Master's in Governance of Sustainability Transformations

This programme focuses on governance theories and transformative change processes for analysing and contributing to sustainability challenges in climate, food, energy, and biodiversity systems. The education has a multidisciplinary character by its relation with environmental, agricultural, and food sciences. You will receive the official diploma of the Master’s in Management, Economics and Consumer studies, specifying a Master's in Governance of Sustainable Transformations.

The programme runs annually beginning in September each year. It comprises 120 credit points (ECTS), equivalent to two academic years. The academic year consists of 6 periods. Period 1,2,5 and 6 comprise six weeks of classes, one week of self-study and the exam week. In these periods, students often follow two courses worth 6 credits each. Period 3 and 4 entail of four weeks in which both the lectures and the exams take place. In these periods, students follow one course worth 6 credits. The expected workload is 40 hours per week.

For more information about this programme's profile and learning outcomes, visit the Study Handbook.

Programme specific courses (30 ECTS)  

The programme courses deal with subjects like:  

• Grand Challenges for the Governance of Sustainability Transformations
• Transnational Environmental Law and Regulation  
• Transformative Sustainability Practices for Systemic Change  
• Advanced Comparative Public Governance for Sustainability Transformations
• Design and Research for Transformative Sustainability Governance.  

Academic Master Cluster (12 ECTS)  

In the Academic Master Cluster, teams of 5 to 7 students from different disciplines are assigned to execute a transdisciplinary-oriented academic consultancy project for an external commissioner.  

Electives (18 ECTS)  

The space for electives can be used for deepening or broadening knowledge on the field of interest of each individual student. 

Courses first year.

Thesis (36 ECTS)  

The thesis (individual research) consists of 24 weeks of research and reporting (36 credits). The research is conducted under supervision of a staff member of one of the chair groups related to this master’s programme.  

Internship (24 ECTS)  

The internship may either be undertaken in the Netherlands or abroad. The purpose of the internship is to provide students with a unique learning opportunity to apply acquired knowledge and skills in a professional setting. The experience gained from the internship also serves to help students focusing on their area of interest, as well as building confidence and maturity in their field. 

The first year ends with a choice option between the Academic Master Cluster and the European Workshop Environmental Sciences and Management. Both these courses aim at doing interdisciplinary consultancy research in a team of students from different disciplines.

For a more detailed information on the programme structure, please refer to the study handbook.   

• Lectures: a lecturer covers the course material in class.
• Tutorials: you complete an individual or small-group assignment.
• Labs: these are primarily computer labs where you work with data and statistical models.
• Problem-Based Learning (PBL): you work with a group and a supervisor on a case study that you must solve.
• Self-study: self-study is included in your schedule, but you can also schedule it outside of it. 

At WUR we value personal guidance and close contact. With more lecturers, study advisors and counsellors than most Dutch universities, you receive the support to stay on track and enjoy a personal, enriching study experience. 

Related programmes:

• Economics of Sustainability
• Sustainable Business and Innovation
• Consumer Studies

For more information about how you might be able to compare this programme, check Studiekeuze123.nl.

Typically graduates of this master’s programme end up in connecting ‘spider in a web’ roles, being able to work with people from different departments and backgrounds. As a graduate you have various career opportunities. You can, for example work in governments, NGO’s or universities. Our alumni tell us about their current jobs. 

Interested in the master's programme Governance of Sustainability Transformations? Find out whether your knowledge and skills match the entry level of the programme.

Purpose and reason for the admission requirements

The admission requirements for the master's Programme Governance of Sustainability Transformations are defined in such a way that students should be able to successfully complete the Programme nominally in two years. To comply, students should have sufficient knowledge of concepts and methodologies related to Governance, Law, or Sociology or Political Science. Additionally, good basic skills in Academic writing and reading are necessary.

The criterion used for admission is

a WUR BSc degree in Economics and Governance, or equivalent.

The norm for this equivalence is

≥60 ECTS in one or more of the following disciplines:

• Public administration
• Sociology
• Law
• Political sciences
• Human geography
• Anthropology
• Organisation studies
• Economics
• International relations, global studies
• Life science programmes like: Landscape Architecture and Planning, International Land and Water Management, Health and Society, Forest and Nature Conservation or Environmental sciences (with a focus/ specialization in social science, governance, or policy)
• Urban planning

From which at least 30 ECTS in one of the following disciplines:

• Public Administration
• Law
• Sociology
• Political sciences

Method of assessment whether this norm is met

• Transcript of records displaying the content of previous course subjects and project work;
• Curriculum vitae displaying relevant work, internship and/or project experience on an academic level in a relevant field if applicable.

Scores attributed by the Admission Board

Admitted / not admitted / admitted under condition of obtaining the BSc or MSc degree / not admitted with offer of pre-master.

You can apply for this Master's here.

The Admission Board may allow and/or suggest compensation of knowledge gaps by:

• a GPA≥7.0* for the previous education for small discrepancies as new knowledge is sufficiently easily acquired;
• a GPA≥7.0* and an individual pre-master's programme for larger discrepancies that can be compensated in ≤30 ECTS and one year of study.

University of Applied Sciences (NL: hbo) students often are required to follow additional courses in a pre-master or as a minor during the previous study programme to cover the required previous knowledge. This usually consists of courses on: statistics, governance, policy and/or law. 

*Check the general admissions page for the International credentials evaluation guide for international equivalencies to a Dutch GPA>7.0. This guide includes compensating factors for a slightly lower GPA the Admission Board may include in their judgement. 

A pre-master's programme can be constructed based on the deficiencies of your bachelor and the entry requirements of the master's programme. A pre-master can be 12 ECTS to 30ECTS, depending on your situation.

Contact the study advisor directly via mme.msc@wur.nl to discuss your possibilities at WUR, options in pre-master's based on your transcript of grades, and how to mitigate knowledge gaps if you are still in the process of obtaining your degree. Find out more about pre-master's programmes in general.

Find out more about enrolment and fees of a pre-master's programme. 

Education has its costs. Want to find out what to expect financially?:

All information about the costs of this programme can be found on this page.

Student life involves much more than just studying. From renting your own space to enjoying the best parties, social gatherings, and welcoming pubs, plus being part of vibrant student groups. Add the many festivals and sports clubs, and there’s always plenty happening in Wageningen and beyond. All information about student life in Wageningen can be found on this page.