Energy and Environmental Sciences, Master Degree

University of Groningen, the Netherlands

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The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
Master Degree	find out	find out	find out	EUR 2314 per year	EUR 20700 per year

About Energy and Environmental Sciences, Master Degree - at University of Groningen

What are the causes of the various large scale global environmental issues like climate change? Can we identify options to solve these issues? Are options different in different countries?

The global challenges with respect to the environment and sustainability are huge and can only be addressed in an interdisciplinary approach. Since it is impossible to address all these issues equally in a Master degree program, specialization is essential. The Energy and Environmental Sciences (EES) programme specializes in energy and is treating it from a natural science perspective. However, it trains the students that the natural sciences/technical approach to and solution of problems is only a part of the story and collaboration with other scientific disciplines is vital.

As the programme has a strong focus on the natural sciences; a bachelor's degree in one of the natural sciences or related engineering studies is an entry requirement. The exact background, however, can be very different, both in the discipline (e.g. Marine Biology, Engineering, Nuclear Physics, Astronomy, etc.) and nationality and culture (60% from abroad, over 10 nationalities is no exception). This educational and cultural mixture provides a very interesting and challenging learning environment, in which you can benefit and learn from each other's knowledge and background and get used to working in interdisciplinary/intercultural groups. Together, you (learn to) develop strategies to deal with the current issues in the field of EES.

Lecturers of the programme are staff members of the Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG). Research groups within this institute are: Centre for Isotope Research (CIO), Geo Energy, Integrated Research on Energy, Environment and Society (IREES), Energy Conversion (EC) and Ocean Ecosystems (OE). Research within this institute covers a wide range of topics, from isotopes research to social acceptance of windmills, and staff members have a background in various natural science disciplines. You can conduct your master's research project in one of the research groups of ESRIG, this means that an enormous variety of subjects is available and it is rather likely that one of them fits you.

Around their graduation, our students find jobs that suit their education and fit their interests. Universities (PhDs), energy companies, environmental consultancies, environmental NGO's, industry and government are typical first employers. These employers mention that the combination of strong natural science fundaments and the ability to work in an international/interdisciplinary context provides our students extreme value.

Learn more about Energy and Environmental Sciences, Master Degree - at University of Groningen

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Entry requirements

University Bachelor's degree in (Applied) Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Management, Biology or another degree in the natural sciences or related engineering studies, such as mechanical engineering and electrical engineering.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at University of Groningen

The university is committed to recognising excellence in academic achievement through offering a number of scholarships for international students and researchers. Several scholarships are available for international students who are motivated to study Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programmes, as well as for exchanges, short courses and research stays at our university.

Besides scholarships awarded by the University of Groningen, a number of grants awarded by the Dutch government, the EU and (inter)national organizations, such as World Bank or the Ford Foundation, can be used for study or research at the University of Groningen as well.

Find out what is available through our grant finder page.

Student reviews of University of Groningen

Find out what students say about University of Groningen

If I had to choose a Master's programme again, I would be on a flight to Groningen.

Ana Quintana, Mexico, Strategic Innovation Management

I gained a Bachelor's degree in Management & Marketing in Mexico City before I came to the Netherlands to undertake my Master's programme. During my Bachelor's studies, I spent a semester in Canada and I wanted to expand my international (study) experiences before starting work. I was keen to focus on innovation which is not usually offered in Mexico hence the combination of Innovation and Strategy in one programme directed me to Groningen.

My Master's thesis dealt with Innovation in family businesses and I now benefit from the intense research modules offered during the programme. Now I am working as a Promotion Manager in charge of the several customer loyalty programs offered by one of Mexico's biggest hotel chains. Although the Master's program was rather theoretical, I feel that it prepared me very well for my current job.

There was nothing about Groningen that I did not like: the city is just beautiful. I especially enjoyed going everywhere by bike, the variety of offers for students and, of course, the Queensday (now Kings Day) celebrations. Groningen has everything to make (foreign) students feel at home.

Looking back a year after my return to Mexico, I feel that I especially enjoyed getting to know Dutch culture. In addition, the courses offered and the beauty of the city made my stay in Groningen an unforgettable experience. If I had to choose a Master's programme again, I would be on a flight to Groningen.

I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand my knowledge in the field of law

Lejla Terzimehic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Global Criminal Law

Thanks to the European Commission Scholarship and the Talent Grant from the University of Groningen, I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand my knowledge in the field of law that I am most passionate about, at one of the oldest and most prestigious European universities.

Being very intellectually challenging, the master programme truly met my expectations. Sharing knowledge with my colleagues, all coming from different legal traditions, and learning from inspiring professors enriched me with the skills I hadn't attained during my previous education.

What I found to be the most beneficial is that the Dutch education system which, taught us to develop a critical opinion on law-related issues. Moreover, this master programme had a unique approach in tackling controversial contemporary legal issues. Due to its strong comparative emphasis, it encouraged us to keep at constant track with our national law, which is of a huge significance.

Both the master and a 6-month long internship at the International Criminal Tribunal for The Former Yugoslavia strengthened my belief in Justice. Furthermore, besides this academic benefit, I believe that studying abroad unequivocally broadens our horizons and tests prejudices we even are not aware of.