Master's Programme in Transdisciplinary Studies of Climate, Environment and Energy
Source: https://www.su.se/english/education/course-catalogue/nc/nceeo Parent: https://www.su.se/english/about-the-university/collaboration-and-societal-development/partnerships-and-collaborations/civis---a-european-university-collaboration
Are you ready to lead the charge against the world's most pressing challenges—climate change, energy transitions, and environmental crises? To build a sustainable future, we need innovative thinkers and skilled professionals who can break disciplinary boundaries and work together on transformative solutions.
Infographic of the TRACEE Master’s programme: foundation at Stockholm University, specialisation at CIVIS partner universities, and a final thesis addressing real-world challenges, leading to a joint or multiple degree.
Late application
The Master’s Programme in Transdisciplinary Studies of Climate, Environment and Energy opens for late applications from Monday 19 January 2026 and will remain open until Thursday 19 February 2026.
Applications are submitted via universityadmissions.se
When application is open you apply to a specific study track. Links to all track pages are available under "Programme overview" here below.\ \ The Master's Programme in Transdisciplinary Studies of Climate, Environment, and Energy (TRACEE) offered by the CIVIS European University Alliance, empowers you to become a change-maker. It equips you with the knowledge to understand the complex problems of climate, energy, and environmental systems and provides you with the tools to create solutions from natural science, society and human perspectives, through what we call a transdisciplinary approach. This Programme builds on an innovative framework to:
- Integrate natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and law to create holistic solutions.
- Study at different CIVIS universities, experiencing diverse academic cultures and building international networks.
- Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to tackle complex global issues and drive real-world impact.
The Programme results from a collaborative design within the CIVIS alliance including the partners below and their respective acronym:
- Aix-Marseille University (AMU)
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA)
- Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
- University of Bucharest (UB)
- University of Glasgow (UofG)
- University of Lausanne (UNIL)
- Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM)
- Sapienza University of Rome (SUR)
- Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (PLUS)
- Stockholm University (SU)
- Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen (UT)
Programme overview
The TRACEE programme is a two-year Master's programme, meaning 4 semesters amounting to a total of 120 ECTS. Successful students will be awarded degrees from Stockholm University and the universities belonging to the study track of their choice.
The programme offers nine different study tracks to choose from. Six of them will open for application for autumn semester 2025. You must select your preferred track at the time of application. You may apply to several tracks, but you must rank your choices, as you will be admitted to only one. View the list of study tracks under "Semesters 2-3”.
All students follow a common curriculum in the first semester before continuing with their respective study tracks in the following semesters.\ \ The structure of the four semesters is outlined below.\
Semester 1: Building the foundations
In your first semester at Stockholm University, you’ll develop foundational skills through the Climate, Energy, and Environment course (30 ECTS), covering several topics; systems thinking, natural science, social science and humanities perspectives as well as transdisciplinary methods. Read more about the course on the course website: Climate, Energy, and Environment – a Transdisciplinary Perspective.\
Semesters 2-3: Your selected study track
Choose from nine specialised tracks (60 ECTS) offered across the 11 CIVIS member universities:
- Study track 1: Environmental Humanities and Law (PLUS, Austria, and UB, Romania)
- Study track 2: Environmental Social Sciences (UofG, Scotland, and UB, Romania)
- Study track 3: Energy and Matter (UAM, Spain, and SU, Sweden).
- Study track 4: Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology (SU, Sweden, and UT, Germany).
- Study track 5: Environmental Geoscience (UofG, Scotland, and AMU, France)
- Study track 6: Climate Change Science (NKUA, Greece, and UT, Germany).
- Study track 7: Environmental Risk and Mitigation (UNIL, Switzerland, and SUR, Italy)
- Study track 8: Transdisciplinary Approaches to Climate Change (PLUS, Austria, and ULB, Belgium)
- Study track 9: Global Change Biology (SUR, Italy, and AMU, France)
Semester 4: Master's thesis project - Working on a real-world challenge
Complete your academic journey with a 30 ECTS Master's thesis project, working on a real-world challenge at one of the CIVIS partner universities within your selected study track. \ \ Continuous transdisciplinary stream\ \ An extra-curricular transdisciplinary stream runs through the entire programme. The stream will be offered on site during the first semester in Stockholm, and thereafter online. The purpose of the stream is to engage students in learning about transdisciplinarity, and offer support and checkpoints for development of independent projects. It also offers a meeting point for the whole student group throughout the programme.\ \ Ready to start your journey? Download the TRACEE handbook and prepare your application today!\ Download the handbook for 2025 pdf, 1.4 MB.\ Download the handbook for 2026 pdf, 408.2 kB.\ Click to download the infographics of the programme pdf, 416.6 kB.\
How to apply
Read our step-by-step guide on how to apply
Select study track\ The programme offers nine different study tracks to choose from. You must select your preferred track at the time of application. You may apply to several tracks, but you must rank your choices, as you will be admitted to only one. View the list of study tracks under "Semesters 2-3” under Programme Overview. The list has links to each study track site where you find an "Apply button". The "Apply" button is located in the right-hand column on desktop computers and at the bottom of the page on mobile devices.\ \ Apply to one, or more, tracks via University Admissions.
For more information, see our Frequently Asked Questions.\ \ Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s degree
- English proficiency equivalent to CEFR B2 (e.g., IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90).
- The assessment will be based partly on grades and partly on a motivation letter.
- Specific eligibility may apply on the different study tracks.
Participation cost for the programme:
- EU/EEA/Switzerland students: €9000 for the full programme (€2250/semester)
- Non-EU/EEA/Switzerland students: €18,000 for the full programme (€4500/semester)
This is the participation cost for the Master's Programme, regardless of chosen study track. The cost is tailored by the uniqe collaboration that is the CIVIS alliance.\ Please note that the information regarding Stockholm University tuition fee does not apply here (nor does the link "More information on tuition fees").\ \ Top-ranked applicants may qualify for scholarships. More information about scholarships will be available here soon.
Additional eligibility criteria
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More information
Why choose the Transdisciplinary Studies of Climate, Environment and Energy Master's Programme?
- Gain insights from a multicultural environment, with peers and educators from across the world.
- Benefit from a network of 11 leading research higher education institutions across Europe that form the CIVIS European University Alliance.
- Choose from nine specialised study tracks, allowing you to focus on areas like climate science, environmental law, or energy systems.
- Apply your knowledge to practical challenges through case studies, collaborative research, and a transdisciplinary Master's thesis project and get hands-on experience.
- Be part of the future. Join the inaugural class of this pioneering international programme and make a difference!
By the end of the TRACEE Programme, you will be able to:
- Understand the challenges of climate, energy, and the environment and develop solutions from natural science, societal and human perspectives.
- Demonstrate advanced transdisciplinary knowledge of climate, energy, and environment.
- Critically analyse global challenges through diverse disciplinary perspectives.
- Apply innovative research methods to address sustainability issues.
- Communicate your findings effectively to academic, professional, and public audiences.
CIVIS - Europe's Civic University Alliance
CIVIS is Europe's Civic University Alliance works to foster cross-border collaboration and enhance mobility among students, faculty, and staff. With a strong focus on tackling global challenges, CIVIS emphasises innovative approaches to education, aiming to increase access to quality education, create diverse opportunities, and reduce inequalities.
CIVIS bringing together a community of more than 470,000 students and 58,000 staff members. It is the fruit of the special collaboration between 11 leading research higher education institutions across Europe: Aix-Marseille Université, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University of Bucharest, Université libre de Bruxelles, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Sapienza Università di Roma, Stockholm University, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, University of Glasgow, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg and University of Lausanne.
Six prestigious academic institutions in Africa are associate members of the Alliance: Makerere University, Eduardo Mondlane University, Université Hassan II de Casablanca, University of Sfax, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, and University of the Witwatersrand.
To learn more about CIVIS, visit the CIVIS Alliance website.
Presentation of the Programme and Q&A
Watch the recording of an info session from February 14th, covering the programme and study tracks available for autumn 2025 applications, followed by a Q&A session at the end.
Follow this link to watch the recording on Youtube
Meet us
Get to know TRACEE in this short film. Hear from students and teachers about what makes this international programme unique.
Watch the film on the CIVIS YouTube channel
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Meet our teachers
David Collste
David Collste is among the first educators you will meet in Stockholm. He too has completed an international Master’s program which – just like TRACEE – involved moving between three European universities. We asked him what it was like:
- I had a fantastic time during the program, including engaging in cultural experiences and making lifelong friends. The opportunity to learn at different academic institutions and being exposed to various academic traditions has proven valuable both in my work as a researcher and in my roles at governmental and international institutions, including the United Nations. I am looking forward to welcoming you all to Stockholm, and do not hesitate to get in touch (David.Collste@su.se) if you have any questions.
Welcome to TRACEE!
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Career opportunities
Graduates of TRACEE will be experts in the green transition, agents of change prepared for impactful careers, including:
- Policy development in government agencies.
- Research and innovation in climate and energy sectors.
- Consultancy in environmental and sustainability organizations.
- Leadership roles in international NGOs or global businesses.
This programme also provides an excellent foundation for doctoral studies in transdisciplinary research fields.
Contact
FAQ
We have collected the most common questions students have about the TRACEE Master Programme and the answers to them on this site:
Study Coordinators
Couldn't find the answer to your question?
For questions about the TRACEE master programme, please contact our study coordinators.
Email: tracee@aces.su.se
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Information
120 credits
Held every autumn
Programme code: NCEEO
Level
Master's level
Eligibility
To be admitted to the programme, knowledge equivalent to a Bachelor's degree and special qualifications in accordance with the chosen study track. Also required is knowledge equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6 or equivalent.
Syllabus - legal document
Look for syllabuses in archive
Subject
Environmental ScienceLawGlobal DevelopmentPhilosophyEconomicsMedia and Communication Studies
Area of interest
Science and MathematicsHuman, Social and Political Sciences, and LawArts and HumanitiesBusiness and EconomicsMedia and Communications
Department responsible for education
Department of Environmental Science
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