Bachelor's Programme in Energy Transition - Sustainability and Leadership

Academic year 2022/2023

180 credits
Autumn 2022, Visby, 100%, Campus
Programme syllabus and outline

Overview
Programme
Career
Admissions
Contact and further resources

Do you want to work with and lead the energy transition towards a more sustainable society? Congratulations, you've come to the right place! Leadership for sustainable transitions requires a broad understanding of social, technical and environmental challenges and possibilities. The interdisciplinary character of the Bachelor's Programme in Energy Transition - Sustainability and Leadership, trains you to understand and integrate knowledge from different disciplines in order to handle the complexity of energy transition processes and sustainability.

The programme is taught at Uppsala University's Gotland Campus, which offers an education environment which thrives to be at the forefront of sustainable development.

Why this programme?

The Bachelor Programme in Energy Transition - Sustainability and Leadership is designed to provide you with broad knowledge and understanding of the different challenges and possible solutions for sustainable energy. With an emphasis in the natural, technical and social sciences, you will study technical solutions, environmental impact, political and economic policies and controls.

You will also explore the social perspectives of participation and change leadership, both of which are necessary in the work for long-term sustainability. This involves a strong focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency, aligned with the sustainability goals. This process has a great need for individuals with interdisciplinary knowledge who can communicate and work with people across both cultural and disciplinary boundaries.

Here you will practice critical analysis and evaluation of different approaches from different perspectives, where active student participation is used. Besides providing theoretical knowledge in the different fields, you will gain practical work in various forms. Training in communication, cooperation, teambuilding and leadership prepare you to work together with different experts and interest groups, such as engineers, planners, economists and environmental scientists. You will gain a solid foundation for a career where you will handle today's and tomorrow's challenges and questions in transition work.

In the last decade, with a few exceptions, Uppsala University has been placed among the top 100 best universities in the world by the two largest international ranking lists: ARWU/Shanghai Ranking (2019: ranked 62) and Times Higher Education (THE) (2018: ranked 87).

Student profile

You are interested in questions about renewable energy and sustainability and want to take part in the work to achieve a change in society. You are also curious in exploring the topic from different perspectives and think a leadership role seems exciting.

You will study together with students from different countries and with different backgrounds. This diversity promotes the education's interdisciplinary and international character. You will find yourself placed in a relatively small class, which enables the effective use of active teaching methods. As a student you are engaged in the learning process and you are prepared to learn how to communicate, actively listen and work in groups (like for instance role play and project work) as well as to collaborate with different actors in society.

Degree

The programme leads to a Bachelor of Science with Sustainable Energy Transition as the main field of study.

Read the interview

Name: Lara-Patricia Brokmeier
From: Germany

Why did you choose this programme?
– Firstly, I really loved the location and the size of the Campus. And secondly, I was hoping that studying this programme might give me good chances of finding a job afterwards, since it is quite a new field of study and people with our background will be needed more and more now and in the future.

Does the program live up to your expectations?
– Definitely! I was not really expecting anything before I started the programme, but it was the right choice for me. I did not know much about energy transition, to be honest, and this programme has given me a great understanding of all the challenges and possibilities connected to it. Moreover, it was a great first university programme as you really get to learn how to work scientifically and it provides you with all the basics.

What was the beginning of the semester like?
– There are a lot of events happening in the beginning and that is where you get in contact with a lot of students from all programmes at Campus Gotland. The Campus is so small that you really get to know people quite fast.

What has been most interesting so far?
– For me, the most interesting was to work for the municipality here on Gotland. In our 5^th semester, we get to choose what we would like to do. We can go on exchange studies, study other courses or do an internship. I was lucky to get an internship and work directly with the local energy transition on Gotland. I was given a project to work with a digital tool that helps cities and municipalities to create their living climate action plan and set goals to reduce emissions.

How is the unity within your programme?
– Some classes are very close. I guess that is only possible with the size of classes that we have. It was great to study together with students from all over the world. And it is great if you study energy transition, as you get different perspectives and learn how the energy system looks like in other countries.

What is your goal with this programme?
– To get a broad understanding of energy transition and sustainability and to be well prepared for work life. And I really think the programme achieves that. We had many possibilities in the programme to work on real projects and feasibility studies with external actors in the energy transition on Gotland.

What do you hope you are doing in five years?
– Well, I know that I will definitely stay in Sweden and I will move up to Jämtland after my studies. In five years, I hope I am working either at the municipality there or maybe for a consultancy firm working with sustainability or emission reduction.

Autumn 2022.

Programme

During the programme you will study courses from three subjects. Apart from courses in the major subject area of sustainable energy transition there will also be courses given in environmental science and industrial technology, the latter with a focus on leadership. These additional areas can serve as possible minor subjects in your exam.

Year 1

The programme begins with courses designed to give you a broad understanding of the field of sustainable energy transition with the focus on energy and energy systems and on the three dimensions of sustainability - social, economic and environmental. Knowledge and skills in project and leadership as well as scientific methods are introduced early so they can be used throughout the programme.

This is followed by courses where we will discuss in more detail environmental and climate change, one of the main driving forces behind the need for an energy transition. In the main subject area of sustainable transition your understanding is improved by studying the conversion and use of energy from a long term energy perspective. This provides a basis to research the technical possibilities.

Year 2

During your second year you will further develop your skills in understanding, analysing and managing the interdisciplinary challenges and solutions linked to a sustainable energy transition. One of the courses is focusing on societal change, participation and leadership. Your understanding about the work towards a sustainable society is expanded with courses in the minor area of environmental science which provides perspectives on planning and environmental justice, as well as environmental economics and ecological economics.

An additional course is also given about innovations for a sustainable energy transition, including technological and societal possibilities. Businesses' responsibility for sustainable energy development is covered in a course which focuses management systems, life cycle analysis and on other common concepts such as "corporate social responsibility" (CSR) and ethical leadership. The semester concludes by allowing you to use your broadened understanding in a project course about energy systems and leadership. This project course is good training for your (future) roll as a leader.

Year 3

During your fifth semester in year three, you can choose between elective courses at Uppsala University or exchange studies at one of our partner universities. There is also a possibility of doing an internship if you, as an active and driven student, decide to arrange an internship at a relevant business or organisation on your own.

An advanced scientific methods course and an interdisciplinary project course are given during the programme's final semester. In the latter course project work is conducted in collaboration with students from other programmes as well as representatives from community and business. The goal of this course is to add to your knowledge as well as to evaluate solutions to real energy related challenges as well as preparing you for the 15 credit Bachelor's thesis. Your Bachelor's thesis should contribute to the research and activities within the field of sustainable energy transition.

Courses within the programme

See the outline for courses within the programme .

Learning experience

Since the goal of the programme is to prepare you to handle the challenges of working with energy transition, the courses are made up of both theoretical and practical studies. Exercises in both written and oral communication skills, as well as mutual learning in student groups, are also key points of the programme.

The programme is built on two important cornerstones - active student participation and interdisciplinary studies - are intended to give you the skills you will need in your future career:

Active student participation means a series of different teaching methods such as seminars, different forms of student groups and project work, role play, debates and guest lectures. This variation in teaching methods creates an active learning environment where the teacher has a shared responsibility of giving lectures as well as being a supervisor, moderator and mentor while you are trained in engaged participation. Different forms of group work are a central part of the programme where you can improve your abilities to communicate, collaborate and lead - all of which are sought after and are highly valued in today's job market.
Through interdisciplinary studies a broader understanding and system thinking are cultivated. This means that you practice and use the skills and knowledge provided by the programme by handling complex situations holistically. You will additionally be trained in critical analysis which involves using different perspectives on diverse issues and approaches. Such interdisciplinary competence forms the basis for being able to understand and lead work involving different societal actors, experts and interest groups. This is partially achieved through joint study with students in other programmes as well as through regular meetings and activities together with representatives from industry, research and other groups that participate in working towards an energy transition.

During the fifth semester (year 3) you will take elective courses based on your own interests that increase or expand your understanding of a related topic or topics. You will also have the chance to, on your own, arrange an exchange at a university outside of Sweden or an internship which can give you valuable experience and contacts for your future career.

Examination

Grading and assessment will be customised to fit the content of each course and its goals. This means that grading methods will span a range of activities that evaluate your knowledge and skills through different oral and written forms, both individually and in groups.

Language

All courses in the programme are given in English and you will study together with students from across the world. This interaction will allow you to broaden your intercultural proficiency while training you to work in an international environment and to communicate for a global market.

Uppsala University Campus Gotland

The programme is run at Uppsala University Campus Gotland in Visby where you will have the best of both worlds: the large university's width and depth within education and research as well as the unique study milieu of a smaller campus with a clear focus on sustainability.

Career

The programme is recommended to you who want to develop and lead this sustainable energy transition within the broad and fast-growing field of energy transition. Employment opportunities can be found in national or international companies (utility companies, electricity companies, large private businesses which have sustainability incorporated into their core activities, housing companies, transport companies, consultancies) as well as not-for-profit organisations and governmental authorities on different levels. The energy sector provides you, as a professional, with many opportunities to work in graduate positions such as:

Sustainable energy officer at government agencies
Energy strategist
Renewable energy consultant
Sustainability consultant
Environmental communication officer
Renewable energy or sustainability programme coordinator
Energy advisor

All sectors of society, including both public and private, ranging from the local to the global level, require competence based on holistic understanding. Soft skills, like for instance being able to collaborate within an organisation and society, are also needed to take climate action to the next level and to drive a sustainable transition. Having received an interdisciplinary education you are able to handle these complex questions, and that makes you well suited to take the role of, what we would like to call, a "transition pilot".

Your broad knowledge allows you to engage with experts from various fields and be able to communicate and manage people across boundaries, in both culture and background. The fact that the energy sector is highly complex and globally interlinked makes the international character of the programme even more valuable.

Continue your studies at the Master's level

As a graduate of the programme, you will be able to continue your studies at the Master's level in or outside of Sweden. Here at Uppsala University you can, for example, study one of the following programmes:

Quotes about the labour market:

A new report from IRENA finds that the renewable energy sector employs 9.8 million people worldwide (International Renewable Energy Agency, 2017):

"Renewables are directly supporting broader socio-economic objectives, with employment creation increasingly recognised as a central component of the global energy transition. As the scales continue to tip in favour of renewables, we expect that the number of people working in the renewables sector could reach 24 million by 2030, more than offsetting fossil-fuel job losses and becoming a major economic driver around the world," comments IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin.

University World News (om World Future Energy Summit 2013):

"We need broad-based education, but this is actually lagging behind the momentum for renewable energy in society."

Career support

During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career. Learn more about UU Careers.

Admissions

See more about Bachelor's level entry requirements and application procedure.

Bachelor's Programme in Energy Transition - Sustainability and Leadership

180 credits

Autumn 2022, 100%, Campus

Location: Visby

Application deadline: 17 January 2022

Application code: UU-K1282 Application

Language of instruction: English

Requirements: General entry requirements for first-cycle (Bachelor's level) studies in Sweden. Also required is:

advanced level mathematics (equivalent of Swedish course Mathematics 3b or 3c/Mathematics C);
intermediate level natural sciences (equivalent of Swedish course Natural Sciences 2); and
basic level social sciences (equivalent of Swedish courses Social Sciences 1b or 1a1+1a2).

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.

Selection: Students are selected based on:

their completed upper secondary (high school) grades (66%)
Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test (34%)

Students who have completed their upper secondary (high school) studies outside of Sweden are selected based on their upper secondary grades. Students who have completed their upper secondary studies and have taken the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test (only available in Swedish) are selected based on their upper secondary grades and their Scholastic Aptitude Test results.

Tuition fee-paying students and non-paying students are admitted on the same grounds but in different selection groups.

Fees:

If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees. Fees cover application and tuition only and do not cover accommodation, academic literature or the general cost of living. Read more about fees.

Application fee: SEK 900

Tuition fee, first semester: SEK 65,000

Tuition fee, total: SEK 390,000