Admissions status:
Open. The current round closes on January 7, 2026.| Course Details | Description |
|---|---|
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Degree | MS / Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree (EMJMD) |
| Length | 2 years |
| Department | Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy |
| US degree credits | 60 |
| Austrian degree ECTS credits | 120 |
Program Description
The Master of Science in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM) program is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree taught by an international consortium with more than 50 years of combined experience delivering interdisciplinary environmental studies programs.
Established in 2005, MESPOM provides a comprehensive education in environmental management, protection, advocacy and research from both academic and professional perspectives. You will explore the complexity of environmental challenges and the political, cultural, social, economic and development influences on the shape of the global environmental agenda.
The biggest strength of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s (EMJM) in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management degree lies in the innovative program curriculum that blends a theoretical approach with an expanded practical component made possible by the collaboration of the four consortium partners:
- The University of the Aegean (UAegean) in Greece
- Central European University (CEU) in Austria
- Lund University (LU) in Sweden
- The University of Manchester (UoM) in the United Kingdom
As part of the program, you will visit distinct locations ranging from a large European city to a small Greek island and engage with scholars, practitioners, community leaders and activists to explore the interaction of science, policy and management in specific thematic areas. You will attend foundational courses exploring the background of contemporary environmental studies in the first year and decide on the focus of your studies through the broad range of elective subjects, as well as one of the two offered tracks in the second year. Moreover, you will put your learnings to work through an internship hosted in collaboration with partners from academia, industry, public and non-profit sectors to gain invaluable practical experience at institutions actively tackling the most significant environmental challenges of the 21st century.
Through the unique blend of interdisciplinary and experiential learning that addresses a range of environmental topics at local and global levels, MESPOM prepares students to critically analyze, propose and implement viable solutions to multifaceted environmental issues. With the added elements of international study and work experience, MESPOM offers unparalleled opportunities for kickstarting your career in environmental sciences, policy and management.
You can find more information about the degree, alumni network and student experience at mespom.eu.
How MESPOM Works
The program is divided into four mobility periods. The first and second semesters are jointly delivered by CEU and the University of the Aegean. You will attend mandatory and elective courses on environmental challenges and society-environment interaction at CEU in Vienna from September to March. These courses form the foundation of the program, offer advanced specialized courses from CEU faculty and are created in collaboration with Lund University and the University of Manchester. From April to July, you will move to the University of the Aegean campus on the island of Lesvos, where you will continue with advanced science and management courses and explore the topic of ecosystems and rural sustainability.
In the summer of the first year (typically July-August), you will undergo a mandatory internship hosted by an external partner that has signed an agreement with MESPOM. In exceptional cases, the internship can be shifted to the last two capstone months of the 24-month-long program. You may choose from research-oriented internships at prestigious institutions in the field of environmental science, such as Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (India), International Institute for Sustainable Development (Canada) or Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Oxford (the United Kingdom). You may also embark on a work experience-oriented placement with internationally operating environmental companies in the private sector, such as Tomorrow2day Sustainability Consulting AB (Sweden), Schneider Electric Energy and Sustainability Services (Hungary and the United Kingdom) or the Institute for Circular Economy and Nature-based Solutions, alchemia-nova GmbH (Austria).
In the third mobility semester, you will continue one your studies on one of two tracks: the Preventive Environmental Strategies track taught at Lund University (Sweden) or the Environmental Sciences and Pollution Control track taught at the University of Manchester (the United Kingdom).
The Lund Track is taught at the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics at Lund University, a European leader in research and advanced education on preventive environmental strategies. This track explores the methodologies of making environmentally sound management decisions, especially at a strategic level. You will investigate the different timelines of the transition process to low-carbon and resource-efficient economies through lectures, seminars, site visits and an individual research paper.
The Manchester Track is hosted by the University of Manchester, whose MSc in Pollution and Environmental Control has been delivered since 1971 and is the oldest such course in Europe. You will take two required modules that guide you through the environmental research methods and modeling and help you develop your thesis proposal. You will then choose from a broad range of focused electives, exploring in-depth topics such as pollution, ecosystem health and water management.
You will spend your fourth and last mobility period conducting the research project that is necessary for the completion of this degree. Thesis research can be hosted by any of the four MESPOM consortium partners and often involves internships with academic, government or industrial organizations. Equipped with skills in academic writing and advanced environmental research, you will independently analyze and critically evaluate contemporary theory and practice in a range of environmental fields.
Upon successful completion, you will receive a MESPOM Degree featuring joint and multiple degrees. The degree is awarded by the four consortium partners. You will also receive four separate consortium degree certificates to ensure proper compliance with relevant national legislation and university charters. The Master of Science in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management degree at CEU is accredited by the New York State Education Department in the United States and by AQ Austria in Austria.
Who Is MESPOM For
The Master of Science in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM) is designed for you if you are passionate about the environment and want to make a real difference. Ideally, you have a solid foundation in environmental science and a desire to deepen your understanding of policy and management in the context of international environmental efforts. As this degree focuses on blending practice with academic research methods, the ideal candidate should be driven to critically examine and contribute innovative and creative solutions to the variety of environmental issues through original research. As a student of MESPOM, you will gain a unique set of skills combined with international work and study experience, enabling you to thrive in multicultural collaborative team projects.
If you are ready to tackle complex environmental challenges with an interdisciplinary research approach and experience first-hand the everyday work in an international organization committed to sustainability, this Master of Science program will be an excellent fit.
Check If You Meet the Eligibility Criteria
To apply to MESPOM, you must have earned a bachelor’s degree of not less than three years of full-time studies with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits or equivalent. Preference is given to applicants with a background in environmental studies or closely related fields. Candidates with degrees in agricultural studies, social sciences, legal and administrative studies, economics, engineering or natural sciences will also be considered if they show commitment to solving environmental challenges, usually through voluntary or professional work with on-the-job training.
Admission to MESPOM is highly competitive. A successful applicant has typically graduated with excellent grades (GPA of 3.5 or above) from a recognized university or institution of higher education and/or has a successful professional environmental career. We are looking for applicants who are fully committed to resolving the key global environmental challenges.
Admissions to MESPOM are centrally administered by CEU and jointly assessed by the four consortium universities.
Program-Specific Requirements
In addition to meeting the general CEU admissions requirements, you must submit at least two letters of recommendation assessing your ability to conduct graduate-level work and your potential for a successful academic or professional career. You must also provide an essay (maximum 350 words) or statement of career goals elaborating on your reasons for applying to this program, including the origin of your interest in environmental issues, your learning goals, future career plans as well as any relevant interests. Furthermore, we advise that you explain your reasoning for track selection, including a preference for one should you apply for both.
Detailed application process for the MESPOM program
The European Commission’s Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s (EMJM) Scholarships
Erasmus Mundus scholarships (EMJM) are offered to outstanding students from and outside Europe. The scholarships cover travel, visa, installation and subsistence costs for the entire 24-month duration of the program.
What Awaits You at CEU
Throughout the program, you will attend mandatory courses and choose from the list of electives offered by each consortium partner. You are required to earn the following amount of credits from mandatory and elective courses per semester:
- Fall, Winter and Spring: 40 ECTS from mandatory and elective courses at CEU and 16 ECTS from mandatory and elective courses at UAegean
- Summer internship: 4 ECTS
- Second Year: 30 ECTS from mandatory courses at the selected mobility semester university
- Thesis semester: 30 ECTS from the thesis project
Program Overview
Program Overview
- Fall and Winter Terms at CEU:
- Academic Writing
- Introduction to Environmental Management
- Student Conference
- Courses from the list of mandatory electives at CEU
- Courses from the list of electives:
- Data Science for the Sustainable Development Goals
- Introduction to Geospatial Data Visualization I
- Introduction to Geospatial Data Visualization II
- Spring Term at UAegean:
- Assessment, Modelling and Scenarios for Ecosystems Management
- Courses from the list of mandatory electives at UAegean
- Summer Internship (hosted by one of the partners)
- September – January
- Preventive Environmental Strategies track taught at Lund University (Sweden)
- Environmental Sciences and Pollution Control track taught at the University of Manchester (United Kingdom)
- February - June (UAegean, CEU, LU or UoM):
- Thesis Research Project
- Language course (not counted towards the overall credits)
- July – August
- Capstone Project
- Advanced Impact Evaluation
- Advanced Topics in Global Environmental Governance
- Anthropology of Global Food, Agriculture & Development
- Adaptive Management and Resilience of Socio-ecological Systems
- Agroecology & Organic Gardening Systems
- Climate Change: the Physical Science Basics, Impacts and Mitigation
- Data Science for the Sustainable Development Goals
- Decarbonization and Business
- Ecological Economics
- Emotions in the Environmental Sciences
- Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment
- Environmental Justice: Theories and Practice
- Energy Markets
- Environmental Justice & Human Rights
- Earth Observations in Monitoring SDGs
- Energy Transitions and Climate Change
- Ethnographic Observation
- Geospatial Technologies for Environmental Professionals
- Green Technologies for Environmental Pollution
- Humans & the Biosphere
- Introduction to Circular Economy
- Intro to Economics for Environmental Research
- Introduction to Environmental Policy and Society
- Interviewing and Field Observation
- Introduction to Geospatial Analysis
- Introduction to Geospatial Data Visualization I
- Introduction to Geospatial Data Visualization II
- The Non-Human Biosphere
- Qualitative Environmental Research Methods
- Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods
- Resilient Cities and Communities I
- Resource Management and Pollution Control
- Sustainable Development & Global Transitions
- Sustainable Management of Socio-Ecological Systems
- Sustainable Water Management
- Transformative Society, Politics, and Justice
This program overview is provided as an example based on previous years' curricula. It is for informational purposes only and subject to change. Course offerings, schedules and content may be updated or modified at any time without prior notice. Please refer to official sources or contact the relevant department for the most current program details.
After Graduation
Your Career Prospects
Graduates of the Master of Science in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM) program are equipped with a comprehensive knowledge that translates into various career paths in environmental management, protection and advocacy. You will gain a thorough understanding of core concepts in environmental sciences, policy and management and develop an advanced understanding of specific areas, such as ecosystem management, pollution control and preventative environmental strategies. The program emphasizes critical analysis of contemporary theory and practice, enabling graduates to contribute to both the professional and academic body of knowledge.
Furthermore, you will develop excellent communication skills, effectively conveying complex environmental topics in English to diverse audiences. You will become adept at organizing independent work and collaborating within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams to address environmental problems.
This unique blend of knowledge, skills and international experience prepares MESPOM graduates for careers in environmental consulting, sustainability management, policy analysis, research and education, as well as positions in international organizations and multinational corporations. With a MESPOM degree, you may consider exploring careers with the following job titles:
- Activist
- Air Pollution Analyst
- Climate & Sustainability Consultant
- Climate Change Analyst
- Community Engagement Officer
- Conservation Biologist
- Engagement Manager
- Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Officer
- Environmental and Sustainability Officer
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Economist
- Environmental Educator
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
- Environmental Journalist
- Environmental Policy Analyst
- Environmental Protection Specialist
- Environmental Scientist
- Geologist
- Geoscientist
- Government Regulator
- Natural Resource Manager
- Operations Research
- Policy Analyst
- Project Manager in Environmental Organizations
- Researcher
- Risk Analyst
- Startup Founder
- Sustainability Manager
Continue Your Education at CEU
5 Reasons to Study MESPOM
- Address environmental challenges through research: Explore the complexities of environmental issues and contribute to innovative solutions through independent, interdisciplinary research and collaboration with leading experts.
- Build a set of practical skills: You will develop essential skills in environmental assessment, modeling and data analysis, as well as communication and academic writing competencies, preparing you for professional and academic careers in various environmental sectors.
- Tailor your studies: MESPOM offers flexibility in the choice of electives, making it possible to select courses and internship placements relevant to your interests and career goals. Moreover, you will specialize in your area of work and academic research with two structured learning tracks: Preventive Environmental Strategies or Environmental Sciences and Pollution Control.
- Become part of an international community: You will join a close-knit network of MESPOM students, alumni, faculty members and practitioners involved in the practical components of the program spread over 80 countries across five continents.
- Gain invaluable international experience: You will have the incredible opportunity to study and work in different countries and immerse yourself in diverse cultures and perspectives on environmental issues.
