Last application period for the CHARM-EU diploma on sustainable development

The European CHARM-EU alliance has opened the final application period for the 2nd edition of this trans-disciplinary and international Master's degree in sustainable development. This is the first Master's-level degree to be awarded jointly by five alliance member universities.

What opportunities are there?

This completely new training program is resolutely trans-disciplinary, and is therefore aimed at graduates from all disciplines, and from diverse backgrounds, who wish to acquire advanced knowledge in sustainable development in order to tackle real and global societal challenges. Through its unique three-phase pedagogical model, it will enable students to become "managers of complexity" to implement and monitor sustainable development projects linked to societal challenges on the themes of water, food and health.

A collaboration between 5 prestigious universities

The degree is awarded jointly by the five member universities of the CHARM-EU alliance: theUniversity of Barcelona, Trinity College Dublin, theUniversity of Utrecht, theEötvös Loránd University of Budapest, and the University of Montpellier. Teaching will be carried out by teams of lecturers from the five institutions, pooling their skills and expertise to offer students the best possible educational experience.

The degree takes place over a year and a half, i.e. three semesters (see details below), and will offer numerous opportunities for mobility, enabling students to study in at least three of the partner universities during the course.

1st half-year :

A preparatory phase consisting of 3 compulsory modules, each delivering 10 ECTS credits (30 ECTS in total): Social Innovation, Sustainable Development and Research .

2nd semester:

A flexible phase comprising 3 modules, each delivering 10 ECTS (30 ECTS in total). Students must choose one of the following paths:

Water (30 ECTS) :

  • Extremes in the water cycle and their complex consequences
  • Adaptation measures and strategies in water management
  • Resilient cities: Water in urban environments

Life and health (30 ECTS) :

  • Health systems and policies
  • Health challenges
  • Healthy living and well-being

Food (30 ECTS) :

  • The link between food, health and the environment
  • Food systems and their transformations
  • Socially just and sustainable food systems

3rd semester:

An end-of-studies project, consisting of a single module awarding 30 ECTS.
During this phase, students work in collaboration with their peers, academic staff and non-academic stakeholders (e.g. companies or associations) on a real sustainable development challenge based on the student's original disciplinary field.

A unique teaching model

The CHARM-EU diploma is centered on the student, who becomes an active participant in his or her own learning. Based on authentic problem-solving, the program will give students the opportunity throughout the course to work with international students and civil society players on solving concrete societal challenges linked to sustainable development.

It also introduces an innovative competency-based assessment method, with individual support from a mentor throughout the curriculum and regular feedback on their results and how they can improve.

Who can apply?

As the course is cross-disciplinary, all profiles are welcome. Admissions are open to students holding a Master 1 or Licence + 30 ECTS. Applicants will be required to demonstrate a C1 level in English at the start of the course in September 2022. The CHARM-EU team at the University of Montpellier will help you to obtain certification. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.

Exceptionally, students who are citizens of the European Union and have completed their final year of study in France will benefit from free tuition, instead of the standard fee of €3,000.

CHARM-EU offers a scholarship to European citizens from a minority ethnic group or Ukrainian citizens who are refugees under the temporary protection regime. The scholarship covers tuition fees and includes a stipend of €16,000. Applicants should indicate in their application documents that they are applying for this scholarship. If you have any questions on this subject, please send us an e-mail by clicking here.

Applications are open until June 27, 2022.

Video review of the CHARM-EU diploma launch ceremony

The CHARM-EU diploma is a first in Europe! This is a pilot course, the second edition of which is based on feedback from the students of the first class, to improve and build together the training courses of tomorrow offered by the CHARM-EU alliance of European universities.

Click here for full details of courses and online application procedures.

The UM CHARM-EU team is also available to provide information on the curriculum, the admission process and mobility grants by e-mail.