Environment and Resources Management with Focus on Latin America and the Caribbean (ENREM Double Degree Master's Programme) Technische Hochschule Köln - University of Applied Sciences

The basic concept of the two-year double degree Master’s programme is based on two accredited Master’s programmes: the “Multidisciplinary Postgraduate Programme for Environmental Sciences” (PMPCA) in Mexico, and “Natural Resources Management and Development” (NRM) in Germany.

In this sense, the double degree is not offered as an independent Master’s programme but rather as a structured, predefined study programme. Successful graduates of the programme receive two degrees, one from each university.

The Master’s programme aims to equip professionals with the competencies and skill sets to assess the multidimensional challenges, sustainable utilisation of natural resources, and environmental opportunities concerning the transformation of the Latin American region towards resilience and resource security.

The programme’s structure, concept, and mobility enable students to study environmental challenges and potential solutions in and for Latin America from both local and global perspectives, provided through UASLP and TH Köln. The Master’s thesis enables the exploration of regional contexts in a chosen Latin American country, combining the strengths of both universities for real-world application.

The study programme is structured into:

• Mandatory modules include core modules such as Environmental Problems and Management, Sustainable Development, Ecology, Statistics, Environmental Economics and Governance, and Project Management, as well as project modules and Master’s thesis preparation.
• Elective modules combine modules from PMPCA at UASLP and NRM at TH Köln. They are organised into: Specialisation ENREM: e.g. Ecological and Social Risks Management, Environmental Governance and Sustainability Transition, Waste Management and Circular Economy, Food Security, Ecology and Climate Change, Environment and Society.  Methods & Tools: e.g. Scientific Work, Geographic Information Systems, Economic Evaluation Methods, Environmental Assessment, Evaluation of Renewable Natural Resources.

The ENREM programme is open to applicants of all nationalities who are highly motivated to work in an international partnership with both Latin America and Germany and are fluent in Spanish and English.

The double degree Master's programme prepares graduates for a wide array of attractive career opportunities in international cooperation and development, leadership, consultancy, decision-making, and research positions within international institutions, government and non-government organisations, the private sector and academic and non-academic research institutions at local, national, regional and international levels.

The Master's programme starts in the winter semester (August) of each academic year.

The mobility concept of the programme begins in the first academic year at UASLP in Mexico. The third semester is conducted at TH Köln in Germany. The fourth semester is dedicated to research and the development of the Master’s thesis within a Latin American context.

The curriculum is a systematic combination of selected modules and the mutual recognition of credit points (ECTS) from both national programmes, and is regularly revised. The overall study programme is equivalent to 120 ECTS at TH Köln University of Applied Sciences and 139 credit points at the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí (UASLP).

Course of study structure: The first, second, and third semesters consist of mandatory and elective modules. The fourth semester is dedicated to the Master's thesis research (usually three months abroad) as well as the writing and defence (colloquium) of the Master's thesis.

The structure of the Master’s programme follows a clear phased approach of enhanced knowledge and competencies:

• Leveraging knowledge of all students, independent of their professional background, during the first semester with mandatory core courses.
• Sharpening the individual profiles in the second and third semesters with mandatory and elective modules related to the Master's thesis or future professional expertise.
• Applying competencies and skills through the development of the Master's thesis, field research, and defence in the fourth semester.

For the double degree Master's programme, a limited number of scholarships are provided by:

• The EPOS programme from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for applicants from developing countries.
• The Mexican Ministry of Science, Humanities, Technology, and Innovation (SECIHTI) for applicants from all countries.

The Multidisciplinary Postgraduate Programme for Environmental Sciences (PMPCA) at the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí (UASLP) in Mexico

The Master's programme starts in the winter semester (August) of each academic year.

The application deadline for scholarship (DAAD and SECIHTI) and non-scholarship applicants is 31 January of each year.

All required documents should be submitted in digital form as described on the programme website: https://www.enrem-master.info/application in How to apply.

In order to be admitted to the double degree Master's programme, candidates must fulfil the following criteria:

• Bachelor's degree related to environmental management: natural sciences, engineering sciences, geography, agricultural, or social sciences
• A background in natural resources management, environmental management, or sustainable development, either through previous studies (minimum 15 ECTS) or relevant practical work experience related to environmental and sustainability topics
• Minimum grade of 8.0 based on the Mexican grading system or equivalent
• Proof of English and Spanish language proficiency (see language requirements)
• Motivation letter
• Research idea related to the course content of the ENREM Master’s programme and in line with the research areas of the PMPCA in Mexico and the Faculty of Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems in Germany.

Additionally, candidates wishing to be considered for a DAAD EPOS scholarship should fulfil the DAAD requirements in addition to the general eligibility criteria for the double degree Master’s programme.

Information about the application process, required documents, and application forms is available at https://www.enrem-master.info/application

Please note that application requirements may change. You will find the current application requirements on the above-mentioned website as soon as the application deadlines for the semester for which you wish to apply have been published.

Proof of Spanish Proficiency: Required only for applicants whose native language is not Spanish.

Acceptable proof includes:

• DELE certificate (minimum level B1)
• Certificate of completion of a Spanish language course issued by an officially recognised language school or institution
• University transcript confirming successful completion of Spanish language courses at B1 level
• Evidence of extended residence, study, or professional experience (including internships) in a Spanish-speaking country. In such cases, a supporting letter from the employer or host organisation specifying the duration of the activity and confirming Spanish as the main working language is considered an advantage.

The semester fee at TH Köln: approx. 353 EUR per semester. Included in the semester fee is the semester ticket for public transport for the whole of Germany.

The semester fee at UASLP: approx. 7,040 Mexican pesos per semester.

The cost of living for your stay largely depends on your personal needs. When planning your stay, you should calculate monthly costs as follows:

• San Luis Potosí, Mexico: approx. 11,000 to 14,000 Mexican pesos
• Cologne, Germany: approx. 1,000 to 1,200 EUR

Taking on a part-time job while studying has lots of benefits. Students can earn some extra money and gain valuable professional experience, and they might even take a first step up on the career ladder. Gaining a first insight into the German corporate world is especially beneficial for international students.

Many students partially fund their studies at TH Köln by taking on a part-time job in or outside the university.

Please note that student jobs may require German language skills depending on the field and type of job.

Students who wish to pursue a career in Germany can take part in TH Köln's "Ready, Study, Go" programme. The programme offers students useful workshops and activities to prepare them for the German labour market.

International students are eligible to apply for the "Deutschlandstipendium". The scholarship holders receive approx. 300 EUR per month for the duration of one year.

Being Germany's fourth largest city, Cologne is a highly attractive place to live. The increasing influx of people can make the search for adequate accommodation quite difficult. Dozens of apartment hunters often compete for one single apartment. This is why we strongly recommend that you start looking for a place to live as soon as possible.

Cologne's most convenient and economical housing option is often a student dormitory. A public student services association called "Kölner Studierendenwerk" (KSTW) operates 88 student dorms offering roughly 4,800 rooms. The seemingly large number of dorm rooms is misleading; as the dormitories are open to the roughly 90,000 students enrolled at all Cologne universities, they are in extremely high demand. Please be aware that TH Köln does not allocate the rooms in these dorms. Please apply directly to the KSTW: https://www.kstw.de/wohnen. You do not yet need a letter of admission in order to apply.

The fierce competition in the private housing market has resulted in above-market rents – particularly in proximity to the city centre. We therefore encourage you to be flexible. Try to look for apartments outside the centre or share an apartment – and the cost of rent – with other students: www.th-koeln.de/accommodation.

Technische Hochschule Köln – abbreviated as TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences – sees itself as a university of technology, arts, and sciences. With its disciplinary and cultural diversity and openness, TH Köln's activities are aimed at cultural and technological breakthroughs of high societal relevance. Thus, TH Köln contributes substantially to resolving social challenges. As a community of faculty and students, we see ourselves as a learning organisation forging new paths. For instance, TH Köln is one of the pioneers in the field of development and formation of concepts for higher education didactics.

Our subject range includes the fields of applied natural sciences, architecture and construction, information and communication, computer science, engineering, culture and society, and social sciences as well as business studies. More than 90 degree programmes are offered as full-time programmes or, in some cases, as career-integrated or part-time programmes. As a place where research-based learning and academic education take place, the university nurtures prospective scholars through cooperative dissertations. Annually, more than 4,700 students take up their studies at TH Köln. Overall, 21,000 students from about 120 different countries along with 440 professors and 2,000 staff members apply their potential.

Research mainly focuses on future-related issues, including climate change, energy supply, health, and food safety as well as demographic changes. While developing solution strategies for the most important questions of our time, researchers offer their professional expertise in interdisciplinary interaction. At the same time, they collaborate closely with local, national, and international cooperation partners, including 343 international institutions of higher education. The university offers its researchers an attractive sphere of activity. The quality seal "HR Excellence in Research" awarded by the European Commission certifies that TH Köln meets international standards in the field of human resources development.
TH Köln’s campuses are located in Cologne, Gummersbach, and Leverkusen.

Its metropolitan vibe, diverse student scene and a cityscape abounding with cultural and historical treasures make Cologne one of Europe's prime university cities. Cologne's origins date back to the Roman Empire more than 2,000 years ago. Today, Cologne is Germany's fourth largest city with a population of just over one million and has evolved as an economic and cultural metropolis at the heart of Europe. The city's characteristic landmark and source of pride for every inhabitant is without a doubt the magnificent Cologne Cathedral, locally known as the "Kölner Dom". Towering over the quaint Old Town of Cologne at 156 metres, this masterpiece of Gothic architecture is the world's third-highest cathedral and attracts around six million visitors a year, making it Germany's most popular tourist attraction. Visitors from all over the world are bound to feel at home immediately, as Cologne is a true melting pot of cultures. Close to one-fifth of its inhabitants have an international background. Cologne's economy is characterised by its amalgamation of different industries and trades. Home to the country's most influential television and radio stations, Cologne is unquestionably Germany's media capital and host to some of the continent's biggest trade fairs. Quite a few of the world's most renowned enterprises call the metropolitan region their home, in particular, corporations operating in the automobile industry, biotechnology and life sciences, chemicals and pharmaceuticals as well as commerce and banking.

Please note that TH Köln also has two remote campuses outside Cologne, which are located in the towns of Gummersbach and Leverkusen.

Gummersbach is a town with approx. 51,000 inhabitants located 55 km east of Cologne, surrounded by a hilly landscape which is a recreational area for residents from Cologne and other cities nearby. The campus can be reached in a few minutes from Gummersbach train station. A train ride to Cologne, which is the largest city in the region, takes one hour and ten minutes and will be covered by the semester ticket, which is included in the semester fee. Students will be able to find affordable accommodation in Gummersbach and focus on their studies in the great environment of a modern campus.

The Leverkusen campus is located 15 km north of Cologne in the Neue Bahnstadt Opladen and was opened in 2022. It is close to the CHEMPARK in Leverkusen, which is one of the largest chemical parks in Europe. Global players from the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, such as Bayer and LANXESS, are located there. With approx. 170,000 inhabitants, Leverkusen is a smaller industrial city that has plenty of opportunities for relaxation, thanks to its location in the foothills of the Bergisches Land region. In Leverkusen, you can find urban buzz and village-like tranquillity in close proximity. The campus can also be reached with TH Köln's semester ticket.