Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies BSc
Major at Leuphana College
Do you want to acquire skills which will enable you to actively contribute to sustainable development? Would you like to be able to do so on a global level with an international perspective? Then come study Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies in an international setting in the historic town of Lüneburg. Due to its intercultural approach the programme is taught entirely in English. It prepares you for a career in institutions and organisations which operate internationally. Become part of the Leuphana University of Lüneburg which is on the cutting-edge of inter- and transdisciplinary science and has been specialising in sustainable development in research and teaching for over 30 years.
Bachelor GESS: Studying with an international perspective and in an international environment
Sustainability questions are often global and require solutions which must be discovered and developed transnationally. It is this outlook that our internationally-oriented degree programme Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies is based on. All courses in this major are taught in English. You will be studying with students from many different countries and encounter professors with a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.
During the first semesters, you will attend the lectures together with students of our more nationally orientated major “Umweltwissenschaften (Environmental Science)” because both programmes are closely interlinked.
As a student of the major Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies, you will explore the current sustainability challenges from the point of view of different disciplines, such as sociology, ecology and economy to achieve a holistic understanding of the problems at hand. You will develop a firm knowledge-base in the social and natural sciences and learn to apply tools and methods from both fields. To do this, you will be working with models and statistics, but also spending time in the lab and outdoors or with partners from the different fields in question.
Furthermore, you will develop the skillset needed to identify, communicate and address sustainability challenges, so that you can act as a change agent for sustainable development.
Why study Sustainability Studies in Germany?
Despite being an industrial nation with a heavy reliance on technology and having been among the largest contributors to environmental problems, Germany is one of the pioneers in areas such as climate protection and Education for Sustainable Development.
Goals of the degree Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies
As a student of the Bachelor programme Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies in Lüneburg, you will acquire the knowledge to scientifically explain and assess global climate and environmental issues. Moreover, you will learn to understand the social values, guidelines and behavioral patterns which generate these problems, gain power of judgment and develop new at an international level approaches for a gentler processing of natural resources.
You will acquire skills which enable you to understand complex correlations between different problems, think connectedly, analyse interlinked processes and find sustainable solutions. Additionally, by studying in an international environment you will gain intercultural experience as well as interpersonal and practical skills for transcultural team work and project management. This makes you an invaluable graduate on the international job market of sustainable economy and the sustainable development of our society.
Studying Environmental Sciences in German
Furthermore, the College offers a more nationally oriented degree programme in the area environmental and sustainability sciences which is taught in German and English and for which you have to provide proficiency of German. Environmental Sciences major
Study Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies abroad
You have a variety of option to gain international study experience during your Bachelor Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies: you can apply for a program with an integrated exchange year. Thus, you study an additional year abroad in Sweden, Spain, Peru, Hungary, Peru or the Netherlands and change to an eight-semester Bachelor programme.
In addition, you can spend one semester abroad as part of an ERASMUS or non-European exchange programme or as a so-called free mover at a university of your choice.
Studying at College: Our study concept
In the Bachelor with Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies major, you combine specialist knowledge with solution-oriented thinking and responsible action. The Leuphana Semester and Complementary Studies provide the framework for dealing with socially relevant topics outside your chosen major/minor combination. They are an integral part of the Bachelor programme at Leuphana College and give you the freedom to immerse yourself in different fields of knowledge and to develop viable solutions for the challenges of the future together with other Bachelor students.
You can find information on the structure of the Bachelor programme at Leuphana College and course content for the Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies major on the Curriculum page.
Possible minor combinations
The Leuphana Bachelor enables the combination of different interests through major and minor. With the minor choice you can move within traditional disciplines or give your Bachelor an individual profile. You can also choose a minor that is not listed in the overview.
Language of instruction
ENG English-language subject: no German required
GER German-language subject: German required
GER / ENG German-language subject can also be taken in English
At a glance: BSc Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies
- Degree awarded: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
- Duration: 3 years
- Extent: 180 ECTS
- Study places: 70
- Language: English (no German required)
- Fees: no tuition fees
- Semester contribution: approx. EUR 318,15
- Semester abroad: possible
- Start date: Beginning of October
- Application period: from mid may to 15 July
- Requirements: university entrance qualification and English skills
- Restricted admission: yes
- Admission: own procedere at Leuphana College
Living in Lüneburg
Lüneburg is a university town and home to 9.000 students who play a major role in public life. Should you occasionally crave the big city life, the busy metropolis of Hamburg is only a thirty-minute train ride away. Living in Lüneburg
Events for prospective students
Student counselling service
Clarify your questions in a personal conversation during the Open Advisory Service. You can take advantage of digital counselling at short notice without registering. The College study advisors will be happy to help you:
- Wednesdays from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (in person on campus)
- Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. (digitally via Zoom)
Applications and admissions
Leuphana College accepts new students each winter term. If you wish to be considered for a Bachelor degree programme, your application must be received by July 15.
For applicants from EU and EEA countries the University operates a special admissions procedure for the award of places. It considers not only applicants' grades, but also special skills, experience and non-academic achievements such as periods spent studying abroad, and volunteering work.
Online applications
Online applications are possible from mid-May. Find out more about the entry requirements and specific admissions process at Leuphana College. Find out more now
Exchange students
The International Center will be pleased to assist you in planning and organising your studies abroad at Leuphana College. Study abroad at Leuphana
Contact & Counseling
Initial Information
Information Office (Infoportal)
Building 8, ground floor
Universitätsallee 1, 21335 Lüneburg
Phone +49.4131.677-2277
Fax +49.4131.677-1430
studierendenservice@leuphana.de
Opening hours
Term time & term break:
Mon - Thu 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fr 9 - 12 a.m.
Arrange an appointment
College's Student Counselling Service
Building 8, ground floor
Universitätsallee 1, 21335 Lüneburg
Open Consultation Hours
Wed 11 – 13 h (on campus)
Thu 16 – 18 h (via Zoom)
Programme Director
Prof. Dr. Henrik von Wehrden
Universitätsallee 1, C11.005b
21335 Lüneburg
Fon +49.4131.677-1694
studiendekanat.nachhaltigkeit@leuphana.de