International Sustainable Development

The joint degree programme of study is designed to prepare students for a wide range of employment opportunities upon completion of the degree. After the first semester in Basics in Sustainable Development, it is possible to choose between two tracks: Environmental Technology and Resources Management.
The track Environmental Technology aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the end-of-pipe and cleaner production technologies for pollution prevention and reduction and of the municipal environmental infrastructure.
The track Resources Management aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the management of natural resources including water, energy and soil and land area.
The third semester contains the module Integration Module and further specialisation.
The fourth semester comprises the Master's thesis and defence.

Educational organisation

First semester: Basics in Sustainable Development:

• Basics in economic sciences (10 ECTS)
• Basics in social sciences (10 ECTS)
• Basics in sustainable development (10 ECTS)

Second semester: one track to be chosen from the two following options: Environmental Technology Management
1. Air pollution abatement and safety management (10 ECTS)
2. Water, waste water and waste (10 ECTS)
3. Energy Engineering and Management (10 ECTS)

or Resources Management
1. Water resources management (10 ECTS)
2. Land management (10 ECTS)
3. Sustainable Energy Economics (10 ECTS)

Third semester: Integration Module and further specialisation
Students can choose one of the following three alternatives:

• Inter- or transdisciplinary case study on a current topic as team work (10 ECTS)
• Internship (employer organised individually with the support of IIRM and approved by IIRM) (10 ECTS)
• Research assistance in a research project at IIRM (10 ECTS)

Fourth semester: Master's thesis and defence

Study abroad unit(s)

The mobility semester (second semester) can be spent at any of the consortium partners (University of Graz, Ca' Foscari University Venice, Utrecht University) as well as at the associated partners Basel University (Switzerland) and Hiroshima University (Japan) and Teri University (India).

Students are advised to spend the specialisation track in the second semester at a partner university, as all partner universities offer at least one specialisation track in English. Students can also apply to spend the third or fourth semester abroad, where it cannot be guaranteed that tracks are offered in English.

Internships

An internship can be completed during the third semester.

Course objectives

Graduates of this International Joint Degree Programme may pursue further study or seek employment in a variety of professional fields, including business management, consulting, environmental entrepreneurship, environment, health and safety, quality management, regional and urban planning, innovation management, international organisations, scientific research, training and (continuing) education.

Language requirements

Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate a high level of competence in English by providing a recent language certificate of an 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) or Cambridge EFL (English as a Foreign Language) presenting one of the following certificates: Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (minimum score B); Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (minimum score C).
Applicants who are native speakers of English and those who successfully completed an English-taught Bachelor's programme do not have to take this test.

Academic requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent
Grade point average (GPA) or average mark
Motivation letter
Recommendation letters
Proof of the applicant's proficiency in English
Previous academic performance
Prior experience

Enrolment fees

Currently, students have to pay 197.50 EUR enrolment fee per semester. This fee is for Student Services (75 EUR), the semester ticket (113 EUR), the Student Council (8 EUR) and the mobility fee (1.50 EUR).

Costs of living

Approx. 600 EUR per month to cover personal expenses

Accommodation

Accommodation is available through the Student Services Office (http://www.studentenwerk-leipzig.de/en/housing) or on the private market. Rent for a single room in a student residence is approx. 220 EUR.