Science for Sustainable Societies (BSc)

Learn how to make a difference

We face climate change, loss of biodiversity, depletion of natural resources, pollution, and many more challenges. Solving these complex problems is like trying to solve a giant, moving puzzle. There are no easy shortcuts to find the solution and one thing we do know: solutions to environmental issues will involve many different players and many different countries: plastic pollution does not stop at national borders, and neither do droughts, floods, animals, and plants. Many of the current crises are interrelated and cannot be studied in isolation.

In an answer to this complexity, the interdisciplinary BSc Science for Sustainable Society brings together the strengths of three areas of research:

• Planet: natural sciences

We combine insights from the fields of environmental biology, industrial ecology, and earth science systems. The courses in this field will provide you with the analytical skills needed to understand the intricate workings of the natural world. You will not just be in the classroom but also go to various places to see the impact in the real world and become familiar with various field work methods.

• People: social sciences

Courses on anthropology will give you insights into the many different human-environment relationships on a societal level. Environmental psychology will help you understand how individuals perceive and respond to environmental challenges. The skills you will acquire include interviewing stakeholders, reflection, and discussion techniques.

• Politics: governance

Think about courses that will help you examine the dynamics and mechanisms of change within governance systems that are important for a social transition towards greater sustainability. You will learn, among others, practical skills such as stakeholder analysis and policy evaluation.

Each research area has its own methods and its own perspective on how to build a sustainable world. Combined, they complement and strengthen each other, opening up the way to new and sometimes unexpected solutions. You and your fellow students will learn to look for effective and creative ways to mitigate (slow down) and counter (fight back against) the negative impact on our planet and our communities.

Is Science for Sustainable Societies for you?

• Are you eager to contribute to a more sustainable society and environment?
• Are you curious about the impact of human behaviour on the environment and how the environment affects us in return?
• Do you want the best of both worlds by combining  natural sciences (e.g. ecology, earth system science, modelling) and social sciences (e.g. anthropology, politics, psychology)?
• Do you want to be part of an interdisciplinary classroom and collaborate with fellow students to analyse complex challenges and find solutions together?
• Are you looking for a programme with interactive seminars, lots of discussions, and a personal approach?

If the answer to these questions is `yes’, then Science for Sustainable Societies is the BSc programme for you! Read more ‘About the programme’.

Find out what it’s like to study Science for Sustainable Societies

Thijs Bosker

Programme director & Associate Professor in Environmental Sciences

In this bachelor’s programme we examine and analyse sustainability challenges in a fundamentally different way. Our students are exposed to a range of approaches, expertise, skills and methods that are all valuable in themselves. But combined and integrated, they are even more powerful, complementing and strengthening each other. We educate our students to become change makers who are able to contribute in a meaningful and innovative way. This is exactly what our planet, and we, the humans living on it, need if we are to solve today’s urgent environmental and sustainability issues. The programme’s set-up is interactive and stimulates critical thinking. We combine larger-scale lectures with small-scale seminars, during which the students and their teacher will critically evaluate and discuss topics from the curriculum. This is not confined to a class room setting, but there will also be plenty of opportunity for the students to expand their knowledge in the real world.

Marja Spierenburg

Professor in the Anthropology of Sustainability

What is the role that we, humans, can and must play in the transition towards more sustainable societies? It is undeniable that mankind has been, and still is, a crucial driver of the current environmental and sustainability crisis. How can we adjust this role? Which ideals and which fears do people experience? What kind of future do they imagine, and what are the opportunities and barriers they encounter? How do we ensure that transitions towards sustainability are just, and do not further increase inequalities – both between and within countries? In this programme you will explore these important questions in living labs and through practical, hands-on assignments.

What's in it for you?

You’ll become a true expert on the environment and sustainability, but you won't just be sitting behind a desk. You’re also going to pick up skills that employers actually care about, like:

• Project management and teamwork: master the art of collaborating and effective project management.
• Coding & modelling: learn to use programming and modelling to analyse complex problems, as well as tools such as GIS
• Critical thinking: learn to break down complex information and evaluate the credibility of this information. You will also learn to look at challenges and solutions from different perspectives and connect ideas.

You aren't just getting a degree; you’re building a resume that stands out the moment you graduate. Read more about ‘After graduation’.

Some examples of questions you will delve into

• How do you involve a local community to tackle biodiversity loss?
• How do you create awareness and political movement on climate change?
• How do you find a balance between environmental impacts and economic incentives when it comes to industrial pollution?
• How do we transition to a sustainable food system, where farmers get a fair price for their products?
• How do we ensure those that are most vulnerable do not bear the biggest burden when it comes to environmental issues?

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 our bachelor programme? Chat with a current student for answers to your questions!