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The MESPOM Consortium of four universities – Central European University (Austria), Lund University (Sweden), the University of Manchester(UK), and the University of the Aegean (Greece) – is inviting applications for the Erasmus MundusJoint Master Degree in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM) for studies in 2025-2027. Apply now!
Opportunity Details
Since 2005, MESPOM has prepared its students for solving complex environmental sustainability problems, especially in an international context. It offers a multi- and inter-disciplinary curriculum that challenges students to integrate theory and practice for rigorous analysis and effective management of environmental issues in various social settings. In addition to their academic work, students acquire research, communication and other cross-cutting skills, engage with real-life practice in business, government, non-profit and academia, learn to orient themselves in European and worldwide networks of environmental professionals, and develop effective career strategies.
MESPOM partners provide a cohesive programme which exposes students to diversity of geographic perspectives (including Scandinavian, Mediterranean, and British) and complementary professional competences (policy, management and science). 11 Associated Partners connect MESPOM students to academic and professional networks in 9 countries of 4 continents.
MESPOM is an Erasmus Mundus Joint MasterDegree supported by the Erasmus Mundus programme of the European Commission.
Programme structure
The MESPOM study programme of 120 ECTS credits lasts 24 months. The fall and winter terms of the first year are hosted by Central European University (CEU, Vienna) and include an introductory module followed by advanced elective courses on contemporary environmental sustainability challenges and cross-cutting competencies. The spring term is hosted by the University of the Aegean (Lesvos, Greece) and includes environmental science courses related to land, water and ecosystems management as well as sustainable tourism. In summer, students take internships supervised by MESPOM faculty and hosted by Associated Partners or other organisations.
During the fall term of the second year, students study at the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics at Lund University (Sweden) focusing on Environment, Industry and Products or at the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences of the University of Manchester (UK) focusing on Environment and Pollution Control. Students spend the 4th (thesis) term at any of the Consortium partners according to their academic and professional interests. Throughout their studies, MESPOM students specialise in cutting-edge topics such as sustainable energy and climate change, biodiversity and conservation, urban sustainability, sustainable consumption and production, and environmental security and justice.
MESPOM Students
In order to create a diverse and stimulating learning environment, MESPOM strives to achieve a balance between geographic and disciplinary backgrounds of its students. The 579 MESPOM students admitted in 2005-2024 come from over 70 countries of five continents.
Career opportunities
MESPOM alumni work in governments, the UN, academia, industry and the non-profit sector worldwide. Many have chosen to return to their home countries whereas others have stayed in Europe, including for pursuing PhD degrees. The careers of selected MESPOM graduates are described on the MESPOM website.
The European Commission’s Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) scholarships are offered to outstanding students from both within and outside Europe. The scholarships cover travel, visa, installation and subsistence costs for the whole duration of the programme.
Applicants to MESPOM must have earned a first degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent; not less than 3 years of full-time studies) from a recognized university or institution of higher education, or provide documentation indicating that they will earn their first degree from such an institution by the time of enrolling in MESPOM. Their first degree should be in environmental studies or closely related fields. Candidates with first degrees in agricultural studies, social sciences, legal and administrative studies, economics, engineering or natural sciences will also be considered if they show commitment to environmental challenges, usually through voluntary or professional work and on-the-job training. A successful applicant has typically graduated with excellent grades (GPA of 3.5 is a minimum) from a recognized university or institution of higher education.
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English. Those applicants whose first language is not English must submit standardized English language test scores, e.g., the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Students taking TOEFL should request a copy of their results to be sent to the CEU Admissions Office. The CEU test code is 0069. Other substitute tests of English language are noted below.
|
Test Type |
Minimum Score Required |
|
TOEFL (Internet-based; not older than two years at the time of application) |
88 (90 for Manchester, with no sub-test below 20) |
| TOEFL (Paper-based; not older than two years at the time of application) | 570 |
| International English Language Test (IELTS Academic; not older than two years at the time of application) for Manchester University the test should be not older than two years for the start date of study in Manchester* |
6.5 (for Manchester with no sub-test below 6.0) |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (not older than five years at the time of application) test should be not older than two years for the start date of study in Manchester* |
59 (70 for Manchester overall, with no less than 65 in each component) |
| Cambridge English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (not older than five years at the time of application) | 180 |
| Euroexam Academic (not older than two years at the time of application) not good for Manchester track when going to the UK* | Pass |
| Duolingo English Test (not older than one year at the time of application) not good for Manchester track when going to the UK* | 125 |
If your first language is English, you will normally be exempted from this requirement when applying to CEU. You may also be exempted if you have obtained a Bachelor's or a Master's degree taught exclusively in English.
To be exempted from the English language proficiency requirement, you must include a written request as part of the application package. Decisions regarding exemptions are at the discretion of the MESPOM admissions committee and will be communicated to applicants after the first stage of the selection process.
Applicants who do not reach the minimum entrance requirements for English language proficiency may be offered admission only in exceptional cases as determined by the departmental admissions committee and approved by the Provost/Pro-Rector.
The MESPOM consortium reserves the right to request evidence of English language proficiency.
*Please check possible additional English language requirements of the University of Manchester here. Note that the four language tests UK immigration accepts are IELTS Academic, Pearson Academic, Cambridge English C1/C2 and TOEFL iBT (not HomeEdition), and the exemptions for CEU may not be accepted by them, so be prepared that you may have to re-do your language test before your 2nd year in Manchester. It needs to be submitted to Manchester by 31 July preceeding your UK period.)
Manchester may also accept other tests or previous study at a Majority English speaking country in lieu of the qualifications listed above by Manchester.
For confirmation, or enquiries relating to English Language requirements for the Manchester track please contact them directly at [email protected].
MESPOM invites applicants from all countries. Successful applicants must have a good first degree (3.5 GPA or above, a Bachelor or analogue) in a subject related to environmental sciences, policy or management, in the natural or social sciences, engineering or management. Candidates with other first degrees will also be considered if they show commitment to environmental challenges, usually through voluntary or professional work. All applicants should demonstrate proficiency in English. Admission to MESPOM is highly competitive and is based on the academic and intellectual excellence of applicants as well as their motivation and prior experience.
Central European University organizes the application process on behalf of the MESPOM Consortium. All applications for the 2025-2027 study period should be submitted online, along with the necessary documents, by the following deadlines:
February 4, 2025: For individuals applying for Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships
April 15, 2025: For self-financing applicants who are citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA area and require a study visa
July 1, 2025: For self-financing applicants who are citizens of EU/EEA countries
More information on the eligibility and application process can be found here.
The on-line application for MESPOM 2024-2026 has opened.
Central European University manages the formalities of the admission process on behalf of the MESPOM Consortium. All candidates are required to fill in the CEU on-line application form. Please read carefully the instructions and the list of documents to be submitted before filling it in. All MESPOM applicants should meet the CEU General Admission Requirements.
MESPOM applicants do not need to pay the CEU application fee, if they do not apply to other programs.
Applicants, as of 2018, are able to submit two applications and apply for either for the Lund or the Manchester tracks. It is recommended that all applicants gain a good understanding of the difference between the two tracks offered. If an applicant is applying for both mobility tracks (Lund and Manchester), it is important that the applicant explains in her/his statement of purpose which of the two is her/his preferred option!
For informal chats and information, join the Study at MESPOM Facebook group.
In addition to filling in the on-line application form by the relevant application deadlines, the following documents should be secured.
Applicants must submit at least two letters of recommendation assessing their ability to conduct graduate-level work and their potential for a successful academic or professional career. The letters of recommendation must be completed by faculty members, job supervisors, etc., who are most familiar with the applicant's professional and/or academic abilities and character. Referees are requested to complete these letters in English or, if written in another language, to attach a certified English language translation. Normally, submission of the letters is done through the on-line application form: applicants provide contact data of the referees, and the system contacts them by e-mail.
Please note that your referees have 7 days to submit their reference letters following the date of your submission (including beyond Febr 1 if you submit in the last days).
Your application must include a scanned image of your complete official bachelor’s transcript and your bachelor's diploma in English.
Applicants to MESPOM program must submit a 350-word essay/statement of career goals and reasons for applying to this program, covering the following:
This should include a list of publications, if any.
Such proof is an official score report from one of the recognized English language examinations or other formal evidence of English language proficiency as defined by the eligibility criteria. Information about the tests passed or forthcoming should be filled in the on-line application form. If your score report is not sent directly to CEU, you will need to submit an original certificate after your admission.
All applicants must have an active email account during the MESPOM admissions process. This account should be checked regularly.
Selected applicants will be requested to provide proof of residency.
In order to be able to enroll at CEU, accepted students must submit the following academic documents to the Admissions Office (by electronic mail to [email protected] by the institution that has issued them /copies sent by the students are not accepted/ or in hard copies mailed (or submitted in person) to the Admissions Office at Room A609, Quellenstrasse 51, 1100 Vienna, Austria) by July 31, 2023, the latest.
If you wish to retain the original copies, photocopies of the original copies will also be accepted if certified by a notary public or the institution itself (along with official English translations as applicable).
an official electronic copy of their final Bachelor's (and, for doctoral programs, Master's) transcript or Diploma Supplement in English.
an official electronic copy of the degree certificate or diploma in English unless the transcript contains a statement of the degree obtained with the date of award. A diploma supplement must be accompanied by the diploma.
Submission of the above document(s) is a precondition of enrollment.
Inquiries about the admissions process and requests for additional information should be addressed to the CEU Admissions office or by e-mail to [email protected] (not to be used for sending applications and related documents!).
It is also advised to regularly check this website for up-to-date information.
FEW USEFUL LINKS
General entry requirements:http://www.ceu.edu/admissions/who-can-apply
Application fee payment: https://www.ceu.edu/faq#fee
Tuition and other costs: https://mespom.eu/student-finances-practicalities
Financial aid: https://mespom.eu/potential-sources-funding, http://www.ceu.edu/financialaid
Frequently asked questions: https://mespom.eu/faqs, https://www.ceu.edu/faq
Introduction to CEU: http://www.ceu.edu/about
CEU Accreditation: http://www.ceu.edu/administration/accreditation
Contact and additional information
Additional information is available on www.mespom.eu or by writing to the MESPOM Consortium Coordinator ([email protected]).
Apply for Erasmus Mundus MESPOM Scholarship