Language and Short Courses 2024/2025

Global Challenges – Sustainable Futures Global Challenges – Sustainable Futures

Freie Universität Berlin • Berlin

Course location
Berlin
Teaching language
  • English
Language level of course
  • English: B2
Date(s)
  • 26 July - 23 August 2025 (Registration deadline of course provider: 28 June 2025)
Information on dates, prices and mode of study

A non-refundable programme fee, in addition to the tuition fee, is applicable. The programme fee, which includes the social programme, is to be paid within one week after registration at the latest, along with the tuition fee.

Target group

This course is designed for students with different academic backgrounds and a general interest in sustainability and sustainable development. There are no special prerequisites for this course.

Description/content

Please visit our website (www.fubis.org) for an overview of all courses offered and for possible updates to the course programme.

About this course

The course introduces students to the politics, governance, and ethics of sustainability. The key challenges of our time are global by nature. However, the current system of global governance based on sovereign states (often in competition with each other) is ill-equipped to face global challenges such as poverty, climate change, environmental degradation, and availability of resources. While states struggle to provide a sustainable future for their citizens, they are increasingly forced into a logic of sustainability for all people and responsibility for the global commons. This new logic is based on the concept of interconnectedness and the impact of our actions on the generations to come.

The course examines major current global challenges divided into economic, political, and environmental issues. Climate change is only one of many environmental issues facing our planet, but due to its importance and overwhelming impact, it will be given the main focus of this course. We will not only look at the science behind and consequences of global warming but will also study the two pillars of the global climate governance: the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). The analysis of the UNFCCC process will further lead us to review the Paris Agreement of 2015. We will discuss how effective it can be in dealing with one of the biggest threats of the 21st century and whether it can still achieve its goal of limiting global warming to “well below 2°C/1.5°C”.

Recognised language exams offered (e.g. DSH, TestDaF, TOEFL)
No
Other degrees / qualifications awarded
Certificate of participation
ECTS points (max.)
6
Average number of hours per week
12
Average number of participants per group/course
18
Dates and costs
  • 26 July - 23 August 2025 (Registration deadline of course provider: 28 June 2025), costs: EUR 1,300
This price includes
  • Course fees
Information on dates, prices and mode of study

A non-refundable programme fee, in addition to the tuition fee, is applicable. The programme fee, which includes the social programme, is to be paid within one week after registration at the latest, along with the tuition fee.

Teaching language
  • English
Language level of course
  • English: B2
Language requirements

Students must be able to speak, read, and write English at an advanced intermediate level.

Submit application to

http://www.fubis.org/5_geb/anmeldung/index.html

Is accommodation organised?
Accommodation is arranged by the organiser.
Type of accommodation

FUBiS arranges appropriate off-campus accommodation for the duration of the programme as an optional service on request. Accommodation options can be chosen during the registration process. Accommodation is subject to availability.
Prices range between 550 EUR and 1,350 EUR.

Is a social and leisure programme offered?
Yes
Description of social and leisure programme

FUBiS offers a variety of extracurricular activities which are included in the programme fee:

  • guided tour of the Reichstag building and the Federal Parliament
  • river boat tour through the centre of Berlin

In addition, FUBiS offers optional excursions (for an extra charge) within Berlin as well as to other popular German cities.

Free internet access
Yes
Support in visa matters
No
Pick-up service from train station/airport
No

Freie Universität Berlin

University location

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Language course/short course