Masters in Soil, Water and Environment
Uppsala, Sweden
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
Request tuition fees
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland are required to pay application and tuition fees.
Introduction
Land and water use have been important and fundamental factors for the survival of humans for thousands of years. Nowadays, because of climate and demographic trends, they are more important than ever – both locally and globally. This Master’s degree programme will prepare you for the challenge of developing land and water management while minimising negative impacts on the environment and health.
The programme has a natural science orientation and gives you the opportunity to gain a broad understanding of the sustainable use of land and water resources and how they are linked. During the 2-year programme you will also learn about efficient use of natural resources and nutrients, as well as environmental assessment as a way to understand and mitigate human-induced effects in our environment.
SLU is the only university in Sweden that offers a degree in soil science and your studies will lead to a Master’s degree in either environmental science or soil science. After graduation, you will be able to work with soil and water issues as an expert, analyst or advisor in different organisations such as consultancy companies, or governmental authorities. You will also be able to continue your studies towards a PhD.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships are available for fee-paying students admitted to Bachelor’s and Master's programmes. The scholarships are awarded by SLU and the Swedish Institute (SI).
A scholarship offered by SLU covers tuition fees only, no living or travel expenses are included. You need to pay the application fee even if you apply for a scholarship.
Scholarships awarded by the Swedish Institute are available for fee-paying students admitted to Master’s programmes and cover both tuition fees and living expenses. There are several different scholarships available depending on your background.
Curriculum
This programme prepare you for the challenge of developing land and water management while minimising negative impacts on the environment and health. The programme focuses on natural sciences, although you will be trained to work in an interdisciplinary environment.
The use and quality of soil and water resources are intimately linked and must be understood together. The programme provides a comprehensive view of the way soil and water processes interact in a landscape perspective. We explore important pathways for water, nutrients and other elements through soil and plants to the atmosphere or through soil to ground and surface water. The content of the programme is based on contemporary basic and applied research. You will be trained to evaluate the impacts of agriculture, forestry and urbanisation on soil and water quality and to design and apply proper management methods to achieve important environmental objectives. Case studies from Sweden, other European countries and subtropical/tropical countries are used as teaching tools.
The first semester focuses on improving your understanding of the processes governing fluxes of water and matter in the landscape (soil physics, soil chemistry and soil biology). The second semester focuses on land use impacts on water quality, including eutrophication and environmental monitoring and assessments (primarily from a Scandinavian and European perspective). In addition you may choose e.g. a 5 credit course in “Biogeochemistry – element cycles and Climate change” and courses in GIS or systems analysis. The third semester include courses in soil classification, land evaluation, soil and water conservation, safe nutrient cycling and risk assessment of pollutants from a wider international perspective. Optionally you may choose 15 credits within other disciplines (e.g. economy, environmental communication, natural resource management). Finally, during the fourth semester you will complete your master thesis (30 credits).
Program Outcome
Master of Science with a major in soil science or environmental science.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
With global change, population growth and more intensive land-use the need for expert knowledge on how to minimize negative impacts on soil and water resources is of key-importance for our survival. This is why the demand for advanced soil/water experts is increasing at different levels within society.
The programme provides a suitable background to continue research education towards a PhD-degree within e.g. Soil Sciences or Environmental Assessment at SLU or within similar areas at another university. SLU is hosting several Research Schools e.g. Focus on Soils and Water.