Our Master's Programme
Master’s in Global Challenges for Sustainability
Our Master’s is one-of-a-kind. The world is facing an uncertain future and people with key skills in sustainability and innovation will be essential to address the global challenges ahead. In this programme, you will work inside and outside the classroom on real-world problems and collaborate with external partners from business, civil society and policy to find new solutions.
A joint degree awarded by prestigious European universities
The 120ECTS programme lasts 24 months and is a unique opportunity to obtain a master’s degree jointly awarded by nine CHARM-EU partner universities: the University of Barcelona, 鶹ý, Trinity College Dublin, Utrecht University, the University of Montpellier, Åbo Akademi University, the University of Würzburg, Hochschule Ruhr West and the University of Bergen. Application is open to students with a Bachelor’s degree in any field of study who would like to gain an advanced understanding and skills in sustainability issues.
Innovative and inclusive curriculum for cutting-edge learning
Our Master’s is a transdisciplinary and challenge-based programme that combines a range of in order to prepare students for effective collaboration and creative problem-solving. The curriculum is tailored for a diverse range of students, welcoming candidates from all academic and professional backgrounds. It is structured to help you acquire new skills while deepening your expertise through a chosen field. You will experience a welcoming, equitable learning space that values diversity at every level.
Exceptional international exposure and embedded mobility
The CHARM-EU Master's is a experience: students attend classes in one of the CHARM-EU universities and connect to the other campuses online through . International mobility is an integrated part of the programme combining activities such as phase mobility, virtual and short-term mobility. CHARM-EU students follow a unique learning path through Europe that supports their learning needs and ambitions. Over the course of 4 semesters, you have the opportunity to study at up to 4 of our partner universities, enhancing your international profile, intercultural competence, and global skills.
Expert guidance and real-world professional experience
Throughout the four phases of the programme, students learn within comprising local scientists and teachers, experts and external stakeholders. You will work on complex sustainability issues enabling you to establish links with businesses and society, work with companies and institutions around the world, and boost your employability in the field of sustainability. Our graduates have taken up roles in sustainability policy, consultancy, business transformation, communications and academia.
Objectives and competencies
During the programme, you will:
- Research and evaluate complex societal challenges from different stakeholders and intercultural perspectives.
- Assess and integrate different disciplinary and transdisciplinary knowledge and research methodologies.
- Become familiar with the latest technological tools to source, analyse, handle, use and communicate complex bodies of data ethically.
- Learn to communicate and collaborate effectively on complex issues.
- Formulate an advanced understanding of transdisciplinarity and demonstrate expertise in the facilitative, communicative, reflexive and collaborative skills to support its practice.
- Acquire advanced transversal competencies in problem solving, entrepreneurialism, innovation, digital skills, and a life-long learning disposition.
- Develop creative and critical thinking skills
Programme structure and curriculum
The 120 credits (ECTS) Master’s degree consists of ten modules in total divided between four consecutive phases:
- The focuses on the acquisition of basic skills, particularly in the areas of sustainability, social innovation and transdisciplinary research.
- During the flexible phase, students choose from 4 thematic tracks including , , , and .
- In the, they will participate in an internship in an organisation of their choice, which could be a company, an NGO, a policy organisation or a research laboratory.
- In the final, , they work in groups on a project addressing a real sustainability challenge in collaboration with their academic supervisor and an external partner organisation.
This four-phased structure is aligned with and includes gradual acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies as well as flexibility of choice. The different phases consist of modules with a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. Additionally, these will also be combined with self-study work, assignment preparation and project work both individually and in teams. Students’ personal and professional development is individually supported by dedicated mentors throughout every phase of their journey.
In CHARM-EU, we use an innovative approach of assessment with the main goal is to support students in their learning process, assessing development throughout the whole programme. You will be continuously assessed as per the Programme Learning Outcomes and your overall progression. At the end of each phase, you will receive a phase decision based on this continuous assessment.
Mobility
International mobility is an integrated part of the programme: the CHARM-EU mobility combines the best of a truly international classroom and mobility activities.
The wide range of mobility opportunities is one of the most important and exciting parts of the learning experience offered by CHARM-EU: international students can meet and interact with each other online and in person, developing their academic, personal, social and professional competences, as well as strengthening their communication and language skills in a unique intercultural environment.
You will study with students and staff from different countries and cultures and have the opportunity to spend part of the programme in different universities. Mobility is compulsory for phase 2 of the master’s programme (second semester). You will follow a unique learning path through Europe and participate in virtual, physical and blended mobilities.
CHARM-EU is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme and aligned with the European Values, European Green Deal and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students are encouraged to use green travel options.
Inclusivity
CHARM-EU welcomes applications from all candidates who meet our admission requirements, regardless of background, lived experience and/or access needs.
Inclusivity is one of our core values; a diverse learning environment enriches us all and exposes us to new ideas and perspectives. CHARM-EU aims to enrich learning experiences and knowledge-creation processes, and foster an open, welcoming and safe atmosphere. Inclusion and diversity have been profoundly interwoven into the DNA of CHARM-EU and are promoted by actions such as inclusive design, responsiveness to needs, international mobility and transdisciplinary collaboration.
Our admission process incorporates an inclusion points scheme whereby applicants who wish to self-disclose membership of an under-represented group may do so and receive inclusion points. Underrepresentation can relate but is not limited to age, gender, family status, disability, sexual orientation, race and ethnic origin, religion, migration status, membership of the Roma and Traveller communities, and socio-economic background. This declaration is optional. If you apply for inclusion points and upload your documents, a member of our team will be in touch. The details of individuals’ circumstances are not disclosed, all documentation will be managed according to GDPR regulations and for the purpose of the application process only.
Career opportunities
What career opportunities are available to graduates?
CHARM-EU graduates have skills for a wide range of careers, including but not limited to:
- Consultancy for business, government institutions and NGOs.
- Sustainability management and business transformation.
- Sustainability policy, advocacy, and communications.
- Business innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Social innovation and action.
- Academia and research.
What careers do our alumni work in?
Our alumni work as consultants, project managers, administrators, researchers, and more, in organizations such as consultancies, educational institutions, energy firms, government bodies, urban mobility initiatives, environmental organizations, non-profits, media companies, and urban development projects.
CHARM-EU alumni highlighted five core competencies they gained during their programme:
- Sustainability perspectives: Improved understanding of sustainability in a transdisciplinary context.
- Challenge-based problem-solving: Solutions-based problem-solving and real-world professional experience.
- Collaboration: People skills and group management.
- Flexibility and adaptation: Dynamic responsiveness to multi-faceted challenges with diverse stakeholders.
- International experience: Exposure to international perspectives and experiences with multi-lingual and multi-cultural groups.
Student testimonials
Read our interviews with two of our first CHARM-EU graduates about their student journey and personal experiences gained in the previous version of the programme (90ECTS credits, 3 phases):
“Significant attention was paid to how we, students were thinking and progressing” – Lonci Tóbiás (Cohort 2021-2023)
“We have great opportunities with a CHARM-EU degree in hand” – András Kovaloczy (Cohort 2022-2024)
