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M.Sc. Sustainable Development
Shape the future. Understand global challenges. Create sustainable solutions.
Are you passionate about sustainability?
Do you want to understand planetary boundaries, climate change, and socio-ecological transformations? Are you aiming for a career in sustainability management, policy, research, or consulting?
In the M.Sc. Sustainable Development, you will acquire a solid foundation of knowledge on human–environment relationships while developing an advanced conceptual and methodological understanding of how sustainable solutions can be designed, analysed, and implemented. The programme engages with pressing global issues, including climate change, planetary boundaries, and their interconnections with key societal dimensions such as poverty, health, and education. At the same time, students examine ecological systems and the role of ecosystem services in sustainability transitions.
The goal of the programme is to enable you to critically analyse complex socio-ecological interactions and to develop and refine interventions that contribute to sustainable development. The degree is designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles in the sustainability transition and equally provides a strong basis for those pursuing a career in academic research.
The M.Sc. Sustainable Development at marburg University is an interdisciplinary and research-oriented master’s programme jointly supported by expertise in Economics and Human or Physical Geography.
Why study Sustainable Development in Marburg?
The programme is characterised by its interdisciplinary structure, allowing students to combine Economics with either Human Geography or Physical Geography. This integration of perspectives provides a comprehensive understanding of sustainability challenges across environmental, spatial, and socio-economic dimensions.
Marburg’s strong emphasis on research and international orientation enables students to develop their own research projects and build advanced analytical expertise. The curriculum is complemented by robust methodological training, offering opportunities to engage with approaches such as Advanced Statistics, Empirical Social Research Methods, Environmental Modelling, and Remote Sensing.
Beyond subject-specific knowledge, the programme supports the development of career-relevant skills, including scientific analysis, communication and presentation, as well as teamwork and leadership competencies.
What will you learn?
Throughout the programme, students develop the ability to analyse nature–society relationships, apply advanced quantitative and qualitative methods, and design and conduct independent research projects. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding innovation processes and sustainability transitions, alongside strengthening the capacity to communicate complex sustainability issues effectively to academic, professional, and public audiences.
Who can apply?
Applicants are eligible if they hold a B.Sc. degree in Economics, Business Administration, or Geography (Human and/or Physical). Graduates from Social Science programmes may also qualify, provided their studies demonstrate a clear economic or geographic focus. Detailed information on admission requirements is available through the official application guidelines.
Career perspectives
Graduates of the programme pursue careers in a wide range of fields, including sustainability and environmental management, policy and governance, consulting, and international organisations. The degree also provides an excellent foundation for academic research and doctoral studies, as well as roles in corporate sustainability and ESG-related positions.
Further information & application
For comprehensive details on programme structure, course contents, academic advising, admission requirements, application procedures, deadlines, and career orientation, please also visit the official overview page.
The M.Sc. Sustainable Development is a joint programme offered by the Department of Geography and the School of Business and Economics. The programme is academically hosted by the Department of Geography. Prospective students may also consult the degree program webpages of the School of Business and Economics, , which provide complementary information on the programme.
