Governance of Sustainability (MSc)

What does this master’s programme entail?

The Governance of Sustainability programme offers a transdisciplinary approach to tackling urgent environmental challenges. Designed for students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, this programme goes beyond traditional learning. On your path to becoming a change agent, you will learn how to integrate governance and environmental science perspectives and to collaborate with non-academic actors. This will enable you to co-create solutions to real-world sustainability issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, water management, and circular economy. Our graduates are well-prepared for careers in consultancy, governance, corporate sustainability, or research, equipped with the knowledge and skill set that are highly valued in today’s job market.

Read more about our Governance of Sustainability programme

Yannick Kooman

Student (BSc Science & Innovation Management at Utrecht University)

"Coming from the field of Innovation Sciences, I wanted to follow a master's programme that was a bit closer to making societal impact on sustainability problems. And, since many people look toward governance actors for initiating change, this master's came to my interest. The programme has enabled me to get a complete understanding of the full range of sustainability problems, while also being able to place these into political and societal context. Throughout the programme, being able to collaborate receives considerable attention. We learn how to effectively work with peers, professional actors, and other societal actors. So, if you're looking for a master's that broadens your view on sustainability problems, combines it with ideas on how to address them, and want to join an enthusiastic group of students, be sure to consider this one!"

Remya Radhakrishnan

Student (BSc Honours Governance, Economics & Development at LUC The Hague)

"I was keen on following a master that blended different disciplines to tackle complex challenges under sustainability, which is why I chose this master. This programme allows me to gain a deeper understanding of the main pillars of sustainability from a natural sciences lens, while simultaneously engaging with these issues through governance theories and frameworks. Being able to collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds is insightful and rewarding, especially through group projects where we apply our knowledge to real-life case scenarios. I also appreciate how this master challenges me to tackle the feasibility and socio-economic context of implementation while developing solutions."

Alexander van Oudenhoven

Programme director and lecturer Thematic Course 2 Biodiversity & Ecosystems

"Nature and society are closely intertwined. Biodiversity is being lost at unprecedented rates, and this is leading to increased food insecurity, flood risk and climate mitigation. In our course, students learn how to assess the state of biodiversity and ecosystems, and also consider the consequences for human wellbeing. When thinking of potential causes and solutions, the analysis of stakeholders plays a central role, with a particular focus on leadership and collaboration. In the end, students are able to succinctly summarise their findings and defend their commissioners’ interest during a UN-style plenary debate."

Why study Governance of Sustainability at Leiden University?

• Our teaching creates a transdisciplinary environment in which you are challenged to integrate multiple perspectives, reflect on those and take ownership of your own learning process.
• You will collaborate with interdisciplinary and international students to design and execute integrative research projects, combining concepts, theories and research methods of both governance and environmental sustainability.
• We connect you to important organisations, institutions and other stakeholders through guest lectures, excursions, panel discussions and commissioned group projects.
• You will be confronted with real-life sustainability challenges, that require in-depth insights into the environmental science and governance aspects thereof and the skills to integrate different perspectives.
• Be inspired by teachers from two leading institutes, who are researchers at the forefront of environmental sustainability and public administration.
• The courses are co-designed and mostly co-taught by at least one teacher from the field of sustainability and at least one from the field of public administration, providing you the knowledge from multiple perspectives. 

Find out more reasons to choose Governance of Sustainability

Governance of Sustainability: the right master’s programme for you?

Do you want to become a change agent, driving systemic transformation towards sustainable development? Do you want to learn how to bridge scientific disciplines, and become an intermediary between policy actors, the private sector, scientific experts and citizens? Are you keen to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, to design and implement governance solutions that address complex, interconnected sustainability challenges? Are you excited at the prospect of studying and working together with students coming from different disciplinary and cultural backgrounds? Then our Governance of Sustainability programme is designed just for you.

Read more about the entry requirements

Chat with a student

Do you have a question about studying at Leiden University or student life in Leiden? Do you want more information about the Governance of Sustainability programme? Chat with a current student for answers to your questions!