Study Programme - MSc Climate Studies
The MSc programme Climate Studies runs annually beginning from September. It comprises 120 ECTS credits and runs for two academic years. The first year consists of coursework (60 ECTS), the second year consists of the academic internship (24 ECTS) and your thesis (36 ECTS) as the core components of the master’s degree curriculum. Each of these elements is described in more detail below.
Academic year
Course selection
As a student you will gain a broad overview of climate change related issues by following compulsory courses, a selection of restricted optional courses and courses that you may choose freely (electives). Some of the compulsory and restricted optional subjects are specific for this programme and others are part of the specialisation of your choice. The electives can be taken from any other relevant MSc programme offered by Wageningen University or by another academic institution. This means that you can adjust your personal programme to your own wishes, and either choose a further specialisation or a broadening of your programme. Your study adviser and thesis supervisor will assist you in this process.
The common part
In the table below you will find the compulsory and restricted optional courses which belong to the common part of the MSc programme Climate Studies.
| Subject | Code |
|---|---|
| Compulsory | |
| Climate Change Studies Topics and Approaches | WSG20306 |
| Internship (24 ECTS; to be selected from the 11 chairs) | |
| Two e-learning Safety Instructions are compulsory in order to work safely at Wageningen University and in the field (0 ECTS): | |
| General Safety | ZSS06000 |
| Fieldwork Safety | ZSS06200 |
| Restricted optional: select one out of these two options * | |
| Principles of Climate Change Economics and Policy | ENR22806 |
| Principles of Earth and Ecosystem Science | SOC23306 |
| Restricted optional: select one * | |
| Academic Consultancy Training and Modular Skills Training (MOS) ** | YMC60809 |
| Design of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies | WSG60812 |
| Int. Environmental Policy Consultancy *** | ENP60312 |
| Restricted optional: These optional courses focus on various research methodologies and data sciences and can support you in preparation of your thesis: | |
| Data Science Concepts | INF34306 |
| Data Science for Smart Environments | GRS35306 |
| Advanced Statistics | MAT20306 |
| Interviews and Questionnaires | YRM31306 |
This course overview is based on the Wageningen University study handbook, where you can find a more detailed course and programme description. The study handbook is guiding in case of any discrepancy.
*The restricted optional subjects have to be selected in consultation and agreement with the study adviser.
**To get the list of the skills courses, select “courses” in the green menu bar of the study handbook. On the left side (gey area) click “Modular Skills Training Course (MOS)” and check the box “Yes, this is a Modular Skills Training course”.
***Only if you are admitted to the thesis track Sustainable Development Diplomacy you are allowed (and should) take this course.
Specialisations and thesis tracks
Within the MSc programme Climate Studies, you can choose from five specialisations, and within each specialisation different thesis tracks have been identified. Each specialisation has its own coursework curriculum. The curriculum can also differ between students depending on their preparatory training. These courses primarily serve to prepare you for your thesis research. Go to specialisations.
Free choice
In the programme there is also room for electives which you may use to broaden your scope or to deepen your knowledge on a topic within your specialisation. Have a look at the study handbook and you will get an impression on the courses offered at Wageningen University.
Career-oriented tracks
In addition to the wide choice of scientific disciplines, you can choose to include one of the following career-oriented tracks or minors in your programme:
- Entrepreneurship
- Sustainable Development Diplomacy (only thesis track Environmental Policy)
- Research
Thesis
Internship
The compulsory internship consists of 24 ECTS credits of project work in an institution outside of Wageningen University. The internship may either be undertaken abroad or in the Netherlands. The purpose of the internship is to provide students with a unique learning opportunity to apply learned skills and concepts to 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. You can select an internship from one out of the eleven tracks of Climate Studies.
Internship positions
Whilst securing an internship is primarily a responsibility of the student, the internship coordinator will provide substantial assistance in finding a suitable position, ensuring that the work experience is relevant to the student's study programme. To receive credits for an internship, students must receive a satisfactory evaluation from both their internship (host) supervisor and supervisor within the MSc Climate Studies programme.
Internship replacement
Students with (supervised) work experience on an academic level may exchange the internship for a research practice with another chair group than the one where the thesis is done. Approval by the study adviser is required.