Master's Programme in Social-ecological resilience for sustainable development
Our Master’s programme in Social-Ecological Resilience for Sustainable Development is a research-focused programme that introduces you to the complexity of interactions between humans and nature. You learn to use resilience thinking as an approach to understanding and managing social-ecological systems.
The programme aims to enhance your understanding of the complex interactions between social and ecological dynamics at different scales and in the context of change and uncertainty. You are introduced to different research approaches and methods for studying coupled social and ecological systems. You do this in an international and highly interactive learning environment. The aim is to provide our students with insights into problem-driven transdisciplinary environmental research, in order to contribute to the research in this field and to address real-world problems.
Reasons to choose
- Broad training in methods for studying the complexities of social-ecological systems
- Emphasis on how resilience thinking can be applied to solve real-world problems
- International and highly interactive learning environment where you develop skills and networks
Information for admitted students autumn 2024
Congratulations! You have been admitted at Stockholm University and we hope that you will enjoy your studies with us.
In order to ensure that your studies begin as smoothly as possible we have compiled a short checklist for the beginning of the semester.
Follow the instructions on whether you have to reply to your offer or not.
universityadmissions.se
Checklist for admitted students
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Activate your university account
The first step in being able to register and gain access to all the university's IT services.
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Register at your department
Registration can be done in different ways. Read the instructions from your department below.
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Read all the information on this page
Here you will find what you need to know before your course or programme starts.
IMPORTANT
Your seat may be withdrawn if you do not register according to the instructions provided by your department.
Information from the department - programmes
Welcome to the Department of Biological Education! We are happy to be part of your student experience and contribute to your future success.
In order to get you off to a good start, we have gathered the important things you need to know here. Read through carefully and if you have any questions, please contact us.
Admitted
We send letters, about once a month, to all admitted student with important information for preparing for your Master's studies with us. Please ensure that you get these by whitelisting info.big@su.se in your e-mail client, and if necessary regularly checing your spam-box.
If you have not studies with us before (and maybe even if you have) we recommend that you read our information for New students. By carefully reading on our webpages and contacting us if you have questions that are not answered there, you will help us to better help more students :)
Information for new students at BIG
All those admitted to the programme are invited to an introductory week, where you learn more about the programme, meet your classmates and all you need to have a smooth start on the programme.
Introduction to Master's programmes
Register before the deadline
You must registered for the courses in order to start the programme and attend classes. By registering, you accept your place.
Online registration is open August 5th and closes on the 21st. It is your responsibility to make sure you register. If you do not register before the online registration closes, you may lose your place on the programme. If you have problems registering, it is important that you contact the student office latest August 21st.
Reserve place
If you have been given a reserve place you may be admitted if someone declines their place. In which case you must confirm that you want the place by attending the reserve roll call for the programme. In some cases reserves may be offered a place before the reserve roll call (Note! make sure you receive our e-mails by whitelisting and/or checking your spam folder regularly).
More information about your studies with us
On our website you will find more information about your studies with us.
Welcome activities
Stockholm University organises a series of welcome activities that stretch over a few weeks at the beginning of each semester. The programme is voluntary (attendance is optional) and includes Arrival Service at the airport and an Orientation Day, see more details about these events below.
Your department may also organise activities for welcoming international students. More information will be provided by your specific department.
Find your way on campus
Stockholm University's main campus is in the Frescati area, north of the city centre. While most of our departments and offices are located here, there are also campus areas in other parts of the city.
Read more
For new international students
The programme aims to enhance your understanding of the complex interactions between social and ecological dynamics at different scales and in the context of change and uncertainty. You are introduced to different research approaches and methods for studying coupled social and ecological systems. You do this in an international and highly interactive learning environment. The aim is to provide our students with insights into problem-driven transdisciplinary environmental research, in order to contribute to the research in this field and to address real-world problems.
Reasons to choose
- Broad training in methods for studying the complexities of social-ecological systems
- Emphasis on how resilience thinking can be applied to solve real-world problems
- International and highly interactive learning environment where you develop skills and networks
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Programme overview
The programme is a 2-year, full-time study where you attend four mandatory courses the first year that provide broad training in concepts, theories and methods for studying the complexities of social-ecological systems. In the second year, you will develop and conduct your own research. This research will form the basis of your Master’s thesis which will relate to one or more of the research themes at the Stockholm Resilience Centre and usually compliments on-going research. Our ambition is that your research will be publishable in peer-reviewed journals.
Year 1
Compulsory courses
Social-Ecological Systems: Challenges and Approaches
Systems Theory and Resilience Thinking
Governance and Management of Social-Ecological Systems
Resilience Reflections and Applications
In addition to the compulsory courses you have 7.5 credits of optional courses in the and of spring semester, these can be in another subject area.
Year 2
Compulsory course
Degree project in Social-ecological resilience for sustainable development 60 credits.
Independent project
Master’s degree projects are usually incorporated within ongoing research projects related to the current research themes and streams at the Stockholm Resilience Centre.
Recent degree projects
- Mapping the supply and demand of ecosystem services in the Helge å catchment area, Sweden
- Learning to bridge conservation and development: A case study from the environmental monitors programme in Kruger to Canyons biosphere reserve
- Revealing distal drivers in coral reef social-ecological systems. Mapping land grabbing and human migration at a global scale
- Exploring tools to promote pro-environmental behaviour. Can behavioural insights from psychology and behavioural economics be utilized to increase the recycling of food waste in Hökarängen, Sweden?
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How to apply
The Master's programme in Social-ecological resilience for sustainable development is only open for application in the first round, with deadline for applications in mid-January.
Social-ecological resilience for sustainable development is a transdisciplinary programme. Therefore we aim to achieve a student group with diverse backgrounds, as we believe this creates the best environment for learning about sustainability. This means that all majors are eligible for the programme. However, the programme is highly competitive and the relevance of your background affects your chances of being selected (see Selection process below).
Selection process
Additional eligibility criteriaApplicants that meet the eligibility requirements are ranked based on their merit rating. Only students with the highest merit ratings are selected for our programmes. The merit rating is based on the following five selection criteria, with equal weight:
- relevance of previous studies in relation to the programme
- relevance of any work experience
- grades of academic courses
- motivation letter
- research ideas
Required supporting documentation
To submit your motivation letter and research ideas you must use our cover letter form (updated yearly, only latest version accepted).
Cover letter/Motivation letter
Note! Must be submitted by the supporting documentation deadline. The form is only available during the application period, upto the supporting documentation deadline.Recommendation letters and CVs are not concidered.
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Career opportunities
The MSc programme serves as good preparation for continuation to PhD studies within social-ecological systems and sustainability. It opens up potential careers in governmental ministries and local administrative authorities, NGO’s and research institutes, or working with indigenous rights. In the private sector, job possibilities exist in consulting agencies and companies world wide.
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Contact
Student office- Visiting address
Arrheniuslaboratory, E315
Svante Arrhenius väg 20C
- Office hours
Mon-Wed: 10.00-15.00 (lunch 12.30-13.30)
Thur-Fri: 10.00-12.30
- Irregular office hours
Summer opening hours
June 27th - August 19th
10.00 - 12.00 Monday- Thursday (closed Fridays)
Study counsellor at master's level
- Visiting address
Arrheniuslaboratory, E315c
Svante Arrhenius väg 20 C
- Office hours
By request
