Are you passionate about technology, governance, and building a sustainable world? Our Master's programme equips you with the tools to lead in the critical transitions of our time.
The Master’s programme in Technology Governance and Sustainability (TG&S) explores the intersection of technological change and the social, economic and ecological transformations of the world. Our programme offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and guiding technological developments within the context of sustainability. It deals with the complexities of transitioning to sustainable societies by examining past and present institutional, technological, and cultural traditions and constraints. It looks at the evolving role of different actors – from governments to firms and civil society – in these transformations and discusses the best models for transformative governance of our societies.
Joining the (TG&S) programme, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to leverage technological change, innovation and governance for a better tomorrow. Our programme nurtures practical skills for leading and managing sustainable technological, public and social innovations. Graduate destinations span careers in public and international bodies, as well as private firms and community-based organizations that are in the centre of socio-technical change.
The programme is designed for those who want to understand:
- the dynamics of technological, public sector and social innovations driving sustainable transitions, and the pivotal roles played by various actors, including citizens, entrepreneurs, companies, and governments;
- the alternative perspectives on sustainability, economic and technological development, and innovation, including different perspectives on innovation, Western and non-Western practices of governance, the commons, and technology governance for sustainability;
- the impact of technology on the economy, society, governance, and people, through the lens of social and environmental sustainability.
Our programme leverages Estonia's leading edge in digital innovation to address contemporary challenges of digital transformation and anticipate future shifts driven by AI and the twin digital and green transition towards sustainable societies. At TalTech, students benefit from a unique interdisciplinary environment that integrates technological expertise with broader governance and sustainability perspectives.
The programme is designed and offered by the Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance (RND). The close links between the programme and research and innovation projects of our department – from collaborating with the EU institutions, Estonian government and pioneering digital and sustainability transformation cities such as Tallinn and Helsinki – guarantee that the content of our teaching is always practical and ahead of mainstream textbooks.
Key Features
Study Programme
- Degree: Master of Arts in Social Sciences (MA)
- Duration: 2 years
- Faculty: School of Business and Governance
- Study Load: 120 ECTS (view curriculum)
- Mode of Study: Full-time study
Study Information
- Language: English (view English language requirements)
- Tuition Fee: €3800 per year for EU/EEA and non-EU citizens
- Scholarships: Different options available
- Admission: General admission guidelines
Admissions
Candidates for this study programme are admitted based on the admission threshold. An online interview will be conducted only with the candidates who have passed preliminary evaluation (BA degree, GRE General Test and Motivation Letter). The maximum score for the admission is 10 points: 0-2 points for CV, 0-4 for motivation letter, 0-4 points for online interview. An applicant who receives the minimum of 5 points (in total) is admitted. Note that the online application form in DreamApply is being assessed as your CV, therefore please describe there your work experience and previous education in details.
Please find the programme specific admission requirements below:
In order to qualify for the studies in Tallinn University of Technology an applicant has to have at least 60% of the highest possible CGPA. If the average grade for your Bachelor's degree is below 60%, the requirement can be considered fulfilled upon the programme manager’s proposal if the applicant’s average grade from the applicant’s previous master’s studies is at least 60% of the maximum possible grade. Note that this principle can be implemented only if the CGPA of your Bachelor's degree does not fall under 50%.
In order to apply, a candidate is required to upload a Test-taker Score Report of the GRE General Test to the DreamApply application system. The test has to be completed but there is no threshold score required for this programme.
This is a prerequisite for qualifying and has to be fulfilled latest by the application deadline.
Candidates who have obtained a full Bachelor's degree (or subsequent higher education degree) in EU, EFTA or OECD member state are waived from the GRE requirement.
Please see more information about our GRE General Test requirement here, including the exact eligibility criteria for being exempted from this prerequisite and how to order the test result electronically to TalTech.
Motivation letter must address the following items:
- Provide an explanation, why you apply for Technology Governance and Sustainability programme – what are your interests; what are your professional goals and how the degree programme supports them; how does your academic and/or professional background fit into the programme. (0-2 points)
- Discuss on the most pressing issues or challenges in the field of technology governance and digital transformation in the context of your country or on a global scale. Provide an overview of a prospective Master’s thesis - subject matter (topic), research question(s) and methodological approach (how you try to carry out research). When needed, use references to support your arguments and facts. (0-2 points)
NB! It is important to properly cite and reference any sources used in your motivation letter (quotations, publications, ideas etc. that are not your own). Additionally, AI-generated text is not acceptable as the purpose of the motivation letter is to show the applicant’s genuine motivation. Neglecting the aforementioned principles will result in the disqualification of your application.
Topics covered during the interview:
- The interest in the specialty, where it comes from and why it is desired to study on the programme of Technology Governance and Sustainability. A motivation for passing the curriculum with the nominal period. Expectations regarding the studies, i.e. understanding of the knowledge and skills to be acquired. Perception of specific areas or topics for which the level of knowledge is inadequate. Expectations regarding the study process, the possibilities to combine work and study activities, preferences in teaching methodology, linguistic barriers, readiness for writing academic papers. (0-2 points)
- Previous exposure to the topics covered in the programme and awareness of relevant societal debates in the field of studies. (0-2 points)
Duration of the interview is 10-15 minutes.
Overview
WHY THIS PROGRAMME?
- Our teaching approach fosters academic debate on diverse viewpoints — such as Western versus non-Western governance models and green growth versus post-growth perspectives — while promoting heterodox lenses, practice-based approaches, and a commitment to problem orientation and activism.
- Through a combination of rigorous academic courses, consultancy and internship possibilities, research projects, and civic action opportunities, students are empowered to engage with and contribute to ongoing debates. Ultimately, they shape their own pathways that address theoretical, empirical, and practical sustainability challenges.
- The programme offers site visits and guest lectures from leading Estonian and international innovators and visionaries.
- The minimum stay in Estonia is one year – the second year provides optional exchange studies and is dedicated to internship and the final exam that can be accomplished elsewhere.
- The faculty members are internationally distinguished and award-winning professors, bringing together some of the most renowned scholars of innovation and governance – Vasilis Kostakis, Wolfgang Drechsler, Carlota Perez, Erik S. Reinert, Jan A. Kregel, Erkki Karo and many others.
CURRICULUM OUTLINE (120 ECTS)
The programme is structured around three foundational pillars, each addressing a critical aspect of the intersection between technology, society and governance towards sustainable development, and actionable strategies for socio-technical change.
How to Think About Technology and Society
- This pillar focuses on understanding the dynamic relationship between technology and society through various theoretical and practical lenses:
- Society and Technology: An exploration of the interplay between societal structures and technological advancements, examining how each influences the other.
Socio-Technical Concepts of Sustainability: A critical examination of how socio-technical systems can be leveraged to achieve sustainable outcomes.
How to Govern Technology and Society Towards Sustainable Futures
- This pillar emphasizes governance frameworks and strategies for steering socio-technical systems towards sustainability:
- Governance of Socio-Technical and Sustainability Transitions: Insights into managing and guiding transitions within socio-technical systems to foster sustainability.
- Public Sector Capacities and Transformative Government: Strategies for building and enhancing the capacities of public sector to support societal transformations.
Data for Strategy and Analysis: Techniques and methodologies for utilizing data and evidence in strategy and analysis, with a focus on critical thinking skills.
How to Act on Sustainable Futures
- This pillar is dedicated to practical approaches and methodologies for implementing sustainable initiatives:
- Grassroots Innovations and Commons: An investigation into community-driven innovations and the role of commons in fostering sustainable practices.
Responsible and Sustainable Entrepreneurship: Coursework on entrepreneurship, providing students with the skills and knowledge to launch and manage sustainable innovations and organizations.
The programme also offers space for free courses to enable students to build another specialization via micro-degree/-specialization or similar modules in TalTech or abroad.
Through this structured yet flexible curriculum, students will develop a deep understanding of the theoretical underpinnings, governance strategies, and practical actions necessary to drive sustainable technological and societal transformations.
Academic staff
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Leads the large-scale European Research Council-funded research project – Cosmolocalism – that will advance our understanding on how to create a sustainable economy through the commons. Read more from his brief post in Harvard Business Review and visit his research lab. |
A founder of The Other Canon Foundation, is one of the leading scholars on the history of economic development – see his famous book on How Rich Countries Got Rich and Why Poor Countries Stay Poor – and he is currently collaborating with the EU and OECD on developing new approaches to building sustainable development in the Global South and beyond.
The author of best-selling Technological Revolutions and Financial Capital, The Dynamics of Bubbles and Golden Ages who has been recently named by Forbes among the three female economists whose work has been crucial for understanding to-day's economy, is currently researching the role of the state in directing innovation and economic development towards Smart Green Growth, see more here and here.
One of the founders of the Nurkse Department and the TG&DT MA programme is one of the leading scholars on the implications of digital transformation on governance and on how governments can deliver agile stability and capacities for future-oriented thinking in modern Western and non-Western societies.
Each year in spring, RND invites also a distinguished Ragnar Nurkse Visiting Professor to discuss the most pertinent issues regarding governance, public administration, globalization, development and innovation, such as:
- Jayati Ghosh
- Randall L. Wray
- Akira Nakamura
- Conrado Ramos
- Andrew Massey
- Leslie Pal
More to discover
- Christopher Fraser: Once I saw the names of the professors I was immediately sold
- Prof. Carlota Perez named by Forbes among the three female economists
- Prof. Vasilis Kostakis explains how to rethink economics and innovation
- Prof. Vasilis Kostakis and Karin Kruup on sustainability, technology governance and the commons
What Students say
The inter-disciplinary Technology Governance programme at Tallinn University of Technology is taught by some of the world's leading scholars in the field, attended by a dynamic international student body, and conducted at one of the most exciting cities in the world at this time. There is certainly no other university in the world that could offer a world-class Technology Governance programme than TalTech. Bonn Juego (Philippines)
Studying at TalTech has given me the chance to express all my potential and this is very important. I can develop new fields from a different point of views and you can learn something new for your career every day. The professors are always helpful and ready for further explanations. Moreover, Tallinn is a very sparkling city and it's the perfect environment to develop your skills and knowledge. TalTech gives you the chance to be very close to the best companies settled in Tallinn, which usually offer very interesting job opportunities. Caetano Penna (Brazil)
Future Career
The programme is a unique Master’s degree. It prepares globally desired experts in understanding, leading and managing sustainability transitions, technological changes and innovations. Our graduates will be able to find future careers in sustainability and innovation-centered public and international bodies as well as private firms and community-based organizations, either as sustainability and innovation experts, managers, or analysts. The programme also provides excellent competitive competencies for continuing your academic career as a researcher in academic institutions or pursuing Ph.D. studies, as our impressive track record shows. Many of our own researchers and professors - Prof. Dr. Vasileios Kostakis, Dr. Christos Giotitsas, Dr. Egert Juuse and others - have grown out of this unique MA programme.
Career paths of our alumni:
JP Morgan Stanley, Parthenon-EY, EY Innovalue Management Partner GmbH, OECD, Government Office of the Republic of Estonia, E-Estonia Showroom, Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, Competence Center of Food and Fermentation Technologies, Tallinn City Enterprise Department, Office of the State Minister of Georgia, Czechinvest, Ministry of Finance of Republic of Latvia, Cevea (think-tank), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro etc.
Other potential employers:
- international organizations (UN, EU);
- governmental institutions (central banks, ministries dealing with development and digitalization affairs);
- non-governmental organizations (science and technology parks, development agencies, think-tanks etc.);
- technology-intensive private companies.
TalTech School of Business and Governance internship portal
INTERVIEWS AND WEBINARS WITH GRADUATES
International student introduces Tallinn, the School of Business and Governance and the programme through his own experience.
Read the interview with a 2022 graduate Christman Roos, whose master’s thesis was awarded the real-time economy research award.
Ask Us
TalTech international admissions office
TalTech international admissions office provides general advice to prospective Bachelor’s and Master’s degree applicants and their advisers about applying to and studying at TalTech.
Contact us via study@taltech.ee.
To keep up with the recent exciting developments of the RND community,
Visit our website and follow us on Facebook or Twitter!
Student counsellor at School of Business and Governance
Student counsellor at the School of Business and Governance can help you with questions about the study programme.
Tiina Parve
(+372) 620 2647
tiina.parve@taltech.ee
Programme Director
Programme Director can help you with questions about the study programme.
Dr. Egert Juuse
(+372) 620 2657
egert.juuse@taltech.ee