UNU-IAS was formed through the consolidation of two previous UNU institutes: the UNU Institute of Advanced Studies based in Yokohama, and the UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU-ISP) based in Tokyo. The master’s degree programmes of these two previous institutes will no longer be open to new admissions.
UNU-IAS offers a new Master of Science in Sustainability degree from September 2014.
Master of Science in Sustainability, Development and Peace
This degree was offered by UNU-ISP from September 2010 to June 2014. The programme addressed pressing global issues of sustainability, climate change, development, peacebuilding and human rights, through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that integrated natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. The study period was 2 years.
Enrolment was in September each year: 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Master of Science in Environmental Governance with Specialization in Biodiversity
This degree was offered by the UNU Institute of Advanced Studies from September 2011 to September 2014. The programme addressed the political, economic, legal, cultural and social implications of environmental governance regimes, preparing students to understand environmental governance from a policy and social science perspective. While the curriculum looked at the natural sciences as a starting point, it focused more on applied social sciences in order to teach students the dynamics of biodiversity and the problems of environmental governance. The study period was 18–24 months.
Enrolment was in September each year: 2011, 2012 and 2013.
| Programme | Total Number of Graduates | Women | From Developing Countries |
| MSc in Sustainability, Development and Peace | 14 | 3 | 10 |
| MSc in Environmental Governance with Specialization in Biodiversity | 13 | 8 | 9 |