Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies studying abroad

Integrated year abroad

Are you convinced that solving environmental and sustainability challenges often requires crossing geographical boundaries? Then extend your Bachelor Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies with an integrated year abroad at one of six partner universities in Sweden, Hungary, Peru, Spain or the Netherlands.

Where can I study GESS for a year abroad?

You can add a year abroad to your Global Environmental and Sustainabilty Studies bachelor's degree, spending the fifth and sixth semesters studying at one of six partner universities.

At the universities in Sopron, Barcelona, Almería, Karlstad, Lima and Utrecht following focuses of study apply:

  • University of  Sopron / Hungary: Forest EcosystemsEnvironmental Chemistry, Hydrology
  • UAB Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona / Spain: Environment & Society, Climate Change
  • Universidad de Almería / Spain: Ciencas ambientales
  • Karlstads Universitet / Sweden: Sustainable DevelopmentClimate Change
  • PUCP Lima / Peru: Environmental Studies
  • Utrecht University / Netherlands: Global Environmental Science

Note

If you have successfully applied for a study place at one of the six partner universities, your Bachelor’s program will automatically be changed and the new Bachelor’s program will comprise an extended standard study period of 8 semesters due to the integrated year abroad.

Which modules do I complete in germany and abroad?

During your studies in Lüneburg, you will complete the same modules as in the Bachelor Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies. At the partner university abroad you will complete subject modules as well as language and complementary modules.

In preparation for the stay abroad, language courses and the module European Sustainability Studies are offered.

Module overview

Leuphana Semester

  • Responsibility and Sustainability, 10 Credit Points, CP
  • Humanities, 5 CP
  • Methods I, 5 CP
  • Methods II: Environmental Sciences, 5 CP
  • Introduction to the discipline: Environmental Siences, 5 CP

Second semester

  • Basic Concepts of Inorganic Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry, 5 CP
  • Basic Concepts of Ecology, 5 CP
  • Basic Concepts of Mathematics and Statistics,5 CP
  • Communication and Behavior Change for Sustainability, 5 CP
  • 1 minor module, 5 CP
  • 1 Complementary Studies module, 5 CP

Third semester

  • Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Concepts, 5 CP
  • Basic Concepts of Organic Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry, 5 CP
  • Global Sustainability Governance, 5 CP
  • Fundamentals of Sustainability Management, 5 CP
  • 1 minor module, 5 CP
  • 1 Complementary Studies module, 5 CP

Forth semester

  • Research Project in Sustainability Science, 10 CP
  • Elective Module I*, 5 CP
  • 2 minor modules, 5 CP per module
  • 1 Complementary Studies module, 5 CP

Fifth semester

  • modules from partner university

Sixth semester

  • modules from partner university

Seventhsemester

  • Sustainability and Ethics, 5 CP
  • Elective Module II*, 5 CP
  • Elective Module III*, 5 CP
  • 2 minor modules, 5 CP per module
  • 1 Complementary Studies module, 5 CP

Eighthsemester

  • Bachelor dissertation, 15 CP
  • Interdisciplinary Sustainability Studies, 5 CP
  • 2 Complementary Studies modules, 5 CP per module

Which minor can I study?

You can combine the eight-semester programme with an integrated year abroad (Environmental and Sustainability Studies major) with the same minors as the Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies major.

Business Administration (GER)
Business Law (GER)
Business Psychology (GER)
Comparative Economic Law (ENG)
Digital Business (GER)
Digital Media / Information Technology & Culture (GER)
Economics (GER / ENG)
Educational Sciences (GER)
Engineering (Fundamentals) (GER)
Museum Studies (EN)
Philosophy (GER / ENG)
Political Science (GER / ENG)
Psychology and Society (ENG)
Social Media and Information Systems (GER)
Spatial Sciences (GER / ENG)

How do I apply for the integrated year abroad?

As a student of the Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies Major, you can apply for the integrated year abroad in your second semester until June 30.

For the allocation of study places, both the average grade of your university entrance qualification and your personal suitability, which is shown in a letter of motivation, are taken into account. Depending on the chosen partner university, your language skills may also be a selection criterion.

If your application is successful, you will switch to a program with a standard study period of 8 semesters – the Major Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENVI) - when you start your year abroad.

Other ways to study abroad

The integrated year abroad is just one way to gain international study experience. You can also study abroad for one semester without extending the duration of your studies.

This is possible within the framework of an ERASMUS or non-European exchange program. In addition, you can gain international study experience as a so-called freemover at a university of your own choice.

At a glance

  • Start: in the major Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies
  • Application deadline: June 30 (in the second semester)
  • Duration of studies: 8 semesters (four years), the integrated year abroad extends the studies by one year
  • Study locations: Lüneburg (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th semester) AND Sopron, Barcelona, Almería, Karlstad, Lima or Utrecht (5th and 6th semester)
  • Study places: 26
  • Teaching and examination language: English (Lüneburg), English (Utrecht, Sopron and Karlstad), Spanish (Almería and Lima), Spanish and Catalan (Barcelona)

Events for prospective students

College Open Day

The next Online Open Day at Leuphana College is 31 May 2024. Find out more

Information material

Learn more about the interdisciplinary college study model. Order information material

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)

Find out more

Counselling

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
21335 Lüneburg
Phone +49.4131.677-1345
studiendekanat.nachhaltigkeit@leuphana.de