Introduction
The master's programme in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Infrastructure provides students with the tools to solve future environmental problems and prepare for careers as environmental engineers. Students will increase their understanding of the properties and functions of water and ecosystems, learn how to assess the local and global environmental impact of human activities, and apply advanced methods, techniques and modelling tools to describe, quantify and solve environmental problems. The scope of the programme is international and interdisciplinary.
Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Infrastructure at KTH
The programme has no tracks and there is, in general, a large degree of freedom for the students to select courses within the programme, given that the specific course prerequisites are fulfilled. The courses offered within the programme are based on a combination of theoretical and practical approaches, both in the field as well as in the laboratory, using tools as GIS, different computer models and tools for decision support.
Seven different competence profiles are meant to be advice on the choice of courses and course sequences for competitive specialisations. In each competence profile, there is an inherent progression. The different competence profiles are:
Water Technology: water systems, hydropower, effects of climate change.
Environmental Geotechnology and Hydrogeology: contaminated areas, environmental geology, geotechnical aspects.
Water and Wastewater Technology: managing our water resources (drinking water and wastewater).
Environmental Information Analysis and Management: environmental monitoring, measurement techniques.
Sustainable Infrastructure: managing infrastructure and natural resources in a sustainable way.
Environmental Systems Analysis: environmental assessment, life cycle assessment.
Sustainable Societies: social and economic mechanisms that affect sustainable development.
Competence profiles
The programme ends with a degree project allows students the opportunity to investigate a problem in-depth, under the supervision of experienced practitioners and researchers. The topic for the degree project should be within the scope of the programme and relate to knowledge acquired through the courses. The thesis work is carried out in Sweden or abroad, and can be oriented towards research, technological development at a company or organisation, or a combination of both.
This is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) given in English. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme is given mainly at KTH Campus in Stockholm by the School of Architecture and Built Environment (at KTH).
Topics covered
Water technology, environmental geotechnology, water and wastewater engineering, environmental management and information, sustainable infrastructure, environmental systems analysis and sustainable societies.
Career
Our society has major challenges in managing a changing climate, developing and securing good water quality, developing systems for recycling materials and nutrients, and developing renewable and environmentally smart energy solutions. The needs for environmental engineering expertise are, therefore, almost endless, and the labour market is very diverse. Students will be able to work privately and publicly – in environmental consultancies, with contractors, water- and wastewater companies or government agencies; internationally, nationally or locally.
There are also graduates from the programme who go on doctoral studies at KTH or other universities nationally and internationally. Some examples of employers of programme graduates are SWECO, Stockholm Vatten, WSP, Swedish EPA, Tyréns, Geosigma, COWI, Vattenfall, and SIDA, as well as several international agencies.
After graduation
Hydrogeologist, environmental coordinator, urban water planner, geotechnical engineer and researcher.
"I looked at the QS university rankings for environmental studies as well as employability rankings, and KTH stood out in both the rankings. Moreover, Sweden’s position as a leading country in environmental technology made it easier for me to make this choice."
Rounak from India
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the master's programme in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Infrastructure are:
6 Clean Water and Sanitation
9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
The programme is transdisciplinary and includes both courses that build on natural science and technology as well as courses that build on social science and planning. Thus, it covers to a varying degree several of the UN SDGs. To what extent is further depending on how the students select courses in the programme (see above under Competence profiles). Courses in the Water and Wastewater Engineering profile will address goal 6 from a primarily technical point though with a combination with courses from the Sustainable Infrastructure profile will add to the student’s abilities to address the goal also from a social/planning side. Several opportunities to make combinations like this are available, based on the students' preferences, and opens up for addressing the SDGs Clean Water and Sanitation; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (with an emphasize on Infrastructure) and Sustainable Cities and Communities. The combination of the selected courses in the extension will give the students the tools that lead to being able to work for example as environmental coordinators, urban water planners, geotechnical engineers or as researchers and thus to different degrees with sustainability issues and being part of solving the SDGs.
Faculty and research
The master's programme is situated at SEED (Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering) at the School of Architecture and the Built Environment at KTH. The department performs research in several areas connected to sustainability for example Environmental Engineering, Environmental Modelling, Sustainability Assessment and Management, Water and Waste Management as well as Industrial Ecology.
A few examples of the current research, where the responsible researchers also are involved in the teaching on the program, and which at the same time points at the broad range of subjects covered by the program could be the following:
Testbed Storsudret for development of sustainable water management systems. Lack of freshwater for drinking purposes and agriculture is today one of the world’s greatest challenges. The project comprises the establishment of infrastructure at Storsudret (on the island of Gotland), where systems for water supply in a rural and agricultural area will be tested. KTH contributes to testing different methods and models for recharging and storage of groundwater, including testing and developing analyses tool-packages.
The R&D facility Hammarby Sjöstadsverk is a platform for development and exchange of knowledge and technologies in water treatment and related environmental technology. It is used for both long-term national and international research programs/projects and consultancy, testing and development for the industry and other partners. Hammarby Sjöstadsverk is Sweden's leading and internationally known R&D facility in water purification technology.
Development of affordable adsorbent systems for arsenic and fluoride removal in the drinking water sources in Tanzania (DAFWAT). In this study, investigation and optimisation of the use of low-cost affordable adsorbents to remove fluoride and arsenic from the water will be perfected at laboratory scale, and a pilot water defluoridation plant will be constructed and tested.
ISSUE (Integrating Sustainability Strategies in Urban Environments). The overall aim of the project is to develop innovative strategies to support sustainable development in urban and peri-urban areas, advance knowledge regarding sustainability through multi-stakeholder collaboration and analyse future developments.
Mistra Sustainable Consumption will examine niche sustainable consumption practices and develop roadmaps for how they can be scaled up and mainstreamed by policymakers, business, civil society organizations and citizen-consumers.
Admission requirements
To be eligible for the programme, you must have been awarded a bachelor's degree, be proficient in English, and meet the programme-specific requirements.
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish bachelor's degree, or equivalent academic qualifications from an internationally recognised university, is required. Students who are following longer technical programmes, and have completed courses equivalent to a bachelor's degree, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Students in their final year of undergraduate studies may apply and, if qualified, will receive a conditional acceptance. These applicants must include a written statement according to the instructions given by University Admissions. Students in the final year of undergraduate studies at a Swedish university do not have to provide a written statement in order, if qualified, to receive a conditional acceptance. They must, however, have completed 150 ECTS credits in the bachelor’s programme by 1 February.
English proficiency
English language proficiency equivalent to (the Swedish upper secondary school) English course B/6 is required. The requirement can be satisfied through a result equal to, or higher than, those stated in the following internationally recognized English tests:
TOEFL Paper-based: Score of 4.5 (scale 1-6) in written test, a total score of 575.
TOEFL ITP is not accepted.
TOEFL iBT internet-based: Score of 20 (scale 0-30) in written test, a total score of 90
IELTS Academic/IELTS UKVI: A minimum overall mark of 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5
Cambridge ESOL: Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) Certificate in Advanced English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (Certificate of Proficiency in English)
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB): Minimum score of 90
The University of Michigan, ECPE (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English)
Pearson PTE Academic: Score of 62 (writing 61)
The language requirement can also be fulfilled through previous university and upper secondary school studies. More information on recognized English tests, previous studies, and required documents is provided by University Admissions.
​Specific requirements for the master's programme in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Infrastructure
A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in the field of civil engineering, environmental engineering or another subject with clear relevance to the programme.
In addition, at least two of the following prerequisites (A-D) must be met:
A) Fluid Mechanics, 5 ECTS credits and Hydrology, 5 ECTS credits
B) Macroeconomics or Urban and Regional Planning, 7,5 ECTS credits
C) General Chemistry and/or Environmental Soil Chemistry, 7,5 ECTS credits
D) Earth Science, 6 ECTS credits
Note that some courses within the programme require a basic knowledge of mathematics corresponding to at least 20 ECTS and numerical methods, programming or equivalent corresponding to at least 6 ECTS credits.
Application documents
Your application is not complete without the required supporting documentation. The following general and programme-specific documents must therefore be included in the application in the specified order:
General documents
Certificates and diplomas from previous university studies
Transcript of completed courses and grades included in your degree
Proof of English proficiency
A copy of your passport including personal data and photograph, or other identification documents
Specific documents for the master's programme in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Infrastructure
No specific documents required.
