Climate Change Management (MCC) Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences

The language of instruction in the Climate Change Management Master's degree programme is English.

Climate change poses a major threat to all aspects of life on Earth: nature and humans are under pressure. Findings regarding this phenomenon are alarming and indisputable, and facets of it are present everywhere. While the knowledge base about the dimension and dynamics of climate change is constantly growing and the reasons and driving forces are generally well understood, the management of climate change is a complex challenge. Interdisciplinary skills are necessary in order to develop mitigation and adaptation strategies in the realm of land-use and nature management. The MCC programme focuses on building solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation at the farm-to-landscape level.

Possible professional fields for our graduates include:

• public authorities or consulting companies working on topics like climate impacts, climate reports, adaptation strategies, etc., at every planning level
• forest owners and authorities in need of adapting forests to future climate change scenarios
• the agricultural sector, including agricultural schools, consulting, administration, company operations, and development towards a climate-smart agriculture
• applied research at universities and (federal) research agencies
• international consulting firms, institutions, and programmes

Climate change is the biggest future challenge at global as well as regional levels. Therefore, experts who are capable of covering all aspects of climate change mitigation and adaptation for specific sectors of society are urgently needed.

Studies start in the winter semester on 1 October of each year. The programme consists of four semesters with many practical elements. Students need to be present on site.

Applications can be submitted from early May to 7 June for enrolment in the following winter semester (1 October).

The study programme includes scientific and application-oriented content with a particular focus on responding to the needs encountered in practical scenarios. To achieve this goal, the programme builds on and expands the basic knowledge acquired during the Bachelor's degree and deals with application-oriented tasks that arise in practical working environments.

Particular emphasis is placed on the independent identification of problems and the development of solutions. This takes place within the context of project work, among other assignments.

The structure of the study programme and the range of modules offered ensure an interdisciplinary approach and practical relevance. Besides specialised knowledge, students acquire additional management and language skills in the compulsory elective modules.

While the first two semesters focus on basics and methods, the third semester addresses solutions (mitigation and adaptation). In the fourth semester, students write their Master's thesis.

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No tuition fees

The degree programme is free of tuition, but all students are required to pay moderate semester fees. At the time of publication, these amounted to 85 EUR/semester.

When applying for a visa or residence permit, students must prove that they can afford to study and live in Germany. As of 2025, that is deemed proven if they have at least 992 EUR available per month.

Even for students who do not need a visa, we consider this amount appropriate to cover the cost of living in Freising.

• Proof of a completed Bachelor's or German "Diplom" degree in the field of land use, environmental sciences, or geosciences, e.g. landscape architecture, forest engineering, agriculture, or environmental protection
• Knowledge comparable to 30 ECTS in subjects such as landuse (forestry, agriculture, urban planning), ecology, soil science, vegetation and ecosystems sciences, climate and meteorology, hydrology, renewable energies, environmental planning, GIS/remote sensing from the previous degree programme is expected.
• Applicants who completed their undergraduate degree outside of Germany need to submit a preliminary review documentation ("Vorprüfungsdokumentation – VPD") from uni-assist.
• An additional certificate from an Academic Verification Office (APS) in their home country is necessary for applicants with a degree from India, the People's Republic of China, or Vietnam.
• English-language certificate at a level B2 (CEFR)

An English language certificate at a level B2 (CEFR) is required for the application.

Applications can be submitted from early May to 7 June for enrolment in the following winter semester (1 October).

During the course of their studies, international students can apply for support through the following scholarships awarded by our university:

• Germany Scholarship (a small number of scholarships is reserved for Climate Change Management students)
• Internationalisation of Universities programme of the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts
• Oskar Karl Forster Scholarship fund for one-off grants for books and learning resources
• Our university may also award scholarships from DAAD’s STIBET programme to provide targeted support to particularly engaged foreign students.

The availability of all scholarships is limited.

International students from the EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland may hold part-time jobs of up to 20 hours per week during the lecture period. Students from other countries are permitted to work outside of the university for a maximum of 140 full days (working days on which more than four hours are worked) or 280 half days per year during their stay in Germany. Alternatively, employment of up to 20 hours per week is also permitted.
Student jobs at the university, in university-oriented institutions, or in scientific institutions do not need to adhere to these restrictions.

Students can search for jobs in the university's online job platform.

Students can apply for housing in one of the student halls of residence of the Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern (student union) in Freising. Applications must be submitted online and can be submitted every year starting in mid-May. Early application is highly recommended.

The Career Service supports students during their studies and during the transition from university to employment in all aspects of seeking and applying for employment and in acquiring key skills. The free services of the Career Service are open to all students in all semesters. Students benefit from workshops, lectures and e-learning opportunities, career coaching, advice, and application checks.

For international students, the Career Service offers a wide range of services, with a special focus on facilitating successful career entry in Germany.

International students receive support from the Welcome Centre of the International Office of Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT).