Floods, rising sea levels, devastating fires and harvest losses due to drought: climate change threatens our livelihoods and is one of the world's most pressing problems. In addition to innovative technologies to protect nature and the environment, sustainable development of society requires long-term solutions that take into account and harmonise ecological, social and economic aspects.
A degree in sustainability, for example in the interdisciplinary field of environmental and climate sciences, offers the opportunity to acquire skills relevant to the future and to contribute to a sustainable world through a variety of career paths. With a strong research landscape, renowned universities such as the Universities of Hamburg, Cologne, Freiburg, Dresden University of Technology (TUD) and Eberswalde University of Applied Sciences for Sustainable Development (HNE), and great expertise in the development of technologies for renewable energies, recycling management and sustainable agriculture, Germany offers a wide range of courses at many locations. Many courses combine natural, social and engineering sciences - and are offered in English.
Wide range of sustainability study programmes
Those interested in the topic of sustainability can choose between various fields of study. Environmental sciences, for example, focus on pollution, climate and nature conservation, and ecosystems. The Master's programme in Environmental Sciences at the University of Freiburg focuses on fundamental interactions in ecosystems and current issues of ecological change. The Hydro Science and Engineering programme at the Dresden University of Technology (TUD) focuses on water management and technology, and is aimed particularly at students from developing and emerging countries.
Studying geoecology and nature conservation
A broad scientific understanding of environmental problems and geoecological methodological competence are at the forefront of the bachelor's programme "Geoecology" at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNE) focuses on sustainable development, the environment and nature conservation and offers, among other things, a degree in "Landscape Use and Nature Conservation".
It is also possible to study sustainability as part of an architecture or geography degree at a German university, for example with a focus on environmentally friendly urban development and spatial planning or ecological construction.
Engineering sciences for environmental and energy technology
The renewable energy and environmental engineering degree programmes are generally engineering-oriented: Sustainable technologies and the energy transition are of particular relevance here, as are technical solutions to environmental problems or environmentally friendly production processes and recycling management. The Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, for example, offers the degree programme "Sustainable Raw Materials and Energy Supply", while the Technische Universität (TU) Berlin teaches the individual steps of planning and operating energy, environmental and process engineering processes in the Master's degree programme "Process Energy and Environmental Systems Engineering".
Renewable energies and environmental technologies
At the University of Bayreuth, students can complete a Bachelor's degree in "Environmental and Resource Technology"; in the "Renewable Energies" course at the University of Stuttgart, students develop technical solutions for the use of wind, photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, hydropower, biomass, grid integration and smart grids as well as energy management, fuel cells and hydrogen.
Combining business and sustainability in your studies
In contrast, economics study programmes such as "Sustainability Management" or "Environmental and Resource Economics" combine economic approaches with environmental aspects and social responsibility. This is also the case at the University of Hohenheim: the Bachelor's programme "Sustainability and Change" shows how companies and organisations can act in a socially and ecologically responsible manner.
Social science perspectives on sustainability
The Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy and Governance programmes provide a social science perspective on global challenges such as poverty and climate change. At the University of Würzburg (JMU), interested students can complete a Master's degree in "Social Science Sustainability Research" and discuss the areas of social conflict that arise in the face of climate change or the use of natural resources.
Study programs with a focus on environmental protection and nature conservation
Various aspects of environmental protection and nature conservation are examined in degree programmes that deal with the protection of natural resources and ecosystems. While the Master's programme "Forest and Ecosystem Sciences" at the Georg-August University in Göttingen provides practice-oriented approaches to current challenges such as global warming, climate change, land use changes and species loss, the Master's programme "Environmental Governance" at the University of Freiburg deals with the design of processes between different stakeholders in companies, administrations, organisations and society.
Knowledge of material cycles and resource conservation is deepened in the master's programmes "Environmental Management" at the Technical University of Lübeck or "Sustainable Resource Management" at the Technical University of Munich (TUM).
Climate research and climate policy as a focus of study
German universities are also the right place for those who see their future in climate policy or climate research. The master's programme "Climate Physics: Meteorology and Physical Oceanography" at Kiel University, students explore the interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere and become familiar with oceanographic, meteorological and biogeochemical observation and analysis methods.
Interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable development
The University of Hamburg's "Integrated Climate System Sciences" combines different disciplines to gain a comprehensive understanding of the climate system and analyses economic and social aspects of climate change and climate policy.
The University of Potsdam also pursues an interdisciplinary approach with its Master's programme "Climate, Earth, Water, Sustainability". Here, students acquire knowledge in the fields of climate science, climate communication and climate policy in order to formulate sustainable development goals. A good basis for a future career: as experts in climate research, graduates can provide scientifically sound answers to the challenges of climate change in politics, science and society.