UM the First International Degree in Sustainable Development
Next fall, the University of Montpellier will launch an interdisciplinary, international degree program at the master’s level focused on sustainable development. This is the first master’s degree to be jointly awarded by five universities that are members of the CHARM-EU European University Alliance.
Information sessions are being held:
- For students: Thursday, March 25 at 10 a.m. (in English): click here to join.
- Or Wednesday, March 31, at 6 p.m. (in French): click here to join.
- For staff (teachers, program coordinators, etc.) – Tuesday, March 30 at 6:00 p.m. (in French): click here to log in.
What are the career opportunities?
This entirely new program is designed to be resolutely interdisciplinary and is therefore aimed at graduates from all disciplines and diverse backgrounds who wish to acquire advanced knowledge in sustainable development in order to tackle real-world and global societal challenges. Through its unique three-phase pedagogical model, the program will enable students to become “complexity managers” capable of implementing and monitoring sustainable development projects addressing societal challenges related to water, food, and health.
A collaboration among five prestigious universities
The degree is awarded jointly by the five member universities of the CHARM-EUalliance:the University of Barcelona, Trinity College Dublin,Utrecht University,Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, and the University of Montpellier. Courses will be taught by faculty teams from the five institutions, who will pool their skills and expertise to provide students with the best possible educational experience.
The program lasts one and a half years, or three semesters (see details below), and will offer numerous study abroad opportunities, allowing students to study at at least three of the partner universities during the program.
First semester:
A preparatory phase consisting of three required modules, each worth 10 ECTS credits (30 ECTS credits in total): Social Innovation, Sustainable Development, and Research .
Second semester:
A flexible phase consisting of 3 modules, each worth 10 ECTS credits (30 ECTS credits in total). Students must choose one of the following tracks:
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 Lifestyles and Well-being
Food Science (30 ECTS):
- The link between food, health, and the environment
- Food systems and their transformation
- Socially Just and Sustainable Food Systems
3rd semester:
A capstone project consisting of a single module worth 30 ECTS credits.
During this phase, students work collaboratively with their peers, faculty, and external partners (such as companies or organizations) on a real-world challenge related to sustainable development, grounded in the student’s original field of study.
A unique educational model
The CHARM-EU degree is student-centered, empowering students to take an active role in their own learning. Based on real-world problem-solving, the program will provide students with opportunities throughout their studies to collaborate with international students and civil society actors on addressing concrete societal challenges related to sustainable development.
It also implements an innovative competency-based assessment method, featuring individual mentoring throughout the program and regular feedback on students’ performance and the steps they can take to improve.
Who is eligible to apply?
Since the program is interdisciplinary, applicants from all backgrounds are welcome. Admissions are open to students who hold a Master’s 1 degree or a Bachelor’s degree plus 30 ECTS credits. Applicants will be required to demonstrate a C1 level of English proficiency at the start of the program in September 2021. The CHARM-EU team at the University of Montpellier is here to support you in obtaining this certification. Please feel free to contact us for more information.
For the 2021–2022 academic year, students who are citizens of the European Union and have completed their final year of study in France will receive a €3,000 scholarship, making tuition completely free.
Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2021.
The CHARM-EU degree is a first in Europe! This is a pilot program, so we need the commitment of the students in this first cohort to help us improve and shape the future programs offered by the CHARM-EU alliance of European universities.
All information about the courses and the online application process is available here.
TheUM CHARM-EU teamUM also available to answer any questions you may have about the program, the admission process, or mobility grants via email.