Environmental and Resource Management (MSc) Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg

Optional double-degree programme with the Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira (UTP) in Colombia

English, no further teaching languages

The Environmental and Resource Management (ERM) course of study offers an integrated approach to current environmental and resource management issues of high importance with the aim of providing a top level education for future employees of companies, public administrations in the field of the environment, environmental NGOs, international organisations, universities, and research organisations. Recognising that environmental questions can no longer be solved by a singular academic discipline, the programme offers a broad spectrum of courses ranging from engineering and science to management and socioeconomics. The acquisition of soft skills (e.g. cultural competence) is thus valued as highly and as indispensably as that of technical and scientific knowledge. Due to the small seminar courses and the resulting good lecturer-student ratio, the quality of the study programme is extremely high and allows close interrelation between the students and their academic supervisors.
The Master's programme is a four-semester study programme. It builds consecutively on the ERM Bachelor's programme. The idea of the Master's programme is to provide students with a broad spectrum of environmental courses.

You can choose between three specialisations when applying: environmental sciences; environmental economics, planning, and law; and environmental engineering.

The environmental sciences area offers modules from the natural sciences and related fields with a specific environmental focus (e.g. general and applied ecology, environmental modelling, freshwater restoration ecology, environmental soil science and plant nutrition, geopedology, systems and process hydrology, introduction to climate variability and climate change projections, geoecology, microclimates, land surface - atmosphere interactions, and parasites).

The environmental economics, planning, and law specialisation offers students various planning and management courses (e.g. advanced studies of international environmental law, climate change and migration, strategic environmental assessment and environmental impact assessment, cost-benefit analysis in environmental evaluation, economics of land use and biodiversity conservation, methods of water resources management, and municipal solid waste management).

The third specialisation, environmental engineering, represents the technical part of the study programme (e.g. numerical simulation: free surface and groundwater modelling, modelling process in hydro engineering projects, information management in hydroinformatics systems, hydrology and hydraulics, renewable energy technologies for power supply, gas cleaning, natural resource investigation, safety and risk-analysis for process plants, and wastewater and sludge treatment).

For more information, please visit: https://www.b-tu.de/en/environment-ms/.

• Applicants with a foreign qualification for admission to higher education: 15 May for the following winter semester
• Applicants with a German qualification for admission to higher education: 31 August for the following winter semester
• Application for the double-degree programme is only possible after finishing the first semester.

In the study programme, there are two mandatory modules: the introduction module and the study project. The introduction module serves as a foundational course for all students entering the programme. It provides an overview of the study programme and familiarises students with the key concepts and methodologies that they will encounter throughout their studies.

The study project is a collaborative effort in which students demonstrate their scientific skills and enhance their abilities in project planning and team-oriented work. This module allows students to apply the knowledge they have acquired during their studies to a real-world project. It serves to enhance practical experience and develop problem-solving capabilities among the students.

When applying for the study programme, students are required to choose one of the three specialisations that aligns with their previous studies. Within their chosen specialisation, students must select a minimum of seven modules to complete. These modules delve deeper into the specific subject matter of the specialisations and provide students with advanced knowledge and expertise in their chosen fields.

In addition to the specialisation modules, students must also complete five modules from the area of compulsory elective modules. These modules can be selected from different specialisations, allowing students to explore other areas of interest or broaden their knowledge beyond their primary specialisation.

Furthermore, the study programme offers students the opportunity to spend a semester abroad. The curriculum is designed to incorporate this experience without extending the overall duration of the programme. Students can choose to study at one of the programme's partner universities, which allows them to gain international exposure and broaden their cultural and academic horizons.

Overall, the study programme aims to provide students with a comprehensive education that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, teamwork, and international experiences. The objective is to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge for successful careers in their chosen fields.

• Enhancing international perspective: incorporating global viewpoints into course materials
• Utilising international case studies: analysing case studies from various nations
• Hosting guest lectures: welcoming international experts for presentations
• Offering study abroad programmes: providing students with opportunities to study abroad and participate in a double-degree programme
• Cultivating a multicultural environment: promoting diversity among students and faculty
• Tackling global challenges: addressing worldwide issues in academic work and research
• Facilitating international collaborations: establishing double-degree programmes and forming partnerships with foreign institutions
• Promoting cultural competence: encouraging understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures
• Facilitating global networking: creating platforms for students to connect with peers globally
• Organising field trips: arranging visits to local and international locations relevant to the curriculum
• Teaching cross-cultural communication skills: developing proficiency in effective communication across diverse cultures
• Fostering global awareness: inspiring recognition of worldwide trends and advancements

Students have the option to participate in study abroad programmes through exchange agreements with our partner institutions worldwide. These programmes offer students intensive international experiences while allowing them to earn credits towards their degrees. One outstanding opportunity for our students is the possibility of enrolling in a double-degree programme with UTP in Colombia. This distinctive programme enables students to pursue degrees from both institutions, providing them with a truly global educational experience and enriching their academic and cultural perspectives. Through these initiatives, students can expand their horizons, cultivate intercultural competence, and prepare for successful careers in an increasingly interconnected world.

No mandatory internships

No tuition fees

Apart from a few degree programmes, education offered at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is without tuition fees. However, the university does charge a fee each semester (e.g. winter semester 2024/25: 373.80 EUR). This covers costs for the student services organisation, the student council as well as the semester ticket.

Studies abroad often have different types of expenses from the ones you know from your home country. You are responsible for covering your own living expenses. Accommodation and other essential living expenses will amount to around 780 to 1,000 EUR per month. Of course, this amount depends entirely on individual lifestyle. The following list gives you an idea of some fixed and variable costs that you should take into account for your stay in Germany.
Monthly costs:

• rent (including utilities): 250 to 450 EUR
• groceries: approx. 160 to 180 EUR
• health insurance, medical fees, medication: approx. 145 EUR
• miscellaneous (clothing, study materials, other activities): 170 to 220 EUR

Total: 780 to 1,000 EUR

The so-called "Deutschlandticket" included in the semester ticket allows you to travel using all local public means of transportation throughout Germany.

The basic admission requirement for the Master's programme is a degree (at least a Bachelor's degree) in which the course content demonstrates knowledge in several of the subject areas of natural sciences, environmental sciences, engineering sciences, or socioeconomics. The criterion for determining the subject requirement is a sufficient number of relevant completed modules from a qualifying academic degree for the selected field of study:

• environmental sciences (e.g. biology, ecology, soil science, climatology, agronomy, forestry, water resources management, hydrology, geology);
• environmental economics, planning, and law (e.g. environmental economics, environmental law, environmental planning, agricultural economics, environmental management, environmental policy, development economics, environmental governance);
• environmental engineering (e.g. environmental engineering, process and plant engineering, treatment engineering, recycling management, hydro engineering, water engineering, wastewater and irrigation engineering, biotechnologies);

as well as the module contents of the ERM Bachelor's programme (for all fields of study).

A certificate of proficiency in English must be provided. Accepted tests and minimum scores are:

• TOEFL (79 Internet-based)
• Cambridge Certificate (Advanced or Proficiency, min. grade B)
• IELTS (min. 6.0)

Applicants with a higher education entrance qualification from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Great Britain (including Northern Ireland), or the United States of America do not have to submit separate proof of English language skills. Applicants who have completed a secondary level degree in English in Germany or in one of the above mentioned countries are also exempted from presenting a formal English language certificate.

German language skills are not required for admission to this study programme.

• Applicants with a foreign qualification for admission to higher education: 15 May for the following winter semester
• Applicants with a German qualification for admission to higher education: 31 August for the following winter semester
• Application for the double-degree programme is only possible after finishing the first semester.

Studying at BTU is mostly free of (tuition) fees. Because of this, there are only limited scholarship opportunities for international students. The International Relations Office is nonetheless pleased to be able to award a limited number of scholarships to international students already enrolled at BTU. You can find more information on BTU scholarship opportunities on our websites: https://www.b-tu.de/en/international/international-students/help-advice-on-all-aspects-of-studying/scholarships-1.

There are job opportunities both in town and on campus. Nevertheless, please do not come to Germany expecting to be able to finance your entire studies by working. The study load is high, it is not always easy to find a part-time job and you will need at least basic German skills for many of the available jobs. Students from non-European countries are allowed to work either 120 whole days or 240 half days annually. The 120-day rule is not affected by mandatory internships or student assistance jobs at university. Students from EU member countries, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland can work without restrictions during their studies in Germany.

BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is a university with three locations where numerous student dormitories are provided. Students can choose between different room types. The room capacities in our dormitories are limited, thus we recommend to apply as early as you receive your admission letter for an apartment in the dormitories.

In Germany, it is also very common for students to live alone or with friends. If three or more people share an apartment together, this is called a "WG" in German ("Wohngemeinschaft", which means a shared flat). A comprehensive list on student accommodation and housing options at BTU's three locations can be found on our websites, as well as a video about how students live in both Cottbus and Senftenberg.

The BTU Career Center (https://www.b-tu.de/en/careercenter) offers extensive support to international students and graduates, ensuring that students experience a smooth transition into the job market. We help students on their journey to a successful career path by offering seminars, workshops and career advisory services to ensure that students succeed in their job application processes and land great positions.

Our offers include:

• BTU Job Market: online job board for students
• BTU Campus-X-Change and BTU Matching Day: annual job fair and online recruiting event to connect students with employers
• FIT@BTU: a DAAD-funded project that helps students make the transition to a successful career
• Start up your Career in Brandenburg: a project co-financed by the EU and Brandenburg, with the aim of preparing international students for the Brandenburg job market

BTU offers a wide range of support during your preparation for your stay in Germany, your first days on campus and throughout your whole study programme.

Among others, the International Relations Office offers the following services:

• Welcome and Registration Point to offer support during the start of the semester
• Onboarding Info Sessions to inform about important topics regarding the preparation for your studies
• Different excursions and events to take part in and get to know the area

Located on three campuses and with over 70 study programmes, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg offers a broad spectrum of market-oriented programmes as well as traditional degree programmes.

From the natural sciences and engineering to economics, cultural studies, and even health sciences, BTU offers a wide range of courses. Our 21 study programmes taught exclusively in English are very popular among both German and international students from all over the world.

BTU is partnered with over 220 universities throughout the world, which provides students with a multitude of excellent opportunities to spend part of their time studying or conducting research abroad. Furthermore, in cooperation with our international partner universities, BTU offers a wide range of double degree and joint degree programmes.

Cottbus is located in the northeast of Germany, between the country’s capital, Berlin (100 km), and Dresden (120 km). With a population of approx. 100,000 inhabitants, Cottbus is the second largest city after Potsdam in the federal state of Brandenburg. The Polish border is only approx. 30 km away. The location of Cottbus offers a convenient starting point for trips into the picturesque region of Lower Lusatia. The landscape of Lower Lusatia is characterised by the Spreewald with its small canals and waterways as well as by the Slavonic minority called Sorbs or Wends. Their language, similar to Polish, is still used and spoken in Lower Lusatia. For this reason, many of the road signs and informational boards in Cottbus and the surrounding region are written in both Sorbian and German. 

Cottbus gained importance as a trade centre in the 12th century. Parts of the original city wall from the 14th century as well as the beautiful townhouses around the old market square are proof of the city’s early splendour. Additionally, the city is characterised by buildings from the "Wilhelminian" times of rapid industrial growth in Germany, which occurred towards the end of the 19th century. The city that first rose to prominence with its cloth and linen weaving industry soon evolved into a growing centre of brown coal mining. Today, Cottbus is in the midst of a structural transformation. BTU supports this development with its engagement in the Lausitz Science Park megaproject, which aims to build an appealing innovation landscape.

Senftenberg is the centre of the Lusatia Lake District. Former excavation and mining pits have been flooded in order to create the largest artificial lake system in Europe, with a total of 23 large lakes. The water sports area "Senftenberger See", with its water surface of 1,300 hectares, offers exceptional sailing and surfing opportunities, and it is suitable for all kinds of water sports. Senftenberg has thus become a tourist attraction within the region.