About this programme
Master in Climate Change Management is a Master's Degree programme at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences in Bergen, taught in English. It runs for 2 years and carries 120 ECTS credits. The register gives Sogndal as the campus town. It lists the degree as Master. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is a university college in Vestland.
How it compares
Master in Climate Change Management is one of 11 English-taught Science programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 5 institutions. 4 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from NOK 260,000 to NOK 295,000; this programme lists NOK 260,000 a year. 11 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students.
What you will study
The Master in Climate Change Management at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) is a two-year, full-time programme taught in English. It is based in Sogndal, a small town surrounded by fjords, mountains and glaciers, which the programme uses as a laboratory for studying climate change. The degree is 120 ECTS and leads to a Master's degree.
What you study
The programme is interdisciplinary, combining natural and social science perspectives on climate change. You will learn about how climate change affects societies and ecosystems, social transformation, climate policy, consumer behaviour and circular economy. You will also study climate models and climate projections used to analyse future scenarios, and the transition of energy production, consumption and systems in a climate-friendly direction. Other topics include land-use planning with landslide and flood risk, interactions between climate change, climate measures, the nature crisis and sustainable development, and nature-based solutions to climate challenges. The study culminates in a master's thesis on a topic you choose.
How the programme is organised
Teaching is organised in blocks: you work on one subject at a time and finish with an exam before starting the next. Methods include lectures, laboratory work, project-based work, and excursions and fieldwork in the surrounding landscape. The programme is international, with both Norwegian and foreign students, and all teaching is in English. You can apply for an exchange in the second semester; partner institutions include VIVES University of Applied Sciences (Belgium), Bingen University of Applied Sciences (Germany), University of Oldenburg (Germany), Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (Germany), University Centre of the Westfjords (Iceland), University of Turin (Italy) and Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania).
Who it suits
The programme suits students with a bachelor's degree in natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, technology or engineering, with a specialisation relevant to climate and environment studies. Examples include energy and environmental sciences, governance and policy, green technology and transition, geosciences and natural hazards, or a combination of these. You should have a grade point average of C or better. The programme is for those who want to work on solutions to climate challenges and who enjoy outdoor fieldwork and an international study environment.
Admission, language and next steps
Applicants from outside the Nordic countries must document English proficiency and academic achievements. Check the programme page for the full list of required documents. Deadlines vary: non EU/EEA applicants had a deadline of 1 December for admission the following year, EU/EEA applicants 1 March, and Norwegian applicants 15 April. Note that the programme page states that non EU/EEA applicants are not eligible to apply for this programme in 2027, and the EU/EEA deadline is 1 March 2027. Always check the programme page for the most up-to-date deadlines and application details. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland are normally exempt from tuition fees at state institutions; other degree students normally pay a fee set by the institution.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Planning and management in municipalities, regions and directorates, for example land-use planning for roads, railways and housing
- Environmental, climate and energy advising and consultancy in the private and public sectors or in organisations
- Advice on designing areas to avoid harmful effects of floods, landslides and other climate-related events
- Climate research in a broad sense, including developing nature-based solutions and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Teaching and development roles in climate-related fields
Before you apply
Master’s applications go straight to Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, not through the national admission service (NUCAS). Study in Norway states that you need a bachelor’s degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), including courses equal to at least one and a half years of full-time study relevant to the programme. The institution lists its deadline as: Non EU/EEA-applicants: December 1st 2022 for admission 2023 Applicants from EU/EEA: March 1st 2023 Norwegian applicants: April 15th 2023. The register shows 1 December 2026 as a deadline date for this programme. Deadlines are set by each institution for each programme, so confirm yours. Entry requirements and language tests are also set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, study permits and housing.
Facts on this page come from the Study in Norway register, the official English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. "Not listed" means the register has no figure, not that the programme is free. Always confirm requirements, fees and deadlines with the institution.
Quick answers
Is Master in Climate Change Management taught in English?
Yes. The Study in Norway register, run by HK-dir, lists it as an English-taught programme at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. Only English-taught degree programmes are included here.
How long does it take?
The register records 2 years of study and 120 ECTS credits. Sixty ECTS credits are one academic year of full-time study.
Where is it taught?
The register lists Sogndal as the campus town for this programme at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.
How do I apply?
Master’s applications go straight to the institution, not through the national admission service (NUCAS). Study in Norway states that you need a bachelor’s degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), including courses equal to at least one and a half years of full-time study relevant to the programme, and some programmes require a minimum grade average. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences publishes its requirements on the programme page.
When is the application deadline?
Each institution sets and publishes its own deadline for each programme, and the dates can differ between applicants from outside the EU/EEA, EU/EEA applicants and Nordic applicants. As Western Norway University of Applied Sciences lists it: Non EU/EEA-applicants: December 1st 2022 for admission 2023 Applicants from EU/EEA: March 1st 2023 Norwegian applicants: April 15th 2023. The register shows 1 December 2026 as a deadline date for this programme. Confirm the date for your own situation on the programme page at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.
What does it cost?
Students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland pay NOK 260,000 a year, as Western Norway University of Applied Sciences lists it. For students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland the record shows no tuition fee. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. Every student also pays a semester fee of about NOK 1,000 to the student welfare organisation linked to the institution.
Do I need a permit to study there?
Students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland need a study permit from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). UDI asks for proof of admission, housing and funds of NOK 15,488 a month or NOK 170,368 a year (2026/27), on top of any tuition fee. A study permit allows work of up to 20 hours a week during term and full time in the holidays. Students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland register with the police within three months of arrival instead.
Is this programme officially listed?
It comes from the Study in Norway register at studyinnorway.no, the English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. The programme page at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is linked from this page so you can compare.
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