Hanze University of Applied Sciences will teach Master’s students how to transition communities from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources. This new programme is pending accreditation approval and should begin in September 2018. It will be taught in English in the best student city in the Netherlands”, Groningen.

The new Energy for Society Master’s programme will focus on local and regional levels of energy transition. Students will learn how to initiate, support, and catalyse transition projects as responsible entrepreneurs, taking into account the social, environmental, legal, and financial impacts.

The programme also teaches students how to work with and facilitate productive dialogue between all concerned parties, including the local community, cooperatives, companies, municipalities, and other regional organisations.

The programme’s curriculum

Energy for Society spans over three semesters. Throughout its duration, the following 10 modules will be covered:

• Overview of Energy Transition
• Community Building
• Society in Transition
• New Business Models
• Governance
• Adaptive Leadership in Energy Transition
• Energy Technologies and Systems
• In Dialogue about Energy
• Spatial Transformation and Sustainable Energy Communities
• Research Methodology

Students will also take part in two projects and work on a graduation thesis during their third semester. Upon graduation, they will receive a Master’s degree.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Energy for Society programme will be able to find jobs in both the private and public sector. Examples of potential positions include becoming:

• a consultant to guide local initiatives for utility companies,
• a Sustainability Consultant for network administrators,
• a Local Council Policy Officer,
• an Area Director for Energy Transition,
• an Energy Programme Manager,
• a Community Advisor for local construction or renovation projects, and
• a freelance consultant in Energy Transition.

To find more details about this programme or to sign up for an Open Day event at the university, please visit the Energy for Society page on the Hanze UAS website.