University Education

The Master's programme in environment and natural resources is designed for students passionate about environmental issues and the sustainable use of natural resources in an age of global change.

The programme's main objective is to graduate a new generation of professionals with solid knowledge and skills in environmental and resource studies who can work across disciplines and professions.

The programme is taught entirely in English and attracts students from all over the world. Seven specialisations are available.

Is the program for you??

• Are you passionate about the environment and natural resources?

• Are you interested in the sustainable use of natural resources?

• Do you want to acquire the skills needed to work in interdisciplinary and international teams?

• Do you want to learn more about academic working practices?

What is the study about?

The Master's programme in environment and natural resources is a two-year interdisciplinary research-based programme. Students learn about topics related to the environment and sustainable use of natural resources.

Elective courses from multiple UI faculties and the scope of the thesis project allow students to tailor the programme to suit their interests. This programme is organised jointly by all five University of Iceland schools: the School of Social Sciences, the School of Health Sciences, the School of Humanities, the School of Education and the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences.

The most important part of the programme is the Master's research project and thesis, which students can complete in collaboration with domestic or international partners at other universities, institutes and businesses.

The programme aims to educate a new generation of professionals, equipping them with the in-depth knowledge and skills in environmental issues and natural resources needed to work in an interdisciplinary context.

Programme structure

The programme is 120 ECTS and is organised as two years of full-time study.

The programme is made up of:

• Mandatory courses, 23-35 ECTS

• Elective courses, 60-90 ECTS

• Final project, 30 eða 60 ECTS

Specialisations

Students choose between the following specialisations:

• Environment and natural resources - Open specialisation for students who want a broad knowledge of environmental issues and natural resources or who want to focus on areas outside the other specialisations, for example, environment and health, education and sustainability, or the relationship between psychology and environmental issues.

• Environmental management, science and policy - Environmental issues in a broad context and environmental management at all levels, from individual businesses to the global community. Students explore the nature and causes of environmental problems and their solutions. Specific topics include climate change, air pollution, water/marine pollution, use of materials, waste, the circular economy, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and environmental management systems.

• Natural resource management - The management and conservation of natural resources in a broad context. Students use theoretical and practical approaches to understand the nature and causes of declining natural resources and identify solutions. Specific topics include forestry, soil resources, land use, wildlife, biodiversity, wilderness areas and nature reserves, water, ecosystem services, and diverse management systems.

• Ocean sustainability - Conservation and sustainable use of the world's oceans and marine resources.

• Renewable energy – energy and sustainability: policy, economics and the environment - Sustainable development of energy systems – a theoretical and practical discussion of how energy systems can be made more sustainable. Specific topics include energy generation and use, policy, material and energy resources, renewable energy, heat, electricity, e-fuels, biofuels, transport and industry, all in the context of the multiple dimensions of sustainable development. See more programmes with a specialisation in renewable energy.

• Sustainability management and informatics - Discussion on sustainability in a broad context, emphasising interdisciplinary analyses of sustainability and welfare at different scales. Special emphasis on analyses of the ecological footprint and its use in decision-making and communication.

• Sustainable agriculture and rural development - Robust, sustainable agriculture in harmony with the environment and society is one of the foundations of community development worldwide, especially regarding food security and rural development. The specialisation integrates the fundamentals of agricultural sciences with environmental sciences, innovation, economics, policy-making, and rural development. Numerous themes are covered in the specialisation, such as agricultural systems and production, food systems and food security, government policy and support, including governance and public administration tools, prosperity and the circular economy, climate change, rural development, innovation in rural areas, and land use – all in the context of sustainability.

• Organizational Sustainability - Corporate and organizational sustainability is fundamental to the long-term viability of businesses, public institutions, and non-governmental organizations. It addresses critical environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges while promoting ethical responsibility and stakeholder trust. Sustainability emphasis empowers leaders to create value that benefits society and the planet by fostering innovation and strengthening organizational resilience and competitiveness, enabling organizations to thrive in an increasingly complex and dynamic global context. The Organizational Sustainability specialization focuses, among other things, on strategy development and implementation, governance structures, actions, financing, reporting, and the outcomes of such initiatives.

Internship

Regular internships are available to Master's students in various institutions. An internship is a practical 6 ECTS elective course, providing students with the opportunity to get an insight into the various organisations involved with environmental issues and natural resources.

• Internship on the environment and natural resources programme

Organisation of teaching

The language of instruction is English and students graduate with either an MA or MS in environment and natural resources from different faculties, depending on the focus of their Master's thesis.

Students choose an academic supervisor for the Master's thesis from among permanent members of academic staff. The home faculty of the student's main academic supervisor will be the faculty from which the student graduates.

Students will be given opportunities to explore potential future careers through field trips and project work, as well as for-credit internships.

Main objectives

The programme aims to educate a new generation of professionals, equipping them with the in-depth knowledge and skills in environmental issues and natural resources needed to work in an interdisciplinary context.

Other

Completing the programme allows a student to apply for doctoral studies.

• PhD in environment and natural resources