Joint International Master's Programme in Sustainable Development Leipzig University

Degree-awarding partners:

• University of Graz (Austria),
• Ca' Foscari University Venice (Italy),
• Hiroshima University (Japan) as part of the joint degree programme

Non-degree awarding partners:

• Basel University (Switzerland)
• Utrecht University (Netherlands)
• TERI School of Advanced Studies (India)

The programme is 100% taught in English. All examinations (including the Master's thesis) are exclusively in English.

The aim of the Joint International Master’s Programme in Sustainable Development is to offer an international and interdisciplinary Master’s programme of the highest quality, enabling participants to make substantial contributions to the challenge of societal transition towards sustainability.

It places a strong emphasis on research as well as on intervention strategies, promotes the capability for scientific work, and, in particular, a methodologically sound approach to problem-solving, especially in inter- and transdisciplinary settings.

Students who complete the programme will be able to:

• understand the dynamics, complexity and interaction between natural, social and economic processes and systems with regard to sustainable development
• identify and analyse so-called "wicked problems" within the field of sustainable development by taking into consideration different disciplinary perspectives
• develop comprehensive competences from a scientific perspective
• know and apply adequate methods and instruments for scientific research
• apply their knowledge and scientific skills in inter- and transdisciplinary teams to address complex issues
• possess the necessary social skills, such as writing, debating, conflict management, teamwork and project management to make a substantial contribution to change within society
• conduct independent scientific research and present the results in scientific publications

The Master’s programme prepares students for a PhD, ultimately leading to positions in scientific research. 

The societal orientation of the Master’s programme also makes it a good starting point for positions that do not directly involve scientific research. Graduates might find employment in the private sector, the public sector (EU, national, regional and local government), consultancy firms and NGOs. Over the course of their careers, graduates should be able to fill managerial positions—notably in the integration of knowledge and policy, and in the field of change management (particularly in relation to complex processes of societal change).

The programme can only be started in the winter semester and includes a mandatory mobility in the second semester (summer semester). An additional mobility in the third semester is possible.

Teaching takes place exclusively in the form of classroom lectures and seminars.

Mid-December to mid-March for the following winter semester

More information: https://www.jointdegree.eu/de/sustainable-development/application-and-selection

Tuition fees at Leipzig University currently amount to 3,360 EUR in total, payable in four instalments (840 EUR/semester). A (partial) waiver of tuition fees is excluded.

More information and updates on the costs of the programme can be found at https://www.jointdegree.eu/de/sustainable-development/finances/.

The structure of the study programme has been developed jointly by the consortium of the participating universities.

First semester (at Leipzig as the home university): The "Fundamentals in Sustainable Development" (30 ECTS) introduces the concept of sustainability and current sustainability issues from different perspectives, and presents research and intervention strategies. Students from Leipzig University take the following mandatory modules:

• Basics in Economic Sciences (10 ECTS)
• Basics in Social Sciences (10 ECTS)
• Basics in Sustainable Development (10 ECTS)

Students from Hiroshima, Graz or Venice select classes offered at their respective home universities.

Second semester (at mobility university): The "Specialisation" (30 ECTS) aims to deepen knowledge in a specific area of sustainable development and its related scientific strategies and methods.

• Outgoing students from Leipzig University must choose one specialisation track of the partner universities (Basel, Hiroshima, Graz, Utrecht or Venice). Please refer to the section on mobility.
• Incoming students from Hiroshima, Graz or Venice University coming to Leipzig for their mobility semester can choose between a specialisation in Environmental and Resource Economics (ERE) or Environmental and Resource Management (ERM).
  • Sustainable Energy Economics (10 ECTS)
  • Environmental and Biodiversity Economics (10 ECTS)
  • Climate Economics (10 ECTS)
  • Water Resources Management (10 ECTS)
  • Energy Engineering and Management (10 ECTS)
  • Landscape Management in European Context (5 ECTS)
  • Land Management in Urban Context (5 ECTS)

Third semester (Leipzig): The "Integration phase" (30 ECTS) provides students with the necessary scientific and social skills to work on inter- and transdisciplinary case studies.

• Interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary case study (15 ECTS)
• Project Management and Communication Skills (5 ECTS)
• Further specialisation (at least 10 ECTS elective courses):
  • Sustainability Assessment of the "Energiewende" (5 ECTS)
  • LCA and Sustainability Assessment of Bioeconomy (5 ECTS)
  • Natural Resource Use and Conservation Economics (10 ECTS)
  • Modelling in Resource Management (10 ECTS)
  • Socio-Economic Aspects of Urban Development (10 ECTS)
  • Entrepreneurship Management (10 ECTS)
  • Selected modules from other faculties

Students may also spend an additional mobility semester at any of the partner universities, including TERI University (India). (Additional tuition fees may apply.)

Fourth semester (at Leipzig home university): dedicated to the Master's thesis (30 ECTS)

The mandatory mobility semester at one of the partner universities in the second semester allows students to gain exposure to different approaches to sustainable development, specialised in a field of their choice (natural sciences, social sciences or economics & management).

The programme does not require the completion of an internship, but students are encouraged to gain work experience during the summer break or before starting their Master's thesis.

840 EUR

Tuition fees at Leipzig University currently amount to 3,360 EUR in total, payable in four instalments (840 EUR/semester). A (partial) waiver of tuition fees is excluded.

More information and updates on the costs of the programme can be found at https://www.jointdegree.eu/de/sustainable-development/finances/.

The semester contribution in Leipzig amounts to approx. 280 EUR per semester and includes access to Germany-wide local public transportation.
https://www.uni-leipzig.de/en/studying/current-students/study-affairs/re-enrolment-and-semester-fee

A semester contribution might apply during the mobility semester at the partner university.

Students in Leipzig should budget 950 EUR per month for living costs.

Eligibility requirements

• Bachelor's degree in natural or social sciences, engineering or equivalent (i.e. economics and business administration, political science, development studies, urban/regional planning, earth science, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, etc.)
• Proof of English proficiency (C1)
• For Leipzig University only: At least 12 months of qualified and relevant professional experience after a Bachelor's degree

Selection criteria

• Previous academic performance (GPA or average mark)
• Academic background
• Motivation statement
• Relevant work experience (including internships)
• Two letters of recommendation (at least one from an academic supervisor)

The applicant must submit one of the following English language certificate :

• IELTS (academic module, minimum required score of 6.5 and not less than 6.0 in the writing section)
• TOEFL (minimum required score 93, Internet-based)
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (minimum 180 points);
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (minimum score C1)

The language certificate must not be older than two years at the time of admission to the programme (May/June).

English native-speaking applicants and those who have successfully completed a 100% English-taught Bachelor's programme are exempt from the English certificate requirement but must provide one of the following:

• either a high school diploma from an English-speaking country or
• an official Diploma Supplement stipulating the language of instruction for the Bachelor's programme

Mid-December to mid-March for the following winter semester

More information: https://www.jointdegree.eu/de/sustainable-development/application-and-selection

No

The following website lists student jobs at the university:
https://www.jobportal.uni-leipzig.de/.

Students of the Master's programme can also find research assistant positions at the university or one of the many research centres in the city.

Accommodation is available through the Student Services Office or on the private market.

The cost for a single room in the dorms is approx. 250 to 350 EUR. More information can be found at https://www.studentenwerk-leipzig.de/en/housing.

The Career Service of Leipzig University offers counselling and orientation services to prepare students for the transition from studies to the labour market.

https://www.uni-leipzig.de/en/studying/guidance-and-services/career-service/

Contact and advice around studies: https://www.uni-leipzig.de/en/international/contact-and-advice

Social counselling: https://www.studentenwerk-leipzig.de/beratung-soziales/studium-international