Sustainable Development Abschluss: Master

The special feature of the MSD is its three-faculty-structure, formally recognizable by the three supporting faculties, but also by the equal treatment of the three pillars of sustainability – environmental, social and economic. Usually, the master's thesis is written in one of the three offered majors, but it may be interdisciplinary in its orientation as well. This guarantees that students can approach sustainability issues from different perspectives.

The research focuses of the three professorships and their research groups anchored in the MSD are incorporated into teaching, and offer students the opportunity to write a master's thesis within the framework of a current research project; for example on spatial planning for ecosystems and biodiversity conservation, impacts of global change drivers on biodiversity, governance of sustainability in global value chains and food systems, due diligence legislation in tropical commodity sectors, climate change mitigation and adaptation in coffee value chains, environmental ethics, inter- and intragenerational justice, resource economics, energy and climate policy, policy induced technological change, economic concepts of sustainability, etc.

By interrelating the supporting faculties, the three research groups, the responsible professorships and their teams, a very large network within and outside the University of Basel to cooperation partners ensures the inter- and transdisciplinarity of the degree.

The program awards 120 ECTS credits in total. It is a so called «monocourse».

When applying for the degree, applicants choose one of the following majors or the possibility to study without a major: Major Economics and Management, Major Natural Sciences, Major Social Sciences or without a major.

This selection can still be changed upon application once students are enrolled in the MSD. Details are stipulated in the study guidelines.

The MSD teaches key competences in the field of sustainability and transdisciplinary project work. It is a science-based course of study that enables graduates to gain a foothold in the academic environment as well as in other professional areas.

Whether at consulting firms, engineering offices, public authorities, large corporations, NPOs, political parties, banks or auditing firms - an enormous spectrum of job entry opportunities are offered to MSD graduates, which receive a challenging supplement through the foundation of start-ups.

Academic advice

Academic advice provided by faculty members can help with questions regarding the course content and structure of the specific subject/course (e.g. study and examination regulations, timetables, course structure, combination of subjects, working techniques, exam preparation).

email: coordination-msd@unibas.ch
website: academic advice

Student Advice Center

The Student Advice Center provides support with general questions about studying, choosing a course of study and career planning, as well as orientation and decision-making conflicts or questions about combining and changing courses.

website: Student Advice Center