International Programmes 2023/2024

Environment, Climate Change and Health Environment, Climate Change and Health

University of Bayreuth • Bayreuth

Degree
Master of Science
Teaching language
  • English
Languages

All courses are taught in English only.

Full-time / part-time
  • full-time
Programme duration
4 semesters
Beginning
Winter semester
Application deadline

Application for EU citizens
15 April to 15 June (winter semester)

Application for non-EU citizens
15 April to 15 June (winter semester)

Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
No
Joint degree / double degree programme
No
Description/content

The Master's programme in Environment, Climate Change and Health directly aims to address current issues and questions of the 21st century and to find answers and solutions to climate- and environment-associated global changes.

In this context, the new Master's programme is providing a broad knowledge of causal relations between environment, climate change and health based on an integrative, interdisciplinary perspective including natural science, economics, jurisprudence and social science. Thereby, the Master's course of study focuses on diseases related to environmental and climate change, on strategies to handle and prevent these medical conditions, on mitigation and adaptation policies, on interdependent responsibilities of policy, industry and general public as well as on possibilities and strategies for a climate- and environment-friendly and healthy lifestyle.

The study course is organised in modules. In total, you will need to gain 120 ECTS point from the following areas:

  • Basics in Environment, Climate Change and Health (30 ECTS, first semester)
    Topics are as follows: Factors, Cause and Consequences of Climate Change, Biodiversity, Ecosystem Functions, Climate Change-Associated Diseases and Global Influences on Health Systems.
  • Specialisation: Environment, Climate Change and Health in an international context (30 ECTS, second semester)
    Topics are as follows: Global Ecosystems, International Trade and Policies, Economic Evaluation of Health Care and Climate Change and Sociological and Geographical Perspectives. Moreover a lecture series and seminars on scientific writing, science communication and project management are included.
  • Elective subjects with focus on Statistic and Analysis Tools, Social Research, International Environmental and Sustainable Law, Sport Ecology, Resource Technology, Nutrition and/ or Health (15 ECTS, third semester)
  • Ten days of summer school (5 ECTS, third semester)
  • Internship (300 hours), preferably in a country abroad (10 ECTS, third semester)
  • Master's Thesis (30 ECTS, fourth semester)
International elements
  • International guest lecturers
Integrated internships

Duration: Overall length must be at least 300 hours. We strongly recommend a minimum duration of eight weeks. It can be split into two different internships.

Course-specific, integrated German language courses
No
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
No
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Semester contribution

In Germany, students at all higher education institutions pay a semester contribution. This payment (University of Bayreuth: 142.85 EUR per semester) has nothing to do with tuition fees; rather, it covers your contributions to student services and the student government. At the University of Bayreuth (which combines the campus in Bayreuth and our Faculty VII located in Kulmbach), it includes a "semester ticket" that allows you to use public transport in the region.

Costs of living

The cost of living in Germany, e.g. accommodation, food, clothing and recreational activities, is about average compared to other European countries. Living expenses are significantly lower than in countries like Denmark, Luxembourg or Switzerland, but they are rather high compared to countries like Poland, the Czech Republic or Italy. Compared to other large German cities, such as Munich, Berlin or Hamburg, Bayreuth's low cost of living and affordable housing make the city and the region particularly attractive to young people and families. The DAAD website will tell you what living expenses to expect in Germany: https://www.daad.de/deutschland/nach-deutschland/voraussetzungen/en/9198-financing/.

Funding opportunities within the university
Yes
Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

Scholarships for international students: International students and doctoral researchers have the opportunity to apply to the International Office for a study grant. Limited funding from the State of Bavaria and the DAAD is available for this purpose. The application deadline for the winter semester is 31 August and for the summer semester 28 February. All grants can be awarded for up to two semesters.

Unfortunately, first-semester students cannot be funded, i.e. applications cannot be submitted until the second semester of study for funding starting in the third semester of study. Above all, academic achievements from the previous semester are decisive for the evaluation of the application.

Academic admission requirements

The admission requirements are:

  • preliminary review documentation via uni-assist (only necessary for international, non-EU citizen)
  • curriculum vitae
  • ENGLISH language certificate level C1
  • GERMAN language certificate level A1
  • a written presentation of course-specific competences (letter of motivation, max. two pages) stating the skills and expertise that qualify you for the study programme
  • an informal declaration on the independent preparation of a written presentation of course-specific competences
  • certificate of general university entrance qualification (copy)
  • secondary school leaving certificate including subjects and grades (original language + certified translation in German or English)
  • Applicants are required to have an academic qualification via a Bachelor's degree in economics, social, natural or health science, health economics, nursing, philosophy & economics, medicine, public health or teaching with a final German grade of 2.5 or better. The Bachelor's degree should reflect at least lectures comprising 30 ECTS-points within health and/ or natural science, preferably (human-)biology, (bio-)chemistry and geosciences OR transcript of records for the Bachelor's including subjects and grades, thereby the transcript must comprise at least 150 ECTS points with a final grade of 2.5 or better based on the German grading system (original language + certified translation in German or English) and in addition an informal list of modules for which no evidence of performance exists yet.
  • if available, evidence of special qualifications (study specific professional training or internships, periods abroad, awards such as scholarships etc.) and interdisciplinary study skills
  • if applicable, request for disadvantage compensation

Conditional admission is possible. Special conditions may comprise up to 20 ECTS points.

First, your application will be checked for completeness. In a second phase, a selection committee will rate the written presentation of course-specific competences. Moreover, the selection committee will evaluate whether the subject-specific coursework and examinations from your Bachelor's provide you with the necessary competences. Lastly, you have to pass an interview to prove that you are qualified for the study programme (see: https://www.ecch.uni-bayreuth.de/en/application/index.html).

Language requirements

English skills must be proven at the level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Ideally, proof is provided by submitting a recognised language test following the criteria below:

  • TOEFL: 95 points
  • IELTS "Academic": 7.0
  • Cambridge Certificate: Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)

In addition to your knowledge of English, you must also prove your knowledge of German for daily life (level A1). It can be obtained during the first year of the programme.

Application deadline

Application for EU citizens
15 April to 15 June (winter semester)

Application for non-EU citizens
15 April to 15 June (winter semester)

Submit application to

Online application through CAMPUSonline
You can find further details via this link.

International applicants (non-EU-citizen) who have obtained their degree abroad have to upload the application documents via uni-assist (https://www.uni-assist.de/en/) and undergo a fee-based special procedure before applying via CAMPUSonline.

Possibility of finding part-time employment

There are many ways for international students to earn money while they study, but there are some restrictions. For more detailed information, please visit the DAAD website.

The University of Bayreuth’s Career Services team provides a central interface between student and professional life. The team offers guidance and support to students of all subjects with regard to starting their careers.

For information regarding the Corona virus, please visit our website and also see https://www.daad.de/en/coronavirus/.

Accommodation

Accommodation for students
Bayreuth and Kulmbach have a number of student dormitories (both private dormitories and dormitories offered by the Association for Student Affairs) and a vast array of private rooms available. Under no circumstances should you assume that you will be assigned a room in the student dormitories! You will need to actively search for a room on your own – either in a private dormitory or on the private market.

More information regarding accommodation for students is available here: https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/en/studies/accomodation/index.html. Please also read the DAAD’s information.

Accommodation for international guests
All other international guests are requested to register via the Welcome Services Database (WelSe).

Accommodation for short visits
For short visits, we recommend searching for accommodation on Airbnb. In addition, a limited number of apartments are available in the Alexander von Humboldt Guest House.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates
  • Welcome event

University of Bayreuth

International, innovative, and interdisciplinary in research and teaching

Top-notch research, state-of-the-art teaching methods, international influences, diversity, and a springboard to a successful career – these are all things the University of Bayreuth stands for.

The University of Bayreuth is a dynamic campus university with currently about 13,000 students. Beyond the interdisciplinary research focus and excellence in teaching, the university has a clear vision of social responsibility and entrepreneurship. In the middle of Kulmbach, our new satellite campus unites the perspectives of natural science, economics, law, social sciences, and behavioural science in one place in a way that has not yet been seen in Germany.

We have a close network of strategically selected, international research partners, and we have strategic partnerships with universities around the globe. A wide range of innovative BA, MA and PhD programmes as well as our international summer schools are conducted in English. There are presently around 1,770 international students from more than 100 countries on the Bayreuth and Kulmbach campuses. Focus areas in research include Nonlinear Dynamics, Polymer and Colloid Science, Molecular Biosciences, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, New Materials, African Studies, High Pressure and High Temperature Research, Cultural Encounters and Transcultural Processes, Innovation and Consumer Protection, Food and Health Sciences, Energy Research and Energy Technology, Governance and Responsibility.

Our university has an outstanding staff-to-student ratio. Our high performance levels, multidisciplinary collaborations and scientific excellence result in high-ranking positions. In the 2021 THE ranking of “475 under 50”, the University of Bayreuth once again achieved a top position among the best universities in Germany. We have proven expertise in campus and curriculum internationalisation, which is confirmed by the results of the extended internationalisation audit conducted by the German Rectors’ Conference, a close and successful project cooperation with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and a number of Alexander von Humboldt Awards for our international management and service.

Welcome to our one-of-a-kind campus in Bavaria!
It is both the heart of our university and a source of inspiration. It is where friendships are made, collaboration is initiated, and ideas are conceived, ensuring that our university remains a beacon of innovation. Scientific exchange profits tremendously from the wide variety of disciplines our communicative campus brings together.

Coronavirus
Be sure that there is a comprehensive and high-quality range of courses in all degree programmes that will enable students to successfully begin and continue their studies – on campus or online.

University location

Welcome to Bavaria!
Seventy-six thousand people from 145 nations chose the city of Bayreuth as their new home, and those numbers are steadily rising. Because of its 13,000 students, Bayreuth is the third-youngest city in Germany. Living here means not getting stuck in traffic jams every morning. The short distances in Bayreuth allow you to leave your car at home and to walk or ride your bike to work and to campus.

Career & Networking
The Welcome Service at the University of Bayreuth is here to assist you with any questions regarding living and working in the region of Bayreuth. The team of our International Office provides guidance and support for all international students, scholars, and their families before, during and after their stay at the University of Bayreuth. The aim is to ensure a quick, trouble-free and thus successful start as well as an unforgettable stay on our friendly campus in Bayreuth and Kulmbach.

A good climate for your entrepreneurial spirit
The University of Bayreuth takes its role as a regional motor of innovation very seriously. The Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation was set up to help students gain the necessary qualifications in the area of entrepreneurial and innovative thinking and acting. In doing so, we nurture our students’ willingness and ability to start their own companies. Our Adviser for Start-Ups provides start-ups and prospective start-ups with confidential guidance and support. Strong innovation and research institutions combined with high-performance medium-sized companies make for a steady rise in workforce and a guarantee for job security.

Your new home away from home
Bayreuth and Kulmbach offer a fast variety of childcare services as well as affordable living space. Step outside your front door and enjoy the recreational activities. Scenic northern Bavaria is great for sports activities: cycling, hiking, mountain-climbing, canoeing, rafting, and skiing are all excellent ways to enrich your leisure time. However, if you do happen to crave the feel of a bigger city now and then, Nuremberg is only a one-hour train ride away and Munich is only two-and-a-half hours away. You can reach Berlin in four hours by car or bus and Leipzig in half that time.

Have a great start. We look forward to meeting you!

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