Program

SENS Information Session: Join SENS faculty and staff for an upcoming information session and learn more about the MSs program.

The Master of Sustainability (MSs) program at the University of Saskatchewan’s School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS) prepares students to address real-world challenges with both local insight and a global perspective.

Why study Sustainability at SENS?

  • Hundreds of SENS alumni now working in various related fields
  • Learn from faculty and professionals with recognized expertise in sustainability thinking and practice
  • Flexible program options: in-person or online
  • Possibility (for project-based pathway in Regenerative Sustainability stream) to partner with NGO, government or industry partners to complete applied research project

Quick facts

  • Expected Length Course-based Project-based
    M.Ss. Energy Security 22 months
    M.Ss. Regenerative Sustainability 22-24 months
  • Degree requirements
  • Class delivery hybrid (in-person and online)
  • Supervisor not required to apply
  • Deadlines and admission details below

Sustainability that pushes boundaries

From climate change and biodiversity loss to poverty and social inequality, communities face urgent sustainability challenges. MSs students become the bridge between academic research and real-world solutions, applying innovative ideas to some of today’s most pressing problems.

Master of Sustainability

A person works beside two solar panels and environmental monitoring equipment on tripods in a forest clearing, surrounded by tall trees and undergrowth, collecting sustainability or climate research data outdoors.

Choose from two specialization fields:

Energy Security

Focus on sustainable energy development, especially for Northern, Indigenous, and remote communities.

Regenerative Sustainability

Explore ideas and practices to help transform socio-ecological systems toward more resilient futures.

Students in the Regenerative Sustainability field of study may choose to pursue either a project or course-based program of study.

Major Map

Learn more about this program and potential career opportunities in our Major Map documents.

Tuition and fees

This is a 30-credit unit program.

Program Canadian students International students
Master of Sustainability (course-based and project-based)  per credit unit $442.00 CAD $994.50 CAD

Student fees

In addition to tuition above, students also pay fees for programs like health and dental insurance, a bus pass, and other campus services. The amount you need to pay depends on if you are taking classes full time or part time, and if you are on campus or not. The table below assumes you are on campus full-time.

Fall 2025 Winter 2026 Spring 2026 Summer 2026
Student fees $578.45 CAD $804.73 CAD $36.75 CAD $36.75 CAD

Tuition information is accurate for the current academic year and does not include student fees. For detailed tuition and fees information, visit the official tuition website.

Financial planning estimator

Admission requirements

Master of Sustainability (M.Ss.)

  • A four-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study, OR a three-year first cycle undergraduate degree, in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study, from an institution meeting the criteria set forth in the Bologna Declaration, will be acceptable as the equivalent of an undergraduate degree
  • A minimum cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (e.g., 60 credit units)
  • Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English. A minimum overall TOEFL score of 86, a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, or another approved test as outlined by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Application process and deadlines

Deadlines and important dates

The Master of Sustainability (MSs) has one intake per year—September.

Start Term Application Deadline  International Deadline
September 2026 April 30, 2026 February 15, 2026*

*The deadline for international applications has been extended.

Submit an online application

International Students - Master’s and doctoral students applying for a study permit do not need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma students, as well as Visiting Research students studying over six months, still need a PAL. Review federal international study permit policies before you apply. 

Before beginning your online application, be sure that you have carefully reviewed all program information and admission requirements on this page.

During the application, you'll be asked for:

  • Personal information such as your name, address, etc.
  • Contact information of your three referees
    • For your letters of recommendation, two of your referees must be academic contacts, and the third may be academic or professional
  • Your complete academic history from all previous post-secondary institutions

The application takes about 30 minutes to complete. You may save your application and return to it later.

At the end of the application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee: $125 for domestic students and $145 for international students. Your application will not be processed until payment is received.

Submit required documents

Note: Any application documents that are intended to be personal statements (e.g., Statement of Intent, Statement of Research, etc.) must be written by the applicant. Any such documents that appear to be produced by generative artificial intelligence (e.g., ChatGPT) may be rejected.

Once you've submitted your online application, you will have access to upload your required documents, and provide the contact information for your references. To do this, go to the "Supplemental Items & Documents" tab in your application.

Preliminary Statement of Marks

  • Once you have submitted your application for admission and paid the application fee, you will be required to upload unofficial PDF copies of your academic transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended. This requirement will appear as Preliminary Statement of Marks or Additional Prelim. Statement under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.
  • The uploaded transcript can be an unofficial copy of the transcript issued by the university or college and must include a grading key/legend.
  • All pages of a transcript must be uploaded as a single PDF document.
  • Uploaded transcripts will be considered unofficial or preliminary. Official copies of your transcripts will be required only for applicants offered admission. This requirement will appear as Post-secondary Transcript under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.
  • Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

For students who are required to provide proof of English proficiency:

  • Completing a relevant test with the appropriate score is required before the application deadline.
  • Tests are valid for 24 months after the testing date and must be valid at the beginning of the student's first term of registration in the graduate program.
  • Applicants will be required to upload a PDF copy of any required language test score. Uploaded test scores will be considered unofficial or preliminary.

In addition to the above official documents, please upload the following documents:

  • A curriculum vitae or resume
  • A brief statement/letter of intent (one to two pages in length) that includes:
    • Specific areas of interest that could lead to a project topic
    • A description of why the applicant wants to pursue professionally-oriented graduate study in the interdisciplinary context of the School of Environment and Sustainability
    • A description of any employment or study experiences that relate to the professional interests described

Contact

A small group of people wearing backpacks walks along a path through a sunlit forest of tall trees, participating in an outdoor guided walk or field activity in a natural, wooded environment.

School of Environment and Sustainability
Room 326 Kirk Hall
117 Science Place
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8

Program Director (Regenerative Sustainability)
Dr. Jim Robson
Email: james.robson@usask.ca

Program Director (Energy Security)
Dr. Oscar Zapata
Email: oscar.zapata@uask.ca

SENS Admissions Team
Email: sens.info@usask.ca
Telephone: 306-966-1985