Master's Programme in Transdisciplinary Studies of Climate, Environment and Energy
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.
Application is open 17th February to 31st March! Find links to apply on the individual track pages. 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)
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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). This study track is launched in 2026 and not available in 2025.
- Study track 4: Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology (SU, Sweden, and UT, Germany). This study track is launched in 2026 and not available in 2025.
- Study track 5: Environmental Geoscience (UofG, Scotland, and AMU, France)
- Study track 6: Climate Change Science (NKUA, Greece, and UT, Germany). This study track is launched in 2026 and not available in 2025.
- 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. You can choose the university that aligns best with your research interests.
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 (link available soon) -
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 via University Admissions.
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/EES students: €9000 for the full programme (€2250/semester)
- Non-EU/EES students: €18,000/year 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. -
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!
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.
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.
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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.
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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
