Sustainability Science

A distinctive feature of the Sustainability Science programme is its balance between sustainable natural sciences and sustainable humanities. Our goal is to look at social-ecological systems in an academically grounded and interdisciplinary manner. We will examine the processes which form the material and energetic basis for environmental sustainability problems as well as potential practical solutions from the perspective of sustainable natural sciences. In complex social-ecological systems these material processes are closely interconnected with economic, juridical, political, and cultural contexts as well as with strategies and practices of important social actors. These immaterial prerequisites and conditions of environmental sustainability problems and the way these problems are addressed are the subject of sustainable humanities.

The programme begins with an introduction which is themed to the disciplines of environmental and sustainability sciences. Common foundations of natural and social sciences are provided in the first semester’s introductory modules. In the following semesters, students can select two modules to further specialize in individual disciplines of environmental and sustainability sciences.

In compliance with the profile of Leuphana University of Lüneburg and, in particular, of the Faculty of Sustainability, the disciplinary course offerings of the program’s area of integration are extended to include a transdisciplinary and problem-focused perspective: the two areas of specialization are combined into interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary modules in the form of project studies.

The course offerings are complemented by a cross-disciplinary Complementary Studies program, in which students learn about general academic foundations reflecting on science, as well as by the area of Masters Forum & Research Perspectives. During one module per semester, the Masters Forum & Research Perspectives area prepares students for their own independent research work and provides them with fundamental methodological knowledge in sustainability sciences. Based on this intensive preparation phase, students complete their Masters studies in the fourth semester by writing their Masters dissertation.

Here you can find further information on the course content of the Masters programme Sustainability Science.

The following link provides access to documents which set out the general conditions for examinations, an overview of the curriculum, as well as detailed and legally binding regulations.

General Assessment Regulations and the Subject-Specific Schedules

Students of this Master's programme have the opportunity to spend a semester of their studies abroad. For that, we recommend the third semester. For any questions or to apply, please contact the International Center. The International Center will provide all further information on Erasmus+ funding, and on preparing for and organising your semester abroad.

The Masters programme in Sustainability Sciences provides an academically grounded education in environmental and sustainable research on the master level. The goal is to provide the theoretical, methodological, organizational, and communicative skills that are necessary to develop, realize, and reflect on one’s own disciplinary and interdisciplinary research work and projects in the field of environmental and sustainability sciences. In addition, the degree program aims at enabling students to function as change agents and initiate, promote, and manage processes of transition towards sustainable policies in economic, scientific, political, and civil organizations as well as to evaluate the processes’ results and impacts.

Depending on their individual academic profile, graduates will have a wide range of career options in sustainability-focused research (particularly in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research contexts). They will also have access to leading positions in business and consulting, public administration, national and international third sector organizations as well as political advising.

Upon completion of the study programme, students are awarded the Master of Sciences (M.Sc.) degree.

The study programme matches your interests? Then you will find further information for prospective international students on residence and social matters, such as visa, residence permit, health insurance or finding accommodation, on the following pages. Please note that the information for incoming exchange students and international degree-seeking students differs slightly.

Information for incoming exchange students

Information for international degree-seeking students

Degree awarded: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Type of programme: Thematic relevance
Study places: 48
Extent: 120 CP according to ECTS
Duration: 4 semesters
Language: English
Semester contribution: ca. 320 EUR

***NO FURTHER STUDENTS WILL BE ADMITTED TO THIS MASTERS PROGRAMME.***