Master's Programme in Transdisciplinary Studies of Climate, Environment and Energy, STUDY TRACK in Environmental Humanities and Law
What happens when the insights of the humanities meet the rigour of legal frameworks to address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges?
In a world increasingly shaped by climate change, energy transitions, and ecological degradation, finding sustainable solutions demands a multidisciplinary approach. The Environmental Humanities and Law study track explores the intersections of law, ethics, and the humanities to foster a deeper understanding of the socio-political, legal, and cultural dimensions of environmental issues. This track is ideal for students who wish to influence sustainable policies, legal systems, and public discourse on environmental challenges.
This study track is one of nine available. To learn more about all the study tracks, visit:
Master’s Programme in Transdisciplinary Studies of Climate, Environment and Energy
What to expect
This study track equips students with the tools to analyse and address environmental issues through legal, ethical, and cultural lenses. Students will engage with critical topics such as climate politics, urban ecology, legal frameworks for environmental protection, and philosophical perspectives on sustainability. Through courses that blend theoretical exploration and practical application, students will develop:
- Multidisciplinary knowledge: An understanding of how the humanities and law intersect to address complex environmental challenges.
- Practical skills: The ability to develop and advocate for policies that integrate ethical, legal, and cultural considerations.
- Critical perspectives: Insights into how societal values and legal systems shape environmental decision-making.
The study track includes modules such as Legal and Ethical Perspectives of Climate Change, Urban Ecology, and Climate Politics in the European Union. It also features opportunities for fieldwork, case studies, and collaborations with experts across disciplines.
Participating universities
This study track spans three leading institutions:
- Stockholm University (SU, Sweden): Laying the foundation with a transdisciplinary perspective on climate, energy, and environment.
- Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (PLUS, Austria): Specialising in legal and ethical dimensions of climate change and urban ecology.
- University of Bucharest (UB, Romania): Offering advanced study in critical thinking and philosophical and cultural frameworks related to environmental law and the humanities.
Together, these universities provide a comprehensive and collaborative environment, preparing students to lead in academia, policy-making, and advocacy roles. The final semester offers flexibility, allowing students to complete their master’s thesis project at any of the participating institutions.
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Programme overview
The Master's Programme in Transdisciplinary Studies of Climate, Environment and Energy (TRACEE programme) is a two-year Master's Programme, meaning 4 semesters and totally 120 ECTS.
After the first common semester you continue on your selected study track. Students choose from nine specialised tracks (60 ECTS) offered across the 11 CIVIS member universities. Read more about the programme and all the nine study tracks on the main programme page here. This page describes track 1 out of 9.
In the study track in Environmental Humanities and Law, students will study various disciplines that inform the development, adoption, and implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures to climate change, the energy transition, and environmental issues. Students will become familiar with the political, economic, legal, societal, ethical and communication challenges that must be taken into account for developing lasting and sustainable solutions.
Successful students will be awarded multiple or joint degrees from the partner universities (SU, PLUS, UB).
Semester 1, Stockholm University (SU)
In your first semester at Stockholm University, you’ll develop foundational skills through the course Climate, Energy, and Environment – a Transdisciplinary Perspective (30 ECTS). Read more on the course page.
Semester 2, Paris Londron University of Salzburg (PLUS)- Legal and Ethical Perspectives of Climate Change (4 ECTS)
- Psychology of Climate Change (4 ECTS)
- Introduction into Environmental and Climate History (3 ECTS)
- Current Research in the Field of Psychology: Environment, Climate change, Sustainability (3 ECTS)
- Urban Ecology (3 ECTS)
- Climate Politics in the European Union (6 ECTS)
- Environmental, Social and Governance Investments and Legal Framework (3 ECTS)
- International Climate Law and Litigation (4 ECTS)
Semester 3, University of Bucharest (UB)
- Philosophical Challenges of Climate Change (5 ECTS)
- The Ethics of Sustainable Governance (4 ECTS)
- Social Ecology (4 ECTS)
- Ecoarcheology and Climate Resilience (4 ECTS)
- Human Evolution and Adaptive Strategies (4 ECTS)
- Sustainability of Human Capital in a World in Demographic Contraction (4 ECTS)
- Critical Thinking for Sustainable Development (5 ECTS)
Semester 4, Master Thesis Project at SU, PLUS or UB
The fourth and last semester is dedicated to the Master's thesis project (30 ECTS). It is registered at SU, PLUS or UB.
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
Application is done through universityadmissions.se.
Entry requirement: The Study Track 1 targets students with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.Please note that you need to apply to a specific study track within the Master's programme (you can apply to several tracks but have to rank your choices as you will be admitted to only one). Read about all the study tracks at the programme page.
Participation cost for the programme:
- EU/EEA/Switzerland students: €9000 for the full programme (€2250/semester)
- Non-EU/EEA/Switzerland 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"). -
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
