change.

As a student, you receive training and competence in working in cross-cultural and inter-disciplinary teams, working on a strategic as well as operational levels, and an ability to communicate with, and disseminate knowledge and research to, both specialised and non-specialised audiences.

Since the programme started in 1997, LUMES has had more than 1000 students from roughly 100 countries, with a graduation rate exceeding 90 per cent.

Programme structure 

The programme consists of four semesters. The 1st semester provides a foundation for understanding local and global sustainability challenges as well as interaction between ecological and societal systems and the social science theories that help us understand our present social development pathway. The 2nd semester includes the study of political governance, geographical perspectives and economic approaches, using case studies that exemplify the basic knowledge provided in the first semester and form the basis for continued studies. This semester also includes a methodology course with a practical orientation. In the 3rd semester, the student chooses from a range of elective courses covering different aspects of sustainability challenges. The 4th semester comprises a degree project of  30 credits.

Career prospects

As a LUMES graduate you are equipped to work in a range of sectors, both within and outside academia, and in a number of professional roles. 

LUMES graduates are today working in sectors such as: business, education, food, health, fashion, logistics, fishing and aquaculture, rural and urban development and transport. Their professional roles include: consultant, coordinator, entrepreneur, manager, advisor, analyst, policy officer, specialist, campaigner, communications experts, organiser, and researcher.

Many LUMES graduates have also continued with doctoral studies and are now working and teaching at universities around the world.

Open for applications

Application opportunities

This programme is open for applications from 15 October 2024 to 15 January 2025.

Contact

Student Coordinator

Amanda Elgh

Phone: +46 40 222 04 70

Email: amanda [dot] elgh [at] lucsus [dot] lu [dot] se

Contact us

Requirements and selection

Entry requirements

A Bachelor’s degree corresponding to at least 180 ECTS.

English course 6 (advanced proficiency)

Selection criteria

Selection is based on academic grades, relevant work experience, statement of purpose and recommendations.

English language requirements

Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the deadline, in order to be considered for admission.

How to prove your English proficiency – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements

Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:

Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se

Apply

Start Autumn Semester 2025

Day-time Lund, full time 100%

In English

Study period

27 August 2025 - 6 June 2027

Application

Last application date 2025-01-15

How to apply

Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.

When to apply for studies

Step 1: Apply online

  • Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
  • Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
    Visit the University Admissions in Sweden website
  • Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.

Step 2: Submit documents

  • Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
    Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
    Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
     
  • Get all your documents ready:
    - official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
    - official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
    - passport/ID (all applicants) and
    - proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
     
  • Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
  • Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
  • Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.

* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below. 

Svensk student? 
Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se

Programme-specific documents

In addition to the documents mentioned under Step 2, you must also submit the following documents when you apply to this programme: 

  • LUMES Applicant Summary
  • LUMES Statement of Purpose
  • Resumé/CV
  • Two (2) Letter of Recommendation

Instructions on supporting documents at www.lumes.lu.se
 

Watch on YouTube: How to apply for a Master's programme 

Tuition fees

Non-EU/EEA citizens

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 270 000

First payment: SEK 67 500

Convert currency – xe.com

Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Application fee

If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.


*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.

Scholarships & funding

Lund University Global Scholarship programme

The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.

Lund University Global Scholarship

Swedish Institute Scholarships

The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.

Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website

Country-specific scholarships and funding options

Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.

External scholarships

Information about scholarships from external organisations