Master Programme Global Challenges for Sustainability
Do you want to make a difference in this world? You can drive positive, sustainable change for the future of our planet. The Master in Global Challenges for Sustainability is a unique international learning opportunity that will help you make change happen.
This transdisciplinary, challenge-based programme addresses the urgent need for a sustainable future through innovative learning methods and real-world applications.
A two-year degree programme (120 ECTS) offered jointly by nine universities belonging to the CHARM-EU university alliance: University of Barcelona (Spain), Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), Utrecht University (Netherlands), Eötvös Loránd University Budapest (Hungary), University of Montpellier (France), University of Würzburg (Germany), Ruhr-West University of Applied Sciences (Germany), University of Bergen (Norway) and Abo Akademi University (Finland).
Hybrid teaching is carried out synchronously by lecturers from all universities. These interdisciplinary teams pool their expertise to offer the best possible learning programme for students at the nine study locations.
The degree programme offers a wide range of opportunities for physical and virtual mobility and strengthens your international profile, intercultural competence and global skills.
Over the course of four semesters (two years), you will have the opportunity to study at up to four of our partner universities. You start your first semester in Budapest, Dublin or Utrecht. Mobility is compulsory in the second semester and optional in the third and fourth semesters. Where you study in the second semester depends on which specialisation you choose.
You should fulfil the following requirements to apply for the Master in Global Challenges for Sustainability:
-
Bachelor's degree or recognised equivalent qualification (EQF level 6 or higher)
-
English language skills at C1 level
All details on the application requirements and the application procedure can be found on the CHARM-EU website.
The tuition fees depend on your nationality and the universities at which you will study. The fees for the entire programme (24 months) are
-
For students from the EU/EEA: €5,000
-
For students from non-EU/EEA: €24,000
Exceptions and special features of the fees can be found under tuition fees on the CHARM-EU website.
The first semester aims to provide all students with a common foundation (regardless of location or modality) in the key competences and knowledge required for the challenges ahead, with a focus on developing transversal skills to prepare students for transdisciplinary learning in the following phases. In the second semester, you can choose between the following thematic tracks: Food, Water, Life & Health or Energy & Sustainable Cities.
In the third semester you will have the opportunity to complete an internship, while in the fourth semester you will work in teams with external stakeholders (including international organisations, NGOs and research centres), investigating and evaluating a complex societal challenge from different intercultural and transdisciplinary perspectives. This hands-on engagement fosters career networks, enhances professional development and significantly increases employability in the field of sustainability.
*The Master's programme has been offered as a 90 ECTS programme since 2021, the 2025 edition is an extended 120 ECTS version with the new specialisation track "Energy and Sustainable Cities" and a 20 ECTS internship.
Thanks to its international orientation and skills-based learning, the CHARM-EU Master's programme prepares you optimally for the current and future challenges of working life. Graduates of the Master's degree programme in Global Challenges for Sustainability have a wide range of career opportunities:
-
Consultancy for companies, government institutions and NGOs
-
Sustainability management and business transformation
-
Business innovation and entrepreneurship
-
Politics, advocacy and communication in the field of sustainability
-
Academia and research
-
and much more!
Joint Virtual Administrative Office:
Laura Eckert
Julius-Maximillians-Universität Würzburg
Referat 1.1
Übergreifender Internationalisierungsservice und Netzwerken (InterNational Networking)
Josef-Martin-Weg 54/2
97074 Würzburg
Tel.: 0931 31-80135 | E-Mail laura.eckert@uni-wuerzburg.de
