International joint MSc programme in geography of environmental risks and human security

Location

Bonn

Description

The main purpose of the two-year Master of Science programme is to provide postgraduate students with detailed knowledge, critical understanding, strategies and the tools required to take an interdisciplinary approach towards environmental risks and human security. The Master’s programme addresses theoretical and methodological debates in geography to better understand the complex emergence of environmental risks and natural hazards and their implications for human-nature relations (vulnerability, resilience, adaptation) and how to deal with them in practice.

As a joint programme by the Department of Geography and the United Nations University in Bonn, the course provides a unique combination of advanced conceptual and applied engagements with the field of environmental risks and human security in an international context.

Fields of expertise include: Vulnerability Assessment, Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development, Disaster Management, Climate Change Adaptation, Human-Nature Relationships, Science & Technology Studies, Development Geography, Geomorphology, Socio-Hydrology, Future Studies, GIS and Remote Sensing.

The Programme consists of 11 modules, of which nine are taught in the first three semesters followed by a compulsory internship and the independent work on the Masters’s thesis. An internship of at least eight weeks is a compulsory part of the programme.

Since its launch in October 2013, a total of 122 students from 33 different countries have been studying within the programme.

The programme’s primary goals are:

• Theoretical and methodological expertise in the field of environmental risks and human security combined with practical experiences
• Strong focus on developing countries/ the “Global South”
• Intercultural and interdisciplinary learning environment
• Possibility to engage in ongoing research projects at both institutions
• Close cooperation with the UN system & international organizations

The Master’s programme offers great visibility and exposure to international organizations, federal agencies, academic and non-academic research organizations, as well as private companies and corporations involved in disaster risk reduction and preparedness, humanitarian aid, international relations, research on climate change, food security, spatial planning, and policy. Future career options may arise in all of these thematic fields depending on individual preferences and career goals.

Admission requirement

Applicants must possess a first, higher education qualification (Bachelor’s Degree) in Geography or a related/comparable professionally certified study programme. Out of all higher education qualifications earned (Bachelor’s, Master’s, additional academic coursework, etc) applicants must have accumulated at least 100 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) within courses related to the three following areas:

• Human Geography and Social Sciences, with a focus on spatial patterns, society, development;
• Science methodology and empirical research methods;
• Physical Geography, Geosciences and Environmental Sciences, with a focus on Earth System Science.

A strong motivation to contribute to the area of human security and management of risks related to environmental change is a prerequisite to study in this Master’s Programme. Applicants should be highly motivated to learn in a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment.

Non-native English speaking applicants must prove proficiency in the English language.

For further details on the application requirements, please consult the FAQs.

Frequency

Annual

Language

English

Application procedure

Scholarship

This Joint Master’s is part of a selected group of international postgraduate programmes that benefits from the EPOS funding scheme offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). We will be able to offer a certain number of fully-funded scholarships to students from “developing countries” for the student intake from 2017 onwards.

Eligible candidates should fulfill the following requirements in addition to the general eligibility criteria for the Master’s programme:

• Being a candidate from an eligible Developing Country (check the list on DAAD website);
• Having at least 2 years of work experience after the Bachelor’s and before applying for EPOS programme (i.e. with an NGO, GO, or the private sector);
• Having graduated from their Bachelor not more than 5 years ago;
• Having completed no other Master in a similar field of studies;
• Wishing to apply the post-Master knowledge in career as practitioner (not in an academic area/PHD) further contributing to development;
• Being ready to fully commit to start with the Joint Master Programme once accepted by Joint Master’s selection committee and for funding through EPOS

Students wishing to be considered for these scholarships need to apply for the programme as well by submitting a separate application pack acceptance to the former does not guarantee acceptance to the latter.

The selection process for the EPOS funding among shortlisted candidates will happen between February and April each year.

Candidates that do not fulfill the EPOS requirements but wish to benefit from financial support during their studies are invited to apply individually and early to other available funding programmes in Germany.

For more information, please see the EPOS page.