Master in Transdisciplinary Studies of Climate, Environment and Energy (TRACEE)

Master in Transdisciplinary Studies of Climate, Environment and Energy (TRACEE) is one of 9 English-taught Energy & Renewable Engineering programmes at master’s level in the register, offered by 9 institutions. 9 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 727 to EUR 1,453; this programme lists EUR 1,453 a year. 3 are at a public university, where EU, EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters.

What you study

TRACEE is a joint master's programme run through the CIVIS university alliance. You start with a joint semester of 30 ECTS at Stockholm University. That semester gives you a broad understanding of climate, environment and energy. It brings together natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, and teaches you to analyse complex systems and use transdisciplinary methods to generate new knowledge.

After the first semester you choose a study track for semesters two and three, worth 60 ECTS. Two tracks involve the University of Salzburg: Study Track 1, Environmental Humanities and Law, with the University of Bucharest, and Study Track 8, Transdisciplinary Approaches to Climate Change, with Université libre de Bruxelles. A transdisciplinary course stream runs through the whole programme. It supports you in developing your own projects and acts as a hub for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

How the programme is organised

The programme lasts four semesters and carries 120 ECTS. The first semester is the joint semester at Stockholm University. Semesters two and three are your chosen study track at the CIVIS partner universities, equivalent to 60 ECTS. In the fourth semester you write your master's thesis, 30 ECTS, at the university within your chosen study track that best fits your interests. The thesis applies your new skills in a real-world context.

You receive more than one degree. One is the Master in Transdisciplinary Studies of Climate, Environment and Energy, MTrS, jointly awarded by the University of Salzburg together with the University of Bucharest or Université libre de Bruxelles, depending on your study track. The other is a Master of Science in Transdisciplinary Environment Science awarded by Stockholm University.

Who it suits

The programme is open to students with a bachelor's degree or equivalent in any discipline. That is the entry requirement for the study tracks that include the University of Salzburg. Other study tracks have discipline-specific entry requirements. If you want to work on climate, environment and energy from more than one angle, and you are ready to move between countries during your studies, this structure fits. The programme is entirely taught in English.

Admission, language and next steps

Selection of students is done at central level as set out in the TRACEE Consortium Agreement. The programme is entirely taught in English. Applications are possible once per year. For the application process, check the programme page, which gives detailed information and the application period. For your physical presence in semester two at the University of Salzburg, check the general semester dates and deadlines that apply at institutional level.

The TRACEE programme aims to provide students with hands-on training to understand and solve complex problems related to climate, energy, and environmental systems. The curriculum integrates natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and law, offering a holistic approach to creating sustainable solutions.

Students will have the opportunity to study at various CIVIS universities, experiencing diverse academic cultures and building international networks. Co-taught by leading academics from all CIVIS universities and coordinated by Stockholm University, the programme equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle global issues and drive real-world impact.

There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here University of Salzburg. A public university sets the admission requirements and dates for this level, so read them on the programme page. Entrance examination, as the register states it: An admission or aptitude procedure applies (see the programme page). Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, the student residence permit and housing.