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Sustainability Science, Policy and Practice (SSPP) – (Ph.D.)

Maastricht University

ICIS-Maastricht University Graduate School of SusTainability Science (MUST)
Application Deadline: Year-round
Location: Maastricht / Netherlands / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴
Duration: 48 months Start Date: Anytime
Educational Form:
  • Academic PhD
Education Variants:
  • Fulltime
Location flexibility:
  • Primarily at University
  • Primarily at home
  • Combination
Project type:
  • Predefined PhD project
Languages: English 
5.6854724,50.8498026

Location of Maastricht University

The interdisciplinary Ph.D. programme in Sustainability Science, Policy and Practice (SSPP) is designed to educate researchers, university teachers, and world leaders in the social, economic and natural science disciplines that underpin sustainable development. Sustainability science is a new multi-disciplinary approach to science that recognizes the limitations of traditional scientific inquiry in dealing with the complex reality of social institutions interacting with natural phenomena.

The research produced by the program´s doctoral dissertations will focus on integrative, interdisciplinary research that is needed to explore science and policy issues in sustainable development. Integrated Assessment methods and concepts (e.g. transitions, modeling, scenario analysis) will be instrumental to provide answers to the central questions of sustainable development. Applicants should demonstrate an ability to pursue independent research through their prior work and academic distinction. Upon graduation it is expected that the candidates will play an important role as scholars, policymakers and professionals in their home countries and in the international community, taking leadership roles in government, international organizations, non-profit organizations and business.


Contents

The PhD programme is a four-year program of individual scientific research, individual supervision and classes. The programme is designed both to equip candidates with the skills required to undertake research for the PhD thesis and to develop in them the breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding their specific subject of research. In order to achieve the best results, we focus on a national, European as international interdisciplinary perspective by pooling the resources of top research institutes in the Netherlands (through the SENSE network), and internationally (through the International Network of Programs in Sustainability). The supporting institutes provide the PhD students with advanced training modules, top research advice, innovative think-tank activities, excellent assistance and supervision of the students.

The PhD programme consist therefore of coursework designed to improve the formal training necessary for the writing of a thesis and to equip candidates with the skills to undertake research and to master the journal literature; most importantly, the candidate is expected to perform high level research, and participate in seminars and/or workshops and finally submit a thesis. The students will be invited to prepare a PhD proposal, which includes the identification of a topic, discussion of the topical and methodological issues of the field in which the PhD will be pursued, and where appropriate, an identification of the data resources to be used or developed. The proposal will also identify further areas of formal (class work and workshops) and informal study to be pursued in the course of dissertation research and writing.

Upon acceptance of the proposal, students are admitted to the second stage of the PhD programme, which involves doing the research for and writing a dissertation. While working on the thesis, a student will meet regularly with one or more supervisors for guidance and to assess progress. Upon completion, the student defends the thesis before a committee composed of University of Maastricht and external faculty.

IELTS

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Requirements

The programme is designed for an international student body and therefore we are interested in candidates from all over the world. Candidates must possess a degree from a recognised university or institution of higher education. Candidates will have, at least, (the equivalent of) a Master´s degree in economics, humanities, engineering, political science or other natural or social sciences. Excellent written and verbal English language skills are also required. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to take the IELTS Test. A score of 7 or above is required.

Additional Requirements

Minimal degree required: Master's degree
Minimal amount of work experience Not specified

Language Proficiency

IELTS Band: 7.0

Accreditation

* Maastricht University programmes all approved by the Dutch Ministry of Education and accredited by the Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatieorganisatie (NVAO), the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation
* The UM School of Business and Economics (SBE) internationally accredited by the renowned AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA, making it one of a few international schools with all three accreditations. The bachelor's and master's programmes in International Business offered at SBE also received in 2010 the NVAO "certification of internationalisation".
* Bachelor's programme in European Public Health accredited by the German Akkreditierungsagentur für Studiengänge im Bereich Gesundheit und Soziales (AHPGS)


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