Master of Science in Sustainability, Society and the Environment Kiel University

The MSc Sustainability, Society and the Environment (SSE) has been designed to empower students to become change leaders for sustainable development. The programme helps you to develop your competences in two complementary areas:

1. Research skills to analyse social, environmental and economic challenges of sustainable development.
2. Creative and entrepreneurial skills to develop and implement sustainability projects and social enterprises.

We look for applicants with a strong motivation to make this world a better place. We expect successful applicants to have been actively engaged in sustainable development and social innovation initiatives, either as volunteers, in internships, or in jobs.

Section A: Sustainability Lab
The courses of the sustainability lab are project-oriented and team-based. You can choose one of the following two tracks:

1. Social entrepreneurship track (planning and implementing change projects)
2. Research track (planning and implementing research projects)

You need a total of 36 credit points.
(Three modules, with 12 credit points each)

Section B: Sustainability and Society
The purpose of section B is to allow you to expand your academic background in the social aspects of sustainable development, particularly from a geographical perspective. With modules comprising a workload of 6 credits, you need to study a total of 36 credit points.
(Six modules, with 6 credit points each)

Section C: Complementary Studies
The purpose of Section C is to allow you to focus more deeply on topics of your interest. With most modules comprising a workload of 6 credits, you need to study a total of 18 credit points.

You can select the following types of modules in this section:

• All modules of Section B
• All modules of Section C (see the list below)
• Further modules of Kiel University or a recognised university in Germany or abroad if they contribute to achieving the SSE's study objectives (modules need to be approved by the SSE examination committee)
• Up to 10 credit points of Section C may be ungraded modules, for example an internship

Section D: Master's Project
The fourth semester is dedicated to your Master's project.

It comprises six months of full-time work.
(30 credit points)

https://www.sustainability.uni-kiel.de/en/taught-masters/master-of-science-sustainability-society-and-the-environment-1/programme-description

First degree

We accept applicants with a first degree that satisfies the following requirements:

A degree with a standard period of study lasting at least three years at a German university or comparable foreign institution of higher education, which was completed with a Bachelor’s examination or equivalent final examination with at least 180 ECTS credit points and a grade of 2.5 or better.

You should have studied a first degree in the following fields of study: geography, sustainability sciences, social sciences, media and communication sciences, economics, or a related subject.

If the degree certificate is not yet available at the time of application, a transcript of records with at least 120 ECTS credit points needs to be submitted. The transcript of records must state a provisional overall grade.

Proficiency in English

The SSE programme is taught in English. All applicants must provide a language certificate.

International experience

We accept applicants who have lived abroad for at least six months as part of a degree programme, internship or job experience.

Practical experience

Project proposal

The SSE programme has a strong focus on planning and implementing team-based projects in the areas of social entrepreneurship or sustainability research. We therefore accept students who can demonstrate their ability to write a short proposal for a project that could be further developed and implemented within the framework of the "Sustainability Lab". 

An enrolment fee ("Einschreibgebühr") of 55 EUR is charged for the first enrolment at Kiel University. A semester contribution ("Semesterbeitrag") currently amounting to 403 EUR must be paid each semester. This covers administration fees ("Verwaltungskostenbeitrag"), free public transport ("bundesweites Semesterticket") for trains and buses, reduced lunch prices, a culture ticket and other benefits for students.

The monthly costs of living in Germany are currently at least 992 EUR per month. Please note that when applying for a visa (from countries requiring a visa) and also later in Germany when extending a residence permit, financial means in the amount of the living costs for one year (11,904 EUR) must be proven.

More information can be found here: www.international.uni-kiel.de/en/incomings/planning-arrival-and-stay/visa.

Please find information on accommodation in Kiel on the following website: https://www.international.uni-kiel.de/en/incomings/planning-arrival-and-stay/accomodation.

Kiel University (also referred to as the CAU) was founded in 1665. It is Schleswig-Holstein's oldest, largest and best-known university, with 27,000 students and 3,700 staff members. It is also the only full-fledged university in the state. Seven Nobel Prize winners have worked here. The CAU has been successfully taking part in the Excellence Initiative since 2006.

We use research, teaching and the transfer of science to address the great challenges of our time in health, environmental and cultural change, nutrition and energy. In doing so, we ensure peace and preserve livelihoods for future generations. We use responsible actions to make sure that scientific discoveries are transferred into all sectors of our society by interdisciplinary thought – regardless of short-lived trends – where they are incorporated into political, economic and social decisions aimed at securing peace and prosperity.

When it was founded back in 1665, the CAU had the motto “Pax Optima Rerum: peace is the most valuable asset.” This maxim is as applicable today as it was over 350 years ago. We want to follow this key idea and contribute towards creating a peaceful, fair world in which everyone lives freely and comfortably. We aim to create a world in which treating the environment with respect also enables future generations to enjoy the same benefits.

CAU’s mission:
Our mission is to deliver research and teaching that contribute to peace, prosperity and maintaining a pluralistic, free society as well as address the challenges we are facing. Our strong disciplines carry out this mission. The fulfilment of this mission requires interdisciplinary collaboration and involves transdisciplinary issues. We find solutions to today’s pressing problems and implement these solutions together with stakeholders from society, industry and politics.

Teaching profile:
We are dedicated to research-based teaching and learning. Therefore, the development of new teaching approaches is evolving constantly at the interfaces between research from the different scientific disciplines. Students from all over the world benefit from this: research results are quickly integrated into programme curricula and our academic staff is trained in state-of-the-art teaching methods.

Research profile:
The CAU is Schleswig-Holstein’s only full-fledged university with a major focus on research. Over time, four dynamic priority research areas have systematically developed. These are based on strong disciplines interacting together – Marine Science, Life Science, Societal and Cultural Change, and Nano Surface and Interface Science. Each individual research area makes a substantial contribution towards dealing with at least one of the grand challenges of our time.

Transfer profile:
A university is not an island. It is an entity that impacts on, with and for society in a number of ways, by offering space for new ideas, passing on knowledge and values, and enabling debates about controversial subjects. Universities train specialists, produce innovative products and start-ups, help companies to develop further and assist politics by giving advice and warnings. The CAU encompasses top quality, innovative science, a sense of responsibility and the transfer of knowledge. We advocate for the university’s active role in society and aim to work closely together with the community to be the driving force behind regional, national and international development by looking for and finding pioneering solutions for our most pressing issues. This is the reason why we maintain a variety of active connections with our partners in science, industry, politics and society.

Read more about our profiles.

The city of Kiel is located directly on the Baltic Sea coast and is the capital of the northernmost German federal state, Schleswig-Holstein. Famous for its sailing tradition, Kiel has hosted two Olympic sailing competitions. The city's annual "Kiel Week" is the world's largest sailing event and one of the biggest cultural festivals in northern Europe. Kiel's international flair is enhanced by its port, where Scandinavian ferries dock next to cruise liners and historic ships. Those who enjoy going out will benefit from the city's lively cultural life as well as the many clubs and bars to be found between the campus and the city centre. Kiel is a strong centre of science and research. Our students benefit from studying by the sea in a city that offers short distances and a wide range of leisure facilities by the waterside. It takes less than 20 minutes to get from the lecture hall to the beach. A fresh breeze on your face and the right books on hand create a great atmosphere for learning. The social conditions for studying in Kiel are excellent. Freshmen receive a welcome payment of 100 EUR when they come to Kiel to commence their undergraduate studies. They have the opportunity to live in one of the many halls of residence, which are reasonably priced and situated close to the universities. In our bicycle-friendly city, not only the universities but also other inner-city locations can be reached conveniently by bike. The new scientific generation represents the most important resource for making Kiel, the state capital, fit for the future.

www.kiel.de