Combine Sustainability Studies and Spatial Sciences

In the Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies major, you deal with current and pressing issues in the field of climate and environmental science. You will grasp and examine the complex challenges from transdisciplinary perspectives, which include economic, ecological and sociological disciplines.

In addition, the international consideration and investigation of sustainability issues are an essential aspect of the major. In accordance with the guiding principle that global challenges require transnational solutions, your studies will take place exclusively in English, in an international environment and in intercultural learning formats.

Fundamental knowledge in the social and natural sciences provides you with the necessary tools to analyse and develop solutions for global climate and environmental problems. The study content goes beyond basic methods and statistics and you also conduct research together with professional partners, in the field or in the laboratory.

The minor in spatial sciences deals with the central question of how spaces can be used sustainably from an economic, social and ecological perspective. After you have gained a basic understanding of the system of environmental space, you will deal with current issues in this field, for example:

• How can the use of space be (has to be) adapted to climate change?
• How can areas be revitalised?
• What effects does the energy transition have on the use of space?
• What are the risks and conflicts of specific land uses?

You will also delve deeper into the topics of spatial planning, natural and cultural geography, economics, soil and water management and nature conservation. Due to the focus on ecological land use, the subfields of the Minor in Spatial Sciences and the Major in Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies merge seamlessly and complement each other perfectly with related disciplines.

Sustainability is a subject that transcends borders and countries. In the 5th and 6th semester, you therefore have the opportunity to gain your own international experience by spending a year abroad at one of our partner institutions.

In addition to your professional development, you will also expand your language skills and your social and intercultural competences, which will open up a wide range of career and further education opportunities for you.

In addition to your major and minor, you will examine interdisciplinary issues in the Leuphana Semester and Complementary Studies.

Leuphana Semester

• Transformation, 10 CP
• DATAx, 5 CP
• Methods, 5 CP
• Methods II: Environmental Sciences, 5 CP
• Introduction to the discipline: Environmental Siences, 5 CP

2nd Semester

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

3rd 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
• Fundamentals of spatial systems, 5 CP
• 1 Complementary Studies module, 5 CP

4th Semester

• Research Project in Sustainability Science, 10 CP
• Elective Module*, 5 CP
• Spatial Approaches in Analysing Environmental Systems, 5 CP
• Elective module**, 5 CP
• 1 Complementary Studies module, 5 CP

5th Semester

• Sustainability and Ethics, 5 CP
• 2 Elective Modules*, 5 CP each
• Evaluation and Adaptation of Spatial Systems, 5 CP
• Elective module**, 5 CP
• 1 Complementary Studies module, 5 CP

6th Semester

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

* Elective modules - major:
In the fourth and fifth semesters, you choose a total of three modules from the compulsory electives. You are free to choose your focus.

** Elective modules - minor:
The following modules are available: Methods of Spatial Sciences I, Methods of Spatial Sciences II, Spatial Planning in Practice.

Subject-Specific Schedule Major Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Subject-Specific Schedule Minor Spatial Sciences

The Leuphana Semester is a central component of the bachelor’s degree programme at Leuphana University of Lüneburg. It takes place in the first semester of all bachelor’s degree programmes and serves as a common, interdisciplinary introductory phase for all students - regardless of their chosen major. In addition to a practical starting week, it includes modules on methodological skills, data and AI literacy, sustainable transformation and subject-specific fundamentals. It aims at combining science with social responsibility. The Leuphana Semester concludes with a conference week featuring presentations of student projects.

The complementary studies supplement your major and minor by other subject areas. From the 2nd semester onwards, you continuously take a total of 6 modules:

• Digitality & Technology
• The Individual and Society
• Art & Communication
• Nature & Environment
• Values & Identity
• Economy & Innovation 

• Programme: Leuphana Bachelor with Major Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies and Minor Spatial Sciences
• Degree awarded: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
• Duration: 3 years
• Extent: 180 ECTS (90 ECTS Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies, 30 ECTS Spatial Sciences, 30 ECTS Leuphana Semester, 30 ECTS Complementary Studies)
• Study places: 70
• Language: English (no German required)
• Fees: no tuition fees
• Semester contribution: approx. EUR 393,09
• 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 procedure at Leuphana College

Would you like to find out first-hand what it's like to study at Leuphana College? Then send an email with the subject "Bachelor + Major GESS" to botschafter@leuphana.de and arrange an appointment with Esther. Esther is a current student in the Major GESS and will be happy to talk about her experiences in person.

Would you like to learn more about your study programme, student life in Lüneburg and German culture? Then listen to our podcast "How to Study in Germany". Here, international students from Leuphana University talk about their experiences and share their tips. You can also learn more about specific topics such as housing, finances, language, etc. in further episodes.

You can download all episodes on podcast.leuphana.de/category/howtostudyingermany/

With a degree in the Major Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies and the Minor Spatial Sciences, you have many opportunities for a career in the national and international environment after completing your studies. Possible career fields include:

• Environmental protection and research, for example as an environmental analyst or in environmental management.
• In the field of (renewable) energies, for example as a climate protection manager or in energy consulting
• Consultancy/assessor, for example as a consumer advisor or environmental assessor
• At foundations and institutes, for example in public relations work or as a project manager for environmental projects
• Education/adult education, for example as an expert or lecturer in the field of environmental education

The application period for a Bachelor's programme at Leuphana College starting in the winter semester (i.e. from October) is mid-May to 15 July. Please inform yourself about the admission requirements and the admission procedure.