About this programme
Master in Development, Environment & Cultural Change is a Master's Degree programme at University of Oslo in Oslo, taught in English. It runs for 2 years and carries 120 ECTS credits. The register gives Oslo as the campus town. It lists the degree as Master. University of Oslo is a state university in Oslo.
How it compares
Master in Development, Environment & Cultural Change is one of 7 English-taught Development Studies programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 6 institutions. 2 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from NOK 166,700 to NOK 204,000; this programme lists NOK 204,000 a year. 5 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students.
What you will study
What you study
The programme asks big questions. What are the systemic causes of the so-called Anthropocene era? How are different lives lived under this new planetary condition? What are the main challenges in creating more sustainable futures? You explore these through an interdisciplinary lens, building on humanities and social sciences.
You gain knowledge and critical insight into the key systemic features of the Anthropocene. The teaching looks at the interplay between different scales and localities, the role of different actors, and the relation between research and policy within the sustainable development agenda. You also learn how these problems have been theorised in social science and humanist scholarship, and how theory can be linked to practice to assess, advise and create change.
As a master's student you specialise in topic areas related to the Centre's ongoing research. You do this through elective courses and your thesis work.
Admission, language and next steps
The programme is taught in English and is open to applicants who want an international and welcoming study environment. The Centre for Global Sustainability (GLOBE) welcomes students who appreciate working independently and in teams, and who are interested in both the academic and practical challenges of creating sustainable futures.
For entry requirements, check the programme page. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland are normally exempt from tuition fees at state institutions. Other degree students normally pay a fee that the institution sets. The application deadline and application system are set by the University of Oslo, so check the programme page for those details.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Research and analysis on sustainability and development
- Work in organisations focused on climate, environment and development
- Roles linking research and policy in the sustainable development agenda
- Project work on sustainable futures
- Further academic study in social science and humanist scholarship
Before you apply
Master’s applications go straight to University of Oslo, 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. 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 Development, Environment & Cultural Change taught in English?
Yes. The Study in Norway register, run by HK-dir, lists it as an English-taught programme at University of Oslo. 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 Oslo as the campus town for this programme at University of Oslo.
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. University of Oslo 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. Confirm the date for your own situation on the programme page at University of Oslo.
What does it cost?
Students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland pay NOK 204,000 a year, as University of Oslo 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 University of Oslo is linked from this page so you can compare.
Same subject and level at other institutions
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